Revelation 18:15-20 (Rejoicing and mourning over God's vengeance on Babylon)

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son the Lamb for us and for all that You've revealed to us in Your Word, including Your warnings to us on sin and Your instruction on Your good and acceptable and perfect will for us. Help us to know You and Your Son and Your Holy Spirit better through our study of Your Word. Bless our reading of it, help us to understand it, make it fruitful in us and through us, and help us especially in studying this book of Revelation that You've given us. And strengthen Your Church, including all of Your missionaries, pastors and church leaders, and all those being persecuted for Your Son's name, including in North Korea, China, Africa and Muslim lands, and Christians here who have lost their jobs for not compromising on Your Word, and keep Chinese leaders from corrupting Your Word in Chinese-language Bibles and help believers in North Korea and China, including children, to know You and meet in the truth of Your Word. Help us also as we face living in this time and place which is more and more rejecting Your Son and in which evil is so often called good and good evil, lies are called true and the truth called lies, and false accusers abound, as Satan's temporary grip on this world is increasing, and in which coldness is growing in many churches and those with the spirit of the tare and the spirit of the hireling so often have the loudest voices. Help us also to take the beam out of our own eye before trying to remove the mote from the eyes of others and to follow Your direction on how we are to live each day, not depending on our own sight or own understanding or own strength but on You; help us to be the salt and light that we should be, and to be thankful and trusting You in all circumstances; and help, too, our leaders in the world, including the Trumps and Pences, and help our nation also so that many hearts here turn back to You and many more souls are saved. We also pray for those possessed or oppressed by demons, those oppressed by man, the falsely accused and falsely convicted, those who serve and protect others, the poor and the homeless, and those addicted to substances. And also help and protect children who are being abused and children in the womb and those fighting to protect them. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

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