Revelation 18:23 23 …and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. ESV
Years ago, I read a commentary by someone who made a big deal out of the merchants mentioned in chapter 18. In his commentary, the author seemed to vilify those who were involved in retail as if, somehow, they were co-conspirators in a vast and grand scheme to overthrow the earth and capture the souls of men. A good guess perhaps; but wrong. The merchants of this earth are the power-brokers; the ones who buy and sell power; and who use and abuse their power because they always seem to know how to get more. The merchants of the earth are not the CEO’s and shareholders of Macy’s, Target, and K-Mart.
The great ones of the earth are the least in heaven if they somehow manage to even get there. The great ones of the earth are of the culture of the earth and that culture is godless. The great ones of the earth are the ones who think they can control it and position themselves in the place of God so that they’ll be admired by men. Talk about selling oneself short…
If I’m to seek anything it’s greatness in heaven where the minimum threshold is humility; and for an arrogant old fart like me, humility comes hard. But I’m teachable – I think. The last thing I want to be is a great one of the earth because earth ain’t where it’s at. Heaven is…
Father in Heaven,
Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory for ever, not mine. Thank You that my place reserved in heaven, and thank You that You measure greatness by such things as humility, service, and faithfulness. May these things be mine more and more through Jesus Christ – amen.
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