In Isaiah 43, we read about the flame not having power over the saint. God goes into the fire with the saint and protects.

Now, we have those that aren’t delivered from the power of the flame.

This is talking to Babylon. God used Babylon to enact God’s wrath on nations and His discipline on His people.

But Babylon still gets their punishment for what they did to God’s people. We’re told they showed no mercy; they weren’t nice to the old people!

Babylon comes up again in Revelation; it’s the ruling nation of the world, the richest nation of the world. Right now, Babylon is America. I think Satan has always worked to raise up a Babylon, such as the Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, etc. He’s always wanted to rule the world and has worked through humans to accomplish it.

One of the descriptions of Babylon is that they are lovers of pleasure and sit secure. While you can say every human loves pleasure, Americans are quite addicted to their pleasures and have the time and money to enjoy them. Try telling people in the church they need to give up all their entertainments, all the games and streaming. Our family doesn’t even take vacations.

Another description of these people in Babylon is that their wisdom and knowledge led them astray. I was distressed in 2020 when the church didn’t find “faith” until they found it in the science that the masks weren’t really doing anything, etc. They hadn’t reacted in faith towards God.

Babylon, with all its knowledge, money, and power, will not be able to escape its judgment. And judgment begins with the house of God.