Follow the Lamb - 21 Day Study on the Book of RevelationSample

Day 20: Four Marks of Babylon Today

Scripture Reading:

‘Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.’

- Philippians 2.3-4 (NRSV)

McKnight believes Babylon-ish societies have four main characteristics: arrogance, economic exploitation, militarism, and oppression (pp. 210-216). We can see a lot of these characteristics in nations throughout the world. Nationalism is a display of arrogance, claiming that one’s own nation is better than others, and we don’t have to be a student of history to know what tragedies that attitude can lead to. Economic exploitation is rife, and we need to own that many in the Western world are the beneficiaries of millions of people, including children, in third-world countries living on subsistence wages and eating as little as a cup of rice a day, making high-tech goods and designer clothing. Many millions are spent on defence budgets, while citizens are hungry, homeless, uneducated and unable to afford medical care. Oppression occurs in many ways, from political imprisonment and terrorism to subtle gender or ethnic discrimination in the workplace.

It is easy to look at the news and point to other places. We see Russia oppressing Ukraine, the military displays in North Korea, religious discrimination in Iraq, or certain arrogant supremacist talk from politicians and agitators in the USA. We need to be mindful of removing that log from our own eye first, though. We cannot expect to have Christianity enshrined in the Constitution, but we can expect Christians to be true to Christ, and to be a fifth-column force for good, to be salt and light and yeast, infiltrating every aspect of society, and so in any country where there is a Christian presence. Being a part of the community is how we bring transformation in the name of Christ in schools, hospitals, the factory floor, the hairdressers, and the bowling club, for wherever there is a Christian, there, too is the Holy Spirit.

Some things to think about:

1. How many spheres of influence do you have in your community (family/work/clubs/gym/neighbours, etc)? You may be surprised!
2. If you had to stand for office for your local council, what would your top policy be?
3. If you could change one law in the country, what would it be?

Prayer:

Prince of Peace, I thank you for choosing to return and rule this earth with justice. I thank you for all in our land who strive for equality and freedom. I ask that your Spirit gives me the bravery to speak out against injustice and oppression. In Jesus’ name. Amen.