Among the early manifestations of rebellion against God recorded in the divine Scriptures is the act of building the tower of Babel. This is clear as we read Genesis 11:1–9. In chapter 10:9–10 of the same book, we get to know that the chief architect of that tower was a hunter called Nimrod. Ever since that tower was constructed, Babel has remained a symbol of apostasy in the Bible. Revelation 17:5–6 speaks of John having seen a woman drunk with the blood of the saints. “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (v.5). But we are getting ahead of the story; let us hear more about this later.

After the flood, we know from Genesis 8:4 that Noah’s ark which he had “prepared to the saving of his house” rested on Mount Ararat. The flood truly curbed iniquity and evil to a great extent. But the tide of evil was soon to spread itself again. Sister White explains how this came about:

“For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 118

The separated group dwelt in the plain of Shinar. Here the manner of spirit they were of was soon to be manifested. They disbelieved God’s covenant that He would not bring a flood again upon the face of the earth. Worse still, many of them denied the existence of the Deity and attributed the flood to natural causes. In this way, sadly, the way was prepared for the great work of apostasy. They sat down and agreed to mold bricks and burn them thoroughly, and then build a city and a great, tall tower as would render it one of the wonders of the world! God in His wisdom soon put a halt to such a work of rebellion.

The word Babel is synonymous with Babylon. Both mean confusion (Genesis 11:9). It may also mean “gate of god(s).” The confusion of language at that time brought about a dispersal of the people, but the Babylonian spirit in the future was to continue to exist in an even broader form.

Of Babylon (the same place—Shinar; see Daniel 1:2), later in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, grave sins were seen being committed. There is enough evidence that lays this bare in the book of Daniel the prophet. The spirit of self-gratification and uncontrolled appetite (Daniel 1:8) were all manifested. Witchcraft, necromancy, sorcery, magic, etc., were practiced openly. Some people were employed to do such work (Daniel 2:2). Moreover they were worshipers of graven images instead of the God of heaven (Daniel 3:1–5). Persecution of God’s people is seen in Daniel chapter 3:13–21. Here we find the story of the three faithful young men whose integrity had to be tested by fire! Pride of life was at its peak (Daniel 4:30). The apogee of licentiousness, drunkenness, and animal passions during the time of Belshazzar marked the fall of the old Babylonian kingdom. All these evils and many others not here cited show how far they had gone.

In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul tried to list the works of the flesh also practiced in Babylon.  Galatians 5:21 shows that he failed to exhaust them. Doubtless, it is because sin appears in uncountable ways. He writes: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: [not exhaustive] of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” Galatians 5:19–21

About 42 years later, the apostle at Patmos was privileged to see the nature of modern Babylon and its final judgment. He saw a woman, a mother of harlots riding a scarlet coloured beast in the wilderness (Revelation 17:1–7). “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (v.5). We also read: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:8. These verses [Revelation 17:1–7] refer to the abominations of the Catholic Church and [Revelation 14:8] the fall of ‘”eligious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt”—the daughters.

Furthermore, Revelation 18:1–4 still speaks of the fall of Babylon. “This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible condition of the religious world is here described.” –The Great Controversy, p. 603

As members of God’s church we may be satisfied having left the fallen churches. Yet we need to remember that “there are tower builders in our time.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 123. This may be surprising, or does it concern members of God’s church? The answer is, definitely yes! It is a continuum. We really do not need to be atheists or humanists to believe in the science of evolution, or associate with fallen churches to be seen as building Babel. (Read the whole page of Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 123). Unbelief was the first thing that opened the way for the building of that ancient tower. As long as our actions, thoughts, speech, etc., are of the spirit of Babylon; or (in simple terms) by rejecting to fully surrender to Jesus, then in one way or the other, knowingly or unknowingly, we are helping to build the tower of Babel today.

“When the first step is taken in the path of transgression the way becomes easy.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 630

While there are people at this time who are busy helping to build God’s kingdom of grace that is to prepare men for the kingdom of glory (to be ushered in at the second coming of Jesus), others are busy building the tower of Babel. Regardless of how obstinate we remain, and harden our hearts in clinging to known sins and besetments, the result is that we must perish together with Babylon. Not long from now, the cup of Babylon will be full, making her ripe for destruction.

“Of Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophesy, [Revelation 18: 1–4] it is declared: ‘Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’ Revelation18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her.” –The Great Controversy, p. 604

John saw the end of Babylon as described in the following verse: “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” Revelation 18:21

God’s people will live with Him in the beautiful city, the New Jerusalem. May the Lord help us to make a firm stand to shun Babylon, and make the needed preparations to live for eternity. Amen.

Joel L. Msiska