Throughout the rest of biblical history, Babylon would become a symbol of the evil world system. It was in Babylon that the people built their great tower to be a monument of independence against God (Genesis 11). In the book of Revelation we hear the shout of an angel over rebellious humanity and their corrupt civilisation: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit.” This is what has become of this world that God created as a holy temple for himself and his people. Isaiah seems to be using Babylon as a symbol of evil too, particularly in 14:12-15 where he sounds like he is referring to Satan himself. In 13:9-11 he makes the broad scope of his prophecy explicit. A day of judgement is coming. That is a fact that looms over world history. Condemnation is inevitable, but not necessary anymore for anyone. Jesus’ death was sufficient to pay the penalty of this judgement for everyone. This gives us a choice. We can defer judgement, or we can do judgement with Christ the judge now. If we bring all our faults to Jesus now, we will receive forgiveness. This means that, when we stand before his judgement seat then, we will not receive the recompense for our sin, but the reward earned by his righteousness. So, in one sense, judgement is over and done with for those who trust in Christ. What you look forward to now is not your legacy but his legacy. You will receive his reward. No wonder they called it ‘good news’.
Confess your sins to God and receive forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
Read Isaiah 13:1-14:27
