History is replete with examples of the truth of Proverbs: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Babylon was both a nation and a symbol of all that opposes God’s purposes. Isaiah addressed Babylon, the nation, and the Book of Revelation spoke of Babylon as an emblem of evil.
One predominant characteristic of the Babylonian spirit is pride. Pride may lead us to believe that we cannot fall, but that is a serious misconception.
The destiny of every entity that stands in proud opposition to God and His purposes for humanity is revealed in Revelation.
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
It has become a dwelling place of demons,
a haunt of every foul spirit,
a haunt of every foul bird,
a haunt of every foul and hateful beast.” (Revelation 18:2)
Eight hundred years before John penned these words on the Isle of Patmos, Isaiah spoke of Babylon—both the nation and the Babylonian spirit.
Come down and sit in the dust,
virgin daughter Babylon!
Sit on the ground without a throne,
daughter Chaldea!
For you shall no more be called
tender and delicate.
I will take vengeance,
and I will spare no one.
Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name—
is the Holy One of Israel.
Sit in silence, and go into darkness,
daughter Chaldea!
For you shall no more be called
the mistress of kingdoms. (Isaiah 47:1, 3b-5)
Herod Agrippa was a persecutor of the early church. He provides a striking picture of prideful rebellion against God’s purposes and the resulting judgment.
On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them.
The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a mortal!”
And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:21-23).
Try to imagine, if you can, a man who one moment is dressed in royal garments and receiving the adulation of a crowd. The next moment, he is overcome by worms and dies.
Babylon’s Pride
The Babylonian spirit can reside in a person or nation. Isaiah reveals some of its characteristics.
Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures,
who sit securely,
who say in your heart,
“I am, and there is no one besides me;
I shall not sit as a widow
or know the loss of children”—
You felt secure in your wickedness;
you said, “No one sees me.”
Your wisdom and your knowledge
led you astray,
and you said in your heart,
“I am, and there is no one besides me.” (Isaiah 47:8 and 10)
Here are four characteristics of a Babylonian spirit. There are extreme cases of these, but instead of looking at the extremes, let’s ask the Lord to what extent we resemble them.
(1) Lover of pleasures: An African dictator who flew to New York City to get a haircut while his nation lived in abject poverty is an extreme example of a lover of pleasure.
Question: How irritated do we get when our pleasure centers are denied? How much time and money do we spend to experience pleasure?
(2) Security focused: Billionaires spend between 5 and 20 million dollars annually on their security details.
Question: How much do we worry about our health or financial stability? How irritated do we get when other drivers act erratically around us?
(3) Confident in personal wisdom and knowledge: The most extreme confidence in personal wisdom and knowledge in history occurred when religious and governmental leaders condemned Jesus to death on the cross.
Question: How often do we pursue our own wishes, knowing that they are contrary to God’s revealed purpose for humanity? How does our neglect of Bible reading and prayer reflect self-sufficiency and pride?
(4) “I am” mindset: This past week, President Trump was universally criticized for posting an AI image of himself as Jesus. Even non-believers know that only God can say, “I AM.” Humans can say, “He is,” but never, “I am.”
Question: How often do I play God by judging and criticizing other people?
Advice to the Proud
The best way to be on the right side of history when pride falls is to take Peter’s counsel to heart.
And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7)
King Herod was clothed in a royal robe when he was humbled by worms for accepting the adulation of a crowd.
When we put on humility, the crowds may not notice us, but God will lift us up in due time.
Instead of worrying about security and the direction of our lives, we are advised to cast all of these issues on God with the knowledge that He cares for us.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 