The Roots of Babylon: Self-Salvation vs. True Christianity

Revelation 14:8

8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Daniel 4:30

30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

Isaiah 47:8

8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:

Isaiah 47:10

10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.

Revelation 17:4

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Revelation 18:7

7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Isaiah 46:9

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isaiah 14:12-14

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Ezekiel 28:17

17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

The term Babylon, which originates from the word Babel and signifies confusion, finds its scriptural roots in the events at the Tower of Babel following the great Flood Genesis 11:1-9HF 236.3+2.

The Origin and Objective of the Tower of Babel

The inhabitants of the plain of Shinar, influenced by ancient infidelity, disbelieved God's covenant that He would never again destroy the earth with a floodCE 208.2. Their primary objects in building the city and the tower were to secure their own safety against a future deluge, to prevent their community from being scattered as God had directed, and to establish a universal empire or monarchy that would render the founders illustrious and perpetuate their fame Genesis 11:4EP 70.3+1. By reaching the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain the natural causes of the Flood and discover a way to climb up to heaven independently of God's provision Genesis 11:4EP 73.1+2.

The Lord's Announcement and Judgment

The Lord announced this scheme of self-salvation to be a "heaven-daring undertaking" founded in open rebellion and the exaltation of human wisdom above the divine statutes8MR 42.2+2. God saw that this confederacy, if left unchecked, would demoralize the world in its infancy and banish righteousness, peace, and security from the earth Genesis 11:6EP 71.3. In mercy to the world, the Lord confounded their language so they could no longer cooperate, leading to strife, the cessation of work, and the eventual scattering of the people across the earth Genesis 11:7-9PP 118.5+1.

The Characteristic Spirit of Babylon

Throughout history, the spirit of Babylon—both literal and symbolic—is characterized by pride, worldly ambition, and the substitution of human laws for the divine law 2 Timothy 3:1-57BC 962.8+2. This spirit manifests as:

• Self-Glorification: Boasting of one's own power and majesty as the source of success Daniel 4:30SS 182.3+1.

• Independence from God: A desire to establish a government and a religion where God has no rule or honor1BC 1092.1+2.

• Presumption and Idolatry: Exalting human reason and setting the opinions of men above the revealed wisdom of God Isaiah 47:8, 10SW March 1, 1909, par. 3+1.

• Religious Confusion: A state where conflicting creeds and theories make it difficult for the world to know what is truth Revelation 17:4+14SP 232.1.

The Source of Self-Exaltation

This spirit of self-exaltation finds its ultimate source in Lucifer, who allowed pride in his beauty and brightness to corrupt his wisdomEze 28:17+2. As the "son of the morning," he coveted the homage due only to the Creator and aspired to be like the Most High, thereby introducing discord and the "mystery of iniquity" into the universe Isaiah 14:12-14DA 435.2+1. Every person or power, such as the "man of sin," who seeks to change God's law or compel the conscience, is actuated by this same satanic impulse 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4CET 86.2+1.

The True Spirit of Christianity

In total contrast to the spirit of Babylon, the true spirit of Christianity is one of humility, self-denial, and unreserved surrender to God Matthew 24:11PC 83.2+1. While Babylon says, "I am, and none else beside me," the Christian acknowledges that God alone is the Supreme Ruler and the source of all strength Isaiah 46:9+116LtMs, Ms 140, 1901, par. 30.

• Meekness: Following the example of Christ, who was gentle and lowly in heartRH October 19, 1886, par. 2+1.

• Obedience: Honoring the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus rather than human traditions Revelation 14:12GCB April 1, 1903, Art. A, par. 42+1.

• Thanksgiving: A life service marked by gratitude and praise for the plan of redemption Psalms 145:18VSS 429.4+1.

• Unity: Seeking the oneness for which Christ prayed, which is achieved only as self-exaltation dies and the soul is filled with the fullness of God John 1:12-14BTS October 1, 1910, par. 1+1.