The City of Babylon.

[Marilyn C]

THE CITY OF BABYLON (Rev. 17: 18)

The city of Babylon is being rebuilt & it is destined to become the centre of the last Gentile Global Government. The Anti-Christ will rule from Babylon with the 10 Islamic kings, over the whole world. The Political, Economic & Religious aspects of people`s lives will all be controlled from this demonic centre.

`Babylon the great .....has become a habitation of demons,
a prison for every foul spirit....`
(Rev. 18: 2)


The river Euphrates is even now being deepened so that ocean liners can navigate the river right up to the city of Babylon. The wealth of the world will be brought right into the heart of Babylon along the river which flows through it.

`that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea
became rich by her wealth.`
(Rev. 18: 19)


Historically the city of Babylon was where man attempted to `make a name` for himself.
The region was called the land of Shinar & this is where man sought to build a very tall tower to give himself prominence. God however confused their language & thus the name Babylon came to mean confusion.

`they found a plain in the land of Shinar....
Come let us build a city & a tower ....
Let us make a name for ourselves...
The Lord confused their language ...& scattered them....`
(Gen.10: 2, 4 & 9)

Babylon – Heb. word `Babel,` meaning confusion.



Now at the end of the Gentile`s rule we see again man `building a city` with the desire for
world dominance. This has been foretold by the prophet Zechariah who presented it as a metaphoric picture. Babylon will again become the prominent city at the end of this age.


`this is a woman .....this is Wickedness.`
To be set `in the land of Shinar.` (Babylon)
(Zech. 5: 7, 8 & 11)

 

[Marilyn C]

RELIGIOUS BABYLON

The first aspect of Babylon that we are shown is the Religious system. The false prophet brings together all the religions of the world & this is revealed to us in symbolic form as a great prostitute – a great profanity of blasphemy & a violation of sacred things. (Rev.13: 12)

`Then one of the 7 angels who had the 7 bowls came & talked to me,
saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute...`
(Rev. 17: 1)

Prostitute – Heb. word, `chalal,` figurative meaning - to profane.


This great prostitute, man`s religious system is very richly adorned & seduces by offering wonderful things, `a golden cup,` but actually it is filled with abominations & filthiness.

`The woman was arrayed in purple & scarlet,
& adorned with gold & precious stones & pearls,
having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations & the filthiness of her fornication.`
(Rev. 17: 4)


These are the works of the flesh –

`which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
envy, murders, drunkenness, revels & the like...`
(Gal: 5: 19 – 21)
`And on her forehead a name was written:
Mystery, Babylon the great,
the mother of prostitutes (profanities) & of the abominations of the earth.`
(Rev. 17: 5)


Instead of honouring God their Creator, people are deceived into worshipping the creation.
Thus having no accountability they are given over to all manner of uncleaness.


`Professing to be wise, they became fools,
& changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts,
To dishonour their bodies among themselves,
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie,
& worshipped & served the creature rather than the Creator,...`
(Rom. 1: 25)



`because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.....
God will send them strong delusion,
that they should believe the lie,...` (2 Thess. 2: 8 – 12)

 

[Marilyn C]

POLITICAL BABYLON: 7 Heads / 7 Leaders

The picture we now see is of this religious system in a close relationship with the Political aspect of the Global Government : `the woman sitting on a scarlet beast.` This shows that the `beast` is carrying or using religion for its own ends.

`So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness.
And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy,
having 7 heads & 10 horns.`

`And when I saw her, I marvelled with great amazement.
But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel?
I will tell you the mystery of the woman & of the beast that carries her,
which has 7 heads & 10 horns.`
(Rev. 17: 3, 6 & 7)


The `beast,` is Satan who comes out of hell & is the power behind the Global Government. He takes possession of the Anti-Christ, who seemingly died & came to life again. This is what the phrase `was, & is not & yet is,` refers to.

`The beast that you saw was, & is not,
& will ascend out of the bottomless pit & go to perdition.
And those who dwell on the earth will marvel,
whose names are not written in the book of life
from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, & is not & yet is.`
(Rev. 17: 8)


We are now given details of the leadership of this Global Government. The 7 heads, are symbolically 7 mountains meaning they have the highest position in the world: its leaders.
They are the `7 kings,` the 7 Political leaders who arise consecutively one at a time.

`Here is the mind which has wisdom:
the 7 heads are 7 mountains on which the woman sits.
& they are7 kings. (NAS)`
(Rev. 17: 9)


There were five leaders prior to the tribulation & the 6th rules during its beginning. Finally
the Anti-Christ rises to power & rules for the last three & a half years. Satan is the 8th entity but becomes part of the 7 when he enters the Anti-Christ.


` 5 have fallen, one is, & the other has not yet come.
And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
And the beast that was, & is not, is himself also the 8th,
& is of the 7, & is going to perdition.`
(Rev. 17: 10 & 11)

 

[Marilyn C]

POLITICAL BABYLON: Islamic Confederacy. (10 Horns/10 Kings)


The Prophet Daniel was given a good description of the Anti-Christ.

`At the appointed time.....forces shall be mustered by him,
Then the king (of the North) shall do according to his own will:
He shall exalt & magnify himself above every god,
shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods,.....`
(Dan. 11: 29 – 37)


He is called the King of the North . (Note this is the area just north of Israel & not the far north which is Russia. Ez. 39: 2) This is the region of old Assyria that has now been divided into 3 countries: Iraq, Syria & Jordan. These will consolidate together and become the power base of the Anti-Christ.

The Anti-Christ is thus called the Assyrian, (Isa. 10: 24, 31: 8 & Micah 5: 5) and he brings together the 3 countries, Iraq, Syria & Jordan with 7 other countries to form the Islamic confederation of 10. These are the 10 kings that receive authority & power with the Anti-Christ for three & a half years.


`And the 10 horns which you saw are 10 kings
who have received no kingdom as yet,
but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.`
(Rev. 17: 12)


They believe that the Anti-Christ is their long awaited Messiah & thus even make war with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.


`These are of one mind, & they will give their power & authority to the beast.
These will make war with the Lamb,
& the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords & King of kings;
& those who are with Him are called, chosen, & faithful.`
(Rev. 17: 13 & 14)


Before this climatic event though, the 10 kings of the Islamic confederation destroy the religious system. They have no more use for it as they desire that all peoples worship their Messiah, the Anti-Christ. Thus all buildings & people associated with the religious system are destroyed.


`And the 10 horns will hate the prostitute, make her desolate,
& naked, eat her flesh, & burn her with fire.
For God has put it into their hearts to fulfil His purpose,
to be of one mind, & to give their kingdom to the beast,
until the words of God are fulfilled.`
(Rev. 17: 16 & 17)

 

[Marilyn C]

ECONOMIC BABYLON

The city of Babylon will not only be the centre of man`s Religious System, which gets destroyed, but also the centre of commerce & finance – the Global Economy. We are now given a picture of this aspect of the city of Babylon. It is called a `prison` & `a habitation of demons.` What a terrifying prospect for those who worship the `beast.`

`And the woman whom you saw is that great city
which reigns over the kings of the earth.`
(Rev. 17: 18)


The Lord with `great authority` & `glory.` declares the judgments upon Babylon -`fallen, fallen,` indicating the downfall of the religious & economic aspects of this demonic government.

`After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven,
having great authority, & the earth was illuminated with His glory.`
`And He cried mightily with a loud voice saying,
“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,
& has become a habitation of demons,
a prison for every foul spirit, & a cage for every unclean & hated bird!`
(Rev. 18: 1 & 2)



This centre of the world`s trading has made the `merchants of the earth` very wealthy. These are the multi-nationals & traders from all over the world. This selfish abundance of trade is a mark of Satan who by his trade has increased his riches & become proud. (Ez. 28: 5)


`For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,
the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,
& the merchants of the earth
have become rich through the abundance of her luxury”
(Rev. 18: 3)

Fornication – Gk. word, `inappropriate contentos,` fig. means – idolatry.


Thus judgment has been pronounced, double for her sins. And a warning goes out for any of God`s people who are in that city, to flee before the coming hand of God in judgment.

`And I heard another voice from heaven saying,
“Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins,
& lest you receive of her plagues.
For her sins have reached to heaven, & God has remembered her iniquities.
Render to her just as she rendered to you,
& repay her double according to her works;
in a cup which she has mixed, mix for her double.`
(Rev. 18: 4 – 6)

 

[Marilyn C]

The Judgment of Economic Babylon.

This capital of the world`s economy has boasted that it is secure from any financial & commercial difficulty - `will see no sorrow.` Man has finally put together a system that controls everyone on earth by a mark, number or name. (Rev. 13: 16 & 17) But it is God who will judge this demonic system of abuse of power & corruption.



`In the measure that she glorified herself & lived luxuriously,

in the same measure give her torment & sorrow;

for she says in her heart,


“I sit as queen, & am no widow, & will not see sorrow.”

Therefore her plagues will come in one day

– death & mourning & famine.

And she will be utterly burned with fire,

for strong is the Lord God who judges her.`

(Rev. 18: 7 & 8)








Now we see all those who profited from this unlawful system.
Firstly the Kings, the leaders of the nations mourned over Babylon`s fall.



“And the kings of the earth who committed fornication (idolatry)

& lived luxuriously with her will weep & lament for her,

when they see the smoke of her burning,

standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying,

“ Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city!

For in one hour your judgment has come.”

(Rev. 18: 9 & 10)





Next we see the merchants, the traders who sold everything from precious stones to the precious bodies & souls of man. How utterly despicable.



`And the merchants of the earth will weep & mourn over her,

for no one buys their merchandise any more:

Merchandise of gold & silver, precious stones & pearls,

fine linen & purple, silk & scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory,

every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron & marble;

& cinnamon & incense, fragrant oil & frankincense,

wine & oil, fine flour & wheat, cattle & sheep, horses & chariots,

& bodies & souls of men.`

(Rev. 18: 11 – 13)








`And the fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you,

& all the things which are rich & splendid have gone from you,

& you shall find them no more at all.`

(Rev. 18: 14)

 

[Marilyn C]

`The merchants of these things, who became rich by her,
will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping & wailing, & saying,
“Alas, alas, that great city
that was clothed in fine linen, purple, & scarlet,
& adorned with gold & precious stones & pearls!
For is one hour such great riches came to nothing”
(Rev. 18: 15 - 17)


Now we see that the owners of every kind of ship cry out when they see the city of Babylon burning & how quickly it is made desolate.


`And every shipowner, all who travel by sea,
stood at a distance & cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying,
“What is like this great city?
And they threw dust on their heads & cried out, weeping & wailing, & saying,
“Alas, alas, that great city,
in which all who had ships on the sea, became rich by her wealth!
For in one hour she is made desolate.”
(Rev. 18: 17 – 19)



Here then is the picture of Babylon`s fall. It is a quick & complete work, pulverising & completely destroying that great city of Babylon.


“Rejoice over her, O heaven, & you holy apostles & prophets,
for God has avenged you on her!”


`Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a millstone
& threw it into the sea, saying,
“Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down,
& shall not be found any more.`
(Rev. 18: 20 & 21)



By sorcery & witchcraft it deceived the peoples of the world – `false signs & wonders,`
(Rev. 13: 13 & 14) & shed the blood of prophets & saints. Thus no musicians, or craftsmen or wedding feasts will be celebrated there, for the Lord God has judged it.


`The sound of harpists, musicians, flautists,
& trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore.
And no craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore.
And the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.
And the light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore.
And the voice of bridegroom & bride shall not be heard in you anymore.

For your merchants were the great men of the earth
for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.
And in her was found the blood of prophets & saints,
& of all who were slain on the earth`.
(Rev. 18: 22 – 24)