Babylon of Revelation

Babylon of Revelation

"Babylon" is mentioned in Revelation 6 times and is translated from the Greek word, Βαβυλών (Babylṓn, bab-oo-lone' G897). It is of Hebrew origin (H894 confusion ) => Literally, the capitol of Chaldæa(perhaps at the site of the tower of Babel) or figuratively, in Revelation, as a type of tyranny.(Strong's Concordance, Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

Genesis 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel(H894 בָּבֶל Bâbel, baw-bel'); because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

Revelation 14:8 ¶ And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen[also in Rev18:2], that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

This is the 2nd of the 3 angel's messages, the context being of the last days before Christ comes again, as we see in the 1st angel's message in verse 7: "... Fear God, and give glory to him[Jehovah, the literal Father of Jesus]; for the hour of his judgment is come..."(Rev14:7). More about the God of the 1st angel's message => http://sidnash.org/?1stAC
In prophecy, a woman represents a religion - sometimes Godly; sometimes evil. Since Rev17 identifies Babylon as a woman and we see here that Babylon is fallen, we know that Babylon is a false religious organization(s).

Revelation 16:18-19 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell...

"the great city" was clearly identified as Babylon in Rev14:8, so it must be Babylon["a false religious organization(s)"] that "was divided into three parts". What are those 3 parts? I'm not sure, but here are some theories from Bible historians:
- Paganism(or spiritualism), Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism.
- The number three is used here, as it is throughout Revelation, "in a symbolical way," and that the meaning is, that "the city was severed and broken in pieces, so that the whole was reduced to a ruinous state."
- The number three was also used in verse 13-14, where three unclean spirits of devils "come out of the mouth of the dragon(pagan Rome or satan), ... beast(papal Rome), and ... the false prophet(USA)... working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." - Armageddon(vs 16). Does this relate to Babylon being "divided into three parts"? I'm not sure, but it is interesting to ponder...
- What seems most-likely to me: The " great earthquake", the greatest earth quake ever on the Earth(vs18), which caused "every island" and "the mountains" to disappear(vs 20) also literally broke Babylon in to three pieces.
What I'm quite sure of is that:
- "Babylon" refers to the papacy - the papal Roman system, or perhaps the literal Vatican City in this prophecy since the cities, nations, islands, and the mountains of the same passage seem to be literal.
- Being "divided into three parts" relates to something yet future, and that it may not be possible to determine with precise accuracy what will occur.

Revelation 16:19-21 ... and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent(as much as 75 pounds - 34 KG): and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

In the latter part of verse 19, we see that God remembered just how evil Babylon(the papacy) has been for all of it's existence and is now ready to punish her with "the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath."
From Rev16:18-19, it seems clear to me that Babylon must only refer to the papacy. Yes, she does have harlot daughters who act like their mother "church" and she does have strong ties to paganism, but the "great city" of Babylon seems to "the great whore "( Rev17:1 ) - the papacy and her home - the Vatican City.

Revelation 17:1-3,5 ... I(one of the angels of Rev16) will shew you(John) the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters. 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy(vilification - evil speaking against God) having seven heads and ten horns... 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT(also in Rev18:2 ), THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Notice in Rev12:3, "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns" as pagan Rome. Then in Rev13:1, we see a "beast coming up, having seven heads and ten horns" as papal Rome. Then in Rev13:2, we see that "the dragon[pagan Rome] gave him[beast - papal Rome] his power, and his seat, and great authority". Likewise, in Rev17, we see papal Rome(the "great whore") riding on the authority and power of the kings of the Earth.
A study of the entire chapter 17 of Revelation => http://sidnash.org/docs/Rev17.html

Revelation 18:2-3 And he[another angel (vs1)] cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen[also in Rev14:8], 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(Babylon's) 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(Babylon's) luxury.

Revelation 18:9-11 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her[Babylon], 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[(literally or figuratively) If prophetic time, this would be 15 literal days] is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for there is no one left to buy their merchandise.

Regarding "in one hour", could this be applicable? => Isaiah 34:8 "For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion." Could the "in one hour" of Rev18:10 be "the year of recompences" of Is34:8?

Regarding "the merchants of the earth", could this be the "elite" of the world today? Uriah Smith, in his book, "Daniel and the Revelation", offers this understanding: "They who but a short time before had issued a decree that the saints of God should neither buy nor sell, now find themselves put under the same restriction by a far more effectual process"(DaR Rev 18:9-11 .1). "... for no man buyeth their merchandise any more."(Rev18:11)

Revelation 18:21 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.

A study of the entire chapter 18 of Revelation => http://sidnash.org/docs/Rev18.html <NOT yet available...>

This is likely at about the same time that satan goes to jail for 1000 years so he can no-longer tempt "the nations". See => http://sidnash.org/MK/BelovedVSHolyCity.html

Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah (Deut8:3; Matt4:4)

-Sid Nash: 03/07/2025. Latest version: http://sidnash.org/docs/RevBabylon.html