Revelation 18:5 (KJV)
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
It seems important to me that any treatment of this text should address the identity of the Babylon of The Revelation, sometimes referred to as “mystery Babylon.”
The most literal interpretation would be historic Babylon.
Peter, we know, spent time in ministry there. Although Islam started centuries later, and not technically out of Babylon, this interpretation would connect the prophecy of Babylon to Islam.
The common Protestant[1] interpretation is Rome.
And thus, Roman Catholicism. From the beginning of the fourth century to the middle of the seventeenth century, Catholicism controlled kingdoms and used armies to decimate anyone and any group of people unwilling to submit to her brand of faith. Untold numbers of people, believers, unbelievers, and sometimes even innocent Catholics were annihilated in Catholicism’s fervor to “evangelize” for Christ. When the Reformation took hold, and Protestant churches gained control of governments and their armies, those Protestants’ front-line enemy was Catholicism. Of course, both Catholics and Protestants other dissenting groups such as Anabaptists and Baptists as opportunities arose.
A third interpretation is that “mystery Babylon” is Jerusalem.
Martin Luther had a distinct hatred of the Jews. I think it transferred to the party of the Third Reich under Hitler. The Jews have never been a popular people. It wasn’t until WWII that Christian sentiment began turning toward them. Increasingly conservative Christians today are expressing hatred for the Jew. I think it is because they are leaning on Reformation Theology, which was decidedly anti-Jewish.
My take is that this Babylon is Roman Catholicism, but here’s the point of my Daily Visit with God: The Bible says “God hath remembered her iniquities.” This contrasts with Hebrews 8:12 (KJV) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. and Hebrews 10:17 (KJV) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
We tend to think of God as so loving, so forgiving, so gracious, so merciful, that there is just about nothing that would ever offend Him. That it would be impossible for God to remember any sin or any iniquity. We tend to think that religion is difficult to pin down exclusively so that God will accept any practice of faith as long as we’re sincere.
That’s just not Bible.
Here’s the long and the short of Bible truth. When a soul, under conviction of the Holy Spirit and contrition for their sins, comes to trust Christ alone for salvation, they are eternally, absolutely, and forever forgiven. God will remember their sins and iniquities no more. But if a soul attempts the same salvation in any other manner, he is considered a thief and a robber.[2] And God does and will remember their iniquities when He pours out His wrath upon all who hold the truth in unrighteousness.[3]
#MysteryBabylon #RomanCatholicism #GodRemembersIniquities #TruthInUnrighteousness #SalvationThroughChrist
Mystery Babylon: The Sins God Will Not Forget
[1] And, I think, Baptist
[2] John 10:1 (KJV)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
[3] Romans 1:18 (KJV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
- How can I be sure I’m following the true path to salvation and not a false faith?
- Today, choose the path of true forgiveness. Trust Christ, and your sins will be remembered no more.
👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
For this and, more than 6600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.
If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.
My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org
Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/
Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more
Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give.
No comments:
Post a Comment