Babylon in the Apocalypse - Pr. Mendoza › uploads › 7 › 3 › 2 › 2 › 73220941 › babylon_in_… · “great city“ or the “strong city,“ i.e., Babylon. According

Babylon in the Apocalypse

Ekkehardt Mueller, Th.D., D.Min.


I. Terms that Apply to Babylon

II. Characteristics of Babylon

III. Babylon Identified

IV. Babylon’s Relationship to God’s Church

V. Adventist Interpretations of Babylon

Terms that Apply to Babylon

Terms that Apply to Babylon

• Babylon (14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21)

• Euphrates (9:14; 16:12)

• The Great City (11:8; 16:19; 17:18; 18:10,

16,19,21)

• The Harlot (17:1,5,15,16;19:2)

Babylon

• Babylon in the Old Testament

• Babylon in the New Testament (1Pet

5:13)

• Babylon in Revelation

1. According to Gen 10:8-10 Nimrod is the founder

of Babel or Babylon.

2. From the beginning the city is a symbol of

unbelief, apostasy, and rebellion against God.

Here the famous tower of Babel was built (Gen

11:4).

3. In this chaper the name is understood as

“confusion“ (Gen 11:9).

Babylon in the Old Testament

4. However, the Babylonians interpreted the name

as the “gate of the gods.“

5. There was an old Babylonian Empire as well as

the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The OT reports

primarily about the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

6. Nabopolassar was the founder of this empire. It

flowered under his son Nebuchadnezzar.


7. The city was so magnificent that Nebuchadnezzar

become proud and consequently insane for

seven years until he recognized God as the real

Lord and King (Dan 4).

8. Nebuchadnezzar repeatedly conquered

Jerusalem, deported the Jews to Babylon, and

destroyed the temple in Jerusalem (605, 597, 586

B.C.).

9. Under Belshazzar the kingdom fell into the hands

of the Medes and Persians (539 B.C.). They

allowed the Jews to return to Palestine.


10. According to Isa 14 Satan was the invisible King

of Babylon. Isaiah predicted the destruction of

Babylon and mentioned that it should remain

uninhabited (Isa 13:17-22).

11. After the Babylonians the Medes and Persians

reigned in Babylon, followed by Alexander the

Great. After him the city slowly decayed. At the

time of John it was already in ruins. Isaiah‘s

prediction had been fulfilled.


1. Already toward the end of the first century A.D.

Babylon represents Rome. Peter sends

greetings from Babylon (1Pet 5:13), which has

became a code name for Rome.

2. Revelation uses the characteristics of the old

Babylon to describe a symbolic endtime

Babylon. These characteristics are rebellion

against God, false religiosity/spirituality,

persecution of the people of God, etc.

Babylon in the New Testament

Babylon ist a symbolic and an endtime entity. The term

“Babylon” is found six times in Revelation, the first

time in Rev 14:8. There the fall of Babylon is

announced. The judgment on Babylon appears under

the sixth and seventh plagues. Rev 17 and 18 are more

detailed descriptions of these plagues. The message of

Babylon‘s fall (Rev 14:8) is repeated literally in Rev

18:2.

Rev 14:8 and 18:2:

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, . . .”

The Term Babylon

Babylon as City

Apart from the holy and beloved city, the new

Jerusalem/the church, Revelation knows of the

“great city“ or the “strong city,“ i.e., Babylon.

According to Rev 16:19 the great city is Babylon:

Rev 16:19

A The great city split into three parts,

B and the cities of the nations fell.

A' And Babylon the great was

remembered in the sight of God.

In addition to the phrase “the great city” in Rev 14:8;

17:5; and 18:2 a shortened form is found: "Babylon the

great.” Thus in Revelation Babylon is always

connected to the adjective “great”:

14:8 - Babylon the great

16:19 - Babylon, the great city





Babylon as City

Babylon as Harlot

Revelation knows different women figures but

only one prominent harlot (17:1,15,16; 19:2). She

is at the same time the mother of the harlots

(17:5). Jezebel is not directly called “harlot” /

“prostitute” but she lead others to prostitution

(2:20). The prostitute Babylon is also the “great”

harlot:

17:1 The great harlot

17:15 The harlot

17:16 The harlot

19:2 The great harlot

Two positive figures are contrasted with two

negative ones:

(1) Jezebel (Rev 2:20-23)

(2) The church(Rev 12)

(3) The harlot (Rev 17-18)

(4) The bride/wife of the Lamb (Rev 19:7;

21:2,9; 22:17)

The Most Important Women Figures of Revelation

Jezebel and Babylon

As Babylon is involved in fornication, so Jezebel too.

The church in Thyatira tolerates symbolic Jezebel in her

midst. Therefore, the judgment comes upon her and her

followers. The remnant in Thyatira have nothing to do

with her, just as the endtime remnant is distinct from

Babylon.

The passage may contain a definition of the term

fornication: The followers of Jezebel “have committed

adultery with her” (Rev 2:20,22). The others “do not hold

this teaching” and “have not known the deep things of

Satan” (Rev 2:24).

Jezebel in Rev 2 foreshadows Babylon.

The Woman Clothed with the Sun and Babylon

• Both are most frequently referred to as women.

• In both cases, their clothing is described first.

• Both women are mothers.

• The woman of Rev 12 is threatened by the dragon

who has seven heads and ten horns. On the other

hand, the harlot in 17:3 deliberately sits on a beast

with seven heads and ten horns.

• Both women have a certain connection to the

desert—12:6,14; 17:3.

• The woman of Rev 12 is persecuted, while the

harlot is a persecuting power.

The Woman Clothed with the Sun and Babylon

• Not only is the desert mentioned in connection

with both women, water is referred to as well.

• With both women time elements are specified.

• The woman of Rev 12 is closely connected with

God, the harlot stands in contrast to God.

• The woman of Rev 12 with her crown of 12 stars

alludes to a queen—12:1. The harlot thinks of

herself as a queen—18:7.

The Bride of the Lamb and Babylon

The chaste bride, the wife

of the lamb (21:2, 9).

Her splendor is the glory

of God (21:11-12).

The nations walk by her

light, which is the glory of

God (21:24).

The harlot, with whom the

kings of the earth have

committed fornication (17:2)

Her splendor comes from

exploiting her kingdom

(17:4; 18:12-13, 16).

Babylon corrupts the

nations and deceives them

(17:2; 18:3, 23; 19:2).


The kings of the earth

bring their glory into her

(21:24).

They bring the glory and

honor of the nations into

her (21:26).

Uncleanness, abomination,

and falsehood are

excluded (21:27).

Babylon rules over the

kings of the earth (17:18).

Babylon’s luxury and wealth

is extorted from the nations

(18:12-17).

Babylon’s abomination,

uncleanness, and

deceptions (17:4,5; 18:23).


The water and the tree of

life for the healing of the

nations (21:6; 22:1-2).

Life and healing (22:1-2).

God’s people are called to

enter the new Jerusalem

(22:14).

Babylon’s wine makes the

nations drunk (14:8; 17:2;

18:3).

Bloodshed (17:6; 18:24).

God’s people are called to

come out of Babylon (18:4).

The Euphrates River

• In Rev 9:13-16 the reference to the

Euphrates river and the gathering of an

army describe the immense power of

Babylon—sixth trumpet.

• In Rev 16:12 the Euphrates river dries

up—sixth plague.

Summary Historical section of Rev Rev 9 9:14 The Euphrates river (6th trumpet)

Rev 11 11:8 The Great City (end time perspective of the vision of the trumpets)

Rev 14 14:8 Babylon (end time perspective of the vision of the satanic trinity)

Eschatological section of Rev Rev 16 16:12 The Euphrates river (6th plague)

16:19 The Great City, Babylon (7th plague)

Rev 17 17:1 The Harlot 17:5 Babylon 17:15 The Harlot 17:16 The Harlot 17:18 The Great City Rev 18 18:2 Babylon 18:10 The Great City, Babylon 18:16 The Great City 18:18 The Great City 18:19 The Great City 18:21 Babylon, the Great City Rev 19 19:2 The Harlot

Information on Babylon in Rev 17

• She is involved in sexual immorality with the

kings and the peoples (17:1,2,4).

• She is found in the desert (17:3).

• She is sitting on a scarlet beast (17:3).

• Her clothes consist of purple, scarlet, gold, and

precious stones (17:4).

• Her name is Babylon (17:5,18).

• She is the mother of harlots and of all the

abominations on earth (17:5).

• She is drunk with the blood of the saints (17:6).

• The alliance between Babylon and the political

powers falls apart. The 10 horns and the beast

hate the harlot and kill her (17:15-18).

Angel: Babylon ist fallen (18:1-3)

Heavenly voice (18:4-20)

(1) Call: “Go out” and announcement of

judgment (18:4-8)

(2) Report about the threefold lament over

Babylon through kings, merchants, and

seafarers (18:9-19)

(c) Call: “Rejoice” and statement about

judgment (18:20)

Angel: Babylon will be thrown down (18:21-24)

Summary of Rev 18

The Charcteristics of Babylon

Characteristics of Babylon

1. Universal Influence

2. Wealth and Prosperity

3. Royal Claims

4. Prostitution

5. Deception

6. Blasphemy

7. Demonic Elements

8. Persecution

9. Sins and Iniquity

10. Time of Appearance

11. Fall/Judgment

12. A Religious Power


1. Universal Influence

Babylon sits on many waters (nations and

peoples; 17:1,15). She reigns over the

kings of the earth (17:2,18; 18:3,9-10). The

merchants are dependant on her (18:3,11-

15), as are the seafarers (18:17-19), all

peoples (18:3) and thereby the earth

dwellers (17:2). Therefore, Babylon is

called the great and the strong city (18:10).

Babylon has enormous political power and

worldwide influence.


2. Wealth and Prosperity

Luxury and wealth is attributed to Babylon

(18:3,7,9; 18:19; 18:17). Others became rich

through Babylon (18:3,15,19). In Revelation

wealth (ploutos) is only found with Jesus

(5:12) and Babylon (18:17). However,

Babylons wealth will be destroyed. The

Lamb‘s wealth remains. So Babylon is

opposed to the Lamb. Rev 18 is a kind of

economic criticism.


3. Royal Claims

The harlot considers herself to be a queen

(basilissa; 18,7). She has a royal reign

(basileia) over the kings (basileis) of the

earth (17:18). However, the real King of the

nations is God (15:3), and Jesus is King of

kings (17:14; 19:16). So Babylon claims

divine status and exhibits self-glorification.


4. Prostitution

Fornication (porneia) as the preeminent

characteristic (14:8; 17:1-5; 18:3,9; 19:2) is

to be understood symbolically in most

cases (Rev 2:20,21,24), namely as idolatry.

Kings cannot commit literal fornication with

a city (18:9-10). Rev 17:16 contains an

allusion to Eze 23:29. In Eze 23:35-39

fornication is: (1) to forget and reject God,

(2) to serve idols, (3) to sacrifice children

and shed blood, (4) to defile the sanctuary,

and (5) to profane the Sabbath.


5. Deception

Babylon deceives (18:23), just as do

Jezebel (2:20), the dragon (12:9; 20:3.8.10),

and the false prophet (13:14; 19:20). Here

we have religious deception and the

enforcement of false worship. This

deception would also include false

doctrines and a false gospel.


6. Blasphemy

Babylon sits on a beast with blasphemous

names (17:3). Sitting on this beast the harlot

seems to identify with it. In Revelation,

blasphemy is directed against God (13:6;

16:9,11,21) and possibly against his church

(2:9).


7. Demonic Elements

According to Rev 18:2 Babylon has become

a dwelling place for demons and unclean

spirits. In Rev 18:23 the term pharmakeia is

used describing among other things

sorcery. So Babylon has a demonic-

spiritualistic dimension.


8. Persecution

Babylon turns especially against God‘s

people (17:6). The harlot is drunk with the

blood of the saints and the witnesses of

Jesus. This is repeated in Rev 18:24.

Babylon is the great murderess who even

celebrates her shameful deeds.


9. Sins and Iniquity

Babylon‘s sins reach to heaven, and God

remembers her iniquities (18:5). The

followers of Babylon manifest vices which

obviously are also Babylon‘s vices: murder,

fornication, telling lies, sorcery, idolatry,

cowardice, unbelief etc. (21:8,21; 22:14-15).

The magnitude of the sins requires a

respective punishment which is reported in

Rev 18.


10.Time of Appearance

Revelation notes that in the endtime an

apostate religious power will lead humanity

to false worship. The elements of this

alliance exist longer or shorter, but unite

with each other and oppose the remnant.

The endtime remnant appears after A.D.

1798. From that time onward we can also

count on the formation and power of

Babylon.

11. Fall/Judgment

• In Revelation “fallen” is used in a literal

sense (e.g., 1:17; 6:13) and in a symbolic

sense (2:5).

• OT parallels (e.g., Isa 21:5) point to

judgment but the situation in Rev is

somewhat different.

• The Three-Angels Messages may follow a

chronological sequence.

• Only the Third-Angels Message uses the

future tense.


12. A Religious Power

• Babylon is a prostitute.The term “Babylon“

has religious connotations.

• The OT background does not only point to

such entities as Tyre and Rome but also to

Judah and Israel.

• The contrast with the pure woman and the

bride of the lamb points to a religious

dimension.

• Babylon suffers the death of a priest‘s

daughter caught in sexual immorality (Lev

21:9).


Babylon’s Identity

Babylon Identified

1. Babylon and the Satanic Trinity

2. The Dragon of Rev 12

3. The Sea Beast of Rev 13a

4. The Beast from the Earth of Rev 13b

Babylon and the Satanic Trinity

In the center of Revelation, Babylon is introducted

without further explanation. Obviously, John wants

to make clear that endtime Babylon is the union of

the three beasts of Rev 12 and 13.

With the sixth plague the Euphrates river is

mentioned (16:12). Nevertheless, dragon, sea beast,

and false prophet are enumerated (16:13). With the

seventh plague Babylon is directly named. Under

this seventh plague Babylon splits into three parts

(Off 16:19), obviously its original parts. Babylon is

the satanic trinity.

Babylon Identified

In Rev 12:9 the dragon is also called the old serpent

and is identified as Satan/Devil. This is the symbol

most clearly revealed. He is the first part of the

satanic trinity found in Rev 12-14.

The Dragon

The sea beast is modeled after the beasts of Dan 7.

The reversed order of beasts in Rev 13 indicates that

the sea beast of Rev 13 is identical with the fourth

beast of Dan 7, although it may include elements of

the other beasts.

The Sea Beast

Blasphemy, war against the saints, and the time

span of 42 months (Rev 13:5-7) lasting till A.D.

1798 remind us of the little horn power in Dan

7:20-21,25. There is a problem with the law in Dan

7:25, and there is a problem with the law in Rev

12-14, because the remnant are singled out as the

ones who keep the law of God.

The Sea Beast

The time frame in Dan 7, the connection to the

fourth beast, as well as the little horn’s character

and activities point to the power of apostate

Christianity during the medieval ages and

afterwards, namely the Papacy. The sea beast of

Rev 13 represents the very same power.

The Sea Beast

Within the Apocalypse the sea beast is understood as an imitation, parody, and counterfeit of the Lamb:

(1) The Lamb was slaughtered - One of the heads of the sea (5:6,9,12). beast was slaughtered (13:3).

(2) Jesus has come to life - The sea beast has come to life

(2:8; 1:18). (13:14).

(3) Jesus sits with his Father - The dragon gave the sea beast his

on his throne (2:28; 3:21). throne (13:2).

(4) Jesus has authority (12:10). - The dragon gave his authority to the sea beast (13:4).

(5) Worship is addressed to the - Worship is addressed to the sea

Lamb and God (5:13-14). beast and the dragon (13:4).

The Sea Beast

The beast from the earth starts out as a positive

entity. Its coming from the earth points to the fact

that it is a creation of God. It also resembles a lamb

which is the symbol for Jesus in the Apocalypse.

However, it develops a dragon like attitude and is

an agent of the dragon collaborating with the first

beast. It is called “false prophet” in the rest of

Revelation (16:13; 19:20; 20:10).

The Beast From the Earth

It becomes active after the deadly wound of the

first beast has begun to heal (some time after A.D.

1798). As false prophet its major goal is to deceive

humanity. For the end time Revelation predicts two

anti-divine figures. The two beasts of Rev 13

represent a false Christ and a false prophet, who

claims to be the last spokesperson of God.


The time frame of the vision, the description of the

second beast as well as the change from a positive

to a negative power suggest that the false prophet

stands for the major political power of our days, i.e.,

USA with apostate Protestanism. The enforcement

of universal worship of the first beast and its image

alludes to Dan 3 and from our present perspective is

still future.


The symbolic fire connected to the false prophet

may be a false Pentecost experience.

It may also remind us of the Carmel experience of

Elijah. However, this time fire comes down on the

false altar, that is, not on the side of God‘s people.

Therefore, this experience is extremely deceptive.

God‘s people have to rely on his Word indepent of

feelings and evidence which seems to support

apostate religion.


Babylon’s Relationship to the Church of God

Babylon’s Relationship to God’s Church

1. Babylon and God’s church are clearly

distinct in Revelation.

2. In Rev 18:4 “my people“ is still in

Babylon but is challenged to come out.

The remnant are not called by this term.

Adventist Interpretations of Babylon

Adventist Interpretations of Babylon

1. Papal Rome

2. Papal Rome and Apostate

Protestantism

3. The Adventist Church Is Not Babylon

Conclusion

Adventists are called to tactfully proclaim the full

biblical message which includes the call to come

out of Babylon. However, Adventists do not believe

in denigrating other churches and religions. They

believe that in God’s kingdom true believers of

different faiths are found. They also distinguish

between individual believers and apostate religious

systems. They respect religious liberty and

freedom of conscience. At the same time they

attempt to live in an intimate relationship with the

Lord, try to understand His Word, follow it, and

pass on the Gospel to others.


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Babylon in the Apocalypse - Pr. Mendoza › uploads › 7 › 3 › 2 › 2 › 73220941 › babylon_in_… · “great city“ or the “strong city,“ i.e., Babylon. According