Who is Secret Babylon the Great?

By Gerry Watts

 

  Throughout Scripture, a tale of two cities is being told, that of Jerusalem and Babylon. The first city represents the kingdom of God and His righteous rule, and the latter symbolises the world system under the influence of Satan, the god of this age. All of the pride and arrogance of man, and every aspect of the world without God, commercially, politically, culturally and religiously, is represented in the city of Babylon, that was once the capital of one of the greatest Empires of the ancient world. These cities represent people, as any city does. A city is not just the stones and wood that humanity builds as a place to live, but it is essentially the people themselves and the spirit of the people.

Many prophetic details are recorded in Jeremiah Chapters 50-51 and Isaiah Chapter 13-14:27 concerning the fall of ancient Babylon and its kingdom. The fall of Nebuchadnezzar's Empire is an established fact of history, which occurred when the Medo-Persian Empire conquered it in 538/537 BC, though the city of Babylon was not destroyed at that time.

Jerusalem has also been destroyed many times throughout her history, being left desolate for many years at a time. But God will never forget His promises and therefore Jerusalem will always rise again for the entire world to see, no matter how forsaken she may seem to be, as a symbol of His faithfulness to the spiritual Israel of God. Yet even this earthly Jerusalem will eventually be destroyed completely, to be replaced by a New Jerusalem, which is a celestial city that will have its place on the New Earth (Revelation 21-22; Hebrews 11:10,16; Galatians 4:25-26).

Yet before that glorious age, something shocking is going to occur in relation to Jerusalem and Babylon, which has to do with the rising of a counterfeit kingdom of God ruling the whole earth. At the present time, Jerusalem is in slavery to the world and to sin, and it represents those who are seeking to keep the Law of Moses through religious works of the flesh, as well as those who seek to take the kingdom violently via force of arms as zealots and patriots. She is represented by Hagar and Ishmael, the one born according to the flesh, whereas the true Jews and Christians in the Body of Christ are represented by Sarah and Isaac, the one born according to the promise and power of God.

"Yet Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; it is in line with the Jerusalem which now is, for she is in slavery with her children." 

(Galatians 4:25)

But the day is coming, and now is, when the remnant of her children shall be set free by the Deliverer from heaven.

 

The Rise of Babylon

But will the actual city of Babylon ever rise again? Well, there are clear indications in the texts of Jeremiah and Isaiah to believe that there will be a future, ultimate fall of Babylon in the Day of Yahweh. This also seems apparent from Chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation (though we shall see that in Revelation, Babylon the Great has a big secret to tell). Much of the language and terminology of the ancient prophecies concerning Babylon, are also expressed in Revelation. Yet according to His own word, when God destroys Babylon, it will never rise again and be inhabited.

'And it comes that Babylon, the stateliest of kingdoms, the beauty and pomp of the Chaldeans, shall be as the overturning of Sodom and Gomorrah by God. It shall not be permanently indwelt, nor shall anyone tabernacle there further, for generation after generation, nor shall the Arabian tent there, nor shepherds recline their flocks there.' 

 

(Isaiah 13:19-20)

 Isaiah prophesied this about 720 BC, and it states here unequivocally that Babylon will be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah - and Sodom and Gomorrah are no more! During the period of the Assyrian Empire, in the 7th century BC, Babylon was destroyed and burned to the ground, but it was later rebuilt by king Nebuchadnezzar with greater glory.

 Yet many have also taken note of the fact that, in more recent times, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, before his recent demise, was for many years rebuilding the ancient ruins of Babylon, which originally straddled the Euphrates River, even suggesting that he was a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar. Well, in the same way as his ancient predecessor had to learn a lesson in humiliation, becoming like a wild animal, Saddam also experienced great humiliation at the time of his capture. Therefore, the grandiose plans of Saddam were spoiled, and Babylon remains unfinished.

Anyhow, this rebuilding of ancient Babylon cannot be ignored in relation to the prophecies about the fall of Babylon (even though it is not used as a normal city, but is more like a museum). This ancient area of Mesopotamia, presently known as Iraq, shall become the increasing focus of the world in these days, and will therefore continue to figure quite prominently in the worlds affairs. Even now, there are plans to finish the rebuilding of Babylon and turn it into a cultural tourist attraction, with shops and a theme park! 

Nevertheless, the ancient city of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon did eventually fall as God said it would, becoming desolate by the 2nd century BC, and it never rose to prominence again - even though it was originally one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, containing one of the seven wonders of the world: the hanging gardens of Babylon.

There is also an indication in Zechariah 5:5-11 that the region of ancient Babylonia or Chaldea (that is, modern Iraq), also known as Shinar, will play an important part in the Day of Yahweh concerning the commerce of unfaithful Israel. In a vision, the prophet Zechariah saw an ephah (which was a container used for dry measures) that contained a woman who symbolised Wickedness. This ephah represents the depravity of the world and its commerce, and the woman represents unfaithful Israel in league with Babylon. The woman is then taken away by two women with wings and taken to the land of Shinar where a house is to be built for her. We must bear in mind that when this prophecy was given, Judah was already in exile in Babylon. So this is referring to a future event concerning Judah and Babylon. 

Throughout the prophets, Israel is figured as an adulteress and a prostitute, unfaithful to Yahweh, her Husband. Ezekiel graphically portrays the wickedness and depravity of Jerusalem and Judah in Chapters 16 and 23 of his scroll. The cities of Samaria and Sodom (take note) are figured as her sisters, and they are portrayed as prostitutes flirting with the kingdoms of the nations, climbing into bed with one another, forsaking Yahweh, the Husband of Judah.

So according to the prophecy in Zechariah, it would appear as though Iraq will have some kind of commercial alliance with Israel in the near future (which is quite ironic really, seeing that at present they are staunch enemies). But this makes a lot of sense, because Iraq has many oil reserves and Israel also has much to offer in return! It would appear as though the powers of the West and the State of Israel will have much power and influence in Iraq in that day. The ongoing situation in Iraq in the aftermath of the war there, as the country tries to rebuild itself with the aid of the West, shall prove very significant.

Nevertheless, this prophecy in Zechariah was also fulfilled quite literally when a large portion of the Jews remained in Babylon after the exile and established a large community there for centuries. Many of these Jews travelled back and forth between Jerusalem and Babylon, with many of them preferring Babylon. 

Be that as it may, the question is, is Babylon the Great in Revelation to be identified with the literal city of Babylon or not? Well, it is evident that the area of ancient Babylon is being revived, so that this city, and the whole country of Iraq, shall have its place in the prophetic unfolding of the last days. This whole area of Mesopotamia, and the Great River Euphrates, has figured quite prominently in the history of the world, particularly in relation to the Islamic Empire and the city of Baghdad. But as we shall now see, Babylon the Great in Revelation is symbolising so much more than the city of bricks and mortar itself.

 

Secret Babylon, The Religion

Revelation Chapter 17:1-6

And one from among the seven messengers who have the seven bowls came, and he speaks with me, saying, "Hither! I shall be showing you the sentence of the great prostitute who is sitting on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth commit prostitution, and those dwelling on the earth are made drunk with the wine of her prostitution."

And he carries me away, in spirit, into a wilderness. And I perceived a woman sitting on a scarlet wild beast replete with names of blasphemy, and having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was clothed with purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, brimming with abominations and the uncleannesses of the prostitution of her and the earth.
 

And on her forehead is written a name: Secret Babylon the Great the mother of the prostitutes and the abominations of the earth. And I perceive the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And I marvel at perceiving her. The marvel is great!

John is now shown in detail the sentence pronounced on the great prostitute who sits on the many waters of the nations, intoxicating humanity with her wine and seducing the leaders of the nations to lie with her. In spirit, he is taken into the barren wilderness to see the awesome vision of this woman riding the scarlet Wild Beast. From the description of the woman's clothing, it is evident that she is symbolising the great Empires of the nations, particularly Rome, in their regal colours of purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and great wealth. This Woman is rich, but the wine in her golden cup is full of abominations and the filth of her prostitution with humanity.

Her name is Secret (often rendered 'Mystery') Babylon the Great, and she is said to be the mother of the prostitutes and abominations of the earth. So there is clearly a secret element to her identification, which goes beyond the historical city and kingdom of Babylon, which had been the original queen of the kingdoms. This shall be revealed later. She is also drunk with the blood of the saints of Israel and of the followers of Christ, and she is seen riding the Wild Beast with the seven heads and the ten horns described in Revelation 13, which is portrayed here as a scarlet Beast, covered with the blood of humanity.

So it is evident that she is distinct from the Beast, the Roman Empire itself and its divided offshoots, due to the fact that she is in control of it as it dominates the earth. Yet notice the fact that John marvels at seeing her, that is, he is greatly amazed or even shocked!

Why is he so astounded, and who is she? To find that out, we need to start by going back in time to the early eras of civilisation.

 

Beginnings at Babel

In the early chapters of Genesis we are told that, after the Flood, the majority of early humanity migrated and gathered together in the area of Babylonia, on the plain of Shinar, and under the leadership of Nimrod, the first ancient kingdom was formed, the Chaldean kingdom (also known as the Sumerian civilisation). The original cities of Babylon and Nineveh, situated by the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, were central parts of this kingdom (Genesis 10:8-12).

At this time, the world had one language and they also united to form one religion in this ancient kingdom. This religion was a distorted version of the truth that had been passed down from Adam through Noah. This religion became the official birth of astrology, spiritism and the ancient myths of the gods, that is, idolatry, and it would have included human sacrifice amongst its many rituals. The first astrological tower, known as a ziggurat or step pyramid, was built on the plains of Shinar in the city of Babel, which, through the centuries, has become associated with Babylon (Genesis 11:1-9).

Due to this religious rebellion against the truth, God confused the language of humanity and scattered them around the world, causing them to migrate to the various continents. This was the real beginning of the various languages and cultures that sprung up through indigenous populations around the globe. Much archaeological evidence is being uncovered in this regard, along with many 'secular theories' on the 'lost civilisations' of the past.

But mankind still took the religion of Babel with them, setting up astrological structures wherever they went. Different versions of the ancient occultic arts and beliefs grew up amongst the nations of the world, which were then portrayed in various myths and legends.

But at the core of these beliefs was the story of the Mother and Child who were believed to be the original gods of humanity. There is strong evidence to show that this belief originated from the deification of Nimrod and his wife Semiramis (who became known as the Queen of Heaven), and also their son, commonly known as Tammuz (or Bacchus). (See the excellent book The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop).

They are known throughout the world by numerous names and titles. In Egypt they were known as Isis and Osiris; in Greece, as Ceres (or Irene) and Plutus; in India, as Isi and Iswara; in Asia, as Cybele and Deoius; and in Rome, as Fortuna and Jupiter, amongst many others. The myth is quite confusing really, as the son is also identified as the father and lover of the mother! Sexual immorality (that is, prostitution, whether paid or unpaid) and perversion became an integral part of the worship of the gods. At the core of this belief is the deification of the female as a goddess, which attempts through seduction to undermine the divine order of the sexes, established by God. Womankind is seen as dominating the male, even as the Woman rides the Beast.

Although this religion had dominated the Egyptian Empire and the Assyrian Empire, it was in the capital city of the Babylonian Empire that this religion reached its zenith, and it had an official caste of priests and Magis as the mediators of the secret arts. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel later condemned Israel for following this religion (Jeremiah 7:17-19; 44:1-25; Ezekiel 8:14-16). In these texts, there is mention of the 'Queen of Heaven' and the 40 days fast of 'weeping for Tammuz,' both of which were an important part of idolatry - and believe it or not, they are still kept alive in the 'Christian' rituals of Lent and Easter (Ishtar)!

 

The Rise of Christendom

Due to the birth of true Christianity in the First Century AD, through the preaching and work of the Apostles, the secret arts and beliefs of the Babylonian mysteries were being challenged. The 'magic' of Babel had already been challenged before in the past through God's anointed prophets, such as Moses in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, but this was on a much grander scale. A great change was beginning to take place that would eventually sweep over most of the civilisations of the world.

By this time, an occult priestly centre for the secret arts had grown up in the city of Pergamum in Asia Minor, having moved from Babylon (Revelation 2:13). From there it moved to Rome, and amazingly, by the Fourth Century, the Mother and Child cult of the Babylonian mysteries was absorbed into the official religion of Christendom, which, beginning under Constantine, attempted to merge Biblical beliefs concerning Christ with pagan beliefs and practices. In fact, this process had already begun during the first few centuries, while the early church faced immense persecution.

But eventually the Church became an Empire in its own right, the Holy Roman Empire, dictating its creeds and dogmas to the world through its Emperor or Pope. It isn't hard to see from Church history that the doctrines, rituals and festivals of Roman Catholicism, and even elements of the Protestant Church, are based on the ancient Babylonian mysteries.

A close examination of the teachings and career of Mohammed, the self-proclaimed prophet of Islam, will reveal the same thing. Islam contains some truth, of which most is gleaned from the Bible, but its dark roots of spiritism and 'genies' are found in Babylon. And in recent centuries, many 'New Age' mystical teachings have been interlaced with Biblical Christianity, forming a modern, westernised ecumenical Christendom that is based on the 'ancient wisdom' of the Occult.

This is not to say that everything that is 'New Age' or part of the 'ancient wisdom' is necessarily bad or wrong. There is a lot of truth and blessing in much that passes for New Age teaching and practice, such as, beautiful, relaxing music; the seeking of spiritual enlightenment and peace; an emphasis on nature and humanity's balance with it; eating and living more healthily; an openness to learn about native culture and music; recognising the need for meditation and relaxation for the wholeness of body, soul and mind; and even incense can be quite beneficial.

Most of these things were originally a part of the worship and divine service of the Tabernacle and Temple given to Israel in the Law. There is much here that is not wrong or bad in and of itself, but without a true knowledge of the Creator, which is seen in Christ Jesus, there can be no real lasting peace or deliverance, love or enlightenment.

Presently, this religion of Christendom is attempting to unite with the other major religions and beliefs of the world, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, all of whom have their roots deep in the ancient Babylonian mysteries. They may contain fragments of the truth, but as a system of doctrine it is gross error. Buddha had certainly grasped some important truths in accordance with God's Law, especially considering the fact that he lived many centuries before Christ came. But his ultimate conclusions about spiritual enlightenment are unsatisfactory, particularly in relation to suffering and death.

The rise of Christendom as an Empire was the Apostasy that the Apostle Paul had prophesied, and the present emphasis on the amalgamation of the religions is a continuation of this Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3-5). Apostate Christianity and Judaism especially will commit spiritual adultery with the nations of the earth by becoming part of Secret Babylon. With the continuing threat of religious wars and violence, especially in the Middle East, and particularly with the religion of Islam, the world will push for religious unity and tolerance at any cost, as it searches for peace. The ongoing threat of terrorism will also give a sense of urgency to this unity. Peace will eventually be the motivating power that the governments of the world will use to try and conquer the world - using Secret Babylon herself!

'And I perceived, and lo! a white horse, and he who is sitting on it has a bow, and to him was given a wreath. And he came forth conquering and that he should be conquering.' 

(Revelation 6:2) 

'...And they worship the wild beast, saying, "Who is like the wild beast?" and "Who is able to battle with it?" 

(Revelation 13:4)

The result will be a global hybrid religion, which at its core will be the fundamental beliefs of spiritism, witchcraft, astrology, the myths of the gods, divination and evolutionary humanism, camouflaged in Biblical terminology - Secret Babylon the Great. This woman rides into power on the Beast, the kingdoms and governments of the world.

It will now be shown that this woman, Secret Babylon, has controlled every Empire of the nations with her religious myths and prostitution from the dawn of civilisation, and she has also slaughtered numerous innocent people, persecuting those who truly belong to God and His Son, as well as numerous others. Much blood is on her hands, hence the severe sentence of the wrath of God that will be poured out upon her in the Day of the Lord!

 

The Empires under the Whore

The following passage of scripture is one of the most difficult to understand correctly, so let us walk through this gradually, a step at a time.

Revelation 17:7-8

 

 And the messenger said to me, "Wherefore do you marvel? I shall be declaring to you the secret of the woman and of the wild beast which is bearing her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The wild beast which you perceived was, and is not, and is about to be ascending out of the submerged chaos, and to be going away into destruction. And marvel shall those dwelling on the earth, whose names are not written on the scroll of life from the disruption of the world, when they observe the wild beast, seeing that it was, and is not, and will be present.  

John is now told by the messenger that he is about to be shown the secret of the Woman and of the Beast she is riding. Note: There is a secret element that links the two of them together. Firstly, he is told that the Wild Beast that he had seen earlier in the vision in Revelation 13 was, and is not, and then will rise out of the Abyss and be destroyed. The whole unbelieving world will marvel after the Beast when they see that it is not, but then it will appear again.

This Wild Beast is one and the same as the fourth beast kingdom of Daniel 7. It was the Roman Empire, especially in its Imperial form. In the late 3rd to early 4th century AD, the Roman Empire was dying from weakness caused by various upheavals and division. Then, under Constantine the Great, the Imperial Roman Empire was revived, but with a huge difference - Christianity was now the new official state religion. This became the basis for the later resurrection of Rome in the form of the Holy Roman Empire of Christendom.

So the Beast was, is not, and was about to ascend out of the abyss, i.e. aided by the powers of darkness. (For further study of the Beasts and the book of Revelation, see the section The Great Prophetic Plan Revealed).

The Seven Mountains

 "Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains where the woman is sitting on them, and they are seven kings. Five fall, one is, the other came not as yet; and whenever he may be coming, he must remain briefly."

 

(Revelation 17:9-10)

Here we are told that the seven heads of the Beast are given two meanings, which are also connected. Firstly, they are representing seven mountains where the woman is presently sitting. Now the most famous place of seven mountains was Rome, which is widely known even today as the most famous seven-hilled city. But there are a number of other seven-hilled cities in the world. Yet there is only one where it could be truly said that it was built on seven mountains or mounts. We'll take a look at that a little later. It is true to say that the Babylonian religion was controlling the Roman Empire, and it continues even today through the power and wealth of the Vatican in Rome. This interpretation is only enforced when we consider that the other centre of the Holy Roman Empire, Constantinople or Byzantium, was also a seven-hilled city!

Now in scripture, mountains and hills are used to symbolise kingdoms and governments. It also states here that the seven heads of the Beast are seven kings or heads of kingdoms. This is related to the seven heads of the Dragon in Revelation Chapter 13. Satan the Adversary, the great red Dragon, has been the true power behind all of the Empires of history (relatively speaking), particularly that of the Beast. It can be shown that the following seven Kingdoms or Empires, mentioned in Scripture, have arisen under Satan's (the Dragon's) authority:

1. The ancient Chaldean or Sumerian kingdom, which began at Babel under Nimrod
2. The Egyptian Empire
3. The Assyrian Empire
4. The Babylonian Empire
5. The Medo-Persian Empire
6. The Greek Empire
7. And the Roman Empire, which in accordance with the visions in Daniel and Revelation, also includes its ten-fold divided offshoots of western and eastern kingdoms

In a similar sense, the seven heads of the Wild Beast are also symbolising the seven Empires or Kingdoms of the nations who, due to the influence of the Woman, Secret Babylon, have seduced the people of God into spiritual adultery, from the nation of Israel's birth in Egypt, right the way through to the arrival of the kingdom of God. The prophet Ezekiel confirms this in chapter 23, where he reveals that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, represented as Samaria and Jerusalem, are like sisters who prostituted themselves with Egypt, Assyria and Babylon (Ezekiel 23:1-21). These are the first three Kingdoms or Heads.

But John is told that, at the time of the writing of the vision, in about 95 AD, five of these Empires had already fallen down, which are the following:

1. The Egyptian Empire
2. The Assyrian Empire
3. The Babylonian Empire
4. The Medo-Persian Empire
5. The Greek Empire

John is also told that one presently exists under her spell, which was

6. The Roman Empire

John is then told that the remaining Head, the seventh one, is still in the future and when he arrives, his rule will be brief. 

"Five fall, one is, the other came not as yet; and whenever he may be coming, he must remain briefly."

I believe that this is referring to

7. The revival of the Imperial Roman Empire under Constantine as a Christian Empire

This form of the Empire didn't last very long, especially in the west, and it was Constantine who transferred the seat of the Empire to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople. Yet it eventually became the eighth Empire in the form of the Holy Roman Empire of Christendom (both East and West), which is the second Beast of Revelation 13, the two-horned lamb that spoke as a dragon.

"And the wild beast which was, and is not, it also is the eighth, and is from among the seven, and is going away into destruction." 

 

(Revelation 17:11)

This Antichrist Beast is also Secret Babylon! But before we consider her doom, there is something else that needs to be unveiled - the end-time identity of this great city known as Secret Babylon the Great.

The True Identity of Secret Babylon Revealed

    Not only does Babylon represent a system and a spirit, the world system and the religious spirit of the world, but it is also a very real, literal city that will be the capital of the final world Empire. As we have seen above, this city is a seven-hilled city, or more accurately, a city situated on seven Mounts. There are a number of seven-hilled cities, two of which have been mentioned above - Rome and Constantinople. Yet there is, in fact, another city that is situated on seven Mounts - Jerusalem! This would have been readily known in the First Century AD. This fact is mentioned in some Jewish sources, but only old maps showing Jerusalem before its destruction in 70 AD reveal the seven Mounts. These Mounts may not be that obvious today so they are therefore hidden in some respects, but nevertheless they are there. 

They are 

1) Mount Gared or Gareb (Jeremiah 31:39); 

2) Mount Goath (Jeremiah 31:39); 

3) Mount Acra; 

4) Mount Bezetha; 

5) Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1); 

6) Mount Ophel (2 Chronicles 33:14); and 

7) Mount Zion (Psalm 125:1-2). 

    The two mountains that do not appear in Scripture are mentioned in the Jewish Encyclopedia. Instead of these two, some include the Mount of Olives and the Mount of Offence, but technically the Old City is not situated on these two eastern mounts. Having said that, the Miphkad Altar (used for the sacrifice of the red heifer) was located on the Mount of Olives, and was therefore considered holy, as belonging to the temple. So these mounts could be included. But that's not all. We don't have to look outside the Scriptures to arrive at this conclusion about Jerusalem, as the internal evidence within Scripture reveals the answer.

    In Revelation 11, we are introduced to the earthly city of Jerusalem as it is at the present time. As we learned earlier, at present she is in slavery with her children. Only Christ can set her people free. The identity of this great city is then confirmed in relation to the martyrdom of the Two Witnesses, who represent the Body of Christ Overcomers.

'And their corpses will be at the square of the great city which, spiritually, is being called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord, also, was crucified. '

(Revelation 11:8)

    I firmly believe that the Lord Jesus was crucified on one of the main hills connected to Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives (see The Holy Hill, the Mount of Olives). Notice two things of significance here; 

1) it is called the great city, and 

2) spiritually, this city is called Sodom and Egypt! 

    As was mentioned earlier, the prophet Ezekiel was given an allegory of Israel where both Samaria (capital of Israel) and Jerusalem (capital of Judah) are figured as prostitutes. The descriptions given in Ezekiel chapters 16 and 23 are very explicit. It states that her prostitution began in Egypt and continued with Assyria and Babylon. It also says that Sodom also was a sister of Jerusalem because the city had become full of wickedness and spiritual adultery.

    And now it is confirmed in Revelation that this great city of Jerusalem is spiritually Sodom, Egypt and Babylon itself! No wonder John marveled at the sight! God's chosen city, the Holy City, is to become Babylon!

    Sadly, Jerusalem and the religious leaders of the Jews rejected Jesus and the Apostles, causing great persecution and affliction for believers. They were the first persecutors of Christians, even before Rome began to introduce its official policies of persecution. As much as Jesus loves the Jewish people and Jerusalem, He nevertheless has spoken out some very severe words of judgment and truth concerning them.

    In Revelation 2:9b-10 & 3:9, Christ refers to these religious Jews as a synagogue of Satan.

"I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer....I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you." (NIV)

    In the same way, the harlot church of Secret Babylon could be called 'a church of Satan.' Also, in Revelation 2:20-24, Christ refers to Christendom as the false prophetess and harlot, Jezebel. It's no wonder that the wrath of God is upon Secret Babylon.

    Jesus stated that Jerusalem shall be trodden by the nations until the Times of the Nations are complete.

'And Jerusalem shall be trodden by the nations, until the eras of the nations may be fulfilled.' 

(Luke 21:24b)

    The 'times of the nations' will be complete at the end of this age, when Christ returns in the Day of the Lord - and Jerusalem, and the whole world, shall be judged.

'And a great earthquake occurred, such as did not occur since mankind came to be on the earth; of such proportions was the quake and so great. And the great city came to be divided into three parts; and the cities of the nations fall.' 

(Revelation 16:18-19)

"And there shall be signs in the sun and the moon and the constellations, and on the earth pressure of nations in perplexity, at the resounding of the sea and the shaking, at the chilling of men from fear and apprehensiveness of that which is coming on the inhabited earth..." 

(Luke 21:25-26)

"And I perceived, when It opens the sixth seal, and a great cataclysm occurred, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fall on the earth as a fig tree is casting its shriveled figs, quaking under a great wind. And heaven recoils as a scroll rolling up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, and the magnates, and the captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every slave and freeman, hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. And they are saying to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is sitting on the throne, and from the indignation of the Lambkin, for the great day of Their indignation came, and who is able to stand?" 

(Revelation 6:12-17)

    This is the Day of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Day of His Indignation, in which He returns to this earth in power and glory. The Body of Christ, the true Church, will be supernaturally snatched away into the air to join Christ and the armies of heaven before He pours out His wrath upon the earth. At this time, the great city of Jerusalem shall be judged, while all the cities of the nations throughout the world shall fall, including rebuilt Babylon, Rome and all the rest.

    Now we are also told in the same verse of Revelation 16 that Babylon the Great receives the indignation of God at this time.

"And Babylon the Great is brought to remembrance in the sight of God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fury of His indignation." 

(Revelation 16:19b)

    This is the link to the true identity of Babylon the Great, which is fully described in the next two chapters of Revelation 17 and 18, which we are presently considering.

    Now notice the phrase that is used to describe this city - the Great City. 

"And the woman whom you perceived is the great city which has a kingdom over the kings of the earth." 

(Revelation 17:18; also 18:10, 16, 18-19 and 21)

    No wonder John marveled at the sight of this woman, Secret Babylon! Jerusalem (Peace), the very city that is supposed to bring peace and blessing to the world, that which is supposed to be filled with light, love and righteousness, is, in fact, Babylon (Confusion), the antithesis of God's kingdom!

    Now I am aware that these things concerning Babylon the Great can also be applied to the city of Rome, the capital of the ancient Roman Empire, which ultimately was sacked, burned and destroyed by a number of barbarian invasions until the Western Empire was no more. These things are also being prophesied in these texts. And they can also be applied to the ultimate judgment of the Vatican, the Rome of Christendom. Yet there is clearly another valid application concerning Jerusalem - and ultimately the whole world system itself, no matter what the city, as Babylon the Great also represents the whole world system, whether in Rome, Brussels, Paris, London, New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Sydney or Moscow.

    Anyhow, evidently, Jerusalem shall become an international city where Jews, Christians and Muslims shall worship. It will become very rich and powerful and will eventually become the capital of the world. Even apostate Christendom shall have its headquarters in Jerusalem, in league with apostate Judaism! Even now, the European Christian satellite television channels of God TV are based in Jerusalem, generally pumping out the false 'health and wealth gospel' around the globe. Numerous other Christian ministries are based in Jerusalem allied with modern Judaism. Not all of these ministries are necessarily teaching complete error, but most are being seduced by Secret Babylon. They may be preaching the Name of Christ, but the Spirit of the true Father of ALL is nothing like the hellish God of Christendom. 

    Modern Christianity, particularly the 'Charismatic' brand, is obsessed with money and riches, positive thinking and motivational speaking, emotionalism and religious entertainment. It is a huge business machine. It is enamored with so-called 'miracles and healing' which are usually performed by showmen who are no different from the psychics and magicians of the world. It teaches that the Church is going to take over the world for Christ and assume her place of wealth and power which is her God-given right!

    Somehow this new Christendom shall merge with Judaism and a liberalised Islam, as well as other religions, to form a world religion that worships a false Messiah and a false Prophet. The deception of Satan will be immense through the manifestation of false signs and miracles that will seduce the whole world into believing the lie. Yet Paul reveals that a strong delusion or operation of deception will be sent by God Himself!

"And therefore God will be sending them an operation of deception, for them to believe the falsehood, that all may be judged who do not believe the truth, but delight in injustice." 

(2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

    The first warning that Jesus gave to His disciples when they asked about the end of the age and His return was,

"Beware that no one is deceiving you. For many shall be coming in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ!' and shall be deceiving many." 

(Matthew 24:4-5)

    Powerful deception is the trend of this age and the secret power of lawlessness continues to grow. Yet it will grow even stronger.

For false christs and false prophets shall be roused, and they shall be giving great signs and miracles, so as to deceive, if possible, even the chosen. Lo! I have declared it to you beforehand." 

(Matthew 24:24-25)

   If Revelation 20 is viewed as a symbolic picture of the present era of the Church, represented by those who belong to the First Resurrection, and who rule with Christ as a royal priesthood in a mystical period of 1000 years (a present Lord's Day), then it can be seen that there is a period of great deception towards the end of this age, as Satan is released to deceive the nations of the earth via the Babylonian mysteries of the occult. The mention of Gog and Magog seems to imply that an immense spiritual battle will take place which involves Islam and other religions surrounding the true people of God (cf. Ezekiel 38-39). But ultimately the fire of God will fall from heaven upon His enemies - to revive, cleanse and destroy - and to give victory to the spiritual Israel of God, the true Church.

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

(Revelation 20:7-9 NIV)

 In relation to Secret Babylon, God's cry is "Get out, and don't be a part of her!"

"Come out of her, My people, lest you should be joint participants in her sins, and lest you should be getting of her calamities, for her sins were piled up to heaven, and God remembers her injuries." 

(Revelation 18:4)

   As we shall now see, this great wicked city shall be destroyed, never to return again in this state of wickedness. The city will be replaced by a New Jerusalem after the return of its rightful King, with inhabitants that belong to a New Humanity.

 

The Great Treachery and Babylon's Doom

Revelation Chapter 17:12-17

 

"And the ten horns which you perceived are ten kings who obtained no kingdom as yet, but are obtaining authority as kings one hour with the wild beast. These have one opinion, and they are giving their power and authority to the wild beast. These will be battling with the Lambkin, and the Lambkin will be conquering them, seeing that It is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with It are called and chosen and faithful."

And he is saying to me, "These waters which you perceived, where the prostitute is sitting, are peoples and throngs and nations and languages. And the ten horns which you perceived, and the wild beast, these will be hating the prostitute, and they will be making her desolate and naked, and they will be eating her flesh, and they will be burning her up with fire, for God imparts to their hearts to form His opinion, and to form one opinion, and to give their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God shall be accomplished."

This portion of Revelation 17 is admittedly a difficult one to interpret, but here's how I see it. I believe that it is primarily prophesying the historical downfall of the Holy Roman Empire of Christendom. 

Briefly stated, the Beast of the Roman Empire continues in its ten-fold divisions of kingdoms and empires of both East and West. This is stated in Daniel 2 and 7. Throughout the Middle Ages, for over a thousand years, the Beast and its kingdoms rode the power of the Holy Roman Empire, yet all the while taking their stand against the true Lord and King, the Lamb of God, Jesus the Messiah, and His followers. Eventually the nations and kingdoms of the world began to hate the whore of Christendom, particularly as represented by Papal Rome, and from the 16th century onwards, the whore of Christendom gradually lost her power, becoming just a shadow of her former self. The Holy Roman Empire received its fatal blow during the French Revolution and the wars of Europe under Napoleon in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Be that as it may, I also believe that there is a further fulfillment of these things concerning Jerusalem, Rome and the whole of Secret Babylon. Ultimately, the kingdoms of this world often use religion to gain power and to influence their subjects, yet they will eventually turn against the one whom they have so used and abused and will seek to destroy her. This will ultimately happen with Jerusalem, because God will judge her in accordance with her acts, and He will use the nations of the world to accomplish His purpose.

Revelation Chapter 18:1-3

After these things I perceived another messenger descending out of heaven, having great authority. And the earth is illuminated by his glory.
And he cries with a strong voice, saying, "It falls! It falls! Babylon the Great! And it became the dwelling place of demons and the jail of every unclean spirit and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, for, as a result of the wine of the fury of her prostitution have all the nations fallen. And the kings of the earth commit prostitution with her, and the merchants of the earth are rich as a result of her power to indulge."

Another messenger appears to John and begins to describe the final doom of Secret Babylon, who has caused the nations to fall because of her wickedness. As with all the previous Empires of the world, religion goes hand in hand with business and commerce, and the 'power to indulge.' Every aspect of the world system under Satan's control is described in the following verses, from music and entertainment, to all manner of sin and slavery. Without the life-giving cleansing power of God's Spirit, all of these things, no matter how good they appear to be, become corrupt.

The selfish indulgence and greed of modern living, and the love of money, is clearly evident here, and the Church is also saturated in these things. All followers of God and His Son are commanded to come out of her and not participate in her sins, as the calamities are about to fall. No one can serve two masters, both God and money (or Mammon - Matthew 6:24); both God and the world system (1 John 2:15-17). When this judgment on Babylon arrives, there will not be any middle ground. The cry is heard, "Get out - NOW!"  

Revelation 18:4-24

'And I hear another voice out of heaven, saying, "Come out of her, My people, lest you should be joint participants in her sins, and lest you should be getting of her calamities, for her sins were piled up to heaven, and God remembers her injuries. Pay her as she also pays, and double the doubles, in accord with her acts. In her cup in which she blends, blend double for her. As much as she glorifies herself and indulges, so much torment and mourning be giving her, for she is saying in her heart, 'I am sitting a queen, and am no widow, and mourning I may by no means see.'

Therefore in one day shall her calamities be arriving: death and mourning and famine. And she shall be burned up with fire, for strong is the Lord God Who judges her. And the kings of the earth, who commit prostitution and indulge with her, will be lamenting and grieving over her whenever they may be observing the smoke of her conflagration, standing afar off because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe! Woe! that great city! Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour your judging came.'

And the merchants of the earth are lamenting and mourning over her, for no one is buying their cargo any longer: a cargo of gold, and of silver, and of precious stones, and of pearls; and of cambric, and of purple, and of silk, and of scarlet; including also every kind of citron wood; and every ivory utensil, and every utensil of most valuable wood and of copper and of iron and of marble; including also cinnamon, and ginger, and incenses, and attar, and frankincense; and wine, and oil, and flour, and grain; and beasts, and sheep, and made up of horses, and of coaches, and of bodies, including also human souls.

'And the fruition of your yearning soul passed away from you, and all that is sumptuous and splendid perished from you, and they will be finding them no longer under any circumstances.' The merchants of these things, who are rich through her, will be standing afar off because of the fear of her torment, lamenting and mourning, saying, 'Woe! woe! the great city clothed in cambric and purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold and precious stones, and pearl, for in one hour was desolated so much riches!' And every navigator, and every one who is sailing at the place, and mariners and whoever are working on the sea, stand afar off, and, observing the smoke of her conflagration, they cried, saying, 'Is there any like this great city?' And they cast soil on their heads, and cried, lamenting and mourning, saying, 'Woe! Woe! the great city, by which all who have ships on the sea are rich as a result of its preciousness, for in one hour it was desolated!'  

 

Make merry over her, O heaven, and ye saints and apostles and prophets, seeing that God judges by passing your sentence upon her." And one strong messenger lifts a stone, as large as a millstone, and casts it into the sea, saying that "Thus Babylon, the great city, will be hurled down, and nevermore be found in it. And the sound of lyre singers and entertainers, and of flutists and trumpeters should be heard in you nevermore; and every artificer of every trade may be found in you nevermore; and the sound of a millstone should be heard in you nevermore; and the light of a lamp may be appearing in you nevermore; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride should be heard in you nevermore; for your merchants were the magnates of the earth, for by your enchantment all nations were deceived." And in it the blood of prophets and of saints was found, and of all of those slain upon the earth.'

Secret Babylon the Great, the great city of Jerusalem, is going to be judged. All the cities of the nations shall also fall and every aspect of the Satanic world system, personified as Babylon the Great, will be destroyed (Revelation 16:18-19). This wicked generation of the era of the end shall receive the judgment for all of the wickedness of the past Empires, including the sins of every religion and government, which shall then be ripe for judgment.  

9/11

 On the eleventh of September 2001, the world had an horrific preview of the fall of Babylon, when the World Trade Centre towers in New York were destroyed in one day. The whole world stood afar off watching in disbelief at the smoke of her destruction. This was clearly a sign of great magnitude, even though human hatred and religious fanaticism had caused it.

 There are many who argue that this attack was deserved, due to the arrogance and double-minded hypocrisy of the USA in its dealings with the Middle East. Dare it be said, there is an element of truth in this view, but this charge could also be aimed at many countries of the world. Yet it is true that the US has a lot to answer for as the most powerful nation on the earth today. But then on the other hand, we need to remember that America has assisted many nations in aid and military protection, and just as the Roman Empire had some good points, so does the US. Nevertheless, at it's heart it is a Beast, as all Empires are.

     It is also a sad fact that American Christianity, with its fanaticism, sensationalism, commercialism and money grabbing TV Evangelists, is very easy to condemn, but then so is the religion of Islam with its violent and oppressive doctrines and regimes. Yet America is very open to spiritual things and has been one of the leaders in promoting the truth of the Scriptures. There are also many Muslims who are good people seeking to live out a righteous life under 'Allah's' law. The arguments for and against both sides could go on and on.

 But one thing is for sure, 9/11 was a wake up call for many in the West to understand something of the suffering and intense anger of others elsewhere in the world. The democratic nations of the West are still full of wickedness and hypocrisy. It's just that it's well hidden and more deceptive than elsewhere in the world. Be that as it may, this terrorist attack was a frightening and horrific event, and of course this kind of devastation is not usual in the West. Yet, strange as it may seem, I have heard of many lives that have been changed for the better due to this shake up. Good can come out of suffering and evil - that's part of its ultimate paradoxical purpose.

This historical event, as awesome as it was horrific, was amazingly captured on film for all the world to witness. It is entitled '9/11' and it was broadcast on the BBC in 2002. This film was not a coincidence! God's hand was all over it! Two French brothers, Jules and Gedeon Naudet, who are documentary film makers, were making a film about a rookie fireman stationed at Engine 7 Ladder 1, one of the oldest fire houses in New York. They had been following this group for months and they were still waiting for the Big Fire for them to film. On the morning of September 11th, they 'happened' to be called out to a routine gas check on the streets, and while Gedeon (I think) was filming this, the first plane struck the first tower. They were in the ideal location to witness this incredible and fearful sight - though they could have been anywhere else, and maybe not even filming.

Amazingly, later his brother 'happened' to be filming the unfolding events on the streets, not far from the fire house, when he witnessed the second plane hit the second tower. On top of this, Gedeon accompanied Engine 7 to the first tower to assist in the rescue operation, and while he was still filming, while they were still in the lobby, the tower collapsed! Miraculously, he survived and continued filming! At this time, the fire service chaplain died. His name was Father Michael Judge, and he became the first recorded death on that day. The collapse of the second tower was also witnessed on film, as well as the aftermath and confusion on the streets. Of course, by this time, many TV networks were catching these things on film.

Now take note of the spiritual signs here. The World Trade Centre represents Babylon, and the Towers represent the Tower of Babel (meaning confusion). The fact that they were called the Twin Towers speaks of the double witness (it's no coincidence either that the second movie of The Lord of The Rings, The Two Towers, was released just over a year later. Many movies are prophetic of these last days). The fire company being filmed was Engine 7 Ladder 1. This speaks of the fullness and completion of God's operations (in the Engine and the number 7) and the way of the One God of Heaven (in the ladder and the number one). God is the ultimate way of rescue from judgment.

The first recorded death is of great significance. Father Michael Judge speaks of God as Father, the One Who is God and is like no other (the meaning of Michael is 'who is like God?') and He is the ultimate Judge of this world system. Even the fact that he was a Christian, a representative of the Roman Church, speaks of judgment beginning from the House of God.

The destruction hit suddenly, without warning, while everyone was going about their usual day to day business, and it came as fire from the heavens. This speaks of the ultimate Day of the Lord, which will occur suddenly, like a thief in the night, in a time of peace and safety, with the world being oblivious of what's coming. There is much more that could be added, like the total collapse of the towers and the smoke of her burning, but this should be sufficient.

But does this mean that those who were killed on that day were greater sinners than any one else? ABSOLUTELY NOT! These words of Jesus speak the truth in matters like these.

 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

(Luke 13:2-5 NIV)

    Be that as it may, it still shakes me up when I think about the events of that day (and other such tragedies) even though I wasn't actually there, and my sensitive spirit is greatly affected by such horrific suffering. This event was a sign of huge magnitude for those who have the eyes to see. It may not be a pleasant subject, but we cannot shy away from it - it is reality. But as tragic as this event was, as is the case with all suffering and death, the world is nevertheless heading for something on a far, far greater scale. I believe it is inevitable, because this world isn't owned by humanity, as many like to think, and due to man's filth and bloodshed, this earth needs to be cleansed and made new.

    Babylon the Great is going to be judged, whether it be Rome or rebuilt Babylon itself, or London or New York or even Jerusalem, which, as we have seen, is presently described as Egypt and Sodom (Revelation 11:8).

And all those who love righteousness and justice will be happy that the great enemy of God and His people, the oppressive, wicked, bloodstained system of the false god of this age, has been destroyed. But only those with spiritual eyes can truly understand that this is a necessary evil. If a virus is not dealt with accordingly, it will corrupt and destroy - and ignoring it will not make it go away. Justice will be done in the world - and it is coming! In the meantime, may we be alert and sober, walking in peace and love, watching for the signs that will herald the Return of the King, that His servants may be ready to receive Him.

 

Scripture quotes are from the Concordant Version unless stated otherwise

 

Copyright © 2003; revised 2007

 

Back to Main Article Links