Exile

 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
Psalm 137:1 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.137.1.ESV

At first glance, this verse might seem far removed from us. Babylon is in modern day Iraq; Zion is Jerusalem. The Israelites were exiled from Zion in Babylon.

Unless we ourselves have been forced to migrate, we might feel like we struggle to relate to this verse. Unless that is, we read this spiritual song through spiritual lenses. We can consider what Babylon and Zion symbolise spiritually.

Babylon symbolises the world in opposition to God. That's why in Revelation, John sees that Babylon is fallen. When Jesus returns, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. In the meantime, the Church is in metaphorical Babylonian exile.

Zion symbolises the heavenly City, the destination for God's people. We're not there yet, but we long for it. God is preparing a place for us in His new Jerusalem.

'God Almighty, please call us out of Babylon and into Your Heavenly city. May we remember where our spiritual home is, in Christ's name, amen'

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