Exiles in Babylon, Citizens of the Kingdom

We stand on the wisdom of those who have gone before us, who faced pressures and powers that felt insurmountable. When Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), He was drawing a line—a reminder that, as citizens of His kingdom, our loyalties, our battles, and our victories are not found in the ebb and flow of human governments. Each government and empire inevitably is the image of a beast, as Daniel saw in his visions of monstrous kingdoms (Daniel 7) and as John witnessed in Revelation (Rev 13).

In these times, as the world turns its gaze to political powers and their entanglements, we’re called to look higher. Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20). To stand in allegiance to Him is not passive; it’s a fight of a different nature. “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Cor 10:4). This is a battle won not by might or manipulation but by steadfast faith and a willingness to suffer with Christ if it comes to that.

And when trials and persecutions come, we don’t reach for worldly answers. We follow the steps of our Lord, who “when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). And when we look at the apostles and the early church, we see this same spirit. Instead of retaliation, they offered up prayers, trusting that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). This is what overcomes the world—not power but faith (1 John 5:4).

Revelation tells us that the people of God will overcome by “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Rev 12:11). And yes, there’s a cost to this commitment, but there’s also assurance. As Paul put it, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8-9).

The tension here is real—we’re called to seek the good of the city, just as Jeremiah instructed Israel in exile, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). We pray for our leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2), seeking to bring God’s peace to the world around us. But we don’t confuse our role here; this Babylon isn’t our home. There will be times when we must let Babylon burn, trusting God to bring justice in His time.

Ultimately, it all comes down to faith—holding to the One who calls us His own. “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” (Rev 13:10). We trust that God’s kingdom stands unshaken whether in life or death. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15). We press on, knowing that nothing in all creation will separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

~PW 🌮🛶