Babylon is an ancient walled city between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and capital of the Babylonian Empire. The leading citizens of the nation of Judah were carried to this city as captives about 587 B.C. after Jerusalem fell to the invading Babylonians. Biblical writers often portrayed this ancient capital of the Babylonian people as the model of paganism and idolatry. - Jer. 51:44 - Dan. 4:30 -

In the Old Testament, prophets often prophesied the fall of Babylon the capital of an empire that destroyed God's city, Jerusalem and carried His people away as captives. In the New Testament and in the Book of Revelation the world in rebellion against God is called "Babylon". So in Revelation Babylon is a word-picture for a society which persecuted God's people but which God will eventually destroy.

When the Book of Revelation was written, Babylon may have been a kind of code name for pre-Christian Rome that was built on Seven hills - Rev. 17:9 - and which was already persecuting the Church. Since that time, generations of Christians have been able to identify their own Babylons and have found reassurance in Revelation's message.

In Revelation 14:8 - Babylon's power to make people resist God's claims in the gospel is admitted but its doom is certain. In Revelation 16:19 - Babylon is a 'great city' that falls because God remembers its sin and brings His punishment. Throughout chapters 17 and 18 Babylon is prominent pictured as a prostitute because it seduces people away from God with its glamour. But it is a false union which cannot satisfy. - Rev. 21:2, 21:9, 17:5 - Its fall is celebrated by God's people.

'Now heaven, celebrate her downfall and all you saints, apostles and prophets; God has given judgment for you against her'. Then a powerful angel picked up a boulder like a great millstone and as he hurled it into the sea, he said, 'That is how the great city of Babylon is going to be hurled down, never to be seen again'. - Rev. 18:20-21 -

After this I seemed to hear the great sound of a huge crowd in heaven singing, "Alleluia!" Victory and glory and power to our God! He judges fairly, he punishes justly and he has condemned the famous prostitute who corrupted the earth with her fornication; he has avenged his servants that she killed. They sang again, "Alleluia!" The smoke of her will go up forever and ever. Then the twenty-four elders and the four animals prostrated themselves and worshiped God seated there on his throne, and they cried,"Amen, Alleluia!" Then a voice came from the throne; it said,'Praise our God, you servants of his and all who, great or small, revere him'. - Rev. 19:1-5 -

In Matthew 1:11-12, 17 - Judah captivity in Babylon is mentioned in Jesus' genealogy. In Acts 7:43 - Babylon appears in Saint Stephen famous speech about the history of the Jewish people. In 1 Peter 5:13 - "Babylon" probably refers to the city of Rome.

                                                                          Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -