Babylon Is Fallen

Bobservations Column

By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

We read in three different places in the scripture that Babylon is fallen. We find it here today in Jeremiah 51, but Isaiah wrote the same more than 100 years before, and the Apostle John writes of it again at the end of the first century AD in Revelation 14 and 18. (Is. 21:9 and Revelation 14:8 & 18:2)

Egypt became a euphemism for sin, and looking back to a time when we were comfortable and at ease. Babylon has become a euphemism for sin’s pervasive quality, and its tenacity, always seeming to come back, never quite being wiped out or obliterated. Though Babylon itself lies in ruins, sin is alive and well, for it lives on in the hearts of mankind.

The Babylon mentioned in the Book of Revelation is said to be built on seven hills, and there are more than a dozen cities around the world that can lay claim to that description. But according to the Bible, there are other qualifications to meet for the Babylon of prophecy to be identified. Namely, that the prophetic Babylon is as a prostitute, and that she has caused the Kingdoms of the world to drink of her cup of fornication. Physically, on Earth, that reduces the possibilities to only two cities: Jerusalem or Rome.

But spiritually, it goes far beyond those two cities, for we each have our own “high places” to where we escape and worship at that altar from time to time. To put it simply, it is our comfort zone; where we can escape the stresses and the pressures of everyday life.

If you can identify that place, and it’s not with Jesus, then you have identified your idol. Idolatry brought judgment on God’s Chosen People. And then it brought judgment upon those sent as judgment against Jerusalem.
It’s a vicious and destructive cycle, building all the time. Believers have an escape, and His name is Jesus.

"There hath no temptation taken you except as is common to man: but God is faithful , Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will, with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

Come out from among them, come home to Jesus, and find your rest.

Today's Audio Message: "Babylon Is Fallen"

We are drawing to a dramatic end to the prophecies of Jeremiah where God’s final words were spoken against Babylon, and in great detail of what He would do this nation. Although chapters 50 and 51 were directed against the Babylonian empire of the 6th century BC, they are also directed against “Mystery Babylon” of the end-times in Revelation 14; 18.

In Jewish tradition, Babylon symbolizes a cruel oppressor against which God's people must struggle. In Christianity, Babylon symbolizes worldliness, evil and sin. In the book of Revelation, chapters 17-18, Babylon is the source of all godless economy, government and religion.

Jeremiah pictures Babylon being winnowed by a strong destructive wind that blows away the chaff. Babylon’s whole army will be suddenly destroyed. She has been a gold cup in the Lord’s hand, making the nations drink the wine of wrath. The evil influence of Babylon extends far beyond the time of Nebuchadnezzar, all the way back to its founder, Nimrod (Gen. 10:9-10). As a result, Babylon is called "The Mother Of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth" (Rev. 17:5). Jeremiah saw this cup of God’s wrath in chapter 25, Jerusalem had to drink it first, then all the nations, and lastly, Mystery Babylon.

God will denounce all of her idolatry, her rebellion, her wickedness and cruelty and bring it to an end. There is no doubt that God allows evil to inundate this world, the headlines affirm it, politicians make it law, and the people relish in it. Yet the Lord will at some point rise up in righteous judgement, and will pour out His holy wrath upon those who have rebelled against Him.

The good news is that God WILL NOT forsake His own! He chastens and disciplines His children, but in His mercy will also relent when the truth of repentance takes place.