The Fall of Babylon • Devotion 4

Judgment is Coming
Mitchell Holmes

Revelation chapter 17 deals with the assured downfall of Babylon, a city and symbol of opposition to God. Despite showing up in the Bible in various places and times, the term “Babylon” is always used to exemplify those that stand on their own understanding and turn away from the Lord in the forms of antagonism to the Christian faith, blasphemy, and idolatry. Several of the chapters leading up to chapter 17 have foretold the fall of Babylon, but now we get to see some of the imagery and symbolism that serves to detail the specifics of the process of Babylon falling.

Revelation 17:1-2 says, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.’” Right at the beginning of the chapter, the angel that John is seeing makes a statement that is easy to overlook. I think this statement is an incredible testament to God’s majesty and a great comfort to those that are a part of His family. The angel looks to John and starts to discuss Babylon, listing off some of the charges that God will bring to bear against Babylon. What is so remarkable about this exchange is that the angel says, “Come, I will show you the judgment,” making it absolutely clear that judgment is coming. This statement is not an “if,” it is not up for debate, there is no refuting, no rebuttal, no plea to be made, and no chance of victory for those that oppose God. What the angel sets up for us in the first verse of this chapter is that God has already won. The Great Prostitute, the symbol of Babylon and all that they stand for, have turned their backs on God. Babylon looked to the enticing embrace of fleshly desires and sexual immorality. They chose to sin, and in doing so, incur the wrath of the Almighty Creator.

How often do we forget that God has already won? There is no one out there that can choose the flesh, that can choose to turn their back on God and escape judgment. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, we read, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Take solace in the fact that there will not be a battle, there will not be a contest, God has prevailed. When judgment comes, He will exact His price. Right now, there is still time to spare those that are turned away from God. That will not be the case forever. Will we take advantage of what time we have to impact souls and point them to Christ?

As I wrap up this writing, another thought weighs on me. As encouraging as it is to know that our God is the victor, this passage also brought up a different feeling in me; a feeling of disgust in myself. This Great Prostitute is a temptress not only to Babylon. The call of the prostitute is not only heard by those that are living in separation from God, but also by those of us that are His sons and daughters. Every battle that we currently face, every temptation that lurks in the dark, every impure thought that rests under the surface, God has already won if you are willing to give the battle to Him. How dare we, how dare I, take advantage of His forgiveness to even entertain the thoughts and whispers of this immorality. I do not know who needs to hear this, but remind yourself daily of the price that was paid for your sins.