And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because pit was and is not and is to come. (Revelation 17:1-8 ESV).
Babylon is a symbol of all that’s wrong in the world. It’s the system, the way things are in a sinful creation. Babylon is worldliness. In our study thus far we can see three things about “Babylon, the Mother of Evil.” First, she is attractive. She has royal clothes, purple and scarlet. She glitters with gold and is decked out in pearls and precious stones. She’s both alluring and seductive. Second, the influence of Babylon is pervasive. She sits on many waters, which are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages (v. 5). Water here is a metaphor for influence. Babylon is connected and powerful. She is not one kingdom in one place at one time but the pervasive worldliness that reigns in every country, every culture, and every government. Third, Babylon is impressive. John was astonished at her influence, her power, and her hold on the inhabitants of the earth. The ways of the world always seem more impressive than the way of a crucified Savior.
You have heard the admonition to “be strong and watchful” many times. The question becomes “how?” The first step is to admit we live in Babylon. Everyone does. We are all tempted to drink from the golden cup filled with abominable things (v. 4). Every culture has its “isms” to tempt us to idolatry. In Africa, the test of faithfulness may involve animism and polygamy. In South America, it might be syncretistic versions of Catholicism. In Asia, it might be ancestor worship. In America, the “isms” are a little different, though they are still ever-present.
Second, we must not hide in a holy huddle in some Christian conclave. The problem with the Christian culture isn’t that it’s too otherworldly but that it is almost always too worldly. Sure, some of the movies and music have changed, but the way of thinking is still the same. We have always chased the latest and greatest of experientialism and entertainment to draw people to Christ. We have forgotten that the message of Jesus is living by a different story. It’s being shaped by a different set of assumptions. It demonstrates a different ethic. It’s being supremely relevant to a dying world by smashing the idol of common wisdom. If you want to always be relevant, you must deal with the things that touch eternity, and if you are dealing with eternal things.
We’re foolish if we think that we are not surrounded by Babylon. Everyone is. Worldliness in this country will ruin far more spiritual lives than Islam and new age spiritualities. Beware of all the subtle ways the world wants to squeeze you into its mold.