CHAPTER FOUR'Come Out <strong>of</strong> Her, My People'The Bible warns us not to become a part <strong>of</strong>end-time <strong>Babylon</strong>. How can we avoid heralluring appeal?women are described in symbolsin the book <strong>of</strong> Revelation. One we haveT:woalready met-a corrupt, cunning,treacherous harlot, who sits astride the beast, seducingthe governments <strong>of</strong> the world to follow herways. The other could not be more different. She isa chaste bride much persecuted but always patient<strong>and</strong> virtuous, diligently preparing for marriage. Sherepresents the spiritual people <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> that he has calledfrom every age. They have overcome their sins, <strong>and</strong> havelearned to live in obedience <strong>and</strong> harmony with the laws<strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>. The book <strong>of</strong> Revelation tells us that they will beresurrected at Christ's return, to live <strong>and</strong> reign with hima thous<strong>and</strong> years (Revelation 20:4).Satan hates this woman. Her very existence is a threat tohim. He persecutes her mercilessly whenever he has theopportunity. As the end approaches, he tries desperately todivert her from her loyalty to her husb<strong>and</strong>-to-be, the Messiahor Jesus Christ, <strong>and</strong> absorb her into his system.Across the centuries, many <strong>of</strong> those whom <strong>God</strong> has called t<strong>of</strong>ollow his way <strong>of</strong> life have died, <strong>of</strong>ten violently, for their faith.They are awaiting resurrection at Christ's return, their salvationassured. But many are alive today, <strong>and</strong> many more are yet to be19
<strong>Babylon</strong> <strong>and</strong> RomeAside from some passinghistorical references in the books<strong>of</strong> Matthew <strong>and</strong> Acts, the name" <strong>Babylon</strong> " is mentioned in twoother books <strong>of</strong> the NewTestament-I Peter <strong>and</strong>Revelation. These passages havebeen the source <strong>of</strong> muchdiscussion since the earliestdays <strong>of</strong> Christianity.A few biblical commentatorshave considered the " <strong>Babylon</strong> "<strong>of</strong> I Peter 5: 13 to be a referenceto the literal city on theEuphrates. The majority <strong>of</strong>modern scholars have held it tobe a symbolic or figurativereference to Rome. Jewish <strong>and</strong>Christian communities did existin <strong>Babylon</strong> in the middle half <strong>of</strong>the first century A.D . whenmerchants from Palmyra foundeda trading colony there in A.D. 24.<strong>Babylon</strong> was ab<strong>and</strong>oned a halfcentury later when the colonywas transferred to a newsettlement across the EuphratesRiver.The " <strong>Babylon</strong> " passages inRevelation, however, are awholly different matter. Thosepassages (Revelation 14:8; 16: 19;17:5; 18:2, 10, 21) are widelyrecognized today as being in aprophetic end-time context,referring to a great world poweryet to emerge on the scene.To early Christians, <strong>Babylon</strong> inthose passages symbolizedRome-the " city on seven hills"(compare Revelation 17:9). TheJews had once been carriedcaptive to <strong>Babylon</strong> . Thus, thatancient name came to st<strong>and</strong> forany power hostile to <strong>God</strong>'speople. Prophetic " <strong>Babylon</strong>"clearly denoted the world-rulingempire <strong>of</strong> the Caesars-withits false gods, its manifold sins,its persecution <strong>of</strong> Christians.To Christians, Rome 's namehad become a synonym formoral corruption <strong>and</strong> politicaltyranny-<strong>and</strong> must surely beintended in a figurative sense inthe prophetic passages about" <strong>Babylon</strong>. "When the Roman Empirebecame Christianized in thefourth century A.D. , it becamedifficult to continue portrayingRome as the personification <strong>of</strong>evil <strong>and</strong> symbol <strong>of</strong> opposition to<strong>God</strong> . Yet a minority <strong>of</strong>Christians-outside the mainstream<strong>and</strong> critical <strong>of</strong> thechurch's alliance with the secularsphere-persisted in regardingRome as prophetic <strong>Babylon</strong>.Christians in Rome suffered intensepersecution by the EmperorNero, who had them nailedto stakes <strong>and</strong> set ablaze.called. Nothing would give Satanmore satisfaction in his ages-longquest to thwart <strong>God</strong>, than to deceivethe end-time spiritual people<strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>, <strong>and</strong> make them a part<strong>of</strong> <strong>Babylon</strong> the great.So, they will have to face some<strong>of</strong> the greatest challenges that any<strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>'s people have ever confronted.The Satan we read about in thethird chapter <strong>of</strong> Genesis is restrained,cunning <strong>and</strong> persuasive.He subtly deceived Eve. The Satanthat confronts mankind in thebook <strong>of</strong> Revelation is violent,vengeful <strong>and</strong> angry, " having greatwrath, because he knows that hehas a short time" ( Revelation12: 12). He must work quickly beforehis opportunities to deceiveare brought to an end. Whilethere are still those on earth whoare loyal to <strong>God</strong>, <strong>and</strong> looking tohim for guidance, inspiration <strong>and</strong>alvation, he feels there is still achance to thwart <strong>God</strong>'s plan. Itwould not prevent Christ fromwinning, but it would certainlyspoil hi Yictory.O,en per ecution tends tostrengthen <strong>God</strong>'s people. Satan'sbe t weapon has always been deceit.How, then, could he destroythe end·time people <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>? Hecould lure them away from theircalling <strong>and</strong> their commitmentthrough a clever trap.Kill Them With KindnessDuring the last few decades,most <strong>of</strong> us who live in the developedworld have enjoyed a st<strong>and</strong>ard<strong>of</strong> living <strong>and</strong> prosperitygreater than anything that has evergone before. What in earlier timeswould have been considered theheight <strong>of</strong> lUXUry we now take forgranted. Yesterday'S marvels aretoday' s trinkets. Progress <strong>and</strong>prosperity are not wrong <strong>of</strong> themselves,for it is <strong>God</strong>'s will that webe in health <strong>and</strong> prosper (III John2). But not if it means compromisingwith what is right.<strong>Babylon</strong> the great, as describedin the Apocalypse, will be alluring.Those who conform will continueto enjoy the fruits <strong>of</strong> prosperity.Those who reject <strong>Babylon</strong><strong>and</strong> her ways will be thrust out,left to fend for themselves, <strong>and</strong> to
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