And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Revelation 14:8
Time Magazine named Pope Francis as its man of the year form 2013, and the pope has also appeared on the front covers of such magazines as the Advocate, GQ Esquire, and Rolling Stone. Since he became pope in March of 2013, Francis has attracted worldwide attention for his radically different style of ruling his church, eschewing many of the fancy trappings that marked earlier popes. The news media describe him as being much more open and accessible, a man of the people with a great deal of humility and willingness to listen to the views of others. Hugely popular among Catholics, Francis has his own fan clubs and Facebook groups. But Christians should be careful not to be fooled by this pleasant-faced wolf in sheep’s clothing. His popular style is simply attracting even more victims into a vile and cursed organization that is utterly condemned by God. Rome is the heart of the Babylon of religion of which the angel in our text speaks.
Despite its pious face and its pseudo-Christian language, Rome, led by whatever pope is in charge, is one of the most deeply evil organizations on the planet. Rome is drenched with the blood of the Medieval martyrs, and would quickly return to its cruel domination of humanity if given a chance, which it will have during the great tribulation. Rome is steeped in idolatry, immorality, greed, and corruption. Revelations of sexual abuse by priests in recent years have uncovered only the tip of the iceberg of rottenness in that organization. Placing its own doctrines on a par with, or greater than the Scriptures is an indication of its blasphemous heart. And yet, for all of its evil and destruction, Rome is but a figurehead for all of the religions, whether they are so-called Christian or otherwise. Rome is the storefront for the Babylon spoken of in our text. All such religion is evil and contrary to the Word of God. Cain began the practice of religion when he brought a bloodless offering to God. The post-flood society that began to erect the tower of Babel (yes, the beginning of Babylon) was practicing a religion that God had to deal with. Down through history, religions have included warped replicas of what God presented in Scripture, in addition to idolatry, heathen practices, mysticism and the occult, and many other forms of false doctrines and damnable heresies. Religion is man’s effort to raise himself up to God. And it will all be destroyed.
As Christians, we do not practice religion. We do not attempt to gain God’s favour by our own efforts or merit. The world outside might consider our worship or service to be religion, but it is not. Ours is a response to what God has done for us, whether worship or service. Ours is an expression of thankfulness for what has been achieved, not an effort to achieve. And we must never confuse the two.
The citizens of Babylon will perish with her. But we are citizens of an eternal city, and can never perish. -Jim MacIntosh