The Watchman's Diary

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.  And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!  For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” (Revelation 18:1-3)

Imagine a city center with buildings that breach the clouds as it boasts heights that dwarf the tower of Babel. In it the nations join together to exercise their authority and people from every nation and language gather to execute trade and unite behind a common cause. In it, the strength of a bull is complimented by a spirit of might to form bonds that reflect the desires of man. Imagine a city where kings of the earth meet as a united body that governs their individual kingdoms; whose laws transcend that of their own lands.

Imagine a city guarded by her proclamation of liberty as she presses the commands of God to her bosom; the tablet of stone that reflect the hand of God on a nation that calls upon His name. She sits as a queen to guard the gateway to the city and nation. Her crown points in many directions as she raises her torch as a light to the nations. Her strong arms bare the broken chains of bondage as her feet tread upon the water. She looks intently to the oceans and her eyes gaze at the stars of heaven. She says ““Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Behind her sits free ports, long islands, central parks and the queens botanical gardens. In her squares are the pride; the works of our hands. At the heart of her city the hustle and bustle of trade disregards the setting and rising of the sun, nor does the course of the moon come to mind. Her structures are lined with gold, silver, and all kinds of precious wood. In it men trade their souls to wealth and luxury.

Imagine the frames of her tallest towers. How they boast Herculean muscles as their feet pierce the earth to establish a firm foothold. Their corners stretch beyond the heights of Babel and their ceilings reach for the stars. Yet, in one hour fiery flames bursting forth from the heavens as great eagels bring them to their knees. Their mighty walls and Herculean beams melt as wax, sending forth a thunderous shout that scatters its inhabitants. They flee its tumbling mass, weeping and wailing with heads covered in ashes.

In just one hour it is cast down to earth; in just one moment all trade grinds to a halt. People watch from a distance as its smoke rise and the wealthy watch their riches fall as ash. “The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, [stood] at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing’”

Imagine the chaos and bewilderment of those who could not fathom such an event. Imagine the thoughts of those who  watched helplessly as “The fruit that [their] souls longed for [fled] from them and all the things which are rich and splendid [fall away from them]. That great city Babylon that sought to reverse the threshing of babel is once again scattered abroad and its foundation is again shaken.

Can you even imagine such a scene?

Yet, as at first, they have pledged to rise again to an even more splendid estate. They boast about jutting into the heavens as they celebrate the work of their hands. Two towers now rise as one. It’s strengthen combined to resist the terror that at first breached it’s heights. They dress its utmost beam with the rainbow and drape her loins with the cloth of their god. Its dwelling place is even more luxurious than at first and its tenants have invited in their friends. They have swept away the ash and rubble from the breach and replaced it with a more splendid place. One where many more souls are sold and traded; where mammon takes a seat in the throne room of their hearts.

Their rejoicing shall be cut short for “with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore”. “The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore”.

Though she sits as a queen, she shall flee as a vagabond unless she repents of her fornication and harlotry.

Can you imagine such a scene?