“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,
‘So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more;’”
– Revelation 18:21
God’s judgment is coming and when it does, it will be sudden and decisive. His judgment will be just, righteous, and terrible to see. It will bring Him praise and glory, even as it brings sorrow to everyone connected to those experiencing it. But what is the Revelation talking about? What is Babylon? What will God one day judge and destroy?
The physical city of Babylon hadn’t existed for centuries before the Revelation was given. In Revelation, Babylon is a symbol. A symbol of sinful, corrupt, greedy, oppressive, exploitative powers and systems that oppose and persecute the followers of Jesus. It represents the cities, empires, and powers throughout the ages and around the world that happily trade in people, and their suffering, rather than pursuing holiness. That serve money rather than God. That delight in the suffering of God’s people that fuels their wealth and power. Babylon is every corrupt city and center of influence, wealth, and power that stands opposed to Christ in its core.
Make no mistake, Babylon will fall. God is patient, wanting to give all the ethnic peoples of the world the opportunity to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But eventually this day will come. When it does, it will be shocking. The systems and empires of the world will fall. Those used to be on top of the world will suddenly find themselves overthrown by the Lord Himself. When that day comes, both heaven and earth will rejoice. As terrible as it will be to witness, God’s people will understand that God’s perfect, holy justice will have been done. So, hold firm to the righteousness of Christ. Resist the temptation of joining in with your own local Babylon. #FollowJesus