The Longing Soul
Today’s reading: Revelation 13:11-18:24
My selection: Revelation 18:10
14 “The fruit for which your soul longed
has gone from you,
and all your delicacies and your splendors
are lost to you,
never to be found again!”
My reflections: The final judgment of this world is symbolized in the fall of Babylon with its materialism and sensuality. The souls of deceived people longed for the pleasures and majesty which the earthly kingdom offered, but it will elude them and be lost forever. All they can do is stand in fear, weeping and mourning for their loss, never to be recovered (vs. 15). What a sad picture!
The writer to the Hebrews says that God’s people, by faith, long for a better country, a heavenly one. They will not be disappointed.
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:6
My challenge: Everyone longs for something. The question is what is the object of your longing? For what does your soul long? If it is not God and the heavenly country, it is this world with its pending destruction. Christian, you are called to long for that heavenly country, the city God has prepared for you. Do not long for anything less.
Remember the famous words of martyred missionary, Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Tomorrow’s reading: Revelation 19:1-22:21