God compares the future Babylonian Empire with a wife of royalty -- pampered, demanding and arrogant. God tells her the royal finery will be taken away, she will sit on the ground naked. She will be both widowed and bereft of children.
We know from history this Second Babylon (the city of the Tower was the first) lasted a mere three generations or so as the primary imperial power of the Ancient Near East. With each succeeding conquest in the Mesopotamian Valley claiming the vast literature archive of the previous, plus new additions with new patrons, this formed the core of pride. Here was the epitome of civilization, all that man had ever achieved, and presuming to be all that man could achieve.
This treasure trove of materials included all the most ancient magic texts they could find. Scripture does not deny there is power to be found in the dark corners of Hell. Yet God makes it clear it has no power over Him. With the centerpiece of Babylonian religion based on the more ancient Tower culture of astrology, there was little the stars could do to foresee or prevent God from fulfilling His promise to Israel. So weak was it, God compares it to a fire of stubble: Flaring very bright and hot for a moment, it quickly burns out leaving foul ash and no coals.
This was part of the image John had in mind in Revelation. The spirit of Babylon rises quickly, but has nothing behind it. All the glittering promises of comfort and ease, of great beauty and power, evaporate quickly when the time comes for the wrath of God to fall. Nations which adopt the path of Babylon cannot fulfill any part of God's Laws for Nations. Once that way is taken, the end comes rather soon.
Every generation sees one or more nations rising to great empire status, projecting their power far beyond their own borders. The power is based on feverish commerce. They trade is not the honorable provisions for life, but appeal to sinful lusts -- hedonistic pleasures, entertainment, luxuries, and a host of over-valued trifles. It lives off the backs of other peoples in other lands, producing nothing of real value itself. Instead, it becomes a bottomless pit, consuming all things. Worst of all is the trade in human flesh, the oppression and treatment of people as mere assets.
The nation which follows the path of Babylon does not live long.
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By Ed Hurst
27 May 2009
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