Babylon is Not Our Home

 1 Peter 1-5 

“To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…She, who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends her greetings, and so does my son Mark…”

1 Peter 1:1; 5:13

After the initial persecution in Acts 8, the Jerusalem Church scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. However, at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Jerusalem Church leadership also fled; this time the diaspora traveled throughout the Mediterranean region. Peter referred to them as ‘strangers in this world’, yet chosen by God. Babylon was a symbol of the first exile of the Jews and also represented the spiritual principality of this world which opposes Christ’s kingdom. We now live in Babylon; yet, we, too, are God’s elect, chosen, and dearly loved. Even in the most open, tolerant, and ‘Christian’ societies, we still live in Babylon. This world is not our home.

Are we clear about who we are, whose we are, and where we are?

“Lord Jesus, make me a blessing even as I live in Babylon anticipating my eternal home…for your glory.”