The City of Babylon

After Adam and Eve were evicted from Eden, their two sons, Cain and Abel, each brought an offering to God. Abel brought a sacrifice in obedience to God, “the firstborn of his flock” (Genesis 4:4) being a symbol of Jesus, the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:5–7; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 John 2:2).

Cain, on the other hand, offered some of his crops to the Lord. This was not in accordance with God’s will. God meant for the sacrificial system to point to the cross of Christ, the only means by which the human race is saved (Acts 4:12). By bringing as a sacrifice the harvest of his own hand, Cain was veritably stating that he didn’t need a Savior; he could save himself. Cain’s disobedience resulted in the murder of Abel, his brother (Genesis 4:8).

Cain then left his family and “built a city” (v. 17), the first ever constructed by mankind. Interestingly, the last city that will ever be built by man, though it is a symbolic one, has ties to the first. Mystical Babylon, “that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth,” will likewise be formed by those adhering to a false system of worship. Remember, mystical Babylon is the collection of all false religions, from Catholicism and apostate Protestantism to paganism.

Its inhabitants follow not after Christ but after idols, “the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made” (Isaiah 2:8). That’s just what Cain did when he offered up the work of his own hands. In short, false religion produces a system of salvation by works—man’s works. Its credo is the devil’s motto: “Do what you will,” instead of God’s will.

Today’s verse drives home two important points. One, “the woman … is that great city” (emphasis added): The resurrection of the Roman Catholic Church will ultimately result in Babylon the Great. Two, the woman, which is the city, “reigns over the kings of the earth”: The church will dominate the state; that is, at the end of time, there will exist a universal religiopolitical system.

Lord and King, though Your enemies scheme from behind earthly fortifications, we look for Your heavenly city.

For Further Study: Deuteronomy 4:28; Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:2

Key Bible Texts

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:18 KJV)