In briefly laying a foundation for our thoughts, we trace our way back to Genesis 11:31, when Abraham's family was led out "from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan." According to our Bible Dictionary "UR" was a city which was located very near to the region of old Babylon. Also, we are told that is was a great metropolis, in the same area where ISRAEL RETURNED FOR CAPTIVITY, and out of which another generation came to begin the restoration in Israel. Abraham was called out of this region, and all that it stood for, and yet the "spirit of Babylon, and its religious influence" has continued down through the ages. The philosophy of Babylon has permeated the world, and though the ancient city has long ago been reduced to ruins, its religious-spirit-influence continues to work its own ruin to this day.
          Abraham must needs come out of this region, and especially out of its concept of thinking and worship, that he might serve God with his whole heart, and obey the command, "Walk before Me, and be thou perfect." [Genesis 17:1].  Abraham did serve God with His whole heart, HE BELIEVED GOD, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. He became the father of a great nation. In due time, however, the Babylonish influence reached into I the bounds of Israel and defiled them so completely that God must needs send them into captivity, and severely discipline them. Back into the old region they were carried t by the king of Assyria. And in due time GOD BROUGHT A REMNANT out from that region, returning them to build again the walls of Jerusalem, etc. with a restoration.
          The very word "Babylon" means "CONFUSION," and it matters not to which part of today's living we look, be it economical, political, or religious, you can write one word across it all, CONFUSION. Furthermore, Babylon represents an incarnation of all that is opposed to God, it is anti-christ.
          Yet, even while we acknowledge all of this, let us remember that it is still the sovereign hand of a sovereign God Who controls all of the interplay of good and evil. Therefore even Babylon, inspite of all of its corruption, has been under God's hand, to use for a purpose, and then to bring her to an end. Thus we read, "Babylon hath been a golden cup IN THE LORD'S HAND, that made all the earth drunken." [Jeremiah 51:7]. Babylon has been God's instrument to work this specific purpose, to fulfill His plan, and to receive a specific judgment because of it all. But nevertheless, it is still IN THE HAND OF GOD. For "hath not the potter power over the clay; of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, hath endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom He hath called ..." [Romans 9:21-24].
          In HIS purpose of the ages God has brought forth both the darkness and the light, evil and good. Babylon, in fulfilling its purpose, hath become a golden cup in the hand of the Lord, but still a vessel which is prepared, fitted for destruction. The cause thereof, and the end thereof, to reveal the wrath of God against all unrighteousness. While in turn, on the other hand, He is bringing forth His vessels of mercy through whom He shall demonstrate His mercy and the ─riches of His grace. By His grace we desire to become apart of that "VESSEL OF MERCY COMPANY" through whom He can reveal to the world of His mercy and grace. To be apart of that company, however, it must  needs be that we hear the call, "COME OUT OF HER, " MY PEOPLE," and no longer dare we follow the ways, philosophies, or system of Babylon, but we must follow after the way of the Lord with our whole heart.
          "Cush begat Nimrod ─and the beginning of his kingdom was Babel." [Genesis 10;10]. We are not interested in becoming entangled with a lot of things that pertain to this natural life, nor to ride our own little "hobby horses" of pet doctrines and ideas. However, if anyone is of a studious nature, there are ample books available for reading on this subject, and if you go back and search it out, you will find that there is so much of what was begun during the time of Nimrod which is still practiced in the traditions of men today. Much of tlie paganism which has been woven into the practices of so-called Christianity is actually dated back to the time of Nimrod, and that religious confusion carried on then. We shall not go on at length to condemn the practices, but we shall challenge our hearts to go on─ to come out of the spirit of Babylon, and everything that speaks of its system, and its philosophy, as the Lord enables us to "come out."
          God shall have a glorious remnant, a triumphant firstfruits of His new creation species, which will completely gain the victory over Babylon. They will be loosed from her tentacles, they will be free of her spirit, and they shall be delivered from all of her brain-washing philosophy.
          "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top─ unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do; and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel (that is, CONFUSION); because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth." [Genesis 11:1-9].
          There are four things which are revealed in this passage which bespeak of the projection of the "SELF" in man, and which must needs be dealt with by the "cross of Christ," lest we too, be brought into utter confusion.
          1) SELF-SATISFACTION. They came to this particular plain, saw that it was a good place to dwell, and they wanted to settle down there. Self would be satisfied with its ease and fleshly prosperity. One thing the Holy Spirit has to constantly remind us of, is to keep following onward, lest we would try to settle down in any given spot. "For we have here no continuing city, but we seek one to come."  [Hebrews 13:14], even that "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." [Hebrews 11:10].  We are but "pilgrims and strangers" passing through this valley of travail. We might spend all the years of our natural life in the same house, on the same corner of the block, in the same town, and eventually be buried in the same graveyard where our forefathers were buried. Nevertheless, we must live with the attitude that we do not belong to this world's system, for "our citizenship is in the heavenlies." The flesh wants to settle down and feel at home, and we thank God for the natural things which He gives us freely to enjoy, but not to become so self-satisfied that we lose sight of the vision set before us.
          Also, and especially in our religious life, men want to find some comfortable creed and doctrine, and when the flesh is appeased, and self is satisfied that it would not be too uncomfortable there, they build a fence and camp on that doctrine, rather than pressing on for new truth, and to go from "faith to faith" [Romans 1:17], that they also might be "changed from glory to glory." [2 Cor. 3:18]. Every denomination once paid a price to move out for new revelation, but once they received a portion and dearly fought the enemy to hang on to it, they grow tired of "contesting the cosmic forces of the dark world," and they dislike going "without the camp to bear His reproach," so they settle down and feather their nest with the things which will satisfy SELF.  
          2) SELF-WILL. As soon as men became satisfied with their surroundings they immediately come to this next expression, self-will, and LET US BUILD. In the projection of man's own will, it always comes to the point, let us build,...build kingdoms, fence in this corner as MINE. It would be so easy to expand this point into a volume, but let the Spirit apply it as He wills.
          3) SELF-EXALTATION. For with the building comes the thought, "let us make us a name." I am satisfied here, so I will build here, and then I will make myself a name─ that my renown might spread out from here. Ah, how men like the sound of their own name, and they attach it to everything they are able to, so that it might become well known and lifted up.
          4) SELF-PRESERVATION. "Lest we be scattered." Self-preservation is one of the most basic instincts of the natural man. But Jesus said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it." [Matthew 16:25]. While Revelation speaks of those who "loved not their lives unto the death" and therefore they OVERCAME by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony. The more you seek for self-preservation, the more you will find yourself moving after the ways of Babylon, and becoming entangled with its system. Yes, this immediately produces a "spirit of fear," fear that something might destroy us, or cause us loss. For to become self-centered is to find that we are no longer centered in the will of God, but in the will of man, and then we have to depend solely upon what man can do. So we immediately begin to devise ways of self-protection and defence. The cure for all of this is to abandon ourselves to God, and then HE will keep us, and in HIM there is no ultimate loss, for the seeds of gain are sown in loss itself, and HE ALWAYS TRIUMPHS. Praise His name.
          So next we find that the Lord came on to the scene, observed what man was doing, and He confounded their language and brought confusion and frustration to an of their purpose.
          Before we go on to examine more of this "confusing the language" we would insert another thought, and that is concerning THE LAW OF CIRCULARITY. "For of (OUT OF) Him, and through Him, and to (BACK INTO)! Him, are an things." [Romans 11:36] .The Amplified translation gives that an things originate with Him and all things will consummate in Him, for He is both the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending. This law of circularity can be applied in so many ways, for end always returns to the beginning.
          Now, it was in this beginning─ where God confused the language, and they were scattered. With the multiplicity of tongues they were all scattered abroad. And now it is with the phenomena of "tongues" that we see the ecumenical movement being carried out to gather an together again, once more to head up an natural things under Babylon.
          "For with stammering lips, and another tongue will He speak to this people." [Isaiah 28:11]. Because Israel would not receive the "WORD OF THE LORD" which came unto them, line upon line, precept upon precept, and thus enter into the rest of the Lord, secure in His truth because they would not do that, He said that with "stammering lips and another tongue" He would speak unto them. This word "stammering" comes from the Hebrew word "laeg" meaning SCORNING, or a scornful lip.
          To show the very confusion that exists even today, when one is seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and slowly learning to yield their TONGUE to the influence of the Spirit, should they come to that partial yieldedness where their tongue begins to stammer, we have heard it said, by sincere and yet confused people, jumping to the next verse of scripture, "That's it, keep it up, for this is the rest wherewith He will cause the weary to rest." NOT SO! There is no rest in a stammering lip, only in a clear speech. A stuttering, stammering tongue is a constant struggle and trial, there is no rest in it. Let me assure you, there is no rest to a speaker who is fighting the language barrier.         
          God would bring His people into rest, how? He said, When you will receive the WORD line upon line, and precept upon precept. Knowledge of the truth will work a deliverance from fear and frustration. But because they would not receive the Word, then He spoke to them in a tongue that they could not understand, so they went backward, to "be broken, and snared, and taken." [Isaiah 28:13]. Fallen backward they missed the path of God, and became broken upon the laws of God. For in truth, you cannot break God's law, it abides, but you surely become broken upon it when you do not obey it. And they were snared and taken─ taken into captivity into Babylon.
          There has been, and still is much CONFUSED SPEECH, but we rejoice in the promise found in Zephaniah 3:9, "Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent." Then shall Babylon be brought to nought. No more the confusion of tongues, no more confused terminology. Half of the problems even today, among those who seek to walk together, is that of terminology. One pronounces it this way, another pronounces it a different way, both trying to say the same thing, but it comes out different, and unless you know the "spirit" of the individual, you would question if he was even in the truth─ just because he didn't use the term you used. But when God turns to the people a pure language, they shall have one pronunciation and the same words, and all will call upon the Lord, TO SERVE HIM WITH ONE CONSENT. Praise His wonderful name!
          Ah, what victory over Babylon, when God turns to the people a pure language. For then they shall all "call upon the name of the Lord," and what happens? "And it shall come to pass, whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord , shall be delivered." [Joel 2:32].
          THE LORD HAS, AND IS USING THE PHENOMENA OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES, AS A SIGN─ a sign that HE can take the tongue and use it to His praise. How we thank Him for His inworkings of grace! Praise God, as confused as the languages of men, now are, God can reach in and take any language and turn around and use it to His praise, be it the tongues of men or of angels. The Lord controls all, to use it for negative or positive results.
          Yet the hour shall come, when "Whether there be tongues, they shall cease." [1 Cor. 13:8]. Why? Because a pure language is going to come.
          There were four prominent things in Babylonian philosophy, four things which you will find engrained in all the systems of the world today, in our schools, in our politics, and even in the religions. Four is the number of world-wide coverage, i.e. four points of the compass, the four winds, etc. When God scattered them from the tower of Babel, they carried their philosophy in all directions.
          1) The very basIc phIlosophy of Babylon is that all things are the result of ORGANIC EVOLUTION. This eliminated GOD as Creator, and opened the way for man to think that he helped in his own creation and envolvement. Man would think that he is his own god, that inherent in his own selfhood lies the power for his advancement. It is easy to see how much this has crept into Christianity, and men seek to WORK THEIR OWN WAY INTO HIGHER REALMS OF SPIRITUAL ATTAINMENT. Oh, for a revelation of HIS GRACE, and that we are what we are, "by the grace of God." [1 Cor. 15:10].
          "All things were made BY HIM; and without Him was not any thing made that was made." [John 1:3] .
          "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible." [Colossians 1:16].
          With the solid witness of the Scriptures we completely erase the whole structure of Babylon's philosophy of organic evolution. HE IS the Creator of all things, and "we are HIS workmanship."
          2) There was strong emphasis on what they termed the "thinker," or the braIn. This equals emphasis on the ─ soulish realm, the projection of the ego of man, and especially that emphasis on THE BRAIN BANK, and brain-washing. It gave pre-eminence to the INTELLECT.
          Our Educational system today is a monster that gobbles up the greatest portion of our taxes. The "brain-bank" is pre-eminent. Colleges are a must for our children. And the degrees handed out are about to flood us wIth hIghly educated people who cannot find enough jobs to fit their so-called qualifications, and who are brain-washed into thinking that any thing less is beneath their dignity. Men of intellect are highest in esteem, and sought after. Now, to be sure, we thank the Lord for good education, and the many privileges we have today for advancement in these fields, yet when this becomes so over-balanced that we place the MIND OF MAN in prominence over against the "mind of the Christ," we have problems.
          The weak and impotent are cast aside, while the world seeks out the "great minds" of man, that they might continue to build their kingdoms, and make a name for themselves. How ruthlessly they destroy the weak and the ignorant. But we are admonished to learn love and tolerance, patience and kindness, and to "comfort the feeble minded," as Paul once wrote.
          Surely it is "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." [Zechariah 4:6]. This word "might" is a Hebrew word which speaks of all the strength and ability of the flesh, with its goods, etc. But the word "power" used here denotes that MENTAL ABILITY to skillfully work and accomplish. Thus a literal paraphrase could read, "It is not by physical force nor mental ability, but it is BY MY SPIRIT, saith the Lord." The physical accomplishments of man are not going to win. The mental accomplishments of man are not going to win. God is bringing forth victory BY HIS SPIRIT, and by that realm alone.
          3) We next find that apart of Babylon's philosophy promoted SEX-ABANDONMENT (promiscuity). This kind of thinking has permeated man's whole way of life today─ every adv to sell goods is tied in with sex-appeal. It is in our Colleges, our businesses, our politics, our religious realms, until one cannot turn in any direction but what they face it some more. As it was in the days of Noah, so again now, "they married wives..." [Luke 17:27]. Wives ─plural. Why? because this is apart of Babylon's philosophy to cater to all the desires and lusts of the flesh. Romans 1:26-27 speaks of the very pervertedness of the human nature.
          There is that which is right and proper in the sight of God, for "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." [Hebrews 13:4]. And if we "walk by the Spirit, we shall not fulfill the lust (overdesires) of the flesh." [Gal. 5:16].
          4) Finally, the fourth part of Babylon's basic philosophy was for a TOTAL STATE, WELFARE SOCIETY (or what might be termed, totalitarianism). Which simply means that The State will think for the people, act for the people, and do everything for the people. Our nation was not founded on such a principle. Free enterprise, with natural ambition and ability to set the pace, was in effect. But again, Babylon's ways have infiltrated until our whole governmental structure is turning into a welfare state.
          Israel was called out of Egypt, God alone did lead her, and bring her into her promised land. But as time went on, and she observed the ways of the heathen nations about her, she desired to be like them, and said, "Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." [1 Samuel 8:5]. Separated unto God Himself, now they had absorbed the confused thinking of the many heathen nations around them, and wanted to be like those nations. Ruled only by the Sovereign hand of God, now they wanted a "man" to be their king, to rule over them, to do their thinking for them, to tell them when to go to battle, and when to stay home. They rejected the invisible leadership of their sovereign God, and substituted the visible headship of man.
          SO ALSO the whole religious system is under this type of rulership. The system of popery penetrates every organized religious institution. Be it the local pastor who binds the sheep unto himself, or the "headquarters" which sends out its edict for every group to follow. When popery comes in, THE INDIVIDUAL LEADING OF THE SPIRIT ENDS. Thank God, there are places today where men and women can assemble without fear of becoming bound to the one God has placed in that location to feed the sheep. And thank God, there are sheep who refuse to hear any voice save that of their "Shepherd," our Lord Jesus Christ. But is is a constant battle to keep from binding any man to ourselves, or becoming bound to any man, so that we are no longer free to move under the sovereign leadership of the Holy Spirit. It may be called "a way of heresy," but there is a way wherein we are able to walk as the Spirit leads, apart from the thinking of the carnal mind. God is bringing forth a people who choose to COME OUT of Babylon's system.
          "We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go everyone into his own country: for her judgment is lifted up even to the skies. The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God." [Jeremiah 51:9-10].
          Yes, we tried hard to heal even the religious systems of our day, while others were trying to heal and clean up the politics, etc. but more and more the call comes, "forsake her," and realize that the systems of this world will not save you. It is the LORD Who hath brought forth our righteousness- religious denominations will never be able to make us righteous. Now we shall declare what HE has done, for it is His handiwork that will bring us to spiritual perfection and maturity.
          Furthermore, as we read on in this chapter, we find that GOD is now bringing forth a people, HIS INHERITANCE, and says of them, verse 20, "Thou art My battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms." So shall all the systems of this world be brought to nought, while the KINGDOM OF GOD shall come and be established in righteousness in the earth. A kingdom which shall grow until it fills the whole earth. Praise God!
          Then begins a more explicit account of how God shall bring down the ways of Babylon, Jeremiah 51:21-23, and we'll notice the types used, for they are most symbolic in their meaning.
          "With thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider." This stands for all the economy of the world's system, and parallels beautifully the horsemen of Revelation 6, especially noting that the WHITE HORSE rides out conquering and to conquer, and there follows the threefold system of Babylon, political, economical, and religious, the red horse, the black horse, and the pale horse. BUT GOD'S VICTORIOUS ARMY SHALL DEFEAT THEM, and break them in pieces, until, praise His name, there will be a system of economics established in the earth with true equality and justice. The merchants have ridden their horses, far, and displayed their wares in abundance, and changing symbols─ they have traded with their ships from afar, but the whole system shall collapse. Yet God's people need not fear, for they walk the triumphant way of His victory, and HE shall supply all their needs according to His riches and glory.
          "With thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider." This is a very interesting one, and we need to go back into history to understand it. The walls of the city used to be built very wide, so wide that the city of Babylon was built so that they could race their chariots upon the walls for sport. Ah, the world is literally gone mad for "sports" these days, and millions are spent every year to be entertained by the ball games, etc. But God shall bring the whole perverted, over-balanced system to nought by the company which He is bringing forth to become HIS weapon of war. The consuming passion for "sport" and "fun" shall be dealt with by the correctional processes of God.
          "With thee will I break in pieces man and woman." What is one of the greatest problems with the man and the woman? Perhaps there are two, the one of the labor force, with its constant problems, and that of the "divorce and re-marriage," but all the affairs of men and women, both in their domestic and commercial areas will be thoroughly dealt with by God.
          "With thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid." Now we come to the YOUTH, with their myriads of problems, sex, dope, and rebellion. The systems of the world cannot handle these problems today, but God shall conquer them─ HE HAS THE ANSWER, and He shall produce that answer through His people prepared to execute His judgments.
          "I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock." This symbolism has Ion&: stood for the religious realms, groups, churches, denominations, the preacher and his congregation. All the fighting, the sectarianism, the bondage of creed and tradition, everything shall be so overthrown and brought to nought, while men are taught to worship God in "spirit and in truth." The earth reels beneath the blood spilled by religious factions fighting each other, and this confusion must end.
          "With thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen." This takes in the whole agriculture program of today─ so unrighteous and shameful has this become that our government pays people not to raise crops while millions are starving every day. Crops are destroyed so that less quantity will bring higher prices. There is no need to mention all of the practices carried out─ and certainly the individual farmer can do very, little about it, for the whole system has become so corrupt. But GOD shall bring forth His judgments which shall correct these things, and there shall be enough for every man to eat, and to give praise to God.
          "With thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers." Which speaks of all the armed forces and whatever their armour might be. The demands of men for war-time economy, and the constant shedding of blood, shall not go unpunished by the Almighty. But there is no army that shall stand before THE ARMY OF THE LORD, and HE shall break in pieces the pride of man, and subdue all that would rebel against Him.
          No more dare we walk arm and arm with the systems of this world, but day by day seeking to be loosed from Babylon, the Spirit is guiding His people onward. There is a triumphant way, and the Lord is the righteousness of His people, and they shall declare in Zion what He hath done. Amen.
 

COMING OUT OF BABYLON
 
How clear the call that sounds today
From Babylon to depart,
To heed the Spirit's leading on,
'Mid purgings of the heart.
 
To leave confusion far behind,
All stammerings of the flesh,
No more to build self's kingdom high,
And other souls enmesh.
 
All self-exaltings thus to cease,
The cross our resting place,
That He our life might ever be,
The outflow of His grace.
 
The kingdoms of this world must fall,
And those who dwell therein
Will suffer 'neath the crashing down,
Partakers of its sin.
 
We would have healed each system known,
But such was not God's plan,
Now we must leave, make haste, come out,
And heed God's will for man.
 
To find in Christ a kingdom sure,
Salvation's true release,
Confusion gone, we shalI possess
The wonder of His peace-

 ^{_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris. THE TRIUMPHANT WAY!. (now out of print), Boise, Idaho 83705}

---

Back to Top of Page  Back to Triumphant Way Content list Exit to Introduction Menu  Back to Library  List
  Back to Prinzing Book List  Back to All Things Menu  Back to Reconciliation