"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"
(Revelation 18:1-3).
After the destruction of the "woman"
(religious Babylon), comes the destruction of the "mighty
city" (commercial Babylon). Some point out resemblances
between "the harlot Babylon" of Rev. 17 and "the city Babylon" of Rev.
18. But, there are also distinct differences between the two. They are
alike in that they are both under the rule of the Gentile antichrist
and at the same time (17:3, 7-14; 16:10 17-21); they are both ruling
like queens, and filled with blasphemy (17:3; 18:7); they both hate
the saints and shed their blood (17:6; 18:24); they are both associated
with the kings of the earth in what is called "immorality" (17:2; 18:3);
they both come under the definite judgment of God and are destroyed
(17:1, 16, 17; 18:2, 6-8). But here the similarity ends, and there are
marked differences which distinguish them.
Religious Babylon
is called "MYSTERY BABYLON, THE GREAT, THE
MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (17:5),
while commercial Babylon is called "Babylon the great" (16:19; 18:2). The one is described
under the symbol of a harlot woman, seated upon the beast of government,
the other is presented as a mighty city. The 17th chapter presents ecclesiastical
Babylon as a "woman," a "whore," a "mother;"
the 18th chapter presents commercial Babylon as a "habitation,"
a "great city," a mighty city,"a market place, a burning
city. The one is identified with Rome (17:18); the other is a port city,
visible from the sea (18:17-21). The woman is described as guilty of
religious abominations (17:4), the city is abominable because of its
system of commerce (18:3, 11-19). The manner of their destruction is
quite different. The woman is destroyed by the political power through
which she has come to reign so arrogantly (17:16); the city is destroyed
by an act of God (18: 8-10, 19 & 21).
There is a fair presentation of an interpretation
of those who believe that the old city of Babylon on the Euphrates River
will be rebuilt. The old city of Babylon may be rebuilt; however, old
Babylon cannot be the city of Rev. 18. Just as the city of Rev. 18 cannot
be Rome because Rome is not a seaport, nor is her influence on business
great enough to cause the disruption of the commerce of the world, the
same may be said of Babylon on the Euphrates. It is nowhere near the
sea, and to imagine a city in the valley of the Euphrates as being the
center of the commerce of the world is to envisage the prior fall of
all Europe and America.
Let us remember that early Babylon was composed
of three interrelated parts: (1) religion, (2) commerce and (3) government.
All three were united against God, and God pronounced a curse upon them.
In the 17th chapter of Revelation, God speaks of religious Babylon and
identifies it with the Roman ecclesiastical system and her prostitute
"daughters." By the teaching of the last verse of chapter 17, the "woman"
(religious Babylon) is linked with the city (Rome) of her headquarters
(the Vatican), which has influence over "political Babylon," which is
the beast and the ten. Now, may I ask, if religious Babylon is not on
the Euphrates, and if political Babylon is not on the Euphrates, why
should commercial Babylon be on the Euphrates? I see no logic nor consistency
in such an interpretation. In fact, I believe that the definite symbolism
of the first two, also indicates a symbolism for commercial Babylon.
This great commercial
city has become the abode of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit,
and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. One has only to walk
the main streets of the commercial capital of the world, the "big
rotten apple," which is New York City, to see the reality of such
a description. Lust is unbridled as thousands of girls each year go
on their way to prostitution. A murderer can be hired for a small
sum. Justice can be bought and corruption flourishes. Federal Reserve
megabanks finance governments, including the U.S. government, who
do their bidding. This city is the home of the devilish World Council
of Churches, the United Nations and the Council on Foreign Relations.
The attack on the World Trade Center was a stern warning from God
and ultimately the entire evil city will be burned to the ground.
Surely, BROADWAY, WALL STREET, and PARK AVENUE sum up the diverse
elements which come under the wrath of God!
In the book of
Revelation, chapter 13, some details are given about the first beast,
commonly known as the antichrist:
"And it was given unto him to make war
with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over
ALL kindreds, and tongues, and NATIONS" (Rev.13:7).
It is an indisputable Biblical fact that the U.S. will be under the
authority of the first beast as the Scripture says he will have
authority over "ALL NATIONS." Is not the US "A
NATION?" Therefore, this means one of two things must happen;
either the U.S. will produce the beast, or will be conquered by him.
At this time the US has the most powerful military in the history
of the world and won't be conquered anytime soon. For the
first time in its history, the U.S. has no formidable military foe.
The Bible also says:
"And they worshipped the dragon which
gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying,
who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him"(Rev. 13:4)? NOBODY!