Mystery Babylon
I think Scripture identifies the four kingdoms that would reign over Israel until the time of the end. Daniel chapter two lists the four as 1. Gold=Babylon, 2. Silver=Medes & Persians, 3. Bronze=Greece, 4. Iron/Iron & Clay=Rome.
The forth kingdom would be in power at the time of the end of Daniel's people, Old Covenant Israel.
Daniel heard the time of the fulfillment:
"And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished." (Dan. 12:6-7)
He was told, after 3 1/2 years the power of his people would be completely shattered. The Jewish-Roman war lasted 3 1/2 years and then the final end came in Aug/Sep of AD 70.
This is why I believe the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by Rome brought an end to the Old Covenant age.
If this is correct, mystery Babylon in Revelation would have referred to first century AD apostate Israel represented by Jerusalem.
Notice the words of John:
"And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!" (Rev. 18:2)
"And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth." (Rev. 18:24)
Mystery Babylon, the harlot, was found guilty and judged for killing the prophets, the saints and all who were slain on the earth.
According to Scripture, who would be found guilty of killing the prophets, saints, and all who were slain on the earth?
Jesus pronounced judgment on the first century AD leaders of Israel:
"Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat." (Mt. 23:1-2)
"Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. "Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt..."Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. "Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation." (Mt. 23:31-32,34-36)
Jesus told His disciples when the judgment of Israel would take place:
"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place." (Mt. 24:34)
Again, in my opinion, the evidence within Scripture points to Israel and her two covenant ages. This eliminates any speculation that we are living in the last days, America is Babylon, the antichrist is alive now, etc.
I have found this approach to be a much more consistent method of interpretation. It is objective based on the evidence. The futurist method tends to be much more subjective and open to a wide variety of speculation.
May God bless you and the open and honest pursuit of truth.
I think Scripture identifies the four kingdoms that would reign over Israel until the time of the end. Daniel chapter two lists the four as 1. Gold=Babylon, 2. Silver=Medes & Persians, 3. Bronze=Greece, 4. Iron/Iron & Clay=Rome.
The forth kingdom would be in power at the time of the end of Daniel's people, Old Covenant Israel.
Daniel heard the time of the fulfillment:
"And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished." (Dan. 12:6-7)
He was told, after 3 1/2 years the power of his people would be completely shattered. The Jewish-Roman war lasted 3 1/2 years and then the final end came in Aug/Sep of AD 70.
This is why I believe the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by Rome brought an end to the Old Covenant age.
If this is correct, mystery Babylon in Revelation would have referred to first century AD apostate Israel represented by Jerusalem.
Notice the words of John:
"And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!" (Rev. 18:2)
"And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth." (Rev. 18:24)
Mystery Babylon, the harlot, was found guilty and judged for killing the prophets, the saints and all who were slain on the earth.
According to Scripture, who would be found guilty of killing the prophets, saints, and all who were slain on the earth?
Jesus pronounced judgment on the first century AD leaders of Israel:
"Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat." (Mt. 23:1-2)
"Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. "Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt..."Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. "Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation." (Mt. 23:31-32,34-36)
Jesus told His disciples when the judgment of Israel would take place:
"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place." (Mt. 24:34)
Again, in my opinion, the evidence within Scripture points to Israel and her two covenant ages. This eliminates any speculation that we are living in the last days, America is Babylon, the antichrist is alive now, etc.
I have found this approach to be a much more consistent method of interpretation. It is objective based on the evidence. The futurist method tends to be much more subjective and open to a wide variety of speculation.
May God bless you and the open and honest pursuit of truth.
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