June 13, 2008

  • Biblical Eschatology Revisited



    Babylon in Revelation

    While we have discussed the seals of Revelation a bit and found that
    the symbolism found there leaves a lot of room for error in the midst
    of some troubling information that seems to appear as we dig into them, we will now divert
    our attention to another subject in biblical eschatology, Mystery Babylon,
    which is also symbolic but perhaps the statements about it are much
    more definite and this is a welcome thing. Many people have made all
    sorts of guesses as to what Mystery Babylon is in
    Revelation. There was a Babylonian Empire in history long ago and its glory had
    long since faded after the Medes and Persians overran it.
    However, as we read the information that Revelation gives us, we
    quickly understand that this Babylon in Revelation is not at all what
    we would have thought it to be in history.  We are not left without
    clues about what it is, however, and it might be interesting to the
    reader to take a careful look at what it really is. What was found
    there in the biblical text was quite surprising and it is hoped that
    you might find it interesting as well.

    To gain a better understanding of what “Babylon” is as referred to in
    Revelation, we need to carefully read chapters 17 and 18 and learn about what it is and how it is destroyed.  As we do, we
    will carefully outline its characteristics and see if a fairly accurate
    conclusion can be made.


    Babylon: Political Characteristics

    1. A “city” that reigns over the kings of the earth suggest or implies political and economic power:  Rev 17:18

    2. The “city” sits on many waters interpreted as peoples, nations,
    tongues, multitudes suggests or implies it has control over the people
    of the world:  Rev 17:15

    3. The “city’s” immorality affects the kings of the earth who
    participate in it: Rev 17: 2. World leaders & politicians use the
    “city” to advance their power base.

    4. The “city’s” immorality affects the rest of the earth who were made
    “drunk” with it:  The world was affected by the forced propagation of
    Babylon’s “message of immorality. Rev 17:2


    Babylon: Economic Characteristics

    1. The “city” looks like the model of prosperity and is lavishly
    adorned. This suggests or implies that it appears to have the best and
    latest of everything. It is the home of the wealthy. Rev 17:4
        
    2. The great men of the earth were the “city’s” merchants who were made
    wealthy there. This suggests or implies that economic and financial
    empires are built there.  Rev 18:3

    3. The “city” is extensively involved in sea trade. This suggest or implies it is heavily involved in world trade.  Rev 18:17-19


    Babylon: Product Types that will be Destroyed; Skills & Items that will disappear

    1. Precious metals and jewelry.  Rev 18:12
    2. Fine clothing:  Rev 18:12
    3. The constituents of luxury items. Rev 18:12
    4. Exotic spices and perfumes.  Rev 18:13
    5. The constituents of fine food.  Rev 18:13
    6. Faster forms of transportation.  Rev 18:13
    7. The workforce for the wealthy. Rev 18:13
    8. The fine arts in musicians & music. Rev 18:22
    9. The manufacturing of fine goods and their craftsmen.  Rev 18:22
    10. Fine restaurants & their chefs, no fine foods.  Rev 18:22
    11. The power to light the city will be gone.  Rev 18:23
    12. Hope for the future and joyful weddings will not happen in it.  Rev 18:23


    Babylon: Attitudinal Characteristics

    1. Wrathful in pursuing immorality (word “passion” is used): This
    suggests or implies a “jam it down the throat” mentality of forcing its
    immorality on others.  Rev 18:3

    2. Reckless with regard to sin (piling as high as heaven) with a mindless regard for the repercussions of sin.  Rev 18:5

    3. Attitude is so severe that righteous retribution requires a double penalty.  Rev 18:6

    4. Arrogance and sensuality was its hallmark, an “its all about “me” and what pleases “me” situation.  Rev 18:7

    5. Has a sense of invincibility and entitlement, “sitting as a queen
    and never seeing hardship”.  This suggests an attitude of entitlement
    to sin to one’s “benefit” and hateful response to those who would
    forbid it. Rev 18:7


    Babylon: Religious Characteristics

     1. The “city” represents idolatrous worship and/or abandoning God for
    “idols”. True Christianity will not be popular there.  Rev 17:5

    2. The “city” is drunk with the blood of the saints and the witnesses
    of Jesus suggesting that it will actively suppress and repress and
    martyr Jews & Christians. Rev 17:6, 18:24.

    3. The “city” is responsible for the blood of all those ever slain on
    the earth. This suggests that this “city” has a very ancient history of
    murder.  Rev 18:24


    Babylon: Spiritual Characteristics

    1. Demons dwell there and unclean spirits keep watch over the “city”.
    Hateful birds (winged creatures?) are imprisoned there.  This suggests
    a totally unwholesome spiritual environment over which unclean spirits
    maintain and keep watch over this situation.  Rev 18:2

    2. No good thing is going on there and God’s people are told to come out of it.  Rev 18:4

    3. The “city” rides on the Beast who has the same characteristics as
    Satan. This suggests that the “city” is empowered by Satan where sin
    and debauchery is encouraged and supported.  Rev 17:3, 13:1, 12:3


    Babylon: The Manner of Its Destruction

    1. When Armaggeddon draws near, the Beast’s use for the “city” ends
    since he hates it. This suggests that the success of Babylon is only a
    deliberate illusion meant to promote Satan’s endgame.  Rev 17:16

    2. The Beast and the ten kings allied to him will destroy Babylon
    because of God’s purpose. This suggests that the Beast and his allies
    will have their own reasons for destroying Babylon but it is God’s
    purpose behind it to use the Beast to have Babylon destroyed for its
    wickedness.  Rev 17:17

    3. Its destruction will be swift burning by fire that is described as
    happening in one day, and in one hour.  This suggests that mass
    destruction by “fire” will be performed by the Beast.  Rev 17:16, 18:8

    4. The timing of the destruction will be just before the war at
    Armaggeddon. This suggests that once Babylon’s destruction is complete,
    Christ will now meet the armies of the Beast and will defeat them and
    at its completion, it is all finished.  Rev 16:13-21, 19:19

    5. Its destruction will be accompanied by the Beast and 10 kings
    pillaging the “city”. This suggests that the Beast apparently needs
    resources to wage his war against Christ.  Rev 17:16


    Now for the Big Question…
    So there we have it with all the relevant scriptural facts laid out
    before us.  If you are like others who have seen this list, you might
    have some immediate impressions. Be careful, though, Rev 18:24 has some
    very important things to say about the answer.


    And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.     Revelation 18:24 (NASB)

    Given this and considering each of these facts mentioned, what is “Babylon”?   Blessings, Mr.Vee