Babylon and the New Testament

Nothing is left of the once great Babylonian Empire. Today it remains a desolate land. It stands as a reminder of God’s wrath. Many Bible Scholars say that Babylon will return. The book of Revelations makes several references about Babylon.

In the days of the seven year tribulation, the Anti-Christ and Satan will become one. The Anti- Christ will become ruler of the entire world. Some believe that he will rebuild the city of Babylon, and it will serve as the world’s capital. Others believe that Babylon is a generic term, referring to the one world government. A few Scholars claim that the United States is the Economical Babylon, and Russia is the Military Babylon. Which of these theories are correct? Only God knows. All we know is that when God pours out his judgment upon the world, Babylon is named.

One set of God’s wrath is known as the seven vials (bowels). Before the vials are poured out, God sends three messengers to warn the world. The second messenger refers to Babylon. "And there followed another angel saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’(Revelation 14:8 KJV)
After the seventh vial has been poured out, Babylon is mentioned again. "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 KJV) These prophecies deal with the political powers of the future Babylon. Afterwards God destroys the religious realm of Babylon.

After God pours out the seven vials upon the earth, he will destroy the Great Harlot. Who is this Great Harlot mentioned in Revelation? This is a question that Bible Scholars have debated for centuries. The Great Harlot is the one world church headed by the False Prophet. In Revelation 17:4 (KJV), the Apostle John saw the Harlot in a vision. "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication."

Revelation 17:5 (KJV), states what John saw written on her forehead, "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Verse 6 states, "And I saw the women drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." After the flood, a man by the name of Nimrod rose to power, and founded Babel. Nimrod also led to the construction of the tower of Babel. It was to be a symbol of his power, and to his religion. God stopped the tower, and scattered the people. If God had not stepped in, Satan would have built a one-world government with a universal religion. But during the seven-year tribulation, God will not stop Satan. The Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet will rise to power, and many will follow. By showing their allegiance, they will take the mark of the beast. Those who have accept Christ at this time, will refuse the mark, and some will be beheaded. In verse 6, the Harlot takes pleasure in seeing Christians die. The Babylon that Satan attempted to built in Genesis, will come to pass during the Tribulation.

In Revelation 17:8, An angel tells John about the mystery of the Harlot. He says that she is carried by the Beast. The Angel goes on to tell that those who follow the Beast will be thrown into the bottomless pit.

After this an angel will proclaim in Revelation 18:2 (KJV) "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."

Christ will return, and will rule for one thousand years. Satan will be unleashed, and will attempt to recapture the world. At the battle of Gog and Magog, he will face his final defeat. Babylon will never again raise his ugly head.