Roman society is described as the harlot Babylon that lures people in with riches, sex and luxuries.
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
For all the nations have drunk
the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
Revelations 18:2-3
It stands in contrast to the bride of the lamb
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelations 21:2
It stands in contrast to each other, while it says the bride comes from heaven (Revelation 21:2). While Babylon is dressed in purple and scarlot (Revelations 17:4) representing godlessness and shame.
Reflection
We are to be the bride of the lamb. A perfect marriage not like the earthly one where you can get divorce. But I think we can all be tempted by Babylon by the fame and the wealth and the things of this world. It is so close but no matter how much you gain in the physical world you can never be whole unless you have God.
Are you sometimes tempted by Babylon?
Source
Mikael Tellbe (2017), Libris, Lammet och odjuret En guide till uppenbarelseboken
Check out my other stuff
Beasts in the book of Revelations https://creativemichaela.com/?p=1012
The Dragon and the pregnant woman https://creativemichaela.com/?p=1009
Symbolism in the book of Revelations https://creativemichaela.com/?p=1005
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