A Double Portion

Revelation 17 & 18     Kathy Carlson

Give back to her as she has given;
    pay her back double for what she has done.
    Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
Give her as much torment and grief
    as the glory and luxury she gave herself.                Rev 17:6-7

Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.                              Isaiah 61:7

After spending years studying and pouring over Scripture, consuming it as if my very life depended on it (it does), I still find myself slack-jawed in amazement at the intricacy of detail and symmetry of the Old and New Testament writings.  Early on I learned to study the Word by using the Word itself – digging into the cross reference notations as if mining precious jewels, weaving in and out of different books of the Bible, Old and New Testaments, delighting in the discovery of agreement and clarification at every turn.  Immediately after reading chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation I thought of the scripture that has been my touch point since I was but a baby in my faith - Isaiah 61.  I clung to the promise early on that I would be receiving a double portion that would cover the shame that dogged my heels over the 34 years I spent grappling with sin and guilt that burdened me.  I marveled that I would also receive an inheritance of JOY in double portion as well after years of grief and anger that weighed heavily on my soul. Who but God could promise such an extravagant inheritance to a beggar covered in ashes like myself?  I was deeply aware of what I deserved (along the lines of the punishment we see detailed in Rev 17-18) and to receive Christ and put my faith in Him was to receive a blessing (and double at that!) instead of cursing and joy instead of mourning.

The enemy of our souls masquerades as a garish imitation of the true richness of our God. The woman described in Revelation mocks God with her cheap perfume, faux luxury.  The city where she dwells is stripped naked of all it’s pretense and tinny jewels.  She is brought to ruin by her own self-centered pursuit of fame and her attempt to steal the glory due to God.  In contrast to the double portion of blessing the children of God experience, she is severely punished for every deed of wrongdoing in a double portion.  It’s a fearsome punishment for the crime of all crimes.

Are you still blind to the true riches of our God?  Are you foolishly running after an imitation of His perfect and extravagant future for you?  Dear one, turn around and head for home.  His arms are open wide.  He awaits you and longs to lavish upon you a double blessing, a homecoming celebration, a wedding feast to end all wedding feasts.  He is your double blessing.  His love, His grace, His righteousness and justice and His ability to bless and bless and bless again at His choosing.  Joy instead of mourning - the decision is yours - choose Christ today and live.