Topical Bible: Babylon: Inhabitants of Profane and Sacrilegious

◄ Babylon: Inhabitants of Profane and Sacrilegious ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Babylon, a city of great antiquity and renown, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of human pride, idolatry, and opposition to God. Its inhabitants are often depicted as profane and sacrilegious, embodying the moral and spiritual decay that stands in stark contrast to the holiness demanded by God.

Historical Context

Babylon was the capital of Babylonia, a major kingdom in ancient Mesopotamia. It reached its zenith under King Nebuchadnezzar II, who is known for his conquests, including the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people. The city was renowned for its impressive architecture, including the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Biblical References

The Bible frequently portrays Babylon as a city of sin and rebellion against God. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah condemns Babylon for its arrogance and idolatry: "Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah" (Isaiah 13:19). This prophecy underscores the divine judgment that awaits those who exalt themselves against the Lord.

The Book of Daniel provides a vivid account of the sacrilegious behavior of Babylon's rulers. King Belshazzar, during a feast, profaned the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple by using them to drink wine while praising false gods. This act of sacrilege led to the famous "writing on the wall," a divine message foretelling the imminent fall of Babylon: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN" (Daniel 5:25). That very night, Belshazzar was slain, and the kingdom was given to the Medes and Persians.

Symbolism in Revelation

In the New Testament, Babylon takes on a symbolic role in the Book of Revelation, representing the ultimate manifestation of worldly corruption and opposition to God. Revelation 17 describes Babylon as "the great prostitute who sits on many waters" (Revelation 17:1), a city characterized by immorality and spiritual adultery. The inhabitants of this symbolic Babylon are depicted as those who have rejected God's truth in favor of earthly pleasures and false worship.

Revelation 18 further elaborates on the fall of Babylon, emphasizing the divine retribution that befalls those who engage in its profane practices: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit" (Revelation 18:2). This passage serves as a warning to believers to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of a world that stands in opposition to God's righteousness.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The biblical portrayal of Babylon and its inhabitants serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and moral compromise. The city's ultimate downfall is a testament to the sovereignty of God and the certainty of His judgment against those who defy His commandments. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, resisting the temptations of a world that often mirrors the profane and sacrilegious nature of ancient Babylon.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:1-3
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... rescinded if we would prevent a profane and sacrilegious ... sacred history relates that
the new inhabitants who had ... by the king of Assyria from Babylon to inhabit ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

Questions.
... How had the ruinous waste of Babylon been fore- told?"Isaiah, xiii.19 to 22 ... What
profane attempt did Julian make? ... 2. Who were the first inhabitants of America ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... to this holy religion, and who are commonly called clergymen, be entirely exempted
from all public duties, that by any error or sacrilegious negligence they ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... The position of Christians was not materially affected by the constitution of Caracalla
conferring Roman citizenship on all free inhabitants of the Empire, and ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm