Babylon the Great

The recent earthquake in Japan has brought about a tsunami as well as a nuclear fallout, causing untold casualties and loss of property.  At 9.0 on the Richter scale, it has been said to be one of the worst in recent times coming on the heels of the 6.3 New Zealand earthquake in Christchurch.  Our prayers go out to the government and people of the affected countries.  The rebuilding of lives and society is going to be a long and painful one for many.  In crises such as these, it brings out the humanitarian aspect of mankind to render help and services to those in need. 

The Bible talks about famines and earthquakes occuring in various places as part of the birth pangs preceding Christ's second coming (Mt 24:7).  Indeed, earthquakes have been a frequent occurrence in our generation, with the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake-cum-tsunami killing more than 200,000 people.  This shows that places that do not lie in any earthquake fault lines are also not spared of natural disaster.  The media was talking about the Big One, refering to an earthquake of great magnitude and proportion that would one day hit California, which lies on the San Andreas fault line.  However, the Book of Revelation mentions a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came upon the earth, bringing destruction to Babylon the great, splitting it into three parts.  Cities of the nations would fall, every island flee away and the moutains would not be found (Rev 16:18-20).

Many have speculated regarding this mystery Babylon, that she represented false religions and all the diabolical works of men that are engineered by the devil.  She is known as the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth (Rev 17:5; Eze 33:23-29).  We are warned to come out of her and not participate in her sins lest we receive of her plagues (Rev 18:4).  And the plague would be extremely severe but men who have been thus afflicted would still blaspheme God and refuse to repent (Rev 16:21). How sad! In the last days, the diabolical works of the men are evident: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing and the likes (Gal 5:19-21).  The counteracting agent against the deeds of the flesh is the Holy Spirit who endeavours to produce His fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

The earthquakes that are happening in the natural realm represents the shaking that God is currently doing to wake us up from our spiritual doldrums (Heb 12:25-29).  We are urged to lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light, making no provision for the flesh (Rom 13:12-14).  The motivation for such holy conduct and living is that we are about to inherit an unshakeable kingdom.  This world of sin and corruption would be replaced by new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells  (2 Pet 3:13). Peter exhorts us to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God (2 Pet 3:14).  Let our hearts be soft and tender before God; repent of our wicked ways and return back to Him.  For God will abundantly pardon, as we seek Him during a time where He can be found (Is 55:6-7).