BIG IDEA: Judgment texts inspire us to live redemptively in modern Babylon.
Babylon is a timeless image of the satanic spirit working in this world (the air). In 1 Peter and Revelation, it represents power-abusing empires that multiply personal sin and selfishness on a global level.
Babylon’s methods (strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions) don’t mix with God’s methods (peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control).
We say hope comes from being overtaken by God’s kingdom, yet we keep voting for Capitol takeovers. We’ve accepted Babylon’s lie that faith is private and personal, but the gospel we preach has political implications (i.e., Christ came to create communities which wisely care for our habitats and each other--a motive that’s both public and political!).
Most of us won’t ever run for a powerful office and that’s okay if Christ provides all the authority needed to impact the world redemptively.
