Babylon to Zion

     The City of Babylon is mentioned three places in Bible history, first, the city that tried to build a tower up to the heavens, the Tower of Babel, "And they said, Come, let us build a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and make a name for ourselves, that we not be scattered on the face of the earth." (Genesis 11:4). The tower was called "Babel" because Jehovah confused the construction of the tower by giving the workers various different languages, and those working on the tower were scattered to different parts of the earth, "And Jehovah scattered them from there, over the face of the earth. And they stopped building the city." (Genesis 4:8). The second use of Babylon is the city that conquered the known world, including Judea and Israel, over a thousand years later. At both times, Babylon was a city of idol worshipers, and since the first mention of her wasn't long after the flood, and being recent descendants of Noah, his sons knowing God Jehovah by Noah's teaching and their personal experience in the ark, it is surprising that it didn't take long for his sons, or their descendents to ignore their family God. Babylon may be the first, after the worldwide flood to worship someone other then the one and only Almighty God of the Bible, "Jehovah", but much of the world eventually turned to worshiping some form of idol. Babylon is again mentioned in Revelation as a city representing the peoples who choose to ignore their Creator Jehovah and follow the world's imaginations, "And you took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, the figures which you made in order to worship them. And I will remove you beyond Babylon." (Acts 7:43), this reference in Amos 5:25-27 was about the idols that some Israelites served while in the wilderness; the city of "Babylon" represents the house of idols; "beyond" in this verse, would mean out of existence. Babylon will also be beyond existence at some point, "And another angel followed, saying, The great city, Babylon, has fallen, has fallen; because of the wine of the anger of her fornication, she made all the nations drink." (Revelation 14:8). The word used "fornication" in this context represents man's departure from worshiping the living God; idol worshiping encompasses man worshiping anyone or anything other then the living God, Jehovah. This city, Babylon mentioned in Revelation, is not a literal city, but any place or people in the act of false worship, even a place in ones heart, this is where idol worship starts and this is where it must be eliminated. Babylon is where you don't want to be at any time, for any reason, including and especially now, during these last days, and this is clear throughout God's word.

     "Zion" is a name for the city of God, "Sing praises to who dwells in Zion; make His deeds known among the nation." (Psalms 9:11) and, "Great is Jehovah, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful on high, the joy of all the earth, is Mt Zion, in the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Psalm 48:1,2). It is also referred to as the city of David, and represents true worship, because David was a man after God's own heart. Here Samuel speaks to king Saul, "But now your kingdom shall not stand. Jehovah has sought out for Himself a man according to His own heart, and Jehovah has appointed him as leader over His people..." (I Samuel 13:14). The city of Zion, also called Mount Zion, is the place where man merges with the ruler-ship of God's government, first headed by king David, now Christ rules from David's thrown. Zion is now a spiritual city representing the rule of truth, where Jehovah's people can rest with protection from Satan and his many helpers, "Jehovah shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion; rule in the midst of Your enemies." (Psalm 110:2). Zion is our spiritual destination while on this present earth, a place in the heart for rest, but for God's people, the final destination is the kingdom of God, which is all that will remain after the Lake of Fire destroys everyone and all evil, including death. The new heavens and the new earth and whatever God will create for our new existence with Him, will all be part of Jehovah's kingdom.

     In Revelation, Babylon still represents false religion, "And the women was clothed in purple and scarlet, and being gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominations and unclean things of her fornications. And on her forehead was a name having been written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." (Revelation17:4,5). The verse warns us about the position Babylon holds, in view of the world, and gives us a visual description of the appearance of this city, "...clothed in purple and scarlet, and being gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls..." therefore, we should be able to recognize her and stand apart from this harlot. A "women" in Bible prophecy represents a religious figure, good or bad. Because this city, Babylon represents man's apostasy, this great city will fall and be destroyed, "The one strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone, and threw it into the sea, saying, This way on an impulse, Babylon the great city will be thrown down, and it will never more still be found." (Revelation 18:21). Can anyone dare to have any other conclusion in response to the Bible's information about Babylon, but to not enter or leave if already there? Those having sinned are to learn and understand why it is wise and a blessing for all involved to cease their sinful desires and acts and leave this city of sin, Babylon; those found there will be destroyed with Babylon, by Jehovah's act of justice at the end in the "Lake of Fire".

     We are to personally determine what is false worship by our embracing God's word for His truth, which is the only truth, and if we are connected with error, then we need to seek out Jehovah's truth for entrance into His holy city Zion. It is our responsibility to sever any connection with false worship, which is the city of Babylon. God's word is the purest way to understand the path that leads to Zion, as it has been given from the beginning in God's word, Seek Jehovah God with all your heart and soul, "And if you shall seek Jehovah your God from there, then you shall find Him, if you seek Him with your whole heart, and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29), and, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." (Ephesians 1:17). Settle for nothing less then truth, which can only be found in God's word for this sole purpose, given to us by His only-begotten Son, to guide us from Babylon to Zion. This will render salvation for the saints, leading to the kingdom of Jehovah. Christ made His personal appearance, first to educate us, also as an example for us to follow, then to establish His Father's salvation at Calvary for mankind, by allowing His blood to be shed, in place of ours, paying the price for our repented sins. The Book Christ gave us, through inspiration is for us to read, study and to ask Christ for correct understanding, where our true worship is to be directed, to our God and Father, "Jehovah", but also to His only-begotten Son. Worship directed toward any one or anything else is idol worship, then you would be residing in the city of Babylon. To know who are the only two deities, who make up the "Godhead" seek God's word for that important answer. It is our decisions to make and our efforts in purifying our worship and our character in preparation to be in the presence of God Almighty, just as the Israelites were commanded to cleanse themselves before Jehovah spoke with them from Mount Sinai. "and Jehovah said to Moses, Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow. And let them wash their clothes. And be ready for the third day. For on the third day Jehovah will go down before the eyes of all the people on mountain of Sinai." (Exodus 19:10,11). We are to shed all iniquity in order to be allowed to be in the presence of Jehovah in His coming kingdom. God sent His Son to show us the way; we are called to follow Jesus, "Then Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world; he following Me will in no way walk in darkness, but will be the light of life." (John 8:12), only His leading is the light of life, not those who teach what the Bible says or claim to be following Jesus, but for you personally to follow God's sent Shepherd. You possess the same map that they all claim to be using; the Bible is meant for all of us. The theologians have the same information from God that you can have, it is for us to consume what Jesus gave us in Jehovah's Book, which are the words God gave Jesus, "The one who does not love Me does not keep My words - and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father who sent Me." (John 14:24). We should not trust anyone else above following our Shepherd, Jesus, and His spirit will personally sends us correct understanding of His Father's instructions. God's word is how we can know where we are, in Zion or in Babylon. Babylon, being the home of false religion, can be very close to home, where we may feel safe from the world, but please do not be fooled by the inspiring and sweet sounding sermons; Satan loves to add a little error to much truth. Every concept, every doctrine, even every word from man needs to be confirmed with God's word. Considering that every church denomination holds to a different set of doctrine, promoting different understandings of the same Book, the Bible, we, personally need to test every word from man for its purity with God's word. This demonstrates the importance of knowing all of God's word; one also needs to know what is not in God's word for comparison with what is promoted in the many books about God's word and what is promoted in man's many sermons and teachings. There are many translations and several versions of God's word, it is everyone's responsibility to test where your church stands in accordance to the truth that Christ has given us for our salvation. Seek what is consistent from Genesis to Revelation.     

     Again, we all need to follow the Leader, God's sent Christ, and not the leaders of your church, he can certainly direct you and help you, but it is Christ Jesus we are called to follow, He is the only way to our God Jehovah "Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one come to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6). No church saves you, nor does your standing in any church. Your pastor's objective should be to guide you toward God's word and to help you find the truth; to help you stay on the correct path, found only in God's word, this is what will bring you out of Babylon and into Zion, correct and pure worship. Zion is our safe home on earth, Jehovah is our focus and His kingdom should be our only desired destination, and Jesus is our way home, follow Him.