In the scriptures there is at least 5 people who have the exact same vision.
These 5 people are Jerimiah, Lehi, Nephi, John, and Joseph Smith
1 Nephi 8
1 Nephi 11
Jeremiah 51
Revelation 17-18
D&C 133
With each retelling more information is gleaned of what happens in this vision.
In 1 Nephi 8 we learn of a great and spacious building filled with those who mock the saints.
Later in the same book, but chapter 11, we learn this is a great and abominable, which has no foundation, and will one day fall, and great will be the fall thereof.
In Jeremiah and in Revelation we learn that this “Building” is called Babylon and we learn it is not just a city but the representation of the kingdom of Satan all that is evil and ungodly. But most importantly we learn God will call His people forth from her before the fall.
In D&C 133 we learn that the time is now when the Voice of the Lord is calling His people out of Babylon.
Some believe this to be a metaphor, some believe it to be a foretelling of actual events, which it is I know not, it could be and likely is both. But what is important is Babylon will fall and God will call His people out of her. That is a sure promise, you can take it to the bank. Though I would not recommend a bank in Babylon for obvious reasons.
But why am I writing about this? On Sunday the First Presidency had a letter read to all the congregations of the world about political neutrality in lines with the Church’s update of the Page about political neutrality on the Church’s website. And it seemed to me to be in one sense or another a Call from the Lord to leave a Babylon behind.
Our country has been ravaged by an ever-aggressive political system where the opponents are no longer considered our neighbors or friends of different ideas but are considered our visceral enemies, our foes to the very core. This deep-rooted division is not helpful to anything or anyone and is in its own way a kind of Babylon where if we saints are not careful, we will surely die. But in His ever-present mercy the Lord is calling us out of this Babylon.
But awkwardly this is also not what I want to write about today, but was simply the catalyst that brought on the question that I want to write on: What Babylon is God calling us out of Now?
This is the question that has been on my mind for some time but finally took shape in words after the first presidency’s letter.
What Babylon is God calling us out of Now? What Babylon is God calling ME out of right now? What is He calling YOU out of right now.
We know from Scripture that it is not God’s desirous that any should be lost but that all should repent as taught in 2 Peter 3: 9 but we also need to understand that He will not wait forever for us to listen to the call out of Babylon. “For I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon” D&C 64:24
Given we all fall short of the glory of God there must be some Babylon we have each been keeping a foot in. I ask you now: go to a quite place, get away from all the distractions of the world, and hear the Lord. He is calling you out even now. Pray and hear, and then my friend leave. Get out of Babylon. Free yourself of that wretched place.
“Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life. Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance”
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!… Come out of her my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues”
“Go ye out of Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord”
There is a great fall coming, its not too late, get out of Babylon.
Get out and sing “Oh Babylon Oh Babylon we bid thee farewell”
It will be difficult and painful but with God all things are possible. I know how hard this is, I understand all the excuses but now is the time to leave. If you listen God is calling you out of Babylon, He wants you will Him. He has paid a great price for you. He wants you on His side today. Leave your Babylon behind and go to Him.
As always, I’m praying for thee; please pray for me.