By Ron Halbrook
For The Truth’s Sake,” the Holy Spirit through the Word of God convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-13). All men are is sin until they believe and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). Not only do the excesses of drunken debauchery condemn us in sin and unbelief, but also the very common practice of reveling. Reveling is not a drunken stupor in which one is unable to coordinate his muscles. The reveler may sing and shout and dance until late at night, and frequently he adds the stimulation of an intoxicant-wine, beer, or whiskey. In short, reveling may be defined as party making under the influence of intoxicants.
Historians find references in ancient classical writers to the “rousing drinking parties, with magnificent goblets,” enjoyed by Persians kings (Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 38, Nos. 3 & 4. pp. 69-70). Lavish entertainment was also provided. An example of this is found in Esther 1. At a great celebration, the king “gave them drink in vessels of gold,” became “merry with wine,” and then commanded his queen to make a display of her personal beauty before the crowds. When she refused, he flew into a rage, and eventually deposed her. This occurred in the 6th century B.C. Earlier in that century, Belshazzar drank wine in a feast and was moved to drink it from “the golden and silver vessels” which had come from the temple of God in Jerusalem. God condemned the king to death (Daniel 5). Respect for truth and moral convictions are loosened by intoxicated party making.
Some people say they oppose drunken debauchery, but they will defend reveling. Churches sometimes give parties with singing, dancing, and drinking into the late night and early morning hours! To raise money for “the Lord’s Work”! The Bible calls such activities “the works of the flesh . . . drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21). Sin cannot be chaperoned or condoned. To compromise with such sins as “revellings” is to leave “the will of God” to live “in the flesh to the lusts of men” (1 Pet. 4:1-3).
Reveling is sinful. Like any sin persisted in, it leads a person further and further from the cross of Jesus Christ. Lives become tangled more and more in sin and unbelief, hearts so hardened that the call of the gospel will be forever unheeded. Christians need to confess and turn away from such wrongs, praying God’s forgiveness. All men need to become conscious of their sins-such sins as reveling-and obey the gospel before it is too late. By faith in Christ, be born of the water and of the Spirit (John 3:1-16).
Truth Magazine XXII: 46, p. 745
November 23, 1978