Clarification on “Babylon”
April 3, 2008
How do I use the term ” Babylon”? I use it in at least these ways.
- For me Babylon stands for our society. By “our society” I mean any society. So an interesting question would be whether “Babylon” and “Creation” is the same or not. Or is Babylon in Creation?
- Babylon is my Context. So that means Meiningen, Germany and some other places I travel to. I could say, that I am looking for Babylon wherever I am. I try to be sensitive to the “exile places” of my surrounding.
- And now, while I am writing and reflecting, I find another connotation of Babylon. Babylon and the church/people of God/ body of Chris or what ever you name it, is devided from Babylon. So Babylon is, in that case, everything outside of Gods Lordship.
I will find out, how long I can run with this description. But I already guess, that I have not arrived yet. Its a long way to Babylon.
Can Babylon and creation be the same – is Babylon not the perversion of creation, and the oppresive rule the perversion of true stewardship?
Also what about the blood of the saints being in her – should we identify Babylon when we see the blood of the saints… but
If we buy and sell in Babylon, seeking her prosperity, perhaps Babylon and the Jerusalem (that is above) are enduring symbols for society… dualism? Yes but not platonic I hope.
I enjoy reading what you are writing.
Yes I agree. Babylon can not be creation. It is the perversion of creation.
Your last point: Is your idea that “Jerusalem” will replace the Babylonian one by coming down?
John’s vision – not the same as an idea necessarily… Yes but my thoughts… however the NJ is not creation revisited. Hence not a garden – now we follow the gardener