Amazing Facts
Daily Devotionals

September 25th

Double According to Her Works.

We are so used to hearing about God’s forgiveness and grace that today’s text may sound foreign. After all, God so loved the world that He sent Jesus to bear our sins to save those who would “repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

The apostle Peter wrote this about Jesus: “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). This is just one of many Bible texts showing God’s compassionate love and forgiveness.

And yet, today’s verse boldly warns, “Pay her back double for her works!” Double?

Perhaps the key to understanding this judgment is in the last part: “In the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” Babylon is merely reaping what she has sown. The evil that appears to go unpunished will, ultimately, face retribution. It is unavoidable, and now is that time of fulfillment. Babylon, and all those who joined in her evil, will reap the consequences of her deeds.

But Babylon is not alone in receiving a “double portion.” God promises the same to the redeemed: “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs” (Isaiah 61:7). “Even today I declare that I will restore double to you” (Zechariah 9:12).

While God’s wrath for her sin is poured out upon Babylon, Christ is made “heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2), and part of His inheritance is the redeemed, who inherit all things through Him. “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance” (Psalm 16:5). “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance … that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11, 12). Babylon has set her eyes on the things of this world; let us keep our eyes fixed on the real treasure: Christ.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gospel and for taking upon Yourself the sins of the world so that I may have a new life in Jesus.

For Further Study: Isaiah 40:2; Jeremiah 16:18; Colossians 1:14

Key Bible Texts

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. (Revelation 18:6 KJV)