REVELATION 18 Lesson 2B
THE COMING GLOBAL FINANCIAL
COLLAPSE
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
REVELATION 18:20-24
What might happen eventually to us as Christians? Probably what has happened
all along the way to servants of the Lord since the beginning, you and I may be
called on by God to actually suffer! Listen to a modern day saint who is suffering.
This is a Vietnamese Pastor’s wife story.
THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST
I believe Mrs. Nguyen Thi An (a fictitious name) can claim a rightful
companionship with Paul. Though she has lost everything, she has all things in
One. They have taken her husband, her home, and her belongings, yet her
contentment they cannot take.
Mrs. An’s husband was a pastor in Vietnam. When police closed their church, he
was thrown into prison. Without official papers, she and her children were forced
to live on a balcony outside an apartment. Yet her faith has forged a sanctuary
out of her surroundings, from which she greets us:
My Dear Friends,
… You know around here we are experiencing hardships, but we thank the Lord
He is comforting us and caring for us in every way. When we experience
misfortune, adversity, distress and hardship, only then do we see the real
blessing of the Lord poured down on us in such a way that we cannot contain it.
We have been obliged recently to leave our modest apartment and for over two
months have been living on a balcony. The rain has been beating down and
soaking us. Sometimes in the middle of the night we are forced to gather our
blankets and run to seek refuge in a stairwell.
Do you know what I do then? I laugh and I praise the Lord, because we can still
take shelter in the stairwell. I think of how many people are experiencing much
worse hardships than I am. Then I remember the words of the Lord, “To the
poor, 0 Lord, You are a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat” (cp.
Isaiah 25:4), and I am greatly comforted….
Our Father … is the One who according to the Scriptures does not break the
bruised reed nor put out the flickering lamp. He is the One who looks after the
orphan and the widow. He is the One who brings blessings and peace to
numberless people.
I do not know what words to use in order to describe the love that the Lord has
shown our family. I only can bow my knee and my heart and offer to the Lord
words of deepest thanks and praise. Although we have lost our house and our
possessions, we have not lost the Lord, and He is enough. With the Lord I have
everything. The only thing I would fear losing is His blessing!
Could I ask you and our friends in the churches abroad to continue to pray for me
that I will faithfully follow the Lord and serve Him regardless of what the
circumstances may be? As far as my husband is concerned, I was able to visit
him this past summer. We had a 20-niinute conversation that brought us great
joy….
I greet you with my love.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi An
WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET READY
FOR THE END OF THE WORLD?
There is a plague sweeping America. It’s neither AIDS nor TB; it’s a dark cloud
that overshadows all of life. It’s called DISCONTENTMENT. What is the plague
we face here in America? It’s the plague of discontentment. Discontentment is
like an infection. You can catch it by contact unless you are resistant.
DO A STUDY OF THE SEVEN KEYS TO LEARN AND MAINTAIN
BIBLICAL CONTENTMENT FROM I TIMOTHY 6:
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour,
that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren;
but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh
envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain
is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from
the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast
professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who
before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen,
nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions
of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. (The first to Timothy
was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.)
1. Remember things are only temporary v.7.
2. Only seek necessities; wait for the rest v.8.
3. Avoid a consuming desire for prosperity v.9-10.
4. Flee materialism v.11.
5. Cling to eternal life v.12-16.
6. Fix your hope on God v.17.
7. Give until it hurts v.18.
Contentment is the byproduct of following the Shepherd. It is experiencing the
inner-peace that only He can provide. It is knowing He will promote you at the
right time. Contentment is the sense of satisfaction that comes to a husband and
wife as they emulate the provision and care of the Shepherd to their own
children. Contentment comes from serving Christ instead of money and from
providing not only financially for your family, but also emotionally, morally and
spiritually.
Finally, What can be the result of living by the Bible’s definition of contentment?
Let’s look at just three:
1. If you are content, you can enjoy the present rather than being anxious
about the future.
Mt 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not
the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
2. If you are content, you can be liberated to truly enjoy the successes of
others around you without envy.
Ps 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him
who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
3. If you are content, you will be able to let the Lord build a true sense of
thankfulness about everything.
I TH 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
BEWARE OF DISCONTENTMENT.
Listen to Packer’s insightful analysis.14 “Discontent will destroy your peace, rob
you of joy, make you miserable, spoil your witness,” warns Packer. “We dishonor
God if we proclaim a Savior who satisfies and then go around discontent.”
The advantages of contentment, on the other hand, are many: freedom,
gratitude, rest, and peace — all components of health. They who are content do
not have to worry about the latest styles or what to wear tomorrow. They can
rejoice in their neighbor’s good fortune without having to feel inferior. They do
not fret with wrinkles or graying because they accept what comes. They do not
have to worry how they might buy this or that because they have no desire for
this or that. They are not consumed with how to get out of debt because they
have no debt. They have time for gratitude even in small things. They have time
for relationships because possessions and the bank do not own them.
Contentment, explains J.I. Packer, “is essentially a matter of accepting from
God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is
good.”
BEWARE OF THE PROSPERITY LADDER15
Another erroneous measure of contentment is the prosperity ladder. Most of us
look “up the ladder” and notice that the wealthy have more than we do. This, of
course, strikes a near fatal blow at one’s contentment. If, instead, we reversed
our gaze and looked down the ladder, our gratitude would thrive and
opportunities for sharing would abound.
13 Farrar, Better Homes and Jungles, p.189-90.
14 Packer as quoted by Swenson, p.194-5.
15 Swenson, p.188.
The pettiness of my own sources of discontent would be amusing were I not so
repentant about them. I have been know to grumble when our house
temperature drops to sixty degrees, yet there are untold millions in the world who
do not have shelter. I have been known to complain if the day is rainy, yet a
large segment of the world’s land is shriveling up in drought. I have been known
to groan if I miss my dinner, yet thousands who go to sleep tonight without food
will not awaken in the morning. Christ came to save me from sin — not from
sixty-degree homes, rainy weather, and delayed dinners.
This relativism, where the grass is greener on your neighbor’s lawn, can be
remedied, but first it must be confessed. We need to quit staring at those who
have more than we do. We need to override the set point by spiritual maturity, to
look down rather than up the ladder, and to fix our contentment on godliness
rather than relativism. It helps immeasurably if we are surrounded by a
community of like–minded friends rather than a society where envy has been
normalized.
What should we do?
1. DON’T PANIC. Listen to and only operate in the realm of the Word of God.
Note what Isaiah 30:15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall
be your strength.” But you would not, and Isaiah 32:17 The work of
righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and
assurance forever.
2. PRAYERFULLY DO SOME RESEARCH. Look up some Y2K articles, read a
book or two, track the Internet for a week.
3. THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE
SCENARIOS:
* What would you want to do for the Lord if He was returning next Sunday?
* What would your family need if the electricity goes out for a whole day in
January, 2024?
* What would your family need if the electricity goes out for a whole week in
January, 2024?
* What would your family need if the electricity goes out for a whole month
in January, 2024?
* What would your family need if the electricity goes out for a whole year in
2024?
4. THINK ETERNALLY. Do you need this or that in light of eternity? Where
would time and talent best be invested?
5. GIVE STRATEGICALLY. Where would a gift of money best be used?
6. PREPARE EVANGELISTICALLY. How can you be ready with your quake
pack as in California (enough to help fellow motorists or neighbors).
7. TALK PROPHETICALLY. You can speak with confidence about the future.
The world will not end; the planet will not be plunged into nuclear winter, etc.
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.
REVELATION 18 Lesson 2B THE COMING GLOBAL FINANCIAL COLLAPSE WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT REVELATION 18:20-24