Articles
“A Tale of Two Cities”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
Excerpt from A Tale of Two Cities (1859) by Charles Dickens
Dickens penned those words in 1859 about London and France just before the bloody French Revolution began in 1789. Despite being separated from those “times” by 70 years, Dickens saw how closely his present resembled the past. Even today, after more than a century later, those “times” could accurately describe our “times.”
In fact, this tale of two cities is something of a theme in the Bible. Isaiah prophesied a worldwide judgment by telling a tale of two cities which represent all of humanity. “The lofty city” (Isa. 26:5; 24:4), the symbol of rebellious humanity and all those who trust in and exalt themselves above God, is destined for ruin (Isa. 24:6, 10, 12; 25:2, 5). But this proud city will be replaced by a righteous city in which the Lord reigns (Isa. 24:23; 26:1-2). Isaiah prophesied that God would overthrow the present world order enslaved to sin and establish his eternal kingdom of righteousness, which he did in Jesus.
Fast-forward to the book of Revelation where John picks up the metaphoric language of the two cities again: Babylon the Great (Rev. 17) and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21-22). The original audience of John’s vision endured intense persecution for being part of that New Jerusalem and they needed to know that the Lord was aware of their struggles and would act very soon to vindicate them (Rev. 1:1).
What are we to learn from this theme of two cities? The New Jerusalem still stands unshaken and all who belong to Christ are her citizens (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:10; 12:18-29). But we have our modern Babylon as well, though she has yet to start drinking the blood of the saints here. While it pains us to see the impact of Babylon upon the world, we must remember that that lofty city, whatever form it takes in any age, is doomed.
Christ conquered sin on the cross and rose victorious over death in his resurrection. He has all authority in the universe and will rule until every power is put into subjection to him (1 Cor. 15:25). Therefore, fear not. Babylon, which seemed so great in Nebuchadnezzar’s day, fell at the hands of “the Most High” who “rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Dan. 4:25). Assyria, before her, was devoured by fire after she served her purpose (Isa. 10:5, 12-19). Egypt was drowned in water (Ex. 14) and Rome likewise fell. Why should any modern Babylon be any different?
Though the evil of the world appears to prevail, be certain that in the Lord’s own good time we will hear the report, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” Every kingdom that can be shaken will be shaken (Heb. 12:25-29). And like a beautiful bride coming down from heaven, the New Jerusalem will forever stand, tall and proud in all her glory with Christ in her midst shining bright as the sun (Rev. 21-22).
In many ways Dickens had it right. The present will always be a tale of two cities; one opposing God destined for destruction, the other, a city not made with hands, comprised of faithful followers of the Lord, destined for glory. Babylons come and go but the New Jerusalem stands forever. The question is, which city will you be living in when that voice like many waters shouts and shakes not only the earth but also the heavens? The choice is yours.
