End Times and Current Events

General Category => Revelation Prophecy => Topic started by: Kilika on March 05, 2012, 04:08:20 pm



Title: Revelation 18
Post by: Kilika on March 05, 2012, 04:08:20 pm
There is some debate as to which city is considered "Babylon" in this chapter, as of the time of the writing of Revelation, Babylon was no longer a thriving city, so it must be talkng about another city. Rome? Jerusalem? If we take what is described as chronological, then the event description continues into chapter 19.

Keep in mind that Babylon and the surrounding area was under Persian control for hundreds of years, up to the early 600's when Islam took hold. And who is Persia? Iran.

Personally, my belief is that the city is Jerusalem. And one verse is what confirms it for me as it makes a direct admission there is a "spiritual" that we are to look at...

"And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." Revelation 11:8 (KJB)

also consider...

"And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath." Revelation 16:19 (KJB)

Notice how in that verse our Lord says that Babylon "came in rememberence", which means past tense. The memory was from the past, as the actual city Babylon doesn't exist any more, which is a whole 'nother prophecy fulfillment itself. The main object of the verse is Jerusalem, "the great city".

1   And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 
2   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. 
3   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. 
4   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. 
5   For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 
6   Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 
7   How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 
8   Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her. 
9 ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 
10   Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 
11   And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 
12   The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 
13 and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 
14   And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 
15   The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
16   And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 
17   For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 
18   And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city! 
19   And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 
20   Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 
21 ¶ And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 
22   And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 
23   And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 
24   And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Revelation 18 (KJB)


1   And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 
2   For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great ****, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 
3   And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 
4   And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 
5   And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 
6   And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 
7   Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 
8   And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 
9   And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Revelations 19:1-9 (KJB)


Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Psalm 51:17 on March 05, 2012, 04:22:37 pm
I'm glad you brought this up!

This is just me, but every time I read this passage, it makes me think that Rome(Vatican) gets destroyed BEFORE the 7 year tribulation starts. Pretty much the descriptions seem to be that the entire world is WATCHING it being destroyed so. Otherwise, if God's final judgements were coming down, I doubt if anyone would be noticing(as they're all trying to "survive" themselves).

Also, when you think about the current events going on NOW - the Vatican/RCC system is slowly but surely losing its clout now. Pope Benedict doesn't have the admiration Pope John Paul II had(pretty much, he's been hated, while JP2 to this day is one of the most loved of the world). The child molestation crimes continue to come out. And they're also walking on very dangerous territory now by yoking with Islam(among other pagan religions). They're gonna be in for a big shock one of these days when Islam will stab them in the back.

And for that matter too, I highly doubt Catholicism will be THE OWR(even though they are the ones that are ushering it in).



Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Kilika on March 05, 2012, 04:40:06 pm
Like I said, if chronologically, then the next chapter tells us what happens after these events with "Babylon". The Bride is with the Groom and it's time for the marriage, and then Jesus, "...his name is called the Word of God" returns on a white horse for the big battle of Armageddon.

So it would seem chapter 18 is taking place at the end of the tribulation period, or over a period of time towards the end when Jesus returns to clean up this place.

19   And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 
20   And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 
21   And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 19:19-21 (KJB)


Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Psalm 51:17 on March 05, 2012, 06:20:23 pm
To answer your question in the OP - yes, it will be interesting to see WHO is "Babylon".

This is one area of discussion that gets points of views all over the map, however the discussions tend to be pretty fruitful(unlike the pre vs post rapture debates).

Hard to say - obviously, the end times tribulation will largely focus on Israel. Reports in recent years have said how the Vatican has been coveting East Jeruselum, and have plans to move their throne there et al. So pretty much you can throw out America and Great Britain.(even though there are some arguments that sound convincing)

Again, it's hard to say - the reason why I hate to point to Jeruselum is b/c this is where the anti-NWO crowd goes WAY overboard with spewing anti-semetic propaganda. No, I don't have the John Hagee position, however, bible clearly states Israel's role and the Jewish people there in the end times.

Edit: Maybe scripture calls it MYSTERY Babylon for a reason...b/c it's a MYSTERY, and maybe it's meant to be if we won't find out UNTIL the time comes? Also, another reason why I can't say current Jeruselum is b/c has current Jeruselum made all the nations drunk with the wine of the wrath of her fornication?(at least up until now) I think not, would think this would lean much toward Rome doing so(especially with all their pagan practices they've infiltrated Protestant churches et al with).


Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Mark on March 05, 2012, 07:58:51 pm
To answer your question in the OP - yes, it will be interesting to see WHO is "Babylon".

What do you mean by "who"? are you implying that mystery Babylon is a person?



Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Psalm 51:17 on March 05, 2012, 08:03:08 pm
What do you mean by "who"? are you implying that mystery Babylon is a person?



Meant which NATION - Jeruselum? Rome? America? Or maybe England?

Anyhow, here's another question I've been meaning to ask for awhile(but keep forgetting) - the description of MB in Rev 17-18...are they talking about the nation/entity ONLY in the 7 year trib, or INCLUDING BEFORE the time of the 7 year trib? I know Rev chapters 6 and on has a futuristic view, however, was wondering about 17-18.


Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Mark on March 05, 2012, 08:22:06 pm
Meant which NATION - Jeruselum? Rome? America? Or maybe England?

Anyhow, here's another question I've been meaning to ask for awhile(but keep forgetting) - the description of MB in Rev 17-18...are they talking about the nation/entity ONLY in the 7 year trib, or INCLUDING BEFORE the time of the 7 year trib? I know Rev chapters 6 and on has a futuristic view, however, was wondering about 17-18.

it covers the whole time line of Mystery Babylon.


Title: Re: Revelation 18
Post by: Psalm 51:17 on April 09, 2012, 05:04:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocZ8Gy8DegE&feature=relmfu