It is interesting to note that Babylon, a city mentioned as early as Genesis 10, is mentioned fifteen times in the Apocalyptic book of Daniel and six times in Revelation. With a history that long and with such a prominent place in the Bible, Babylon has great meaning for us all.
Babylon was built by Nimrod, one of the sons of Ham, the notorious son of Noah who exposed his father’s nakedness.
It has been estimated that Babylon was the largest city in the world from c. 1770 to 1670 BC, and again between c. 612 and 320 BC. It was perhaps the first city to reach a population above 200,000. Estimates for the maximum extent of its area range from 890 to 900 hectares (2,200 acres). The remains of the city are in present-day Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq, about 85 kilometers (53 mi) south of Baghdad, comprising a large tell of broken mud-brick buildings and debris. (Wikipedia)
Cush fathered Nimrod, who became the first fearless leader throughout the land. He became a fearless hunter in defiance of the LORD. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a fearless hunter in defiance of the LORD.” His kingdom began in the region of Shinar with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh. From there he went north to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, and Calah, along with Resen, which was located between Nineveh and the great city of Calah. (Genesis 10:8-12 – ISV)
Nimrod, king over his cities, was an early world ruler, so to speak. Babel, also known as Babylon, is where his kingdom began, and the site of the Tower of Babel – an icon of defiance and rebellion against the Lord. This defiance against God’s orders still fuels the world system today. What began in Genesis will finally be dealt with in Revelation, when all rebellion will be quashed for good.
Looking at our world system today, we see that spirit of defiance at work in every nation: God’s principles, laws and ordinances are defiantly replaced by man’s laws that cater to fallen man’s corrupt morals. What God calls good, the world’s system calls evil; what God calls evil the world calls good; what God says is right, the world says is wrong. And evil is being enforced so that those who wish to honour God are shamed and punished for their beliefs.
We rush towards the end of time as we know it, and will see the Babylonian system gain strength as it arrogantly establishes itself more and more. The righteous will endure some form of persecution as their beliefs become increasingly outlawed, even to the point where it makes no sense at all.
Christians, and those who hold on to a wholesome lifestyle, lament the decay of sound morals followed by the brokenness that they see around them, and they yearn for political leaders that will turn the tide and restore sanity to our fallen world. Some believe Christians should run for high political office for that very reason, and some even believe they should take over every area of public life and enforce righteousness that way. Sad to say, but that will not happen. Babylon will run its course and fall in God’s time and plan.
This world is not our home, we are just passing through. We are ambassadors here, not citizens, as our citizenship is in heaven from where we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Philippians 3:20) We ought not to love this world, but instead keep our eyes on the world to come where Jesus Himself will reign with peace. A political solution is an illusion that deceives and distracts from reality. It doesn’t matter who is president or prime minister; the world system is running its course and toward its intended end, and God’s plan will be fulfilled.
The church, God’s called-out ones, have goals that differ from those of unbelievers. We are ambassadors of heaven, labourers in His vineyard, ministers of His Word, witnesses of the resurrected Jesus, fishers of men and the bearers of good tidings. We ought to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first and above all things. Jesus never interfered with the politics of His day as He was about the Father’s business, and so should we as His disciples.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
