Two Cities
As the two seeds multiplied and man began to populate the earth, we see two world systems developing. These two systems of thought are at enmity with one another, just as the seeds are. They are characterized by two cities: Babylon and Jerusalem.
Babylon is the fruit of the seed of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Here a philosophical dualism of good and evil emerged, producing double mindedness and relativism. Each person in this city determines his destiny and is motivated for what is right in his own eyes. There are no absolutes or moral standard in Babylon, but rather what is the expressed will of each given generation.
Religion is varied here, as each one seeks his own path to God and self-realization. It breeds fanaticism and indifference, hypocrisy and sincerity and incites wars and promotes peace. This two-sided tree creates dual personalities, which, in everyday life, are seen, as people are one way at church and another at home or one way at work and another at home.
Jerusalem, on the other hand, represents God’s rule. There is no democracy here, but rather the reign of one benevolent, sovereign King. Jerusalem comes down from heaven. To enter this city, one must die to his self-rule, his independence, and accept the Lordship of Jesus. One will speaks of unity and peace. Two, (good and evil), speaks of division and strife. There are no committees in this city of God. Here the people of God seek to do His will above all and to be directed by Him each day.
Truth is not relative to the individual’s own taste or desire, but rather is revealed to him by God. The knowledge of truth is not an end in itself. It must be converted into wisdom to be useful for ourselves and others. For this to happen, we need a guide, a mentor, who is the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us into all truth. He opens our blind eyes and reveals to us how we are to fulfill the destiny determined for us by God. Here true fulfillment is achieved and inner peace is found.
Jerusalem represents the Kingdom of Heaven come to earth; the rule and reign of God’s love made manifest in the lives of those who have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus. It is filled with the light of the presence of God. Babylon is the home of demons. Here oppression, fear and destruction rule. There is the smell of death everywhere in this dark city. Here the blind lead the blind along a path of self-destruction. So great is the contrast between these two cities. Babylon enslaves its inhabitants, but there is a way out. It is through faith in the Lord Jesus, that one is transferred out of this kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. There is no future for you in Babylon. It is time to move. It is time to enter into city of Light.