Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” Isaiah 44:6
The Jewish exiles trudging into Babylon through the Ishtar Gate walked on limestone pavement with this inscription on every edge: “To the honor of Marduk,” the high god and patron of the city. Everywhere they stepped, “To the honor of Marduk.” They were enveloped in a successful, impressive culture denying everything they believed. The name Babylon itself, Bab-ilu, means “gate of gods.” This beautiful city saw itself as the way to heaven-on-earth. That was the meaning of their culture. It is the meaning of our culture.
But everything built by man will be torn down, every impressive appearance will end up looking stupid, every headline will become a footnote and then forgotten.
Only Christ remains. In Christ, therefore, we put all our hope. He is preparing a place for us.