And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has forced all the nations to drink from the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Rev. 14:8.
The Chinese people, being northern Asian, are highly efficient, businesslike people. At Chinese airports the planes leave and arrive early and the service is always quick and efficient. Chinese tend to be quiet in public and do not usually approach or talk to those they do not know. Once the ice is broken, though, the Chinese people are friendly and eager to talk to foreigners.
In contrast to northern Asians, the southern Asians tend to be more relaxed and always ready with a quick smile and pleasant hello. They are not so time-conscious but are more relationship-oriented. Despite living in deprived circumstances most of the time, they almost always posses a sweet spirit.
An exception to this general rule is Singapore, a steamily tropical place with several million transplanted Chinese. Although most Singaporean Chinese were born and raised in the country, they retain the businesslike efficiency of their northern relatives.
While it may take centuries, it does seem that the latitude that people live in deeply affects their culture. The cooler latitudes produce a more reserved people, while the warmer latitudes have nurtured the development of a more relaxed culture. Different circumstances produce different responses.
We discover two sides to the God of the Bible. In the Old Testament climate we find at times the stern God who dealt with Uzzah and the Gibeonites. Then in the climate of New Testament times God comes as a gentle lamb. But the book of Revelation portrays both pictures of God together. The Lamb is also a Lion (Rev. 5:5, 6). The gospel of Jesus Christ has two sides to it. On the one hand is the free offer of full acceptance with God. And on the other hand is a penetrating analysis of human depravity and its consequences. While God desires the salvation of all, the climate of the end will require corrective action.
The message of our text goes against the grain. The whole world worships the beast (Rev. 13:8). The message of God's angels (Rev. 14:6-12) will counter the voices of Hollywood, CNN, and the major universities. The good news is that God proclaims judgment before He actually completes it (verse 7). Each person still has an opportunity to avoid its personal consequences. The condemnation of Babylon is not so much bad news as a last opportunity to hear and to follow the good news! God cares enough to give us every opportunity to repent before it is too late.
Lord, help me to lay aside everything that keeps me from hearing Your voice today. I choose to submit to Your will without reservation.
The Chinese people, being northern Asian, are highly efficient, businesslike people. At Chinese airports the planes leave and arrive early and the service is always quick and efficient. Chinese tend to be quiet in public and do not usually approach or talk to those they do not know. Once the ice is broken, though, the Chinese people are friendly and eager to talk to foreigners.
In contrast to northern Asians, the southern Asians tend to be more relaxed and always ready with a quick smile and pleasant hello. They are not so time-conscious but are more relationship-oriented. Despite living in deprived circumstances most of the time, they almost always posses a sweet spirit.
An exception to this general rule is Singapore, a steamily tropical place with several million transplanted Chinese. Although most Singaporean Chinese were born and raised in the country, they retain the businesslike efficiency of their northern relatives.
While it may take centuries, it does seem that the latitude that people live in deeply affects their culture. The cooler latitudes produce a more reserved people, while the warmer latitudes have nurtured the development of a more relaxed culture. Different circumstances produce different responses.
We discover two sides to the God of the Bible. In the Old Testament climate we find at times the stern God who dealt with Uzzah and the Gibeonites. Then in the climate of New Testament times God comes as a gentle lamb. But the book of Revelation portrays both pictures of God together. The Lamb is also a Lion (Rev. 5:5, 6). The gospel of Jesus Christ has two sides to it. On the one hand is the free offer of full acceptance with God. And on the other hand is a penetrating analysis of human depravity and its consequences. While God desires the salvation of all, the climate of the end will require corrective action.
The message of our text goes against the grain. The whole world worships the beast (Rev. 13:8). The message of God's angels (Rev. 14:6-12) will counter the voices of Hollywood, CNN, and the major universities. The good news is that God proclaims judgment before He actually completes it (verse 7). Each person still has an opportunity to avoid its personal consequences. The condemnation of Babylon is not so much bad news as a last opportunity to hear and to follow the good news! God cares enough to give us every opportunity to repent before it is too late.
Lord, help me to lay aside everything that keeps me from hearing Your voice today. I choose to submit to Your will without reservation.
RSS Feed
