Standing in Babylon

Children raised in first-century Jewish families would have been very familiar with the story of Daniel and the conquest of Israel by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar nearly 600 years earlier. In fact, “Babylon” became synonymous with oppression, idolatry, and general sin. Modern-day writers (some serious and some not) have even used the term to describe rank immorality in our culture today. The Apostle John used it similarly nearly 2,000 years ago.

In Revelation, John uses Babylon as the label for everything wrong with the world in the last days, under the antichrist. “Babylon” stands for the corrupt political/governmental, economic and religious systems that are doomed to fall in the end. But in the meantime, they exist. And few would argue that “Babylon” doesn’t accurately describe today’s aforementioned systems.

John also wrote in his first epistle, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). So the question is, how do we exist in a culture that is getting more Babylonian by the minute?

As Christians, we walk a tightrope. Many of us grew up with this warning: “Be in the world, but not, of the world” (which is not a Bible verse, by the way). Nonetheless, we’re faced daily with whether to bow the knee to the contemporary idols in society. It is increasingly challenging to be in the world and live biblical lifestyles. Can you stay faithful with such pressure all around? Well, there are three ways to respond while in “Babylonian captivity”: separate, succumb, or stand.

First, some separate in response to Babylonian influences. They identify things associated with a corrupt, sinful culture and then set up rules and systems of accountability—some biblical, some not—to “protect” themselves and fellow believers from being tainted. As a result, we have everything from the Amish to the ultraconservative, fundamentalist Christians. Attempting to avoid the Babylonian stigma, they are instead seen as hyperlegalistic and ultimately are not taken seriously by those who need the good news of Jesus. In essence, they have created a subculture that is self-limiting in its potential effect for the gospel.

Others respond to the ineffectiveness of the legalistic separatists by swinging to the other end of the spectrum. They succumb to questionable aspects of the culture. Their goal is to avoid the stereotype of dogmatic, legalistic Christians and blend with society, like stealth followers of Jesus. Seeing legalism as an obstacle to bringing people to Christ, they treat permissive lifestyles as a good thing. 

The third option is simply to stand. Daniel is an example of standing, despite pressure from the culture and those who disagreed with his faith. He was balanced. Most liked and respected Daniel, but he knew where to draw the line when pressured to violate his relationship with God. Daniel knew the Word well and was not simply going through the motions of attempting to appear spiritual. He was not legalistic, but he was not lax when it came to obedience to God.

For now, you are captive in Babylon. The influence of that system is heavy and all around us. False teachers inside and outside the church perpetuate the spirit of antichrist. It is pervasive, leading many astray. How will you survive? Will you separate, succumb, or stand? Be like Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Stand.

“As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” ─1 John 2:24