Fall Of Babylon

Christmas shopping can be good or bad, depending on how you engage with it. Ideally, it’s an act of joyful generosity to bless someone else. However, it can easily become a destructive monster of selfishness and obsession, even leading people to fight over things at the store.

Revelation 17-18 focuses on this idea that pursuing selfish, sinful living will ultimately destroy us. John describes a vision of a prostitute riding a monster (Revelation 17:1–6). The prostitute represents Babylon, a city with a culture built on self-indulgence and idolatry. Scripture uses the word “prostitute” intentionally to contrast her with the idea of a bride. Brides are faithful and committed to one beloved, while prostitutes give themselves to anyone who promises pleasure or power. Babylon lives that way—wealthy, impressive, and in control, yet spiritually rotten, holding a golden cup filled with filth.

The beast she rides is the spirit behind every evil empire that has ever existed. It carries her for a time, but eventually turns on her and tears her apart (Revelation 17:15-18). That’s what always happens. Faithless living builds power, wealth, and fame, but those things eventually devour the very people who trusted in them. Meanwhile, the faithful bride will live a life of safety and love in the protection of someone she knows will take care of her.

While the densely packed imagery in this passage can make it hard to understand, its meaning is simple: come out of Babylon. Not necessarily by leaving your city, but by refusing to live like your culture. We can live in Babylon, but not like Babylon. Live faithfully, reject the monster of selfish living, and trust the God who will bring every false system crashing down.

Watch the full sermon here.