Babylon The Great

The building of the original Babylon was more than a political enterprize. Since that city was established in defiance of Jehovah's sovereignty, religion was involved. Indeed, ancient Babylon became a fountain of religious idolatry. Its priests taught God dishonoring doctrines, such as the survival of a human soul after death adn that the hereafter is a place of eternal horror and torment presided over by demons. They fostered the worship of creatures and of a multitude of gods and godesses. They fabricated myths to explain the origin of the earth and man upon it and performed degrading rituals and sacrifices, supposedly to ensure fertility in childbearing and crop raising and victory in war.

As the various language groups from Babylon spread out over the earth, they took Babylonish religion with them. Thus,rites and beliefs similar to those of ancient Babylon flourished among the original inhabitants of Europe, Africa, the Americas, the Far East and the South Seas; and many of these beliefs persist to this day. Appropriately, then, Revelation refers to the world embracing empire of false religion as a city named Babylon the Great. (Revelation , Chapters 17, 18) Wherever it has been sown, false religion has sprouted oppressive priesthoods, superstition, ignorance and immorality. It has been a powerful tool in Satan's hand. Babylon the Great has always fought fiercely against the true worship of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.

As a reprehensible part of the seed of the Serpent, the scribes and the Pharisees in first-century Judaism took the lead in persecuting and finally murdering the primary representative of the seed of the woman. Thus, the Serpent was able to "bruise him [the "seed"] in the heel." (Genesis 3:15; John 8:39-44; Acts 3:12, 15) Why is this described as only a heel wound? It is because this wounding touched him only briefly here on earth. It was not permanent because Jehovah resurrected Jesus on the third day and exalted him to spirit life. -Acts 2:32, 33; 1Peter 3:18.

The glorified Jesus Christ now serves at God's right hand, judging Jehovah's enemies. He has already taken action against Satan and his angels, hurling them down and confining their activity for the multiiplying of woes in this 20Th century. (Revelation 12:9, 12) But there will be the foretold removal of Satan's earthly seed when God executes judgment on Babylon the Great and all over segments of Satan's organization on earth. Finally, the seed of God's woman, Jesus Christ, will bruise Satan, that wily old Serpent, "in the head," and that will mean his complete annihilation and his total removal from the affairs of mankind. -Romans 16:20.

How will all of this come about? That is what is unveiled for us in the Bible book of Revelation. It is revealed to us in a series of visions, highlighted by striking sings and symbols. Eagerly, let us examine this powerful prophecy. Happy, indeed, are we if we hear and observe the words of Revelation! By so doing, we will share in bringing honor to the name of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah and inherit his eternal blessings. Please read on and wisely apply what you learn. It can mean your salvation at this time of climax in mankind's history.

Next time: Things That Must Shortly Take Place