Introduction: In the original language of the Iraq area ‘Babylon’ means the ‘Gate to God’. In Gen 11: 1-9 the story about ‘Babel’ is with the mix of languages the same word. The Genesis account of what was attempted at Babylon, the ‘Gate to God’ was to build a structure to reach into the heavens where God lives. The ‘Babel way’ wasn’t God’s way to heaven, neither is the ‘Babylon way’ particularly when you use the word in its allegorical sense, that is of being the world wide cesspool of evil! I’m sure that Babylon, as a city, is similar to many others worldwide!
Remember that in reading this book of the Revelation of Jesus to John the story line doesn’t go as a straight line. The book is true but here and then goes back and tells what was happening somewhere else at the same time as a previous story was recorded. This is common in modern books both historical and fictional.
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk
the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” – I wonder if Jesus were giving His revelation to John in modern times if the angel might call out ‘New York’ or ‘Moscow’ or ‘Beijing’ or ‘Melbourne’ etc has fallen, meaning the same as ‘Babylon’. I suspect that He would still use ‘Babylon’ because people should now understand what He meant.
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,
“Come out of her, my people,
lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities. – I suspect that has a ‘now’ meaning for when Jesus returns, but has been God’s call to His people from the very beginning! As the Paul said to Timothy, “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness”
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,
and repay her double for her deeds;
mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,
so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
since in her heart she says,
I sit as a queen,
I am no widow,
and mourning I shall never see.’ – let you imagination flow a bit. How has Babylon dressed to sing this song? Like a – temptress on a ‘Playboy’ cover?; a modern scientist, who has all the answers?; a billionairess who can snap her fingers and get what she wants?; as a politician who can change the laws to suit their own philosophy?; as a theologian explaining why God’s word is ‘out of date’?
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,
death and mourning and famine,
and she will be burned up with fire;
for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” – The Judgement described here is sudden and powerful!
There is more to follow from this chapter in the next few days!
Genesis 11: 4 – Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves. – rebellion is really being self-centred!
Prayer: Thank you Father for Your Word to us. Both for Jesus, Your Living Word and for Your Written Word, the Bible.