Long Road Out of Babylon (Part 1)
Long Road Out of Babylon (Part 1), by Dr. Matt Cawthorn, teaches there is a certain mystique when you hear the word “Babylon.” The name comes from the Hebrew Ba-bel which means “to confuse” or “to confound.” Some believe it to be a Hebrew form of the Assyrian Bab-ilu, which means “gate of gods.” It is used of the ancient city on the banks of the Euphrates River. Most of our lives we were taught to fear this term. In my formative Christian years, I was always taught that this Babylon was the Roman Catholic Church or some soon to be renewed literal city in Iraq that would come to a head to thwart the purposes of God as we approached the “end times.” The Reformers used the term in their fight against an oppressive religious system that was persecuting them during their age. The Antichrist, the Beast, the False Prophet, and Babylon, were all linked together in a future time of persecution for the true church.
As I have meditated over “eschatological things” over the years, I have come to the realization that “Babylon” has everything to do with religion—man’s futile attempts by their own efforts and will power, to produce again upon this earth, another tower of Babel. The only problem with this approach is that it has been tried and failed! It reeks of self-centered claims and religious boasting. Generally speaking, religion teaches the masses that to have the approval of God one must “do” something. Works-oriented religion keeps the masses in check by fear and manipulation. Always remember, “The Strength of Religion is the Fear of Man.
