This cryptic statement is as mysterious as it is prophetic. Who is Babylon, and how did it fall? The word "Babylon" comes from the name of the ancient city, Bab-ilu (Babel). Babel and its famous tower, were built by some of Noah's descendants who doubted God's promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. To be safe they set out to build the world's first skyscraper.
"Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4)
When God saw their lack of faith, and saw that their imaginations were bent only toward evil, He confused their language so they no longer spoke one tongue. Frustrated and thwarted, they scattered across the face of the earth.
Babylon, which means "gate of the gods," was a city that many believe was established by Nimrod, the son of Cush. In time, Babylon became a symbol of everything that was opposed to God.
In 1997, the rock group, the Rolling Stones, embarked on a world tour they dubbed, "Bridges to Babylon." One writer said this title suggested "the transportation of the audience to a mythical place synonymous with both luxury and vice; the precise conditions that produce an atmosphere of decadence."
Revelation depicts spiritual Babylon as a fallen city; a symbol of modern spiritual entities who profess a connection with God, but who actually live by their own rules.
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality." (Revelation 14:8)
Now a billion dollar industry, pop-religion uses savvy marketing to sell its wares (books, videos, seminars, music and more). Mega-churches have learned how to grow their numbers and strengthen their loyal followers. Many churches produce high-powered programs that feature astounding theatrics, state-of-the-art music, and smooth preaching. These are not all bad. Some of the methods and techniques are effective in getting people's attention. But unfortunately with many churches, their teachings are so generic they fail to connect people with God. It appeals to the masses because it offers a watered-down version of Christianity that requires very little sacrifice or commitment. God's response to this is:
"Come out of her [fallen Christianity], my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Revelation 18:4, 5)
What are the earmarks of fallen religious entities? Here are a few:
1. Loss of vision and passion
2. Superficial faith
3. Using religion as a means for financial gain
4. Endorsing non biblical practices and beliefs
5. Hypocrisy
6. Using spiritual authority as a means to gain political clout
In another sense, the Babylon motif is also descriptive of the failed ideologies of capitalism and consumerism that promote the pursuit of ever-expanding consumption as the key to happiness and prosperity. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to know that eventually the bubble bursts, things wear out, debts pile up, and environmental issues reach a breaking point. Many of the critical issues that we face today are related to the insatiable appetite we have developed for a lifestyle that requires huge amounts of resources, particularly energy and water, that are rapidly being depleated.
Ultimately, all of our problems stem from our alienation from God and His plan for our lives. The only way out is to hear and follow what He says.
Photo by Andrea Danti
My online dictionary defines a holy person as "one who is specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: holy ground. Additional definitions include:
On the June 24, 2005 broadcast of NBC Today, movie star Tom Cruise told Matt Lauer, "Scientology is something that you don't understand. It's like you could be a Christian and be a Scientologist." Really? Is that a true statement?
An amazing story caught my attention the other day on CNN's website about a 34 year-old man who became a new person. For the last 15 years, Matt McKenna, who lives and works in Orange County, California, has struggled with being overweight. On October 2, 2005, he weighed 500 pounds. Matt says, "I ate as if it were my hobby. I was unable to do the simplest physical activity. I made excuses to avoid having to go out in public, for fear of being ridiculed. I tried to hide myself, as if someone so large could actually hide."1
This morning I re-read the story about Lazarus being resurrected from the dead. It is one of the most powerful stories in all of Scripture. Aside from the fact that Lazarus was actually raised from the dead, what astounds me is that the religious teachers of his day felt threatened by the whole thing and actually wanted to kill Jesus and Lazarus to get rid of the evidence. They were worried about losing their role as stewards of God's law and felt that thousands would be led astray without their influence. Unfortunately, they were willing to use any means to preserve their positions.
Lately many have expressed alarm over the number of temporary, or illegal residents that are in the United States. Some use the more charitable term, guest workers, to describe those who typically come here looking for economic relief. The illegals consider themselves refugees in search of economic asylum. When you consider how difficult their lives have been, you realize they are only doing what many of us would probably do if we were in their place. It has created a perfect storm that politicians and U.S. citizens struggle to weather.
Stephen Eastwood, Senior Pastor of the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Adventist Church gives us a glimpse into his world.
What if Christmas never happened? Sometimes we're tempted to think that our lives are hopeless now, but if Christmas had never happened they truly would be! 
People love stories! We love to hear about when our parents were young, about when we were born, about when this country was discovered, and about life in ancient times. There is something about yesterday that captivates our imagination. Because history freezes events in time, it is easy to romanticize them and forgot the hardships that our ancestors experienced. 