Twenty-First Century Babylon

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:1-4).

Here is found a mysterious quotation from the final chapters of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Many have often misquoted and misunderstood these strange pronouncements that seem to be looking back to ancient Babylon and appear to be giving a warning message to those who read it. But to whom were these warning messages addressed? Historians know that the ancient city of Babylon fell in October of 539 BC. But why does the Bible mention this ancient city? What does it have to  do with religion or with Christianity? And why did God feel that it was important enough to mention as a part of the closing books of the Holy Bible? What is its message? Is it intended for this modern generation? Is it possible that these words written over 2000 years ago were waiting to be revealed in this present time and that they carry with them a great warning message for the people of the twenty-first century.

The Book of Revelation is not the Revelation of John as many assume. An immediate examination of the text in verse one of chapter one explains that this is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The actual word “revelation” was translated from the Greek word, apokalypsis or, apocalypse a word that has mistakenly been associated with a catastrophe or a disaster, such as the end of the world. The reason for this assumption is because of the catastrophic events mentioned in the book of Revelation, thus the association. But the word revelation simply means a revealing or an unveiling. As stated in the first verse, “God gave unto him (Jesus  Christ), to show unto his servants things which must shortly (quickly, swiftly) come to pass” (Rev. 1:1). God gave to Jesus Christ what he (Jesus) was to reveal or unveil to his servants. Therefore we have the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

This revelation or unveiling was delivered by an angel untoJohn. And, of course, John was a very close companion and disciple of Jesus Christ. He was one of those who comprised the inner circle of disciples and who was “leaning on Jesus’ bosom” at the last supper and who also was given the incredible opportunity of seeing the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, along with Peter and James. In approximately 95 AD, many years following the resurrection of Jesus Christ and even beyond the ministry and martyrdom of the apostle Paul, this same John, when he had become an aged old man and because he had continued to preach the word of God and testify that he was a witness of Jesus Christ, was exiled by the emperor Domitian to the Isle of Patmos, a craggy rock off the coast of Asia Minor. It was on this Isle of Patmos that  John had an amazing vision. In this vision, John was transported forward into time into what the Bible describes as the Day of the Lord. John was allowed to see well out into the future and witness the events leading up to and including the second coming of Jesus Christ. And there he saw “one like unto the Son of man” whose “countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” This clearly refers to Jesus Christ.

In this vision he also saw great cataclysmic events that were almost indescribable. And because he was limited by his familiarity with the ancient world, he could only write down what he saw by using the terminology available during his day. He found it difficult to describe the scenes unfolding before his eyes. He had never seen the industrial age. Nor had he seen a  spacecraft, a computer, or the advancement of modern weaponry such as tanks, battleships, helicopters or nuclear weapons. So when he saw these weapons being unleashed by nations around the world and witnessed the outcome of such a global catastrophe, he wrote down, to the best of his ability, what he experienced and heard and saw. Only by looking beyond  his ancient descriptions, and seeing through his eyes, can the scenes in this vision become recognizable.

John not only saw some of the actual events as they were unfolding, but he also saw a weird, many-headed beast and creatures that had only symbolic significance. An example of this would be found in the 17th chapter of Revelation where he sees “a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” Not unlike ancient Greek mythology, the Bible is often discredited because it uses these fictional characters in its description of these weird, hideous monsters or beasts. But John actually saw this beast in vision and it must have appeared like a  nightmare to him. It was symbolism used to describe the conditions extant upon the earth at the time leading up to and culminating in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Remember the time setting of this book. John was transported forward in timeinto the day of the Lord. So we are seeing what he saw. And what did he see? What was the meaning of these mysterious symbols? How can they be understood? What key does ancient Babylon hold in unlocking these symbols and uncovering the warning message within?

Some of the basic elements in understanding these passages are obtained by examining ancient Babylon itself. Ancient Babylon was first mentioned in the book of Genesis. In chapter 10 the descendants of Noah are listed. Among his family, which was saved during the flood, are  his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Through these family trees the nation of Israel can be traced from the lineage of Noah, through his son Shem, and down to the patriarch Abram or Abraham. However, it will be interesting to also note that through the descendants of Ham, Noah’s second son, are the peoples of ancient Babel (Babylon) and Shinar (Babylonia) as well as Asshur (Assyria) and Ninevah (the capitol of Assyria). Nimrod, the ancient builder, constructed these mighty cities which would ultimately become the empires of Assyria and Babylonia. Each would play pivotal roles in the history of the nation of Israel both anciently and in the future.

In the plains of Shinar (Babylonia), these builders constructed a tower that would be a monument for the whole world to see. It was not a tower to reach up to heaven as some suppose, but a symbol of power and dominance. It was a symbol of authority and also of worship. Those traveling to the region of Babylon would first see in the distance this great monument and be amazed and awed at its enormous size and scope. It would represent Babylon. But immediately we see that God was not pleased with this structure and so He confounded the languages of the earth. Therefore the name is called Babel which means confusion.

Babylon became a mighty empire. The city of Babylon is historic in its wealth and power. Halley’s Bible Handbook describes this city as having both an inner and outer wall some sixty miles around, three hundred feet high, and eighty feet thick. Surrounded by a moat, these walls contained two hundred and fifty guard towers along with one hundred gates of brass. The Euphrates River, which was its primary water source, ran right through the middle of the city. This provided unlimited supplies of water and food during a long siege. At a time of ancient warfare this city was simply impregnable. This mighty city was thought by some to be unconquerable. So did most of the inhabitants of their day. But because of their pride and arrogance God used Cyrus, of the growing Persian Empire, to divert the course of the Euphrates River, and to march by the dry bed into the city, while the Babylonians were carousing at a feast of their gods. And so this mighty city, which once ruled the world, came to its ruin. This was the first fall of Babylon.

The woman that John saw in vision was “riding a scarlet colored beast” and had the name  Babylon written on her forehead and was identified by that name. “And upon her forehead was a name written, M YSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5). But why use this ancient city to describe this woman? What is the significance of this symbolism? Why a woman? And why does she possess the name Babylon? What is the connection?

Throughout the Bible the true church of God is described as a chaste virgin. Over and over again the true church is depicted as the bride of Christ as well as being participants in the wedding  supper of the Lamb where Christ is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. Even the apostle Paul desired to present the church as a “chaste virgin to Christ” (II Cor. 11:2). But when ancient Israel, who are God’s chosen people, would fall away, become disobedient, completely ignore His instructions, begin to pursue the pagan gods and the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations, God would warn them. He described this act of rebellion as adultery. He used the terms whoredom and harlotry to describe Israel’s desire for the pagan customs and religious practices of these heathen nations. From a religious or spiritual perspective, Israel had  committed adultery as a harlot. Everything that was abominable to God these pagan nations observed. God warned the nation of Israel time and time again but they still would not remain faithful to Him. So He would punish them by removing them out of his sight. This was accomplished by causing them to become captives of their enemies. First the northern ten tribes of the nation of Israel were carried away captive by the Assyrians, they never returned. Next, the southern tribe of Judah was carried away captive by the Babylonians but was subsequently allowed to return to Palestine after the fall of Babylon. In both instances God described their conduct as harlotry.

From these examples it is easy to understand that whoredom or harlotry came to represent false worship or false religious practices. So when John sees in vision this great “woman” who is “the mother of harlots,” he is seeing the representation of a great false religious system that has spawned many false churches (daughters) throughout history and will be extant at the time of the end and the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Can she then be identified? Where does she reside? How can she be located if the warning messages are to be understood and heeded? The answer is  found in the book of Revelation itself. It states, “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18). What an astounding revelation! Here is the culmination of the symbolism given to John concerning this woman. He is describing a city which is home to a false religious system which is shrouded in mystery, and reigns over the kings of the earth. What city could this possibly be describing?

Beginning in chapter 17, the book of Revelation gives a further description of this woman. It begins to expose her for what she really is. She is seen as this “great whore” that sits “upon many waters.” Therefore this great false church is said to be encompassing the oceans and seas of the world. It is then, a  worldwide or global false religious system. And, “kings of the earth have committed fornication” with her. World leaders, dictators, and kings have made an unholy union or pact with her and her abominable practices. They have accepted her system and allowed her influence over their constituents chiefly for their own gain. And the “inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication” showing the intoxicating affects of her false doctrine as it dulls the senses of  those that are exposed to it. And what doctrines does she possess? Does she “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17)? Does she “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12)? Does she remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy? Or does she worship on some other day? Does she instruct her followers to keep God’s annual holy days? Or does she worship the pagan symbols of sun worship such as the Saturnalia or perhaps the goddess of sex and fertility such as Ishtar or Astarte?

She is also said to be “full of names of blasphemy.” She, then,is in possession of the very names and titles that belong to God, names such as Holy, and Father, and Eternal. Jesus said, “Call no man your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matt 23:9).

And she not only embodies this false religious system, but she is drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the righteous martyrs. What a staggering indictment. What an enormous revelation. How could any person or organization stand in the face of such an indictment? John was in complete shock and amazement at what he saw.

And finally, “The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” The Bible can only be describing one city and it’s not ancient Babylon. But like ancient Babylon this city, which will someday rule the world and seem to be unconquerable, is going to fall again. And so mighty will be its fall that the affects will be felt by all the merchants of the earth and all those that buy or sell. For a very short period of time this woman or this city is going to have control over ten very powerful nations which will try to fight Jesus Christ at his coming. But they will not succeed. For the word of God explains, “the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev 17:14).

And so the warning message is, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This warning message was meant for God’s people and those who are part of the true church of God. They are not to participate in this false religious system. They are not to become intoxicated by it nor are they to accept it. But this ancient false religious system, that began in Babylon, and will continue right down until the second coming of Jesus Christ, will suffer the plagues mentioned in the book of Revelation at the hands of Almighty God. “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.”