The Babylon Code, Pt. 2 of 2

In a previous post, I indicated my preference for an interpretation that connects Revelation 17-18 to Babylon on the Euphrates. I closed with two questions. The first concerns the "imminence" of the Lord's return. If the events of the tribulation will occur at a time when ancient Babylon has returned to become a thriving religious and economic center (which it is anything but today), wouldn't this suggest that the return of the Lord lies far in the future? I also asked, "Does the urgent appeal for saints to 'come out of her [Babylon]' (Rev. 18:4) have any relevance to saints living today since this Babylon does not yet exist?"

To answer the first question, I would point to Dubai as an illustration. (The luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel is pictured above.) This city has a lot in common with future Babylon, and the pace of its emergence as a mecca of opulence has been brisk. Babylon will apex at the end of the seven year long tribulation. A petro-dollar fueled orgy of construction begun a few years (or decades) before the start of the tribulation could repeat the "miracle" that is Dubai. So while I can say we are not there yet, we may only be not QUITE there yet.

As to the second question, understanding the Babylon Code is critical. Based on Revelation 17-18, we can identify five statements which capture Babylon's creed. These declare how future Babylon thinks:

• “I live for me.”
• “You cannot argue with my success.”
• “Get in my way and you will regret it.”
• “There is no ‘right and wrong,’ only what makes me feel better.”
• “No one can stop me from doing what I want.”

Do these not have a familiar ring to them? Do they not sound like the mantra's of western materialism? So I am inclined to suggest that while the city of Babylon is not yet built, the Code of Modern Babylon is very much in evidence. In which case the urgent appeal for God's people to make a clean break makes perfect sense. We live in a day and age when the spirit of Babylon is alive and well even though the city has not yet made her grand entrance. Saints who prevail when she does will have learned how to defy her philosophy even while living in Pre-Babylonian times.

Prevailing saints disagree with the five tenets of the Babylon Code, and they are capable of expressing that disagreement even when it is unpopular to do so. Learn how to recognize it today, how to make a clean break from it, and you will ready when construction gets underway in earnest.

Comments

[Mindy Wroten]

Hey Jim,
This is a post I did a couple days ago but it bounced back on email. Enjoyed your latest blog and have just went through Sunday's PPT. I still need to sit down and listen to the Mp3. The scripture seems pretty clear on location, location, location. My question is, could some of the government and economic infrastructure going on today be pacr of mind set preparations to usher in Babylon; like watching a weather system develop?
As Jeff R mentioned in his post, fallen man surely has a bent towards Babylonian ideology. With the EU so keen on "one size fits all", they could surely jump right on board with a one great religious/economic center. Of course, the Euro system is spread out into 3 major locations in Europe: Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg at present. Perhaps the model being set up in Europe right now would facilitate moving headquarters to Iraq when the time is appointed. The Islamic shrine still sits atop Mt. Moria and won't that also have to change stage sets? Your proposals seem right on the money. Speaking of money, I thought you might enjoy some looks at EU coinage. I have included a link to the Greek EU commemorative coins.Just scroll down

Interesting symbolism if nothing else.

Mindy

[Jim]

Mindy,

It is intriguing to imagine how the present could lead to the future. If it is correct that Babylon on the Euphrates is the future economic and religious center that comes to judgment in Revelation 17-18, then you have to wonder how the democratization of Irag contributes to this future. The seeming absence of the US as a named player in this future would suggest that we are reduced to a bit player by some current or future challenges. What might cause this? Economic / financial collapse, perhaps? The rise of China and then India to positions of economic dominance?

Yes, there are other missing puzzle pieces, the presence of a functional Jewish Temple in Jerusalem for one.

A Euro type system in which there is economic consolidation across national boundaries would seem to be a facet of the Babylon/Beast market participation (and exclusion) plan. But I doubt that the Euro will survive for very long - there are some major problems beneath the surface. Whatever Babylon and Beast come up with, it will have to transcend some of the flaws inherent in the Euro. By the way, I do not see the links you mentioned.

My bottom line remains that we may not be there yet, but we may not QUITE be there. I propose we get (and stay) ready.

Jim