If we had to label a city Babylon, it wouldn't be Jerusalem, as that city is nowhere near as important as it once was. Nor could it be Rome, for the same reasons. I have some ideas. Just on the thought of a, "Great City," and not speaking on quote unquote "Scriptural" or "Topological" terms, just based upon how the kings, merchants, and sailors are reacting. New York, Los Angeles, London, all of these are great cities today, which one do you think it is?
Glad there was a "Something Else", or else I wouldn't have been able to vote. We are told what Babylon is, we just have to listen. There are of course many "Great Cities" so we have to name them via the context used. The Great city in Rev. 17:18 is not Rome, it is meant to show us where the Harlot got her start, thus what John saw was Babylon imprinted on the Harlot's head along with Mystery, Abominations of the Earth and Mother of Harlots, it us four descriptors.
We are told in Rev. 16:19 what Babylon is. Vial #6 is the Nations being gathered at Armageddon of course via the three demonic frogs going forth. Then in vial #7 we see this unfold:
Rev. 16:19 And the
great city(Jerusalem/Jesus lands on Mt Zion) was
divided into three parts (Earthquake), and the
cities of the nations fell (Who gathered in Vial #6 ? The NATIONS): and
great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
God sees the Nations that Gathered at Armageddon, against God and Israel as BABYLON !!
Who are they then?
Rev. 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth
unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Babylon stands for the WHOLE WORLD !! God is not going to rain plagues down on ONE CITY !!
Its the whole world. The Statue stands for a One World Government, and the Rock Jesus will smash it to smithereens.
Notice in Rev. 14, Babylon is Fallen, is fallen, and then you get the Harvest and the Winepress of God is outside the city (Jerusalem), that is Armageddon and the judgment of the Wicked of the whole world.
Rev. 16 is the exact same event as Rev. 14, one is told as the Harvest, the other is told as the vials of Gods Wrath, just different perspectives of the same event. Rev. 18 is the same event also, except it includes the Seals, Trumpets and Vials in its telling. Rev. 18 is only the World (Babylon) getting destroyed by the Seals/Trumpets and Vials. Now go back and read about the grasses and trees burning, about the seas turning to blood, the ships being destroyed, the waters being poisoned in the Trumpets and Vials then you will see why the Merchants were crying, men are being killed (1/4) by the Anti-Christ, (1/3) by the Angels in the Second Woe (Business is way off).
So is Babylon burning? No, its the whole world that's burning, all the grasses and trees, its the Merchants of the world that is being set back by the Plagues of God.
Babylon and the Harlot are two separate Entities.
