April 12, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Revelation 18 – The Fall of Babylon: The Final Call to Separation
God’s Plea to Withdraw from the Seductive Powers of This World—A Call to Purity, Truth, and Decision

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Bible Text – Revelation 18 (KJV)

¹ And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

² And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

³ For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

⁴ And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

⁵ For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

⁶ Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

⁷ How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

⁸ Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

⁹ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

¹⁰ Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

¹¹ And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

¹² The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

¹³ And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

¹⁴ And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

¹⁵ The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

¹⁶ And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

¹⁷ For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

¹⁸ And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

¹⁹ And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

²⁰ Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

²¹ And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

²² And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

²³ And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

²⁴ And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

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Introduction

Revelation 18 portrays, in vivid and dramatic imagery, the final collapse of Babylon—the symbol of religious corruption, spiritual unfaithfulness, political abuse, and economic exploitation. While chapter 17 announced Babylon’s judgment, this chapter focuses on its destruction by God’s decree and the urgent call to His people: “Come out of her!” That call remains relevant today for anyone willing to break free from deception, idolatry, and the world’s systems.

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Commentary

1. Babylon’s Judgment (vv. 1–8)

   • A mighty angel announces Babylon’s fall and proclaims her as a demon-infested stronghold—warning of spiritual apostasy.

   • The heavenly voice calls God’s people to separate themselves, lest they share in her sins and plagues.

   • Her sins have reached heaven; God’s patience has ended, and double retribution is declared.

2. Earth’s Lament over Babylon’s Fall (vv. 9–19)

   • Kings lament the loss of political alliances; merchants mourn economic ruin—revealing reliance on worldly wealth.

   • Shipmasters and traders weep because their prosperity collapsed in a single hour.

   • This mourning highlights the futility of placing hope in human systems.

3. Heaven’s Rejoicing (v. 20)

   • Heaven, saints, apostles, and prophets celebrate God’s righteous judgment—because He has avenged His people.

4. Total Destruction of Babylon (vv. 21–24)

   • A mighty angel casts a millstone into the sea: Babylon will vanish without trace.

   • All signs of life—music, craftsmanship, commerce, light, celebration—cease.

   • Babylon’s sorcery deceived all nations, and her bloodguilt against prophets and saints is exposed.

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Summary

Revelation 18 delivers a solemn yet hopeful message: God’s judgment falls fully on Babylon, the epitome of systems opposed to Him. Yet before the plagues strike, He pleads for His people to leave her. Worldly wealth and power, no matter how attractive, cannot shield from divine justice. God’s faithful are called to purity and separation.

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Message for Today

God calls us out: Many remain captive to modern “Babylons” of ideology, commerce, or church traditions. God’s plea is urgent: Come out!
True freedom: Breaking with false systems requires courage, but Christ gives the liberty that comes from truth (John 8:32).
Don’t trust in wealth: Worldly riches are fleeting—true security rests in Christ alone.
Celebrate God’s justice: Heaven rejoices when His righteousness prevails. Stand with Him now.
The hour is critical: Babylon’s hour has struck. Decide today for purity, truth, and allegiance to the Lamb.

April 6 – 12, 2025

WEEKLY READING OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

Ellen White | Steps to Christ – Chapter 12

What to Do with Doubt

Read here online

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Introduction

Doubt is one of the subtlest and most dangerous weapons of the enemy in the great battle for the human mind. Especially young believers and seekers are vulnerable to thoughts that aim to shake their trust in God’s Word and character.

Yet this chapter shows clearly:
God does not demand blind faith,
but offers abundant evidence,
while still calling for faith, trust, and spiritual humility.

The truth remains hidden only from those who refuse to seek it—and is continually revealed by the Holy Spirit to honest seekers.

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Commentary

1. The Origin of Doubt (Paras. 1–2)
Many experience doubt when encountering difficult Bible passages.
Satan uses these moments to shake our faith.
But: God has given us sufficient foundations for belief—doubt persists only if we choose to cultivate it.

2. The Limitations of Human Understanding (Paras. 3–6)
We cannot fully comprehend the essence and work of the infinite God.
Passages like Job 11:7–8, Romans 11:33, and Psalm 97:2 demonstrate that God’s greatness surpasses human knowledge.
There are mysteries (e.g., the origin of sin, the incarnation, the resurrection) that do not undermine Scripture’s divine origin but confirm it.

3. The Divine Origin of the Bible (Paras. 7–10)
Even the simplest truths exceed our research yet are accessible to all.
Scripture speaks to both heart and mind.
Its depth and simplicity together testify to its inspiration by God.

4. Proper Handling of Difficult Passages (Paras. 11–14)
Peter warns against twisting hard texts (2 Peter 3:16).
Not everything attributed to the Bible actually comes from it.
Pride, impatience, and the desire for total control keep many from understanding.

5. Faith Grows through Humility (Paras. 15–19)
Those who study Scripture with childlike faith and prayer find even hard passages explained by the Holy Spirit.
Only reverence for God makes the Word come alive and become understandable.

6. The Root of Unbelief (Paras. 20–22)
Behind many doubts lies a love of sin.
The heart resists God’s claims.
Yet whoever is willing to do God’s will will recognize the truth (John 7:17).

7. Proof through Experience (Paras. 23–25)
The strongest proof of God’s Word is personal experience:
“Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:9).
Those who test God’s promises will never be disappointed.

8. Continuing Deepening of Faith (Paras. 26–28)
Spiritual growth brings ever-clearer understanding:
“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun” (Proverbs 4:18).
God combines His divine power with our humanity to teach us continuously.

9. The Unfolding of the Previously Unintelligible (Paras. 29–30)
What once seemed dark becomes clear in His presence.
One day we will know fully, “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

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Summary

Doubts will come—but they need not remain.
The Bible holds mysteries, not to confuse us, but to inspire faith, wonder, and trust.
Those who approach Scripture in humility, prayer, and obedience will find deep assurance and insight.
The greatest confirmation is the testimony of personal experience with God.

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Message for Today

In a world of skepticism, critical thinking, and so-called “scientific” doubt, it’s easy to give doubt a foothold.
But God’s Word stands reliable, profound, and true—across time and culture.

“If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know” (John 7:17).
“Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:9).

What does this mean for you?

• Don’t search first for explanations—search for God Himself.

• Let your pursuit be driven by a desire for truth, not intellectual pride.

• When doubt arises, go to Jesus, not to speculation.

• Read the Bible in prayer with an open heart—and it will come alive to you.

Doubt fades where trust grows.
God is not distant—His Word is living and powerful for everyone who seeks it with an open heart