We have fled from Babylon to Babylon
Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the LORD’s vengeance; he will pay her what she deserves. (Jeremiah 51:6)
Menno Simmons wrote:
We are constrained by the Spirit and Word of God … to gather together to the praise of Christ Jesus, and to the service and salvation of our neighbors, not unto ourselves, but unto the Lord, a pious and penitent congregation or church out of all impure and deceiving sects of the whole world … according to the Spirit, doctrine and example of Jesus Christ (since He has manifested to us his Word and truth).
I’m wondering if we are willing and able to admit that the “impure and deceiving sects of the whole world” will, unfortunately, include whatever “pious and penitent congregation” we ourselves set up. And, once admitting this, how that will affect our lives as individuals, as a church, as a church among many churches, as a church among many religions, and as a church in the world. We flee from Babylon to Babylon. We have met Babylon, and she is ourselves.
Of course our first reaction will be one of humility and non-judgement, knowing when we judge others, we judge ourselves; when we condemn others, we condemn ourselves (as Paul writes, Romans 2:1).
A second reaction will be to hold our practices and devotions lightly, not making them badges of righteousness but tools for the journey.
A third reaction will be to learn from others, different from us, from their practices and devotions for they may aid us on our journey as well.
A fourth reaction will be to continually cry out in the Spirit for God’s mercy and grace; and to accept the gift God’s mercy and grace.
A fifth reaction will be to “turn our eyes on Jesus,” to “gather together to the praise of Christ Jesus, and to the service and salvation of our neighbors, not unto ourselves, but unto the Lord.”
A sixth truth: we will still end up in Babylonian captivity.
A seventh reaction: Come, Lord Jesus, come! Bring the refining fire (1 Peter 1:7); bring Babylon down (Rev 18:2).
What other implications are there?
SMART SECURITY
Will,
As I sit here thinking about your comment Jeremiah 51: 6, a message popped up at the bottom of my computer screen “Your system is exposed to risk, click her for further information”
This is not the first time I have seen this message, It has been popping up for several weeks and for some reason I have chosen to disregard these warnings. I clicked on the message and it informs me that my firewall has become corrupted and that I should reinstall “Smart security” as soon as possible.
I would like to think that I don’t have to worry about a firewall because I would never go to places on the internet that would but my computer at risk, (at least that’s what I tell myself). So way bother taking the time to do the reinstall. Or as my wife would say “I’m Procrastinating again”.
Just as my computer is at risk at the present time because I have not reinstalled the “smart Security”, I am at risk to. How do we NOT return to Babylonian captivity? what’s our firewall for protection? I think Menno but it best “the Spirit and Word of God” If we look to the Holy Spirit and Gods Truth in the Bible we will have a very dependable firewall to protect us from becoming a captive. we just have to stop relying on our selves and our understandings and listen better.
Jeremiah 51:6 is a warning to flee, to avoid the coming destruction of Babylon. Are we listening to the warnings that are revealed to us in God Holy truth the Bible and keep our firewalls up to date?
Scott Yoder
Scott Yoder
June 29, 2009 at 8:02 am