Fallen Is Babylon! (Isaiah 21:9)

 


Wednesday, 17 December, 2025


Psalm 106:1-24

Isaiah 21

Revelation 19:1-10


Fallen Is Babylon! (Isaiah 21:9)


And behold, here come riders,
    horsemen in pairs!”
And he answered,
    “Fallen, fallen is Babylon;
and all the carved images of her gods
    he has shattered to the ground.”


This is the first time in a long time that I have enjoyed the lead-up to Christmas without social media in my life. I have to tell you, it’s pretty great. Not only have I re-learned that hardly anyone actually cares about the fact that the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, or, Christmas Day, is completely free of any alleged ancient pagan influences (why is this such a big deal on the internet?), but I also have very little to worry about, because when it comes to world events, I am living under a rock. My church and family takes up all my time.


But back when social media was everywhere for me, I felt a little like the people in today’s passage from Isaiah. Considering all the terrible things happening in the world I felt like I could also say “My heart staggers; horror has appalled me; the twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.”


Being released from too much international news, and focusing instead on what kingdom work God has given me in my immediate context has given me a different song:


“Fallen, fallen is Babylon;
and all the carved images of her gods
    he has shattered to the ground.”
O my threshed and winnowed one,
    what I have heard from the Lord of hosts,
    the God of Israel, I announce to you.”


O threshed and winnowed one, you who are weary from the worries of the world, hear what the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel has announced: that unto us a son is given, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he has conquered sin and death. The government is upon his shoulders, for he is the Lord of lords and King of kings.


How badly do you need to hear some good news? How might the good news of Jesus Christ fill that need for you?

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