1. You are citizens of one of two kingdoms: Babylon or the New Jerusalem. This should be a wake up call – Beatitudes of two kingdoms are in stark contrast: Jesus said “Blessed are poor in Spirit”, Babylon says, “Blessed are Rich and Powerful” – Jesus, “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness”, Babylon, “Blessed are the persecutors.”

You have to choose which system you want to live in: the one that offers a false sense of security, momentary pleasure, the thought that you can be your own god, the kingdom that keeps popping up and fading out OR the Kingdom that continues to thrive when all other Kingdoms have fallen – the Kingdom that offers PEACE beyond circumstances, HOPE for the future, LOVE that expresses itself selflessly - you get to decide: DO I EMBRACE MY TRUTH or THE TRUTH?

2. You don’t naturally drift toward holiness. In Jesus, you have positional holiness because of his work on the cross. But personal holiness is a choice. And you will naturally drift toward power, pleasure, instant gratification, compromise – you won’t accidentally become like Jesus. You will accidentally become like the prostitute – can you imagine the state of the heart of a prostitute? Shame, deep pain, calloused – maybe even as I describe it, you identify all too well – kingdoms competing for your heart.

 

3. The allure of Babylon is real. Think about it: The apostle John was captivated by her beauty. Even Caiaphus, the high priest said in John 19:15, “We have no king but Cesar” – the system of Babylon invades all of culture, including the church! It is the wide path that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7, the way that seems right in Proverbs 14 – in short, Babylon is coming for you, and she is HOT – but don’t be fooled – she looks beautiful, but is actually filthy.

 

1. 4. The Kingdom of God consistently wins. Isaiah 40:3, grass withers, flowers fade, but word of the Lord endures – Kingdoms rise and fall, but the KOG endures. The book of Revelation continues to highlight that Jesus is the hero of the story, and that he will ultimately extinguish anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5