“And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.'” Revelation 17:5
November 7, 2023
If the Bible were polled on its view of cities, they would not come off looking very well. Cities become spiritually and morally toxic given enough time. Start with the city of Babylon/Babel. It didn’t take long before it created its declaration of independence from God. Then take a flight to Sodom and Gomorrah. Their moral corruption was so thorough that God completely destroyed them with brimstone and fire out of heaven. Even Jerusalem, with its rejection of the Messiah and subsequent rebellion against Rome, was destroyed in 70 A.D. The city of Corinth in southern Greece, in New Testament times, was notorious for its temple to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Over 1,000 religious prostitutes made it a sanctuary city for immorality. Then we come full circle back to Babylon, the great harlot of Revelation 17-18. It represents concentrated false religion and godless commercialism in the world of the end times. How are the big cities fairing in America? Cities have a way of becoming magnets for crime, godless politics, and rampant evil. The cities of man are a model culture that is hostile to a biblical world and life view. How should Christians live therein? The presence of Christians living out godly lives can demonstrate a biblical counterculture. Being salt and light can serve as a preservative and heavenly light in a dark place. Homes, where the gospel is being lived out, can be outposts of truth in a world system that is “passing away and also its lusts.” He who does the will of God lives forever (1 Jn. 2:17).
H
“By faith Abraham….was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8,10