God Will Judge Your Judgment
“The spirit of Babylon is the spirit of compromise with the world. Wherever there is compromise in our hearts with the devil, that compromise places us on the back of a beast that ultimately seeks our destruction”.-Francis Frangipane
Identifying The Spirit Of Babylon
The spirit of Babylon has been in the earth since civilization began. It is essential to understand this spirit if we desire to walk in God’s kingdom without compromise, for the spirit of Babylon epitomizes self-exaltation, and self-exaltation is the source of compromise.
Originally, Babylon was more than a wealthy, glamorous city; it was primarily a religious city. To understand this gives us great insight into the nature of this enemy. Genesis 11:4 tells us that the common intent of its people was to build for themselves a city, “and a tower whose top will reach into heaven.” More than their advanced skills in art and warfare, their pride was in their religion. When the Lord confused their tongues and scattered them across the earth, the spirit of Babylon spread throughout the world, and the desire to “reach into heaven” through man-made religions proliferated in every nation.
We also see in this spirit the ambition to “make for ourselves a name.” As a result, this influence now permeates our human nature. Thus, Solomon observed, “every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor” (Ecclesiastes 4:4). Rivalry and the desire to make for oneself a name still comprise the nature of the spirit of Babylon.
One last thing about origins of Babylon: the Scripture says the people journeyed east to the land of Shinar and “settled there” (Genesis 11:2). Any time we stop pressing on and begin to “settle down,” expect something Babylonian in nature to arise.
The influence of Babylonian philosophy is also seen in the book of Daniel. You will remember it was Babylon that conquered the Hebrews and carried them off into captivity. There Daniel raised up to sit with the the Chaldean wise men and conjurers who counseled King Nebuchadnezzar. We see this spirit in the thinking of the Babylonian priests when they were required to know what the Almighty knew. They said, “The thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh” (Daniel 2:11)
We can recognize the influence of Babylon in any people or church that offers lip service to a God far off, a deity whose dwelling place is not with men. In contrast, Jesus is our Emmanuel, “God with us.” The very essence of true Christianity is Christ in us, the hope of glory. You can discern the spirit of Babylon in your home, in a church, in a community or as a country by which that honors God in heaven without having any relationship with Him on earth.
Babylon Will Be Destroyed
The spirit of Babylon is all around us, both in our society in general and in the Christian church in particular. In the book of Revelation we see those who compromised with the spirit. They are seen as “a woman sitting on a scarlet beast” (Revelation 17:3). Upon her forehead a name was written, “Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots” (v.5)
To discern the spirit of Babylon, look first for pride: “Let us make for ourselves a name” (Genesis 11:4). Then, look for worldliness: “The woman clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls” (Revelation 17:4). Finally, where people are drunk with lusts for pleasure, you will see “in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of unclean things of her immorality” (v.4).
The command of God is, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4)
When we are called out of Babylon, it is a call into Christlikeness. In this hour God is certainly calling the church to enter into meekness, moderation, and purity of heart. The Holy Spirit has been judging and cleansing the Babylonian strongholds from the church. Indeed, the sins of Babylon will soon be fulfilled by plagues, which even now are falling upon her. In His mercy, God calls us out of this evil.
The Revelation of John continues, “The beast…will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire” (Revelation 17:16). Anytime we decide to coexist with the devil(or demonic activity which is anything that is not of God), it leaves us desolate and naked, suffering unquenchable fire. This warning must be heard by each of us as individuals before we could ever imagine our government hearing it. In the sanctuary of our hearts, we must decide we are not going to compromise with Babylon in any way.
Those Who Conquer
At the same time, the Apocalypse speaks of a people who not only came out of Babylon, but under the Lord’s direction they became instrumental in God’s judgement of her. Concerning the fall of Babylon, Revelation 18:20 reads, literally, “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets in the last days whose words and whose purity became a source of judgment upon the spirit of Babylon. In fact, Scripture says that God will judge their judgment!!
The Lord Jesus not only wants us separate from this spirit but to be warring against it. In other words, as we agree in spirit and character, in word and behavior, with the Word of God concerning righteousness, God will put in our mouths His judgements concerning evil. The simplicity and purity of our lives will be instrumental in exposing the powers of Babylon and releasing her prisoners.
We are not fighting flesh and blood but the powers of darkness that hold people captive. “Through the church” the manifold wisdom of God is made known “to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:10 NKJV). Before Jesus returns, His church will be brought up to His standard in all aspects (see Ephesians 4:11-15). And that includes becoming an army that hates wickedness and loves righteousness, an army that, as it follows Christ, initiates spiritual warfare against the various gates of hell.
Jesus: Our Warrior King
Jesus is not returning as the “meek and mild” Lamb whom the world crucified. No, He is not coming again to be humilited. He is returning “to be glorified in His saints…and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). Within His saints first, He shall establish His rule in glory and be revealed in power (see Revelation 2:26; Jude 1:14-15). He is returning as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. This Lamb returns to earth treading “the wine press of the fierce wrath of God” (Revelation 19:15).
Speaking through the prophet, the Holy Spirit says, “The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). Do you hear the war cry our King is raising? It is the call to put away the idols of Babylon and approach the hour of our destiny with zeal and willing obedience to Jesus. As it is written, “Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power” (Psalm 110:3). Especially as we approach the end of this age, it is essential we understand that God’s purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son. We are to grow up “in all aspects” of the Holy One, even into His likeness as Captain of the Hosts!
As you enter into the administration of the victory of Jesus Christ, what was once a walk filled with blindness and darkness will now become a walk of vision and light. Your words will declare God’s purpose, and His purpose will empower your words. You will rejoice as you see the Spirit of God “judge your judgement” of Babylon. Let’s pray…
Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we worship You. We declare that Your name shall be exalted in all the earth, even the name You gave Your Son, Jesus! We renounce seeking to make names for ourselves, we cast off the illusions of the world, we repent of the lusts of comfort and pleasure.
Lord, we discern and judge the spirit of Babylon. We release Your people from its drunkenness and immoralities! We line our lives up according to the standard of Your righteous judgements, that You might judge our judgement of this spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
