The Whore of Babylon

from The Testimonium by Jeffrey Rothman

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The Whore of Babylon is also a metaphor that is used in the book of revelation in the Bible. John has the vision of a woman called "the whore of Babylon" who represents addiction to the world and its pleasures. I have found that no matter how seemingly great the goal of my heart is it always leads in suffering if it is not God. For all things, save God, are impermanent and cannot satisfying us ultimately. Worldly things in themselves are not evil; it is only the inordinate attachment to them that leads to inevitable suffering. But thankfully God alone can give us real joy that does not change, and therefore should be sought above the world and all its tantalizing pleasures.

I also want to say that "the whore of Babylon" could just as well be a man, and in no way reflects poorly on women in general. John, the writer of revelation, happened to be a man but if he was a woman the image of an attractive man could symbolize the same worldly temptation.

lyrics

A million desires pullin' at my frame
Trying sink me down to a meaningless game
Of being the best with a silk vest and chest
Sticking out like a spout separated from the rest.
But even if I live the sweetest life its gonna pass right by
Gotta give it all up when I die, when I die.

And yo, I tried so many ways to find peace
But I lived in a house with an expiring lease.
And even in moments when I felt release
Death hung over me like a foaming beast.
But the invisible yeast of the Eternal Eye
By God’s grace began to rise and come alive
No more no more I strive blissed out in the starry jive.
Cause the nature of the Self is eternal life
When we realize It we put an end to all strife.
No matter who you are you become a king
Transformed into Him you become all things
But the world is tempting even though its soon gone
To resist the whore of Babylon
Takes all I got but God’s grace
Will lead me back to His Face.

Lord reveal yourself to me and deliver me from delusion
Nothing else can ease this heart on fire.
In You is the fulfillment of everything that I am seeking
You alone are all that I desire!

Cause I have laid with the whole of Babylon
And she is never enough.

The bliss of God makes the rest look laughable
Nothing can compare, Its unsurpassable
Worldly fame is like child’s play
Compared to the joy of eternal day
The experience of the Absolute
It frees all things contain in you
When it hits, an intuitive fist
When God reveals that He alone exists.
But we gotta make a choice to avoid disaster
Like Christ said you cant serve serve two masters.
If you want God you gotta leave
Everything you thought that you wanted to be.
Cause the heaven that the prophets spoke of
It aint some place up above
Its in us, an open book
Waiting to be read, but we gotta look!

Lord reveal yourself to me and deliver me from delusion
Nothing else can ease this heart on fire.
In You is the fulfillment of everything that I am seeking
You alone are all that I desire!

Cause I have laid with the whole of Babylon
And she is never enough.
And I have bathed in the holy gaze of Krishna
And He is the one who dreams this dream of ignorance
put to death put to death by merging with the stream of breath
And awakening to the movie screen
Projecting you and everything.

And it's by Your grace alone in me
I know that You alone are what I seek.

credits

from The Testimonium, released January 3, 2014
Recorded and mixed by Larry Hammett and Chris Harris. Piano performed by Robbie Wing. Bass and drums performed by Larry Hammett. Electric guitar performed by Laine Bergeron

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about

Jeffrey Rothman Tulsa, Oklahoma

Jeffrey Rothman is an artist, musician, social worker, and writer based in Tulsa, OK. His music primarily explores themes of memory, spirituality, and creativity.