Page 8 - The Road from Babylon to Zion

Chapter 1 - Babylon

It is necessary at the beginning of this book to identify what Babylon is and what she
is not. There is much confusion over the identification of Babylon, yet her
identification is a very important matter. If Yahweh God is calling His people out of
Babylon in this hour, (and He is), then His people must understand what they are
being called out from.

Some have supposed that Babylon represents a country or nation of the earth that
fits some characteristic attributed to her in scripture. For example, Babylon is spoken
of as a land of trade where “the merchants of the earth have become rich by the
wealth of her sensuality" (Revelation 18:3). She is further described in this way:

Revelation 18:11-13
"And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no
one buys their cargoes any more -- cargoes of gold and silver and
precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and
scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and
every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and
marble, and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and
frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle
and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human
lives... saying, "Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine
linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious
stones and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid
waste!' And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as
many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were
crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, "What city is
like the great city?'”

Some have supposed that America must represent Babylon since it is the greatest
consumer nation in the world. Yet others have argued that Babylon is New York City
due to the scripture’s repeated use of the word “city.” If this were true, then coming
out of Babylon would mean that the people of God who reside in either America or
New York City must depart from these places. If Babylon were merely describing a
physical location then simply changing one’s place of residency would fulfill the
command to “come out of her, My people” (Revelation 18:4).

It is true that there is much in America and New York City that are typical of
Babylon, and undoubtedly there is a judgment and plagues reserved for all such
places who have been given great light and have chosen instead to walk in darkness.
But Babylon is not referring specifically to America, nor to her “queen city.”