Revelation
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What is The Fall of Babylon?
Babylon is a spiritual city, a system of deception. The nature of her fall is also spiritual.
By Nab B. March 1, 2023
Is the Fall of Babylon a Specific Event?
The Fall of Babylon is an ongoing event! What we see in Revelation 18:2 "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!" is a powerful revelation from Jesus Christ to cause his people to come out of Babylon's bondage. His spiritual calling (throughout the centuries) enables many to see Babylon for what it is despite her deceiving appearance.
Babylon is a “mystery”, but only to those whose spiritual eyes are veiled from seeing. By hearing ‘the Spirit’, Babylon's mystery can be unveiled and spiritual purification begins. The phrase "Was, is, and will be" indicates ongoing revelations of Jesus Christ until the end of this age.
What is The Fall of Babylon?
Her fall is spiritual, not physical. Note how the next verses show this:
A spiritual fall includes not hearing the voice of Jesus:
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell. And great was its FALL.” (Matt 7:26-27)
A spiritual fall includes destroying the old nature of man:
“And whoever FALLS on this stone [Christ] will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matt 21:44; see also Psa 51:17)
A spiritual fall of the church includes going into darkness (symbolized as the darkened sun, moon, and stars!)
“Immediately after the tribulation [Jesus’ death] of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Matt 24:29)
“Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Rom 11:22)
Are We to Hate Those in Babylon?
We should always love and pray for our brethren in Babylon and even those in the world! All of us, in one way or another, have begun in the sea (in total wickedness away from God) and since moved to the earth (carnal unspiritual believers).
Some of whom Paul rebuked were going backward to fleshly thinking:
"Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal 3:3)
In every generation, Christ has been freeing many out of the sea and the earth–from Babylon's bondage of sin and death.
Will Babylon be Physically Destroyed?
I believe Babylon the Great has no physical structure. It is a spiritual system of deception where many of God's people are held spiritually captive. Christ is still calling His people out by holding off the "four corners of the earth" until all is sealed and gathered. (See Rev 7:1-3).
God destroys those who destroy His temple (His people):
“If anyone destroys [corrupt] God’s temple, God will destroy [corrupt] him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor 3:17)
Historically, God destroyed ancient Babylon through Cyrus. But Spiritually, God is destroying Babylon the Great through His Messiah, Jesus.
There is no need to imagine physical destruction since these concepts are spiritual. What God is destroying is the whore system of deception in man by making it desolate and barren (spiritual depopulation). And how does He do this? By calling His people to "Come out" of Babylon, and to walk towards the true light who is Christ and His gospel. (Rev 18:4)
As illuminators and ambassadors for Christ, all true believers can lead many out of Babylon the Great. It’s a task to be boldly engaged in wholeheartedly for Christ and our brethren!