alliances today

ALLIANCES TODAY

From Life Application Bible

Government

We rely on government legislation to protect the moral decisions we want made, but legislation cannot change people’s hearts.

Science

We enjoy the benefits of science and technology. We look to specific predictions and analysis before we look to the Bible.

Education

We act as though education and degrees can guarantee our future and success without considering what God plans for our future.

Medical careo

We regard medicine as the way to prolong life and preserve its quality – quite apart from faith and moral living.

Financial systems

We place our faith in financial “security” – making as much money as we can for ourselves – forgetting that, while being wise with our money, we must trust God for our needs.

Isaiah warned Judah not to ally with Egypt {Isaiah 20:5; 30:1,2; 31:1 } He knew that trust in any nation or any military might was futile.

Judah’s only hope was to trust God. Although we don’t consciously put our hope for deliverance in political alliances in quite the same way, we often put our hope in other places.

Blessings inRevelations

Revelations 1:3“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this

prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take

to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

Revelations 14:13

“Blessed are the dead in the Lord from now on… They will rest from their

labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Revelations 16:15“Behold, I come like a

thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

Revelations 19:9

“Blessed are those who are invited to the

wedding supper of the Lamb.”

Revelations 20:6“Blessed are those who

have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over

them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for

a thousand years.”

Revelations 22:7“Behold, I am coming

soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this

book.”

Revelations 22:14“Blessed are those who

wash their robes, that they may have the right to the

tree of life and may go through the gates into the

city.”

Revelations 17:1 Interpretations

The destruction of Babylon mentioned in 16:17-21 is now described in greater

detail. The “great prostitute” called Babylon,

represents the early Roman empire


with its many gods and the blood of Christian martyrs

on its hands. The water stands for either sea commerce or a well-

watered (well-provisioned) city.


The great prostitute represents the

seductiveness of the governmental system that

uses immoral means to gain its own pleasure,

prosperity, advantage.


In contrast to the prostitute, Christ’s bride, the church,

is pure and obedient. (19:6-9)


The wicked city of Babylon contrasts with the

heavenly city of Jerusalem (21:10-22-5)


The original readers probably rather quickly identified Babylon with Rome, but Babylon also symbolizes any system

that is hostile to God. (see 17:5)

Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the

LORD, to those who carry out plans

that are not mine, forming an alliance,

but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.

Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the

LORD, to those who carry out plans

that are not mine, forming an alliance,

but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.”

Psalm 90:10 “The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for

their quickly pass, and we fly away.”

Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of the LORD

our God rest upon us; establish the work of our

hands for us –Yea, establish the work of

our hands.”

Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of

the Almighty.”

alliances today

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