Babylon and the New Jerusalem

Question: Then they said, 'come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves'" (Gen 11:4). There seems to be some significance to this story being written so early in the Bible, what do you think it is?

Answer: This is the tale of two cities::

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). Earthly kings have a throne that symbolises an area in which they rule. They have subjects who are under their jurisdiction. But there is another throne, larger than all earthly thrones, a throne set up by God himself in the heavens. The heavenly throne’s jurisdiction reaches all people, even those who are leaders on earth. 

Augustine wrote the book ‘The City of God’. In the book, Augustine contrasts two cities: the heavenly city and the earthly city. Augustine writes, “Two loves have made the two cities. Love of self, even to the point of contempt for God, made the earthly city; and love of God, even to the point of contempt for self, made the heavenly city.” 

Some kings want power only to advance their selfish earthly agenda, but the King of kings has sacrificial love as a mandate for his kingdom. 

Those in God’s kingdom are at peace, for they implicitly trust their king, “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well” said, one of the king’s subjects, Julian of Norwich. And it’s true, all is well when God is in control. God’s throne cannot be overruled. 

“Can a throne of destruction be allied with You, One which devises mischief by decree?” (Ps 94:20). God cannot enter in an alliance with unjust leaders, he will not sanction legislation opposed to his righteous Word. Earthly powers may promote their fallen nature with laws. They legalise their own fallen ways but their will cannot stand against the throne in heaven. 

Earthly domains may have a lust for power that results in “lawsuits, wars, and conflicts”, says Augustine. The City of God, however, rejoices in “the common and immutable good.” The earthly cities scramble and fight for the goods of this world; the heavenly city shares the limitless bounty of God himself. “Conflict and competition” mark one city; “unity and harmony” the other. 

John Buynan labelled the two cities “the City of Destruction” and the “Celestial City”. For the two cities have two distinct final destinies: When the kings of the earth see the smoke of the wicked city’s burning, they will weep and mourn. Terrified… they will stand far off and cry: “Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!” (Rev 18:12).

John saw they city of God and declared, “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” (Rev 21:2–4). 

Augustine said, “how great is the virtue of humility, which raises us, not by human arrogance, but by a divine grace, above all earthly dignities that totter on this shifting scene. For the King and Founder of this city of which we speak, has in Scripture uttered to His people a dictum of the divine law in these words: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (Jam 4:6).

So the men of Shinar who wanted to build a city and tower to make a name "for themselves" put them on a collision course with the King who rules over all. For there is another ruler, "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2).

“The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).

If we think that James may be a touch too hard when he calls people “adulterous” for simply being a “friend” of the world: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (Jam 4:4), then 1 John 5:19 should help us understand where James is coming from. 

The “evil one” has the world in his power. The earth is the Lord’s of course, but the usurper has taken it for himself, and has gained a following from those who love the world. We follow Christ, not the devil, but we recognise that the power of the enemy is real and leads people away from the life of God. 

The devil is a thief, and he has stolen what does not belong to him. The evil forces that affect humanity are at work. We recognise that the kings of this earth may be commandeered by the enemy and stand against God’s directives: “The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles’” (Ps 2:2–3). 

Satan tempts the kings and rulers in order to gain their trust, but he could not overcome Christ by temptation. Do you remember that “the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ‘All this I will give You,’ he said, ‘if You will fall down and worship me’” (Matt 4:9). 

Jesus knew there was another city and answered “Away from Me, Satan!... For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” (Matt 4:10). 

Jesus knew exactly where this world’s allegiance lies, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). We do not belong to this world, although we are in it. We too, know that a there is another city that was not constructed by this world’s engineers. 

Abraham “was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb 11:10). The corrupt ways in which this earthly city carries on year by year will testify against it, therefore it cannot endure. Satan may have his throne here: “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name” (Rev 2:13), but there is a greater city with a more powerful throne, and the powers of this world cannot stand against it. 

Jesus told us that “In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!" (John 15:18). All the powers of evil were amassed against Jesus, but he stood firm in righteousness and overcame all the principalities and powers of this world. Therefore Jesus could say, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18). 

For a time the evil one has had power in this world, but that time is coming to an end with the completion of what the Lord Jesus has done. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).

There's more on information on the tower here
 

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