The “tower” of Babel was known as a “Ziggurat,” a staircase built next to a temple that was supposed to provide access for a deity to descend from Heaven and consume the offerings of the people in the temple. The understanding between the deity of the temple and the people was that the people should meet the needs of the god, and if they made enough of the desired sacrifices to satisfy the deity, the god would meet the needs of the people. The One True God doesn’t need a ladder to descend to earth from Heaven; nevertheless, Genesis 11 says that God did descend to see the city man had built, and He was displeased. God scattered mankind and disrupted the city’s development.
“The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built...the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city.” Genesis 11:5,8
Shortly after the story of Babel, Genesis tells another story of Jacob, whose name God changed to “Israel,” sleeping and dreaming (Genesis 28). In this dream, Jacob encountered another ziggurat (traditionally interpreted as a “ladder.”), with angels ascending and descending on it. Jacob rightly concluded that He stumbled upon God’s portal between heaven and earth, one not designed or controlled by human hands. Rather than striking a mutually beneficial deal with Jacob, God makes an oath to Jacob about what He will do for His people, regardless of what Jacob does. It wasn’t a deal because God has no needs and is not dependent upon man for anything. God declared to Jacob what He would do for him. God volunteered His service and blessing out of sheer, generous love, not out of any need for mankind.
Witchcraft is a deal humans make with the devil to accomplish our will on earth. Worship is an act of trust in a freely-given blessing that results in God’s will being done on earth. The devil says, “If you do this, I will do that. And don’t read the fine print.” God says, “I will do this for you. Your only obligation is to trust Me to do it.”
The first thing the gods of Babylon do when they descend the ziggurat is to consume the required offering. The first thing the One True God does when He descends from Heaven is give.
At the beginning of John’s Gospel, Jesus called a man named Nathaniel to be His disciple. Jesus gave a word of knowledge
about Nathaniel saying, “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathaniel was impressed that Jesus seemed to know him already, and Jesus responded by saying that He had “seen” Nathaniel “while he was still under the fig tree.” Jesus couldn't have known that information except by a revelation from God. Nathaniel was impressed, but Jesus said, “You will see greater things than this. In fact, you will see the angels ascending and descending upon the son of man.” (See John 1:44-51).
In other words, you will see that I am the portal between Heaven and earth, and Heaven will be wherever I am.
Jesus said, “It is my Father who gives you the true bread out of Heaven. I am the bread that came out of Heaven and gives life to the world.” (See John 6:26-51).
When the true God of Heaven descends to earth, He doesn’t come empty-handed seeking gratification for felt needs. Neither is the true God enticed or tricked out of Heaven by cheap offerings of manipulative men. The True God descends out of Heaven by His own initiative, through His own means, for the purpose of giving, not receiving. God comes bearing gifts that cost Him extreme pain to acquire.
“This is my body,” Jesus said, “broken for you. As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.” In the same way, Jesus took the cup and said, “Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (See Matthew 26:26-29).
“This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, so that people can eat and not die. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats this bread, they will live forever. And the bread which I shall give is my flesh, given for the life of the world.” John 6:50-51.
What does God require of you? To eat the sacrifice He has provided and to have no other god before you. Why would you want any other god? The other gods demand blood and sacrifice and they are never satisfied. The true God has always been satisfied within Himself. He descends to give out of His generous heart. Stop worshiping at the altars of slavery and death. And come taste of the Son of Man who loves us and gave Himself for us.
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