There is just one line from the song Digital Man by Rush that I love for some odd reason. It goes like this: “He’d love to spend the night in Zion, he’s been a long long while in Babylon”. That seems innocuous enough, but if you’re a Christian or a student of history, the places mentioned in this lyric are symbolic of something. Zion and Babylon are both rich with meaning.

The song speaks of someone trapped in Babylon and all that it represents. Babylon usually represents a system of oppression, greed, materialism, and a corrupt corporate or political establishment. In the Bible, Babylon represents the world system–the anti-kingdom and often used as a code word for the Roman Empire which represents any dominant culture that opposes God’s Kingdom. It is a system organized around greed, power, self-reliance, and idolatry. In the context of the song, Babylon is the fast-paced, “subdivided and synthetic” modern digital world. The character has spent a “long, long while” grinding away in this sterile, demanding environment.

Conversely, Zion is the Promised Land, a place of spiritual liberation, and a home that endures forever. It is the city of God where you will find God’s kingdom. For the Digital Man, Zion also represents a much-needed mental or physical escape—a place of rest, authenticity, and natural connection away from the constant noise of “radio and radiation.” Because of all glory surrounding Zion, the Digital Man deeply longs to just “spend a night” there. He may be in Babylon now but his heart always yearns for Zion.

In a way, Zion represents Jesus. He is our rest and hope, our home in this world where the spirit of Babylon permeates everything. When you need to escape Babylon, Jesus is your hiding place and refuge. When you need protection from Babylon, Jesus is your rock and salvation. And when you need a place to finally belong, Jesus is your true home. So if you are like the Digital Man, you’ll be glad to know that Jesus will satisfy all your longings for Zion.