When Daniel and other Jews were taken as captive to Babylon, they found themselves in a place where their culture, tradition and way of life was influenced by paganism. Babylon was highly paganistic. He was privileged to associate with the palace but he rejected the meal given to him by the king.
Why did he reject the king's meal? The reasons are not far-fetched. The king's meal was offered or dedicated to idols. Just as we have a culture of praying on and sanctifying our food in Jesus name, presumably, they also blessed their foods in the name of their gods. Daniel saw the connection between the king's portion and the king's idol, so he rejected the king's food.
The world system is another Babylon, figuratively. One day, Babylon will crumble because God hates the system of Babylon and its evil grip on men. Babylon's principles corrupts and forces men to bow to its gods. Babylon has a golden statue which people must bow to but those who refuse will be dealt with. In the end, Babylon will fall for God's order to be established.
Revelation 18:1-2 says, "After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. [2] He gave a mighty shout: “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal" (NLT).
While in Babylon, there are things we must do, there are associations we must not forge and there are gifts we must not accept because they have been influenced by the culture and tradition of this world. They are stained and have become impure.
Babylonian food may look rich but it is laced with poison to kill your spiritual life and halt your smooth walk with the Lord. In Babylon, you don't eat every meal presented to you neither do you accept every gift given to you. We must learn to speak like Peter who said, “...May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!"(Acts 8:20).
As a preacher of the gospel, Babylonians will bring money to corrupt your soul so that you can change your message and not rebuke their evil ways. The politicians of Babylon will seek to corrupt your conscience with big money bags. You will not know when you'll become their campaign manager because of their fat offerings and tithes.
They will attempt to sponsor your ministry so that you can change your focus and preach what suits them. Beware of what Babylon offers. It is a booby trap.
In Babylon, the theology of mammon is their core theology. They preach, teach and live it without shame.
As long as we are here, we cannot avoid contact with Babylon but we can avoid being contaminated with Babylonian ways.
