The relationship of churches to the state can often be a first indicator or warning sign of Babylon’s presence inside the church. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

With Theodosius I the empire completes its “Christianization” and becomes Christendom. A more forceful way of saying this is that when the church ties itself to political powers, as it did from Constantine to Theodosius I, it becomes Babylon. Christendom was the most tragic mistake in the history of the church. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

But what distinguished Christian converts from their neighbours was their rejection of sexual practices and idolatries. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

Worship describes a whole life lived in devotion to the God on the throne and the Lamb who stands in the middle of that throne. If worship is one’s whole life devoted to God, then any dimension of life surrendered to anything else corrupts worship. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

They conquer the dragon because they stand up, speak up, and speak out about the Lamb who is Lord of lords. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

One conquers by worshipping the One on the throne and the Lamb, and on the basis of such worship, becoming an allegiant witness, even in the face of opposition, suffering, and martyrdom. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

To summarise we can say the conquerors in Christ will inherit (1) intimate, eternal presence with God and Jesus and (2) the new Jerusalem, a flourishing, growing, and vibrant city that embodies the ever-increasing fullness of God’s design for all creation. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

Babylon is now and temporary; new Jerusalem is now and eternal. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

This is what new Jerusalem means to John, the churches, and to us today: God’s presence with God’s people in unending intimacy and splendour. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett