Year of the Bible: Part Twelve of TwelveSample

Babylon Played Monopoly and Lost

We anxiously wait for Jesus’s return, but we must understand the sequence of events before and after His return. One of the events that will take place is the fall of Babylon. Today’s reading alludes to some of Babylon’s history but is primarily prophetic imagery.

Ancient Babylon was a real place and is modernly known as Iraq. The Babylonian dominance began to monopolize its power over the surrounding nations after it overcame the Assyrians. Under Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon invaded and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple of God’s people. Since then, Babylon has been a symbolic representation of ungodly opposition. The book of Revelation doesn’t necessarily specify a location or people group. It does use Babylonian dominance as imagery that illustrates spiritual warfare against God’s people.

Just like Babylon tried to monopolize the surrounding nations, Babylon’s spirit of ungodly opposition tries to monopolize our faith today. Ancient Babylon wanted to dominate all political power, commercialism, and social influence. The devil uses these same strategies as part of his plan to monopolize our faith away from Jesus. This is no light matter, but if it were a game, Babylon played Monopoly and lost because Jesus won at the cross.

Question: How can you keep ungodly matters from taking away your time, energy, love, and worship from Jesus?

Prayer: Praise Jesus for defeating the devil and his schemes. Pray that the Lord gives you strength and awareness to focus on Him and keep you from being monopolized by ungodly opposition.