The book of Revelation gives more attention to an entity called “Babylon the Great” than to any other single subject, with more than two chapters (17:1–19:4) dedicated to a discussion of this entity. As it is presented in that section, Babylon the Great is clearly the most significant player in the world of the end times. As such, its identification ought to be obvious to anyone living in the end times. However, at present pretribulational dispensationalists are badly divided as to the interpretation of these chapters, and commentators who do not follow a strictly futuristic view of Revelation 4–22 add even more interpretations to the mix. The lack of consensus on the identification of a prophetic entity that ought to be plainly evident indicates that none of the prevailing views does justice to the text of the book of Revelation, resulting in a state of confusion.
This article will argue that Babylon the Great is the United States of America, and that this identification is definitive and excludes all other possibilities. What follows below is a summary of a much longer and more detailed argument regarding the identity of Babylon the Great, available for free download here. This article is part of a commentary I am writing on the book of Revelation. Support for this work is appreciated; visit my Buy me a coffee page to make a donation.
The Unity of Revelation 17 and 18
Traditionally, most (not all) pretribulationist interpreters have differentiated the Babylon the Great of Revelation 17 from the Babylon the Great in Revelation 18, arguing that Revelation 17 speaks of an apostate church symbolically as a prostitute, and that Revelation 18 describes a literal city. However, an analysis of Revelation 17–18 shows that both chapters refer to the same entity, and that this is a political entity, not an apostate church.
First, Revelation 17:18 directly states that the prostitute of Revelation 17 is the great city (more accurately, the great “polis,” or state) of Revelation 18: “And the woman whom you saw is the great state, which has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:18 clearly establishes that the prostitute is a political entity, not a religious one. Babylon the Great is a world hegemon, a superpower that dominates world politics, economics, and culture in the last days.
On the other hand, there is no direct statement of any kind in Revelation 17:1–19:4 to the effect that the prostitute is an apostate church or other ecclesiastical entity, rather than a political entity with ungodly spiritual values and practices. Revelation 17 does not even mention a false religion or system of worship of any kind, such as idolatry and occultism (contrast Rev 9:20) or heretical teaching (contrast Rev 2:14-15). There is a remarkable lack of references to a religion of any kind in Revelation 17:1–19:4. The major argument that Revelation 17 describes a worldwide church is that this is an implication of the term “sexual immorality” and the figure of a prostitute. However, a study of references in Scripture to committing sexual immorality in a figurative sense shows that this figure is used of a nation (Ezek 16:26; Jer 2:20; Mic 1:7) and individuals (Jer 5:7; Matt 12:39), but nowhere in Scripture is a false religion or apostate church said to commit sexual immorality. Likewise, while individuals are sometimes said to figuratively “prostitute themselves” (Exod 34:15-16) or to be “adulterers” (Isa 57:3; Jer 9:2; Heb 12:16; James 4:4), and the figure of a prostitute may be applied to nations or cities, it is never applied to a false church or religion. The prostitute image is used of Jerusalem (Isa 1:21; Ezek 16), of Israel and Judah (Jer 3:1-10; Ezek 23; Hos 2:1-13), of Tyre (Isa 23:15-18), and of Nineveh (Nah 3:4). The latter two uses show that prostitution can refer to commercial intercourse and the transmission of the materialistic value system which accompanies it, as well as to a powerful country that lures other countries to itself and then takes their money.
The main difference between the Revelation 17 and Revelation 18 is this: Revelation 17 portrays Babylon the Great and its fall by means of heavenly signs and symbols, whereas Revelation 18 portrays the impact of Babylon the Great’s fall on the earth in a largely non-symbolic fashion.
The Name “Babylon the Great”
Traditionally pretribulationists have held one of two major views of the identity of the political Babylon the Great, which all acknowledge is described at least in Revelation 18. These are the proposals that Babylon the Great is Rome and that it is old city of Babylon in Iraq. The identification of Babylon the Great as Rome was originally developed by Protestant Reformers who saw the Roman Catholic Church as the primary source of evil in the world; now, its major proponents are critical (liberal) scholars and other preterists who believe that John was describing the politics of his own day, rather than prophesying. If one believes that John was prophesying of an eschatological entity, and that the Roman Catholic Church is not the primary source of evil in the world, then there is virtually no basis whatsoever for the identification of Babylon the Great with Rome; thus, few pretribulational dispensationalists now hold this view. The view that Babylon the Great is the city of Babylon in Iraq is more widely held by pretribulational writers. This view is based almost exclusively on the use of the name “Babylon.” However, the assertion that this name must refer to a rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq falls apart quickly upon analysis.
First, it is striking that in Revelation 17:5, John says the name of the prostitute is a “mystery,” even though he reads it plainly. That verse is best translated, “And on her forehead a name was written, a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth.’ ” Although some translations attempt to alleviate this difficulty by making the word μυστήριον, mystērion (“mystery”) the beginning of the prostitute’s name, this is an extremely improbable interpretation. Babylon the Great is never called “Mystery” elsewhere, as would be expected if this word were part of its name. The only other occurrence of μυστήριον, mystērion in Revelation 17:1–19:4 is in 17:7, in which the angel tells John that he will reveal “the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her.” Thus, it is the woman’s identity that is a mystery; mystery is not part of her character, as if she represents a mystery religion (i.e., a religion with occultic secrets).
If Babylon the Great were a reference to the rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq, its name would be no mystery. Even if it were a reference to Rome, the name would not be especially mysterious, since Rome was the great world power of John’s day, and Peter even refers to Rome as “Babylon” in 1 Peter 5:13. Instead, Revelation 17:5 indicates that the name refers to some future entity whose identity was entirely unknown in AD 96, which was therefore represented symbolically—as with other eschatological entities in the book of Revelation. The characterization of the name “Babylon the Great” as a mystery shows that it is consistent with the literal hermeneutic to understand the name as referring to something other than a rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq.
Virtually all writers refer to Babylon the Great as “Babylon,” which tends to leave the impression that Babylon the Great is the old city of Babylon, rebuilt. However, an examination of the occurrences of this name in Revelation reveals that John never follows this practice. The book of Revelation calls this entity “Babylon the Great,” “the great city, Babylon,” and “Babylon, the great city,” but never “Babylon” absolutely, alone and without modifiers (Rev 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21). Four times, it is simply called “the great city,” without the use of the name “Babylon” (Rev 17:18; 18:16, 18-19). Conversely, in the Old Testament, Babylon is only called “great Babylon” (= “Babylon the Great”) once, in Daniel 4:30, and there in a speech by a pagan king. It is never called “the great city, Babylon,” “Babylon, the great city,” or even “the great city.” If a rebuilt city of Babylon were in view in Revelation, it ought to be called “Babylon” without modifiers at least once, if for no other reason than to make it clear that Babylon the Great is indeed the old city of Babylon, rebuilt. Instead, the consistent use of the descriptive adjective “great” accompanied by the definite article indicates that a different entity is in view in the book of Revelation. Following the biblical terminology, this article always uses “Babylon the Great” for the eschatological entity in Revelation 17:1–19:4.
The primary reason that the book of Revelation calls the prostitute “Babylon the Great” is that she represents an entity that did not exist and was wholly unknown at the time the book was penned. Hence, the Revelator chose to use a metaphor and state that the real name was a mystery (Rev 17:5). Similar naming conventions are used in the Bible for other future entities: Russia is called “Gog,” and many of the modern countries mentioned with it in Ezekiel 38:1-6 are called by other now-defunct names. The antichrist’s ten-nation confederation is represented by the Roman Empire (Dan 2:40-43; 7:23-24). The name of Antiochus IV was not given in his descriptions in Daniel 8 and 11. The name of the antichrist is never given, only the number of his name (Rev 13:18). But even though none of those names is given, there has been and will be no doubt as to the identification of these persons or nations when they come, for the Bible gives identifying information that is far more specific than a name. The name “Babylon the Great” was chosen, rather than some other name, to show that the entity it represents is the pinnacle of the glory, wealth, power, and wickedness of the kingdoms of man.
Babylon the Great Is not Destroyed at the End of the Tribulation Period
It is commonly held that Babylon the Great is destroyed at the end of the tribulation period, either at or just prior to the second coming of Christ, due to the placement of Revelation 17:1–19:4 in the narrative and the mention of Babylon the Great in the description of the seventh bowl (Rev 16:19). If this view is correct, then Babylon the Great would have to stand for the antichrist’s kingdom or base of power, since the antichrist dominates the world economic system throughout the second half of the tribulation period (Rev 13:16-17) and is the most powerful ruler on earth (Rev 13:7). On the other hand, if Babylon the Great is destroyed at any time before the second coming, and especially if it is destroyed before the midpoint of the tribulation period, it could not be identified with the antichrist’s kingdom, since the antichrist remains in power until Armageddon (cf. Rev 13:5-7). Babylon the Great must refer to some other entity that is even more powerful than the antichrist’s kingdom at the start of the tribulation period. The destruction of this entity is therefore necessary to facilitate the antichrist’s rise to power. A number of reasons will be presented in favor of the latter position.
In Revelation 14:8, which is the first verse to mention Babylon the Great in the book of Revelation, an angel proclaims “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great, which has given all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of its sexual immorality.” The two verbs ἔπεσεν ἔπεσεν, epesen epesen (fallen, fallen) are in the aorist tense, which is typically used to indicate past action. Within the narrative context of the book of Revelation, this proclamation is issued at the midpoint of the tribulation period. Even if one does not accept that the book of Revelation is organized chronologically, it should be noted that the sequence of angelic announcements in Revelation 14:6-11 is very specific. The angel who warns against receiving the mark of the beast is said to have “followed” the angel who proclaimed the fall of Babylon the Great in the past (Rev 14:9). The mark of the beast is implemented after the midpoint of the tribulation period, which marks the time of these angelic announcements as the midpoint. Thus, Revelation 14:8 is a clear statement of the fall of Babylon the Great before the midpoint of the tribulation period.
According to Revelation 17:16-17, Babylon the Great is destroyed by the antichrist and the ten kings in the European alliance that comprise his base of power (cf. Dan 2:42; 7:7-8, 24; Rev 13:1). Prior to this time, Babylon the Great has dominated world politics and has controlled the world economy. Since Revelation 13:3-7 presents the antichrist’s kingdom as the dominant world power during the second half of the tribulation period, and Revelation 13:16-17 shows that he controls the world economic system throughout the second half of the tribulation period, Babylon the Great must be destroyed before the midpoint of the tribulation period. Certainly the fact that Babylon the Great is destroyed by the antichrist’s militaries, rather than directly from heaven, argues strongly for its fall occurring before the second advent.
If Babylon the Great is destroyed before the midpoint of the tribulation period, this raises the question of how this momentous event is related to the judgments of the first half the tribulation, namely, the seal judgments and the first six trumpet judgments. While the seal judgments do not directly mention Babylon the Great, there are many textual indications that Babylon the Great is destroyed early in the tribulation period, as a major part of the first four seal judgments. The first seal judgment pictures the antichrist conquering through war (Rev 6:1-2), and it is entirely in accord with Revelation 17 to understand this to signify his destruction of Babylon the Great.
While Babylon the Great is mentioned in the narrative of the seventh bowl judgment (Rev 16:19), that verse does not state that Babylon the Great itself is destroyed with the cities of the nations after the seventh bowl is poured out, but rather that Babylon the Great called to remembrance before God, for the purpose of finishing God’s wrath against her. To use the terminology of the book of Revelation, Babylon the Great caused all the nations to drink of the wrath-bringing wine of her sexual immorality (Rev 14:8; 18:3; cf. 17:2). According to Revelation 16:19, it is exactly this wine that is poured out in the seventh bowl judgment. By judging the nations that drank of Babylon the Great’s cup, God is judging Babylon the Great itself, destroying and condemning all that she has produced.
Revelation 17:1–19:4 is placed between the narrative of the seventh bowl (Rev 16:17-21) and the narrative of the second advent (Rev 19:5-21) because the entire world system created by Babylon the Great will be judged at the second advent. However, Revelation 17:1–19:4 is a topical unit, not a narrative unit. The introduction of Babylon the Great and the description of its fall are dramatically placed just before the final judgment. Yet while the final judgment is universal, the destruction of Babylon the Great is a targeted judgment which occurs at an early stage of the tribulation period.
The Identification of Babylon the Great as the Great World Superpower of the End Times
A study of Revelation 17:1–19:4 shows that Babylon the Great is the world’s great superpower in the end times. The following facts emerge from an analysis of this section of the book of Revelation: (1) Babylon the Great has the largest economy of any entity in the world. It is the center of wealth in the world, and it is responsible for an extended period of global wealth creation in the end times. (2) Babylon the Great has shaped global culture in the end times, in a directly antichristian manner. (3) Babylon the Great has the greatest political power of any entity in the end times. (4) Babylon the Great is considered to have the strongest military in the world of the end times. All of these characteristics uniquely and definitively match the United States of America. For exegetical details, see the larger paper.
Most commentators assume, based on the use of the Greek word πόλις, polis with reference to Babylon the Great, that Babylon the Great is a city, not a large nation-state composed of many cities, towns, and villages. However, “city” is only one possible meaning of word πόλις, polis. The lexicon LSJ gives “country,” “state,” and “community” as other possible meanings, with numerous examples from Classical Greek. In fact, πόλις, polis was the normal word for “state” in extrabiblical Greek, and typically carried political implications. It is hard to think of a better term that the angel could have used to describe the United States than ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη, “the great polis.” The term ἔθνος (nation) generally denotes a racial or ethnic group, and there is no American race. The term βασιλεία (kingdom) encompasses all the domains ruled by a state, not just the state itself—which in the case of Babylon the Great could refer to the entire earth (Rev 17:18). The term βασιλεύς (king) would create confusion as to whether a nation or a its leader is in view, and is not the normal Greek term for a political entity. The term χώρα (country) refers to a tract of land or a district, and does not carry political implications. Thus, there is no better term in the Greek lexicon to describe a modern sovereign state than πόλις, polis.
Babylon the Great is a world hegemon, a country which dominates world politics, economics, and culture in the end times. Further, the text of Revelation indicates that it is a unique entity in the world, ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη the great polis. It uniquely makes all the nations of the world wealthy, reigns over the nations of the world, imposes its culture on all the nations, and leads them in a massive downward spiral of materialistic depravity that culminates in worldwide worship of Satan and the antichrist during the second half of the tribulation period. These are things that can only be done once, and the United States is now doing them. Never before in history has a single country dominated all the other countries of the world and enjoyed such preeminence in comparison to all the others. The United States finds itself in the historically unique position of monopolizing every significant power source in the world—a position it began to occupy since the end of World War II, and which was greatly enhanced by the end of the Cold War.
In summary, the book of Revelation describes Babylon the Great as the dominant superpower in the world of the end times—so dominant, that it actually shapes the culture and economy of the world as it exists at the start of the tribulation period. The nature and scope of Babylon the Great’s dominance is such that only one such entity could ever exist in the history of the world, and there is no doubt that the United States of America is this entity. While some aspects of the prophecy remain to be fulfilled—most notably the prophecies of Babylon the Great’s attempts to put Christians to death worldwide (Rev 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:2)—enough aspects already match so as to leave no doubt as to the fulfillment of the rest.
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TruthOnlyBible 
Steven Anderson, your right on the money, ill buy that, absolutely correct! Your article on the rapture is refreshing too,, its in the “WORD” when the rapture is and its definitely not at the beginning of the tribulation. Thanks for a couple of great articles!
IT IS SO CLEAR, only the blind cannot see ! But the Bible tells us: “They have eyes, but cannot see – and ears, but cannot hear.” Americans, in particular, are so “Hell yeah, USA !” that they are brainwashed against the TRUTH spelled out PLAINLY in the Bible !
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive her plagues;” Revelation 18:4
Could this be the rapture being spoken of?
That is an interesting idea, but I don’t think it quite works. One issue is that this is a command to believers to flee, whereas the rapture is something that God does without any action needed on the part of believers. A second issue is that the warning against participation in her sins seems to imply that Christians should flee before the sins of Babylon the Great reach their full fruition.
His Steven!
How can the below verse relate to the US though?
“And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” (Revelation 18:24)
We weren’t even around at the time of the prophets and haven’t been slaying saints in general.
Thanks in advance!
Hi! This is what I wrote in my commentary:
It is striking that the blood of prophets is found in Babylon the Great, since there have not been genuine prophets active in the church since the first century. There are passages that speak of limited prophetic activity during the tribulation period (Rev 11:3, 10; 16:6), though false prophets seem to be the more common type (Zech 13:2-6). Perhaps the reference to prophets includes pastors and teachers who accurately interpret prophecy and proclaim biblical truth. An alternate suggestion is that Babylon the Great is vicariously responsible for the blood of prophets who were murdered in the past, since Jesus held the scribes and Pharisees guilty of all the murders of all the prophets since Abel, even though they did not physically kill the Old Testament prophets (Luke 11:50-51; cf. Matt 23:35). However, since the blood of prophets was found “in” Babylon the Great, it seems more likely that the reference is to Christian preachers who proclaim prophetic truth.
Although this verse highlights the murder of Christians by Babylon the Great, it is clear from the phrase all who have been slain on the earth that Babylon the Great has killed many non-Christians as well. For example, as of 2022 there have been 60 million babies murdered by abortion in the United States. A country that rejects the Bible and embraces the materialistic worldview of Darwinian evolution will not value human life or treat the human body as sacred. The decades ahead will see many more people killed by the United States, perhaps through forced euthanasia, assisted suicide, legalized drugs, assassinations, and wars, along with pressure placed on other countries to execute or extradite Christians. Recently there has also been increased interest in cannibalism in popular culture. The spiritual and cultural values spread by Babylon the Great through its music, movies, video games, sports, tech companies, and other forms of media are wicked and violent, and lead to murder (cf. Matt 5:21-22; John 8:44; Rom 1:28-29; Rev 9:21). Thus, the “mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth” (Rev 17:5) is held responsible not just for those who have been murdered as a matter of official government policy, but also for the murders and atrocities that she has led other nations to commit. Not only does Babylon the Great bear responsibility for all the blood shed on the earth in the last days, she also shares in the guilt of all the innocent blood shed in the world since the murder of Abel in Genesis 4 (cf. Matt 23:29-36; Luke 11:45-52).
Thanks and maranatha!
Gotta be close given how we were told things would be like at the end (prayerfully 2023)!
Nate
No, 50% of Jews live in the USA. They are to be where? That’s right. Israel. “Come out of her MY PEOPLE”. 🙂 So, probably Jews and any born again descendants of the tribes of Israel…and others.
One problem with this idea is that the New Testament is written to Christians. Non-Christian Jews pay no attention to the book of Revelation.
Maybe the Rapture happens before that. And God is talking to Jews because Jews are not saved and won’t be raptured.
Unsaved Jews don’t care what Revelation 18:4 says, so this admonition only makes sense if addressed to Christian believers. Or, if this verse is addressed to new converts after the rapture, it should be addressed to all new converts, and not just to Jews.
And it was given to the antichrist to make war with saints and overcome them; if the church(saints) are raptured before the tribulation who is the antichrist making war with.
There will be vast numbers of people saved during the first half of the tribulation period.
Okay. So what should Christians of the United States do then as it says to “Come out of her my people”. Should we leave the United States? This greatly concerns me.
In short, yes, I believe that Christians should leave the United States. However, the question as to when to leave will have different answers for different people. At a minimum, Christians should recognize that “unthinkable” events are indeed happening in the world today, and we cannot plan to live freely in the United States for decades to come. Therefore, it is wise to make preparations to go somewhere else. The process of moving overseas is very complex from a legal and logistical perspective, and radical events can happen quickly (e.g., passing a constitutional amendment or even rewriting the Constitution, as the leftists in Chile is currently doing). I don’t recommend Christians to make long-term plans for life and retirement in the United States. I heard today of a pastor in Ukraine who had prepared his congregation for the war; his entire church moved together to a country in Eastern Europe when Russia invaded, and they are currently ministering to other refugees there.
Thank you for a most enlightening explanation. We too got this warning, way back in the late 1990’s and it took a while, but we moved our family to Panama in 2006. It’s worked out well for all of us, but I can understand why so many people would resist taking such a giant leap of faith. However, we feel the situation is much clearer today than way back then, and now it’s only a matter of time. We were living in Canada in 2005, and considered moving to one of our properties in the USA, but God made it very clear than neither of those countries would escape his judgement and wrath. Back then there were way more believers than there are now. If we recall what he did to Israel, who He’d blessed so much, when they turned away from him, we get an idea of what’s coming for the whole of the North American continent, Canada too will suffer the same fate, it’s totally dependent on the USA. God seems to really get upset when nations He’s blessed so much, turn away from him. Right now Canada has 37% believers, the USA still at least 56%, but those numbers have been dropping steadily and fast, so the projections are by 2031 or so, the USA will have risen to the top of the list with the most atheists – other than China (which by virtue of it’s large population and history, we’d expect) After that I’d say we’re all in a whole heap of trouble, but it’s all down to God’s timing, not ours.
Exactly. It doesn’t matter where you live in my opinion. The entire world will be judges not just the USA? That is why it is important to accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior and avoid this. Jesus is the only way. Period. This is in the Bible. It is done no matter where you live. I pray for all. God bless. You all
Hi Jennifer, my husband and I are considering Panama as well. I don’t have Twitter or FB and wondered if there might be another way to contact you and if you might be willing to share your thoughts on Panama? We’ve done some preliminary research but would really welcome personal recommendations. Thank you!
Uhhh first of all I would leave when they start persecution of Christian’s here bc it will happen. If the dems stay in office we are definitely heading in that direction and is the only part of this grave prophesy left.
On the other hand do I really want to stay and have to deal with the Antichrist and be tortured and starve to death bc I don’t get the mark? I think I’d rather be blown away in a quick second with a nuclear bomb. It says one day one hour – pretty quick lights out to me!
Thanks for your comments. My article on the pretribulational rapture can be found here: https://truthonlybible.com/2022/03/29/why-i-believe-in-the-pretribulational-rapture/
Hello, I was wondering how much longer do you think the US has until it gets destroyed. Do we have enough time to even try to move and start over somewhere else??
I believe it will be at least several decades before the U.S. is destroyed. And I believe that Christians will be taken to heaven in the rapture before the U.S. is destroyed. Thus, the point of leaving is for protection from spiritual/moral corruption and persecution.
I beg to differ with you, Steven. The “voice from Heaven” in Revelation 18:4-5 is clearly Jesus, warning His people (Christians) to LEAVE the USA / Mystery Babylon PHYSICALLY. The original text was written in Greek COMMAND tense – Jesus is ORDERING us to LEAVE, or face the consequences (“so that you will NOT receive any of her plagues”), or BURN with her. God gave Lot’s family the same command. Remember the fate of Lot’s wife !
The reason given in the text for the warning to flee is to avoid participation in Babylon the Great’s sins, as that would entail sharing in Babylon the Great’s plagues. The warning against participation in her sins implies that Christians should flee before the sins of Babylon the Great reach their full fruition.
Come out of her my people …. Meaning, stop with the worldly ways!!!
This is the most common view of Revelation 18:4 in the commentaries—that Babylon the Great represents “the world-system that is opposed to God,” and that the call to come out of Babylon the Great is therefore a generic call for separation from sin. However, it is clear from Revelation 17–18 that Babylon the Great is a literal end-time superpower, and not a general symbol for worldliness. Therefore the call to leave Babylon the Great must be a call for a literal physical departure from Babylon the Great.
Just found this today after looking for others with this same thought. The USA seemed to jump out at me as the Babylon of Revelation 17 & 18 a few years back. I have not found all that many who agree with this, but it seemed pretty clear to me. Your explanation goes far beyond my “hunch” and – I believe – is very sound! Thanx for writing this. I was raised in what used to be called “Fundamental Church” background and definitely appreciate what I was taught. However, once I started reading more and more myself, I believe we will be here until Christ’s return at the end of the Tribulation time period – (or death, actually during that time for most of us, probably.) – I also agree it is best to leave the USA but not sure many of us can or will. Unfortunately, that makes me feel like I am responding like Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah – not good! I’m feeling like time is about up!
Thanks! Others have mentioned to me that they don’t agree with the pretribulational rapture, so I published an article explaining why I hold that view. https://truthonlybible.com/2021/08/23/the-imminence-of-the-rapture-does-the-bible-teach-it/
I agree that the true believers will be raptured. I also have always thought that the United States is Mystery Babylon. Almost no one agrees with me on that, but I can’t find a solid argument to make me believe otherwise. I also believe that since the USA is the financial giant of the world, it will be destroyed before the Anti-Christ goes into power.
How about Jonah and Noah?
I recently heard God’s calling again after years of drifting away from him,I believe this was a sign that his coming is near. I gave up drinking,partying,and hanging around friends that would pull me away from God. I hope I can stay on this road because I really feel my eternal soul is at stake.I used to think America was blessed because it was founded by Christians,and most of the constitution was taken from the Bible,but I no longer believe this. There is so much sin happening in our once great country. We have become indifferent and turned a blind eye to this instead of standing against it,in fear of ridicule or angering someone.Add to that Putin’s recent nuclear threats,which would leave you to believe he is confident in his ability to wage and win a war against us. I’ve been reading about our ability to defend against a nuclear strike from Russia and it’s not good. We would really have no defense if they sent multiple nukes at us. I pray that all of us aren’t here when it happens,that we are taken in the Rapture to spend 1,000 years of peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless us all.
Just remember brother Darrell The Lord Jesus Christ knew you before the foundation of the world and know one will pluck you from His hands,not even you.
As of right now America is not a super power we have not even been a country for years. The un is the super power who controls the United States corporation. The world military power could be Russia or China. But thanks for sharing this study really helps with some insight.
Okay, I understand that some Americans hold this view, but it is disconnected from political reality. Other countries in the world, certainly, would not say that the U.S. is not a superpower, or that it is controlled by the UN.
I read your article and would agree with you on some things but what’s your take on the statue of liberty? Shes considered to portray Ishtar, plus the UN headquarters in the US is located in Manhattan. I understand you believe mystery babylon to be the United States but the UN and the world economic forum play a huge role in politics and economics. Our current administration is on board with whatever they say. Not to mention the US world economic forum is located in California another hot spot for abomination. Just a thought.
I don’t know if the artist who made the Statue of Liberty intended some pagan significance, but I wouldn’t base my identification of Babylon the Great on that. Also, I don’t believe there is a “mystery Babylon” that is different than Babylon the Great, as some commentators say; when the angel says that Babylon the Great is a “mystery,” that means that she is an entity that was unknown in John’s day (not Rome or Babylon in Iraq). As for the UN, I think it is more a tool used by the U.S. to project influence in the world than vice versa. But I don’t believe that the UN will ever control the world; both the U.S. government and the antichrist’s kingdom will be entities separate from the UN.
What currency are all the transactions of the world made in? The yen or euros?? No it is made with the US dollar. All oil- absolutely all oil transactions in the world are made with the US dollar and only the US dollar. Yes all countries are subject to the USdollar and major transactions cannot be made without the dollar. No countries can buy oil without the US dollar- that is huge! That’s why countries buy our bonds so they can have US dollars in there vaults not the yen or euros. The US dollar took the place of gold when we went off the gold standard. This is why the US dominates and thus explaining the economic aspect of these two chapters!
Those are some pretty foundless claims you make.
if Russia is any indications of a real superpower base on the events of the last 9 month then we have miss it and as for China they are at least 30yrs away from being a legitimate superpower.
Would you recommend citizens (well subjects) of the UK leave too? It is bound to the US in many ways. Would it be subject to the same judgement? In many ways, the USA is the British Empire’s successor state in global affairs.
You pose a good question. In terms of the prophetic future of the UK, it most likely will be one of the ten component parts of the antichrist’s kingdom (Dan 7:7-8, 24; Rev 13:1; 17:3, 12-13), which will destroy Babylon the Great early in the tribulation period (Rev 17:16-17). Clearly some sort of serious rift will develop between the U.S. and Europe.
While three of the ten governments of the antichrist’s confederation will attempt to block the coup in which he seizes dictatorial power (Dan 7:8, 24), it seems that all ten governments would have to be bereft of Christian values in order to support the antichrist’s initial rise to power (prior to his demand for full dictatorial powers).
If the UK is part of the antichrist’s kingdom, then it is likely that the spiritual darkness in the UK will continue to increase. I don’t see any specific command in Scripture to leave the UK, but it may be a prudent thing to do if the religious freedom of Bible-believing Christians is being lost. Certainly the UK is following the US in the LGBTQ+ agenda, which is driving persecution of Christians.
So, yes, if I lived in the UK I would be looking at my options for moving to a “neutral” or conservative country.
Many claim the Rapture is close, but they also claim Rome or ancient Babylon or even large cities in Saudi Arabi will be Babylon The Great. But they fail to realize that it would take many years for any other place to build up into what America is today. And that would require a great resource to fuel such a rise. Such a place will not magically pop into existence in order to fulfill prophecy.
And another thing, if they rose to such power, they would be simply retracing what America has already done. In fact, they would have little left to do. They could not have a long history of being the greatest world super power unless they rose and lasted for a century. And then the Rapture could not be close.
America has been influencing cultures around the world for a century with it’s books, radio, TV, movies, music. America has spread idolatry around the earth with it’s many celebrities and fictional characters. America has created social media where people became worshippers of themselves and built altars about themselves. America has caused slavery around the world with it’s corporate sweatshops. America has spread pornography around the earth. America created industries that are devoted to tempting people with sin. America has promoted around the world, lifestyles of money worshiping, adultery and drug use. America spread the idea that abortion is not murder. The American government has caused many wars, funded wars and caused millions to die around the world. America even created an industry of prosperity gospel.
Many American Christians know America is getting worse and worse. But they seem to think of America as God’s favorite, after Israel. Many don’t seem willing to face the possibility that America is really, the Devil’s great tool he has used to corrupt the earth.
And if America is Babylon The Great, does Jeremiah 51:49 mean America’s politicians betrays Israel in some way and causes many Israelis to die? The democrats are already anti-Israel. And as we’ve seen, the republicans have many RINOs who side with democrats. Could they betray Israel? Or coax Israel into a very bad decision that hurts the country?
The people who drink the wine of her wrath are judged by God What is this wine would it be the eating of her contaminated food could this be what it means? its all over the grocery stores contaminated food would this be drinking the wine of the wrath of her fornication.?
The wine refers to the materialism, the commercialism, and the whole anti-Christian value system of Babylon the Great. Those who participate in this system incur guilt which brings God’s wrath.
Certainly you are right that Revelation 17-18 is prophesy about the United States. Your explanation in this article is, it seems to me, beyond dispute. I studied eschatology a great deal in the 70’s and 80’s, went to many of the seminars put on by professors and graduates of the Dallas Theological Seminary and read ten or more of their books. This article is excellent. I don’t agree, though, that the United States will be destroyed by a “revived Holy Roman Empire.” At its roots, the theory that the Roman Empire will be revived comes from a misunderstanding of Daniel 9:24-27. That misunderstanding was created by Sir Robert Anderson when he wrote his book “The Coming Prince.” Anderson thought he had deciphered that passage and that it prophesied, to the day, the crucifixion date of Jesus. Sir Anderson was wrong and several very competent and thorough scholars have demonstrably proven he was wrong. See, for instance the article printed in Nature by Humphreys and Waddington or, (though I don’t vouch for this source) http://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/sir-robert-anderson.htm
Hi Randy! Thanks for the feedback. I do believe that Hoehner’s adaptation of Sir Robert Anderson’s calculation only has a few minor errors, which can easily be corrected. However, Daniel 9:24-27 is not the only passage that teaches that the antichrist arises from an eschatological form of the Roman Empire. In the visions of Daniel 2 and 7, the antichrist’s kingdom emerges from the Roman Empire. In addition, Daniel 11:40-44 describes the antichrist waging war against countries from the north, south, and east (relative to Israel), which shows that he is from the west.
Thank you for the reply. I have not kept up with all this for some time but am just now looking it all over again. A was aware there have been attempts to rejigger Anderson’s calculations, and maybe one of those attempts could be correct. I know I came to a very firm opinion Anderson was simply wrong, wrong, wrong and that his theory has been wrongly accepted by a lot of people who thought he was right. I also came to the conclusion that end time studies in general have been built on several foundations that are just false foundations and most of the huge bank of understanding we have about the end times is just really not understood – yet. However, some of the details are beginning to be understood and one of those very, very important details is that the United States is “Babylon the Great.” Your study of that is, in my opinion, very accurate and very, very important. I intend to follow your work closely.
Well put together, and I agree that the spiritual powers exerting ever increasing (democratic) control over the US indeed comprise the “mystery” of “Babylon the Great” (or the greatest Babylon out of them all). This accounts for the US in general as the genesis of the internet, and more specifically as the epicenter of the Internet’s greatest merchandise: pornography. This “mystery” is predominantly “female” in expression, and as Revelation predicts, is both hated, preternaturally stripped naked, and eternally doomed to destruction and consummation by (hell) fire from within. Romans 13 is the prescription for the believer; and all the more for the “American” believer!
Another reason that the United States is Babylon is because our language, English, has now become the world’s dominate language. The entire world spoke one language (Gen.11:1) and an early group decided to build a city with a tower that would reach to heaven. The Lord confused their one tongue and they began speaking the different languages and scattered around the world. After the confusion of the language, the city they had built was named “Babel.” Nearly all scholars believe that Babel was where Babylon, Iraq now sits. In only the past 40 years English has became the single language that now permeates our world’s industry, arts and education.
Yes the world language and the US dollar is the worlds transaction currency
I also want to point out that what’s happening in Israel is very much connected to these end times. But many people don’t understand that these terrorists have been attacking Israel for decades and centuries, and so they criticize Israel for defending themselves from these barbarians. They don’t understand that groups like Hamas teaches their children to start hating Israel when they’re young, so that their vengeance and hate continues for generations. Every time it’s always groups like Hamas who start the attacks on Israel. But then it gets twisted to make Israel look like the bad guy, because Israel will kick their butt; then the enemy resort to deception. That’s the tactic of the enemies. They’re trying to gain sympathy from the world, and it does work. But the world should not fall into that. They deceive, setup, manipulate, because they know the world is watching. Just look at some of the countries backing them up, their allies. Don’t get ‘allies’ mixed up with people you’ve crossed paths with. They will never admit that they are a terrorist group, but they are. So, no, Israel should not back down, and Israel is not wrong for not backing down.
This is a war against Israel for centuries, and the enemies are taught to hate Israel. It’s jealousy, envy, hate, and vengeance toward Israel.
Babylon the Great is clearly Washington DC, is it not?
The Greek word πόλις, polis is translated as “city” by nearly every English Bible version in Revelation 17-18, but the word in Greek can be used of a sovereign state, or what we would call a “country.” In order to be the world’s dominant political and economic superpower, Babylon the Great must be a large country that includes hundreds or thousands of cities; it cannot be a single city. While Washington, D.C. could represent the entire country, it is better to see Babylon the Great as a reference to the entire United States.
I agree with your “polis” interpretation brother. About the objections that the USA have not killed any Christians, had you read about this event? Gnadenhutten massacre – Wikiwand https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gnadenhutten_massacre
It happened in the very dawn of the republic. No militiamen were prosecuted.
It happened before and it could happen again especially in a Second Civil War scenario.
I agree that the only option if you live in the States is to leave.
May the Lord bless my American brethren and grant you all wisdom, guiding you in the Whens and Hows, so that you may learn to become pilgrims and Christ’s witnesses for His Glory.
I would say the entire US and our system. If it were referring to a great city, I would say New York bc it is definitely surrounded by many waters and also the United Nations headquarters and stock exchange are there in New York
I have only somewhat recently begun to question whether the US is Babylon the Great. Your article has pretty much removed any doubts. Do you think its possible that the Antichrist and Gog are the same person, and perhaps Russia is responsible for the destruction of America? Thanks.
Revelation 17:16-17 states that the antichrist and the ten “kings” of Europe who are associated with him will destroy Babylon the Great, so it won’t be Russia that launches the attack. According to Daniel 11:38, the antichrist will invest heavily in military technology and weapons. I think it is possible that after the mainland U.S. is destroyed, the U.S. Navy ships that are at sea when the attack happens will sail to Russia and join the Russian Navy, since Russia is the European Union’s greatest enemy. Daniel 11:40 speaks of the king of the north (Russia) attacking the antichrist with many ships, and it is possible that this large fleet includes the elements of the U.S. Navy that survived the nuclear attack on the United States mainland.
I plan to write at least two blog posts on Ezekiel 38-39, explaining the prophecy of Gog and Magog and how it relates to Russia. I think Gog is likely a country, not a person, and that it stands for the country of Russia.
Thanks for your response. I’ve always been taught the last king of the North is Antichrist, in comparison to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This way he could come from both the old Greek and Roman empire. As an aside,there has been a study on Emmanuel Macron and how his lineage is traced all the way back to Antiochus.
I ve also been taught that the Magog invasion by Gog and his allies is separate from the Antichrist and his invasion of the M.E./Israel. I do find some interesting similarities in both events as described by Daniel and Ezekiel. Perhaps a Russian leader unites Europe and reforms the Eastern half of the old Holy Roman Empire? You know there was a time when Constantinople was the capital of the Empire.
In Daniel 11:40-45, the antichrist fights kings from the north, south, and east, which implies that he is the king of the west. Daniel and Revelation are clear that there are ten component parts (“kings”) of the antichrist’s kingdom. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Something that people overlook when they name Rome or places in the Mideast as Babylon The Great, is that if those places were hit with nukes by the AntiChrist and then later obliterated by God on the scale that is described in the bible, it would devastate Israel and other nations that are involved in later prophecies. Nuclear fallout, smoke and dust would plague Israel and all of the Mideast if Rome suffered such a catastrophe. Not only would Israel’s climate be stricken but the shockwaves from the destruction of Italy would send devastating Mediterranean tsunamis their way.
Mideast nations like Saudi Arabia are even closer to Israel. If they were home to Babylon The Great, their destruction could not happen without greatly damaging Israel also.
I really enjoyed this because I have believed for some time that America is Babylon that will fall at the end of days. I too spent much time researching it. The library of congress confirmed it for me. The “temples” like the Temple of Liberty, the symbolism everywhere is all Babylonian statues like Minerva, also the eagle, the first design for the “great seal” as well as “columbia” and so much more there at the capitol city of Babylon. I appreciate your work it is so very rare to find many that truly understand what that we are in the Days of Daniel….May God continue to bless you with eyes to see and ears to hear….thank you for sounding the alarm.
I tried to buy you coffee and it was declined. Anyway, I have a question. Is it possible that the judgment on the harlot in Revelation 17 and following began in Revelation 8 with the casting of wormwood into freshwater. The largest body of fresh water in the world is the Great Lakes with its tributaries accounting for approximately 1/3 of the world’s freshwater. This is just from my initial understanding but it sparked my curiosity.
This is an interesting idea. However, I connect the the destruction of Babylon the Great with the first seal judgment (Rev 6:1-2), which is well before the trumpet judgments. The third trumpet judgment (Rev 8:10-11) appears to describe a celestial object hitting the earth and disintegrating in the atmosphere, contaminating a third of the earth’s freshwater sources in the process. I understand this to mean a third of the total surface area of freshwater, not necessarily a third of the volume of freshwater.
With regard to the problem you mentioned for Buy Me a Coffee, there is also a PayPal donation option on the “About” page of the blog: https://truthonlybible.com/about/ Thanks!
Thank you Steve for enlightening me on this discussion,l agree with you on this topic and will share with my mens bible study.
This video shows what the site of Babylon in Iraq looks like today. Definitely not Babylon the Great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtUNHjDmGOY
I’m glad I was able to come across your blog when I asked google if USA is the harlot from revelation. I’ve subscribed looking forward to learning more from you.
About 15 years ago when reading through the prophetic books of the Old Testament, I felt the Lord telling me that the United States was indeed end times Babylon. This was largely based on the unique descriptions of Babylon provided in Jeremiah and Isaiah. It’s description in Revelation further reinforces the idea.
While I am skeptical of a pre-trib (or even a mid-trib) rapture, I believer there is overwhelming evidence the United States fits the description of Babylon the great.
I hope God provides a way for me and my family to flee. My husband has a past but now is a born again believer. His past charges prevents him from ever getting a passport to ever leave here.
America is indeed the revived Babylon.
I’ve said this for years, but patriotism has blinded people.
It was a closer look at Liberty that put the puzzle together for me.
Her crown of rays represents the 7 continents and seas from my understanding–
and that alone speaks symbolic and spiritual truth.
America is a “she”, an old ancient Goddess and spirit that has been
resurrected.
The feel and vibe of it speaks Babylonian to me.
Anyone can do research on this, and connect all the dots; just not
what I’m saying, but you as well.
I agree America is Babylon, but I don’t agree with a rapture before the antichrist.
I personally believe ALL will be put to the test. Christ plainly states in Matthew,
HE would return immediately AFTER tribulation.
The thoughts of being raptured is wishful thinking, imo.
When Christians aren’t raptured they will assume perhaps, there is no
Christ and take the mark. Then, he will return after all has been tested.
Remember, keep your lanterns lit.
See this post for my reasons for believing in the pretribulational rapture: https://truthonlybible.com/2022/03/29/why-i-believe-in-the-pretribulational-rapture/
YES, your observation is CORRECT ! Most Americans have been blinded by “false patriotism” – they enjoy “waving the flag” and shouting “Hell yeah – USA !”, while looking with a blind eye on all the SINS & CRIMES America has committed. Revelation 18:4-5 is key: Jesus warns us – “COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE…” God also warned Lot and family to LEAVE (physically flee) ancient Sodom & Gomorrah, before they were destroyed by fire. And America / “Mystery Babylon” will likewise be destroyed by FIRE – in a SINGLE HOUR !
This is the most credible and well written documentation and interpretation of the scriptures about the US being Babylon. I’m having the same concerns that no one I tell believes when I go into the details found in Rev. 17 and 18, and other related bible verses, especially that we should leave before its persecution or destruction occurs, but that is making more sense as I see so much lukewarmness among the Christians I know with all their attachments to the things of the world, especially the conveniences and prosperity in the US. This country was once a beacon for Christ and the people had God’s goodness, faith, love, and virtue, but now it has become like an unfaithful wife, she has prostituted herself and the people have abandoned her first love which is why she is called a harlot. So much deadness of heart, coldness and lack of basic love and not having any concern about the widespread signs of evil we see everyday in the media. The whole system of government and culture has become corrupted, the music and entertainment so evil in both blatant and subtle ways. I really hate living in this country now, the churches are not anything of a blessing like they used to be, it seems like they are following after the principles of imitating the world in both preaching and worship. I would like to find likeminded people to pray for God’s leading and direction, maybe establish connections on a Facebook page or something else. We seem to be a small minority of believers, though I hear about growing numbers of expatriate communities in other countries, and I think these people left maybe not because they thought it was Babylon, many are not even believers, but more related to the oppressive things going on here. I think we should be praying for the Lord to open up doors, and give us some type of sign or direction in our hearts how to proceed in finding a way to leave and where to go, to listen to what God is saying, to establish a nascent community. However, I did have a so called Christian friend say an ungodly comment by trying to convince me that all you said about the US being Babylon were lies, even though this is the best documented, rationale and faithful interpretation of Rev 17 and 18 I have come across. He also tried to say that are still so many people here in the US to reach for the gospel, or witness through works and ministries of love to the homeless or drug addicted. I’m open to that latter part possibly being true, but also wonder at what point have all these people been reached out to by Christian ministries and they have all heard the message but refuse to repent and turn to God. Shouldn’t we be seeing revival by now if that were the case? Are we becoming so hopeless like Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction? I often wonder if other countries have the extent of evil we see here.
In the Old Testament when God was about to judge someone or some place (Babylon and Sodom and Gomorah) he would make sure that His people were removed. Christians today are told, in essence, to “come out of her”; that is, to separate themselves from the wickedness of the world: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. . . . Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you’” (2 Corinthians 6:14–17). I believe this was so that His own would not be led astray by the idolatry and sinfulness of these entities. If you fast forward to the present time, it appears that the Roman Catholic Church is trying desperately to make a comeback by using the hierchy of the church to unite all the religions of the world. Therefore, the world must be prepared in advance to give total spiritual allegiance to the future pope that Satan will choose as his false prophet at his coming.
The Roman church has been training people in obedience to the pope for the last 1,500 years. They have managed to convince about one-sixth of the world population that the pope is ‘The Holy Father’.” As they are aligned with the Globalists and the ultra-wealthy, that is the only foothold they will need to bring the world under their spiritual and temporal dominion. ick
While I certainly agree that the Roman Catholic Church teaches many false doctrines and a false gospel, Babylon the Great is neither the city of Rome nor the Catholic Church. The world is increasingly turning against Christianity, not towards it, and in fact conservative Catholics are suffering persecution for their beliefs about homosexuality, marriage, and abortion.
I agree with what you’ve been saying Steven. I don’t think America could go back to the original stance of Faith, because the people, including Christians have lost their salt and light from the true Gospel. They’ve become like the world like what Brian James said above, but worse because they’re often hypocritical. But like Brian James said above, I do see homeless and drug addicted people who need ministering to, but at what point does it become useless? Do we continue to stay here and suffer persecution by Babylon the Great, especially when darkness prevails, or do we look for a way out? I know there is no such thing as revival left in America. Those days are gone. It appears from reading the posts, that I’m not the only one seeing and sensing the evil that dominates this country. I agree with what’s been said above, I think we need a day or some time for prayers for the Lord’s guidance on timing and possibly locations of where we need to be. But at the meantime, I will be praying that God (Yeshua) will guide everyone on your site who needs answers to their questions. Who knew America would ever get to this point. But I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. The evil is apparent in America. I can see why many can’t stand it here, and I don’t blame them. It is really awful for some of us.
Thanks Steven, and may God bless you for your work here.
Thank you, Brian, for the comment. Yes, the vast majority of American evangelicals do not want to leave the United States, whether for love of the materialistic lifestyle in the United States, or misconceptions about the cultural superiority of the United States to all other countries, or false hopes (based on the failure to understand prophecy) of “turning the country back to God,” or emotional attachment to the place. I read recently that 4,000 Ukrainian civilians are still refusing to leave Bakhmut, in spite of the fact that they have no utilities, are being shelled constantly, and are being offered free evacuation by brave volunteers. Most Christians of all political persuasions are convinced that they can solve America’s problems and the world’s problems through political activism. Some would prefer martyrdom for their political principles over emigration to a friendlier country. (There is a great need for missionary work in other countries, where people are more open to accepting the gospel.) When I have traveled (outside of Europe), I am generally surprised by how people in other countries seem to be more traditional and polite than Americans, and how the “woke” agenda is not pushed like it is by the hard left in the United States. I do think pressure by the United States will eventually force most other countries to adopt the homosexual agenda to some extent, but it is already almost illegal in the United States to condemn homosexuality, and children are heavily indoctrinated; many other countries have less hostility to biblical teaching and a biblical lifestyle.
Carissimo ,
Mi sono imbattuto casualmente nel tuo blog e sono rimasto piuttosto interessato. Hai chiarito tanti aspetti importanti come ad esempio il fatto che Babilonia la Grande siano gli USA…per quanto io continui ad essere convinto che la grande meretrice sia la Struttura della Chiesa Cattolica, NON nei CONTENUTI , ma NEL L’AZIONE e nel CAMBIO di PASSO dell’indottrinamento….vedi l’apertura alle coppie omosessuali. Continuerò comunque a seguirti vin piacere. Mauro Grussu Italian freelance journalist . 🇮🇹⚓🇺🇲
Brother Amen Amen Amen!!!! I see the emotional attachment some “ Christians “ have to this world through the following of aggressive politics and activism… I do believe that there are only a remnant that have totally removed themselves from this world and I’d love to find them. Thank you for your comment, and thank you even more for making me feel that I’m not alone.
You are very welcome! I agree about the world being lost in political division. Many on the right who purport to be Christians don’t have Jesus as Lord or their life or have active repentance from sins in their lives. There is a fear among the right that the left is bringing into the new political realm a disguised form of Marxism or government control disguised as as the agnostic or atheistic diversity, equity, and inclusion, and while there is a danger of this, it also could be the false, unrepentant, inclusive Christianity that could be the bigger deception.
Hi Steven,
Thank you for your scripturally supported teachings as revealed by the Holy Spirit.
I began to sense the Holy Spirit pointing to America & western culture in general as being the end-times Babylon spoken of in scripture some 40 to 50 years ago, but quickly found it to be a non-starter subject for most American Christians…so I have had to pretty much keep it to myself.
So I was delighted when I actually stumbled upon your comments (teaching) on this subject some months ago and was greatly blessed. And of course, I noted your comment regarding the seeming lack of any obvious murdering of Christians as the (1) missing component in the scriptures description of the Harlot.
I also just now noted your comments to Brian James; “Babylon the Great is neither the city of Rome nor the Catholic Church.”
You might want to consider studying the inquisitions that occurred from the 15th through the 19th centuries, wherein innumerable Christians were tortured and dispatched from this world for believing…among other things, that the scriptures should be available to the common man.
We may want to forget these dark ages…but God has remembered her crimes..(Rev. 18:5) I would also recommend the book; “The Great Deception” by J.H. Hunter (copyright 1945 Evangelical Publishers Toronto, Canada).
You may just come to believe that this is indeed the smoking gun that relates to the prostitute being drunk on the blood of the saints (Rev. 17:6).
So what does this have to do with America? Did not the birth of what we today call America start with Europe’s offspring? Did we not come from these people who to this very day…extol all things related to the Catholic Church…from the Queen (now King) on down the line? Are the sins of the fathers not visited upon the children? (Exodus 20:5 – Deuteronomy 5:9)
Instead of thinking in terms of Babylon being America alone…consider viewing Babylon as being “Western” cultures (aka “The West”) in general.
For example…consider Russia and China getting together
and ultimately deciding to remove the U.S. from the equation in pursuit of their wanting to procure Ukraine & Taiwan unimpeded…would they not likely also take out our European allies as well…some of whom have their own missiles?
In one hour “our” doom “will” come! (Revelation 18:10)
God Bless,
Gordon Anderson
Hi Gordon, thank you for your comments. Revelation 17-18 focuses on Babylon the Great’s massive economy and powerful military, and doesn’t say anything about a specific religion associated with Babylon the Great. So Babylon the Great has to be a country, not a religious organization. The United States already is Babylon the Great, but doesn’t yet match in full the description of Babylon the Great in Revelation 17-18. The saints haven’t begun to be massacred, and the United States doesn’t yet control the world financial system to the degree that it will in the future. However, enough of the description matches so that we can make a positive identification and know what is coming.
I believe that Revelation 17-18 describes an eschatological entity, not an entity that has existed throughout the Church Age or since Babel. The description of a fully interconnected world economy dominated by a single entity is something that particularly relates to contemporary times, and did not exist prior to the end of World War II.
Western Europe is separate from the United States in biblical prophecy. Daniel 9:26 describes the Romans who destroy Jerusalem in AD 70 as “the people of the prince who will come.” Contextually, this prince is the antichrist, since in the next verse he makes a treaty with the Israelites for 7 years (the tribulation period). If the Romans are the antichrist’s people, this indicates that the antichrist is Roman, or at least Italian. (The antichrist is not from a Middle Eastern country.) Since the antichrist destroys Babylon the Great (Rev 17:16-17), this shows that Babylon the Great is not part of Europe. Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 both present the antichrist’s kingdom as an end-time form of the Roman Empire, which was centered in Italy. Ezekiel 38-39 describe the invasion of the land of Israel and the neutral countries of the Arabian peninsula at the midpoint of the tribulation period by Gog (Russia), from the land of Magog (the former USSR). The countries that are part of Gog’s coalition include Libya, Sudan, and Iran, which shows that they are not part of the antichrist’s base of power. Daniel 11:40 describes the king of the south and the king of the north (the coalition of northern and southern countries) attacking the antichrist, and Daniel 11:44 mentions the antichrist being attacked by armies from the east and the north, which implies that the antichrist is the king of the west, i.e., of Western Europe. Babylon the Great lies outside of Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Dear Steven,
It was a pleasure to read your excellent detailed paper on this matter of interpretation. You have vindicated my long-held similar position that an apostate religious system is not in view in Rev 17. The USA fits the political entity ‘Babylon the Great’ in both Rev 17 and 18 like a jigsaw puzzle.
I’ve dealt with this matter of interpretation in my post ‘Interpretation of Revelation 17 & 18’ that can be found in the February archive.
https://truthdefender2.wordpress.com
Blessings from Australia,
James
Interesting take on the global depopulation you referenced from the OT, and I agree things are only going to get worse until Jesus sets foot on the Mount of Olives again (His second coming). That said, we’ll be coming back with Him that day (the born again bride), after being with Him while that 7 year tribulation befalls this Christ rejecting world.
Maranatha!
Nate
As I was reading through Revelation 17, my jaw dropped. I immediately had to know if other people had the same general thoughts I did about the passage.
I would posit a few things for consideration:
As other’s have pointed out, there may be no greater symbol of greed and envy than the US dollar, and this part of the prophecy has already been fulfilled.
The mark of the beast being in the “eye” and the “hand” seem to have a stark parallel with this passage.
(CEB) Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery. 28 But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. 29 And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.
One obvious target is that of pornography in American culture, but I’m sure it has applied to prostitution throughout the ages. Though, I interpret the passage to mean that it’s not the eye or the hand which actually cause sin, but our belief about what to do with our eyes and our hands. I think the primary sin, and the one that has been consistently warned about throughout bible text is believing that narcissistic attitudes are a thing to be desired. In fact, “the deceiver” seems to be a narcissist. Further, narcissists are practically like babies in adult bodies, so it makes sense why everyone is “born in sin”. I’m not saying it’s the truth, but it makes sense to me.
Narcissism is also the thing which cynically sees people as objects to be used. Or as comparisons to be made so that you can feel better about yourself. So, my claim is that pornography is really a symptom of the underlying belief: “I’m the only important person in my life. People exist to pleasure my desires. I’m above reproach because other people do similar things with no obvious repercussions.” This belief system is practically a part of every system in America at this time. This is why I agree with you, and think that “American culture” is probably Babylon the Great.
Steve, thank you for taking the time to document and make available such a convincing argument on this fascinating topic. I had considered and dismissed this idea years ago, but after reading your article, I now consider your conclusions to be the status quo that other arguments must overcome. To me, the idea also syncs with and provides the best explanation for the recent, sudden, aggressive, and pervasive downward spiral of so many of the institutions of this nation; it’s as if the nation has awakened to and embraced its identity as the great harlot and proudly infuses within and exports outside to as many recipients as possible its evil ideologies. The press of evil actually appears to be culticly missional. Amazingly, too, the people of other nations are rapidly and rabidly embracing the evils as well—believing them to be and treating them as chic and enlightened, having originated in the US. I have ceased being proud of this nation, and I suspect that many share the sad sentiment. Nevertheless, Maranatha! Maranatha! Maranatha!
With the Age of Enlightenment, and the birth of, “Reason,” which our country’s forefathers did adhere to rather than a Christian worldview, all this had been set in motion for hundreds of years. And even though our forefathers may have not been Christians themselves, we were a nation of Christians, at least nominally, for a good part of our existence. Since Reason rejects anything that cannot be known via physcial means, and it accepts Darwin, the importance of self and wealth, we were destined to be the Babylon of Revelation 18.
Thank you for your study.
Steve, I noticed throughout several of the comments that you recommended Americans leave the US. Do you have a recommended list of neutral countries to flee to?
I have been studying French for a while but it is the only foreign language I really know at all. However, it seems from one of your earlier posts that France will be a member of the Antichrists kingdom and would be a terrible nation to move to.
It truly does not seem like there is any nation that would be safe to emigrate to? Europe is one of the great evils. The Middle East is filled with nations that will unite against Israel in the end times along with China, Turkey, and Russia.
South America and Australia are heavily influenced by the United States.
Where in the world are we supposed to go?
Hi, Lucas! French is a great language to know, as there are many countries in Africa that are strongly resistant to the United States’ militant homosexual agenda. As both the United States and the rest of the world change, I think it will become clearer which countries offer safety to Christians and are welcoming of Americans. There should also be some clear warning signs that the U.S. is about to start arresting Christians, such as if a new pro-LGBTQ+ constitutional amendment is proposed or if a constitutional convention is called. However, moving overseas is a complex ordeal that can take a long time.
I personally studied Arabic in college and subsequently learned Spanish. All of my current church ministry is in Spanish. Panama is a popular destination for American retirees, and it is relatively easy for Americans to live there. Currently there are a number of Latin American countries that offer significant religious freedom and low cost of living, although that could change in the future. There are also a number of Christian-friendly country in Asia, such as South Korea. Russia is currently not pro-homosexual, but has a “religion of Russia” that is violently enforced. I think in the longer term it is most likely that parts of Africa and the Middle East will become the safest places for Christians. Attitudes toward Christians and Jews are changing in some Arab countries, such as Bahrain. Also, many Arab and African countries are neutral vis-a-vis the competition between the U.S., Russia, and China. Many African and Middle Eastern countries are clearly allied with Gog (Russia) in Ezekiel 38-39, while the Levantine and Gulf states appear to be neutrals or non-aligned.
At the present time, there are many countries in the world where Christianity is fully legal and where it would be possible for American Christians to move. But one would have to be prepared to move again in response to changes in the world and individual countries.
Hope this helps. I have thought about starting a Telegram group or channel on this general subject, although I think it would be difficult to moderate comments and posts.
The nation of Belize in Central America is English speaking, the weather is tropical, and they welcome American expats !
I believe you are correct. I also believe obidiah talked bout the united states in the old testament. Our country is Absolutely filthy and I am ashamed to be born and raised here. I pray God has mercy on us. But all in all let God’s will be done with us. Praise Yahweh Praise Yeshua.
Hi Steven … my thoughts after reading these articles. Read Halley’s Bible Handbook decades ago and read about this “whore”, this prostitute (Rev 17), that is referred to as a city. “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits”. (17:9) Rome literally is built on seven mountains and is known as the seven-hilled city.
Watched a documentary (I believe from the CBC) about how Rome is one of the largest money laundering facilities in the world. The Catholic Church around 1910 was worth over 300 million dollars. “Scarlet” (17:3,4) is the color of the beast and is also the color of the papacy. The papal throne is scarlet as well as the 12 men that carry it, cardinal’s hats and robes, also the devils color and now communism.
As for “Drunk with the blood of the martyrs”: For over 500 years, Rome tortured and burned millions in the Inquisition. It is estimated that Rome murdered between 7 and 9 million people and tortured between 50 and 60 million people who would NOT submit to Rome. (different from to submitting to Christ.)
“Come out of her” in my humble opinion was “get out of the Catholic Church. Since Rome has many ties (religiously) with nations all around the world, perhaps Revelation 17 & 18 is referring to the RC church. Many of their doctrines are NOT scriptural. Many of the faithful and big supporters of the church are the mobs and gangsters. I mean, just watch the many movies where most of the mafia-type gangs attend a catholic church.
Dozens of the Popes were corrupt and evil. Netflix did a series on Borgia (Alexander VI) – one of the worst Popes who ever lived (1492 -1503).
Many of my friends are Catholic and they have never read the Bible. As one Pope said (can’t remember his name) if they ever read the Bible, they will leave the church. I never forgot it because it SHOCKED me as we are encouraged to read the Bible to grow. In fact many were burned on the stake for reading the Bible. Halley’s Handbook is filled with the horrors of the Catholic Church since its conception even until now. Read how Evangelicals were tortured in Latin American countries.
The book gets into “The Rule of the Harlots”, Depths of Papal Degradation”, “Papal Power Maintained by the Inquisition” – no wonder the “Dark Ages” involved the Catholic Church.
Recently read how Mother Theresa’s charity was caught in child trafficking. Not her, but the employees. (you can read it on CNN, BBC, Global News, Huff-Post etc)
Your thoughts?
Hi Eric, I receive a lot of comments and messages from people who believe that Babylon the Great is the Roman Catholic Church, but it is hard for me to understand why people find this interpretation convincing. Revelation 17:1–19:4 prophesies an eschatological entity, not an entity that was powerful during the Middle Ages but no longer dominates world politics or economics. All of the descriptions of Babylon the Great present her as a political entity, a powerful nation-state that dominates the world economy and is a military superpower (Rev 17:18). There is no mention of a specific religion associated with Babylon the Great, just a secular, anti-Christian materialism. So Babylon the Great has to be a country—the greatest global superpower in the end times—not a religious organization.
The specific exegetical support for identifying the RCC with Babylon the Great requires a highly figurative interpretation of the text. The connection you mentioned between the red color of the beast and the color of the cardinal’s hats and robes is an example. The beast is not Babylon the Great—the beast destroys Babylon the Great (Rev 17:16-17). So if the cardinals or the pope are identified with the beast, they would not be Babylon the Great.
I agree that the RCC has martyred (or facilitated the martyrdom) of many true Christians since the Middle Ages, but today Catholics are suffering persecution from the LGBTQ+ crowd almost as much as evangelicals are. It does not seem likely that the RCC will be the major driving force behind the execution of Christians around the world in the last days. I agree that true believers should leave the RCC, but Revelation 18:4 is talking about a physical departure from a physical place in the end times. In the figurative sense, it has always been true that believers should leave churches that teach a false gospel (not just the RCC). I also agree that there have been many corrupt popes, but there is no mention of a pope or leader of Babylon the Great in Revelation 17–18.
I believe that the RCC will evolve into the end-time lukewarm Laodicean church (one-world religion) as whoever is pope at that time will be the false prophet leading the way. An example of this is “Chrislam” an attempt to syncretize Christianity with Islam. While it began in Nigeria in the 1980s, Chrislamic ideas have spread throughout much of the world. The essential concept of Chrislam is that Christianity and Islam are compatible, that one can be a Christian and a Muslim at the same time. Chrislam is not an actual religion of its own, but a blurring of the differences and distinctions between Christianity and Islam.
You can believe this if you want, but there is nothing in Revelation 17-18 about “Chrislam.” Also, the lukewarmness of the church of Laodicea describes churches that contain a mix of true and false believers; it does not describe a completely apostate religion.
The lukewarm mainline protestant churches are well on their way to becoming apostate, and the RCC doesn’t have that far to go. I just don’t believe that America is Mystery Babylon, although it is plausible that it could be destroyed by fire (possibly a nuclear confrontation). It is also plausible that the Vatican will be destroyed by fire after the Antichrist has used the false prophet (most likely a pope) for his own evil intents. I do not have a false patriotism for the USA; I am a born again believer and ex-Catholic. I know what it’s like to be deceived by this religious (RCC) evil entity and the destruction it can cause. I also believe in the rapture of the church which is imminent! God bless!
It is good to hear that you are a born again believer who has left the Catholic church. There are solid biblical reasons for rejecting key dogmas of Roman Catholicism, but Revelation 17–18 isn’t about Roman Catholicism. Regarding the idea that there is a “Mystery Babylon” that is different than the literal Babylon, see the section in this document [https://www.dropbox.com/s/q02nkgflf3ddqv5/Revelation%2017-18%20Excursus.pdf?dl=0] regarding “The mystery of the name.” That document also has a section regarding the imminence of the rapture. I do believe that the seven churches represent seven eras of church history, with the church of Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) representing the Medieval Roman Catholic church—the church that had a name (reputation) that it was alive, but was (spiritually) dead, apart from a small remnant.
I think that what is most important right now is discipleship and evangelism in our churches, whether it be in an organized denomination or if you have a Bible study in your home. As to who/what exactly is Mystery Babylon just isn’t as important as bringing someone to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, “the fields are white unto harvest.” and now the time is right to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others as the harvest of souls is ready.
Certainly we can all agree that sharing the gospel is of vital importance, although the harvest in the United States is not nearly as great as it once was—a great spiritual coldness has descended over the land. And although the Great Commission starts with sharing the gospel, it doesn’t end there. The apostle John said in 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Prophecy is incredibly important from both a doctrinal and practical point of view, as is shown by the fact that Revelation is the only book of the Bible with a special blessing and warning attached to it (Rev 1:3; 22:7, 18-19). A primary reason for the decline of the church in the United States is a departure from sound Bible teaching, and sound teaching on biblical prophecy is especially lacking. As a practical matter, most American Christians don’t know how the world situation will develop; many believe that the United States could turn around spiritually, or else that Jesus will return within a few years and that things will only get “really bad” after that; hence, the need not do anything to prepare for what will happen next.
I agree that prophecy is so very important especially now when things are being to line up with what our Lord has revealed to us through his prophets and apostles. Fulfilled prophecy is a sure thing and can be used very effectively in the coming days as a tool for evangelizing especially Catholics, most of whom don’t even have a clue. Like the Ephesian church, we can easily fall prey to a cold, mechanical observance of religion. Like the Ephesians, many tend to focus solely on doctrinal purity and hard work, to the exclusion of true love for Christ. As this letter shows, no amount of zeal for the truth or moral rectitude can replace a heart full of love for Jesus and a burden for lost people on their way to hell.
That was the strangest thing to me. I don’t know what caused many learned Bible scholars and prophecy teachers, including pastors of mega churches, to look for references to religions or religious institutions in Rev 17 and 18 when there was zero reference to a religion or a religious institution in those chapters. There are practicing and non-practicing Roman Catholics and also those of various practicing degrees in between them all over the world. And idolatry is practiced in the hearts and minds of people. How would the ten kings “eat her (Roman Catholic) flesh and burn her (Roman Catholic) with fire”? The ten kings can never destroy all the RCC buildings in Rome and around the world. Perhaps, the global 100-lbs hailstones might be able to do that!
Making a so-called ‘religious Babylon’ the subject of Rev 17, and making a so-called ‘commercial Babylon’ the subject of Rev 18, is not proper interpretation but pure fantasy.
EXACTLY ! Those who insist that “Mystery Babylon” is the RCC are choosing to ignore various passages in Revelation, especially those describing “Babylon” being destroyed by FIRE. A church or religion cannot be destroyed in that manner – Babylon would have to be a PHYSICAL PLACE. I surmise that many who adhere to the RCC theory are “flag wavers” in America, who are blinded by false patriotism and cannot conceive that the USA is actually an evil empire.
Hi Stephen,
Thank you! It’s been decades since I took a serious look at eschatology, and I really appreciate this discussion of the Great Babylon, since it helped me to clear out some cobwebs. I do agree with others here that your exposition and arguments are very persuasive.
I did labor for years under the comfortable delusion that the USA was fairly “safe” from God’s wrath because it was a Christian nation, even though I knew that there’s no such thing, really. Persons are Christians. Nations may be judged better based on how they treat God’s people, but they’re not Christian themselves.
The idea that the United States may indeed be the Great Babylon, though, has been rattling around in my head now for a few years, but I’ve not really discussed it with anyone except by younger brother, who is currently in stage 3 with multiple myeloma. He hasn’t yet accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior (please pray) but tells me he likes to hear me talk Scripture to him, so I do, and where the USA fits into the end times was a subject that came up recently. When I suggested that it might possibly be completely destroyed earlier that we might think, as the Great Babylon, he was surprisingly receptive to the idea, since even unregenerate sinners can see the decadence and godlessness that has increased so much in my own lifetime.
Some of the things that led me to start thinking that way, though, actually had little to do with end times prophecies. I have been told for most of my Christian life that democracy, particularly constitutional republic type democracy, is truly God’s preferred form of government, but time spent in I Samuel a while back had me seriously questioning that idea. It seemed clear, after meditating a bit on I Sam 8:4-9, that Israel was a theocracy with God Himself ruling through His chosen intermediaries and men taking action to govern differently was an assault on His sovereignty. Which left me with the uncomfortable conclusion that the USA had been far beyond the pale on that from its inception.
Looking at that, along with the rapidly growing iniquity/decadence of our people and our culture, one might wonder why we hadn’t already been judged. The saving grace of being a Christian nation obviously wasn’t the answer.
For some reason my mind again went to the historical Old Testament rather than prophecy. I got to thinking about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the reasons God gave Abraham for that destruction (Gen 18:20-21). Coupled with His reason for not allowing Abraham to immediately possess the promised land (Gen 15:16), at which point the Canaanites were to be utterly destroyed, it seemed clear that, even in His grace and longsuffering of man’s trespasses against Him, there is always a tipping point beyond which only Wrath was possible for those polities that went too far down that road.
With the prominence of the USA in the world, our global military and economic dominance, along with other aspects of American hegemony it seemed to me our demise would most likely have to be a truly world shaking event, which finally brought to mind the mystery of Babylon in Revelation and its utter destruction, which causes worldwide mourning from those who participated in and profited from her iniquity.
Which led me ask my favorite search engine “is USA the Great Babylon” and the results brought me here. I hope this wasn’t too long, but I thought it might be interesting at least as an example of the diverse ways the Holy Spirit leads us to truth if we are looking for it. Thank you again for connecting the rest of the dots for me.
Regards
I’m very doubtful that the Antichrist will be an American or a Gentile Roman prince as popularly assumed. The Bible gives no clue as to his nationality. However, I do believe that his ethnicity can be determined from relevant Bible verses. I’ve covered this interesting subject in my latest post here:-
https://truthdefender2.wordpress.com
I want to give due credit to Steven for his scholarly article proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that Revelation 17 and 18 was a prophecy about the same political entity, the same end time nation that God has called ‘Babylon the Great’. A Bible professor was apparently too scared to read Steven’s detailed paper when I recommended it to him.
Blessings to all who are not afraid to read and consider true Biblical interpretations.
Regards,
Lowly Bondservant
Hello, my wife and I have been talking about moving to Alaska for some years now to escape the hustle and bustle of everything and try to settle into a quieter, less materialistic, more self sufficient lifestyle. Do you think Alaska is a safe bet seeing as it is not attached to the mainland US or would we be wise to steer clear of it and look to other countries entirely instead?
It’s true that some states are much more Christian-friendly than others, and it’s easier to avoid conflict and controversy in some places than in others. Still, Revelation 17:6, 18:24, and 19:2 indicate that the United States will, at some point in the future, begin a concerted campaign to execute all Christians in the country. Possibly this could happen after a new constitutional amendment is passed that explicitly prioritizes LGBTQ rights over religious freedom. The LGBTQ folks really don’t believe that people who condemn them should be allowed to exist, so that would explain how a law imposing the death penalty could be passed. Alternatively, the dysfunction in Washington could give impetus to plans to call a new Constitutional Convention and rewrite the Constitution in a way that essentially makes biblical Christianity illegal. In that case, even people living in remote areas will eventually be targeted; perhaps, for example, everyone will have to sign some sort of “doctrinal statement” affirming LGBTQ in order to receive federal benefits or to receive employment. When that will happen, I don’t know. But when it does, it will definitely be safer to be in another country.
Hi, Steven
This is a good response to ironmanrides. We all know that there will be more and more data collection of the intimate private information on all individuals in the near future. As this information will be publicly available to all government agencies and other interested parties, it will be so easy to track down all who do not conform. The digital world can be both a benefit and a curse to mankind in these latter days.
I have updated my Interpretation of Revelation 18:4 in the February 2023 archive:-
https://truthdefender2.wordpress.com
Let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem as we watch the unfolding of prophetic events in the Middle East.
Regards,
Lowly Bondservant
Yes, many people have asked me how the war between Israel and Hamas fits with biblical prophecy. I may write a blog post on this.
Hi Steven,
You might want to check out on my Interpretation on Psalm 83:2-8 and Interpretation of Isaiah 17:1. Both were posted after the sudden Hamas attack on Israel.
You will notice that I didn’t comment on the seven years after the Ezekiel 38-39 war when the Jews will be collecting the discarded weapons and military equipment for burning as firewood.
If those seven years of weapons/equipment burning must be completed by the midpoint of the Tribulation before all the Jews must go into hiding in the wilderness, then Ezekiel 38/39 would be a pre-Tribulation event. However, it is possible that the seven years of weapons/equipment burning could be a task to be completed by the Jews in the early years of the Millennium.
My personal view is that Ezekiel 38/39 should occur during the first half of the 7-year Tribulation.
Regards,
Lowly Bondservant
I associate what is happening right now with Ezekiel 34–37, not with Ezekiel 38–39. I associate the latter passage with the end of the sixth trumpet judgment, when the armies allied with Gog/Russia returning from the east (cf. Dan 11:40). The antichrist is bound by treaty to protect Israel, but does not do so (he wants the Jews to be killed, and he doesn’t want to risk a costly war). When God destroys the armies of Gog and its allies supernaturally, most Jews reject the antichrist and accept Jesus as their Messiah, knowing that this event was prophesied. The antichrist responds by launching an invasion of Israel, setting up the abomination of desolation in the temple, and savagely persecuting the Jews. (With regard to the seven years, Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3 imply that there are some leftover weapons at the start of the millennium.)
Ezekiel 34–37 teaches that there is a physical restoration of Israel—a national renewal—that prepares the Jews for national acceptance of Jesus as their King. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians (who are partly descended from Esau) will conclude with Israel taking vengeance on their enemies and reoccupying their land (Ezekiel 35–36). After this comes some sort of comprehensive peace settlement that is so complete that the state of Israel will actually disarm and tear down all the walls and fences (Ezek 38:8, 11). So Ezekiel 38 is definitely some distance in the future, not now, although present events are setting the stage for what will happen in the tribulation period.
As for the reason why Hamas is attacking Israel and seeking to kill the Jews and drive them out of their land, it is because Satan is trying to prevent the coming of Christ’s kingdom.
I appreciate your article and believe 100% that America is Babylon the Great in these last days. It is also evident that we are setting the example for the transgressions of God’s laws to come to a full by introducing our lavious life styles to the entire world to envey. The ships are at sea to bear witness and we go along teaching sexual immoralities, man with man, woman with woman, adultries, fornication is normal here and most of the world’s cities are doing the same. The question that is going through my mind is why doesn’t any churches acknowledge that we are spreading a false message to the world in our so called mission fields. We spread our wealth around as if gain is a form of godliness. We are to live humbly, selfless, not serving money but God. We sold out and awaiting consequences for our actions. We are not sorry nor repentant, we are proud, arrogant, evil, to every good work reprobate. It is not a place to be here soon and as of Sodom and Gomorah so will be another example totally destroyed by fire. Please forgive us Lord for we know not what we are doing. Let us repent and turn from our evil ways so maybe we can find it in our hearts to have strength to believe the gospel and leave here before being consumed.
Thanks, Wayne, for this comment. With regard to your question, there has for a long time been a mixing of political/economic philosophies with Christianity in the United States (both on the right and the left). I have heard many pastors say that poverty is generally the result of sin, and that if you live responsibly you will be materially comfortable. They say that other countries are poor because they don’t have the Christian foundation that the United States has. Many Christian organizations see money as the key to the success of their ministry, and Christianity has long been commercialized in the United States. (Side note: faithfulness to God and to His Word is the real key to success in ministry; a big ministry isn’t successful if it isn’t faithful to the Bible.)
Another issue is that most Americans don’t realize how excessive their lifestyles are, and how what seems like a small amount of money to an American could be a lifesaving help to Christians in other countries who lack basic necessities. Recently I have been listening to Costi Hinn’s book on the prosperity gospel, and I suddenly realized that the Facebook feeds of Christian leaders who are supposedly opposed to the prosperity gospel nevertheless showcase material extravagance–luxury accommodations on trips, dining out at fancy restaurants, cruises, big houses, new cars, churches that look like shopping malls, and so forth. To be fair, I suppose they are only imitating the way that well-to-do people in their congregations spend money; it just seems normal here.
Revelation 3:17 is the attitude of many American churches, Christians, and Christian organizations: “You say, ‘I am rich, and have become prosperous, and have need of nothing.’ ” American Christians, especially their leaders, see financial stability, self-sufficiency, and material prosperity as a sign of God’s blessing; however, the message to the church of Laodicea reveals that it is a sign of spiritual rot. By contrast, the spiritually rich church of Smyrna suffered great material affliction and poverty (Rev 2:9). The basic reason for this is that money is a spiritually corrupting force (1 Tim 6:9-10), and it is impossible to serve God and money at the same time (Luke 16:13).
“come out of her, my people, that ye be not be partakers of her sins, and ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities.”
God is telling you to flee Babylon the Great.
I will be leaving my country of earthly origins and fleeing the wrath of the Lord. I urge my fellow brethren to do the same. As the Lord instructs us to come out of her, we are his people. We are HIS children.
Americans, time for us to take our children and leave this new Babylon. As Lot fled first Babylon, so must we flee out of new Babylon the Great. True believers need to start our great migration.
It is time.
Hi Steven,
I agree with you in placing the destruction of America (Babylon the Great) shortly before the midpoint. If the destruction of America were to occur during the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation, then America would have to remain as a trading superpower during the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation. Obviously, such a scenario cannot be logical.
To understand that Babylon the Great is the USA is really important. How on earth could Babylon the Great be destroyed by fire in one hour? I believe that a nuclear war is inevitable and I have discussed this in my Interpretation of Zechariah 14:12 and 14:15 in my blog at:-
https://truthdefender2.wordpress.com
Hi Steven,
It seems that many believers, including many Bible scholars or teachers, have been struggling to understand Zechariah 5:5-11.
In your opinion, who could be represented by the woman (wickedness) in the basket? Verse 11 says that she is carried in the basket “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”
I wasn’t laughing when a prophecy writer said that the woman in the basket represented Lady Liberty which was transported from Europe and set up on a huge base which is her new house.
Many Christians have used these verses in Zechariah 5:5-11 to prove that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt in Iraq.
Regards,
Lowly Bondservant
Zechariah 5:5-11 is a difficult, cryptic vision, which makes it easy to twist (cf. 2 Pet 3:16). The key to interpreting the vision of Zechariah 5:5-11 is the reference to “the land of Shinar” in 5:11. Since this prophecy was given some twenty years after the Babylonian Empire fell, a future eschatological entity of a similar character is predicted. It is “the land of Shinar (Sumer)” that is referenced in this passage, rather than “Babylon,” because it is not referring to a rebuilt city of Babylon, but rather to an entity whose name did not exist at the time of Zechariah. The book of Revelation clarifies this entity as “Babylon the Great,” which is the United States of America. This is an eschatological entity with the same wicked character as the Babylon that exiled Judah in the sixth century BC.
This vision describes the ephah, a standard dry measure of capacity that was used in commercial transactions, spreading until it is the same everywhere in the earth. An ephah that is the same everywhere points to a common measure of exchange, i.e., to a shared currency that has spread throughout the earth. There is a lead cover on the ephah because a woman (the embodiment of wickedness, we are told) is carefully hidden within this currency. The angel reveals the woman to the prophet, but keeps her in confinement so that she remains hidden from the world. The woman may be interpreted as the prostitute of Revelation 17, whose presence in the midst of the ephah shows both that she will be able to control it and that she is behind its spread. She is called “Wickedness” because she is wicked, but also because her plan to create a world currency and then control it is wicked. The two women who bring the ephah to Babylon may represent two different forces at work to bring about the global currency. They are portrayed as women to show that they are linked to the woman inside the ephah. The world economy will be restructured in a way that will make it impossible to use any other currency, on the pretense of making it easier to trade and do business, to buy and sell, to make economic transactions more efficient, more secure, and less costly. When that task is finished, and whatever further measures necessary to force everyone to use this currency have been carried out, the “house” will have been prepared. It will then be “set there on its pedestal” in the United States—i.e., the United States will immediately proceed to abuse its power to control transactions. The United States will have a monetary regime over both the nations of the world and every individual in the world, as it will have the capability to regulate everything from global capital flows to small transactions between individuals. The exact manner in which the United States will utilize this power is unclear; maintaining the health of the world economy is certainly in its interests, but perhaps it will charge a fee to process all financial transactions and will freeze the accounts of religious and political opponents. Since the United States has the world’s most powerful military and cannot effectively be invaded, it will be unconcerned with a military response to this move. However, God will eventually use the antichrist and the ten kings of Europe to destroy the United States in their anger (Rev 17:16-17), in the process gaining control over the world financial system, which the antichrist will abuse during the second half of the tribulation period (Rev 13:7, 16-17).
The United States’ control over the global financial system is implied in the statement in Revelation 17:18 that Babylon the Great “has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” It is also implied that the antichrist gains this control over the world following his destruction of Babylon the Great. Revelation 13:16-17 shows that the antichrist and false prophet have control over the global financial system, which functions via a global communications system that requires all financial transactions to be made digitally. Every person on earth has a unique digital/biometric ID that is used to access the financial system, and all transactions must be processed directly by a central bank. Probably there is also a global digital currency.
While this system is obviously malicious, it isn’t a sin to use the system. In fact, I would consider investing in a digital currency launched by the United States government, as I think it is likely that the whole world will eventually switch over to that currency.
The main alternative interpretation of Zechariah 5:5-11 found in the commentaries, which interprets the ephah and the woman as a reference to Israel’s sin, is superficial and problematic. If the sins of Israel were removed from the “land” (rather than the “earth”), why would they go to Babylon? Why would God judge Babylon for Israel’s sin? Remember that Zechariah saw this vision after Babylon had already been conquered (judged) and Israel had returned from exile. How could the wickedness of Israel be kept in such secret confinement, be revealed by the angel, and then be hidden again? If the ephah symbolizes sin having filled up the land, then why was the ephah not full? (The woman was in the middle of the ephah.) Where was the ephah coming from and going to before the two women took it to Babylon? Who are the two women? If the two women took the ephah to Babylon and began building a house for her there hundreds of years before Christ, has it been built yet? What is this house? What is the difference between the ephah and the woman? And how can this be speaking of Israel, if Israel is not mentioned in the paragraph?
Also, note that the women in this vision are symbolic; they are not literal women. Thus, the statue of “Lady Liberty” has nothing to do with what this vision is describing.
Maybe “Drunken with the blood of the Saints” could also be referring to all the innocent christian soldiers she has sent to be slaughtered in her wars? (for her own selfish purposes)
I think this is primarily referring to a campaign of directed persecution against Christians that will come in the future.
I think the 65 million + aborted babies fits this description perfectly for which this country will be held accountable. Every last one of them are Saints that have been denied the life that was granted them by the Lord himself.
Fair enough, but what is prophesied is the coming martyrdom of adult believers. The ball is still just getting rolling.
I would argue that this power could also be China. Think they have higher economic control. Blackrock is highly funded by Chinese and they have been taking over both trade and job market for a long while. While China has no control over western media like US has, their power is growing and they do reject Christianity. Chinese communist party rewriting The Bible is a big alarm sign pointing towards this theory.
However we’ve given control to the WHO and don’t know who runs it outside Bill Gates influence. Time will tell but I say there’s other big potential other than US being The Great Babylon.
Yes, I receive a lot of comments from people who think the U.S. will decline and China, Russia, or some other country will replace it as the world’s greatest superpower. However, Revelation 17-18 is already being fulfilled by the United States, so it is too late for some other country to become Babylon the Great; the United States clearly already is Babylon the Great, even though it has not started executing Christians or obtained the full economic power over the world that is described in Revelation 17:18. Thus, the United States will continue to be the world’s greatest superpower until its destruction by the antichrist early in the tribulation period.
what is your opinion on what the seven mountains are as described? Are they in America or in Rome , the Vatican.
The “mountains” are not literal mountains; the term “mountains” is a metaphor which is explained in Revelation 17:9-10.
Revelation 17:9 says, “the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” The woman is not sitting on the body of the beast, nor on its horns, but on its heads—and on all seven at the same time. The heads are called “mountains” in part to represent the woman’s foundation, and in part to associate the heads metaphorically with kingdoms, which are, large, strong, and elevated over other countries in power and status (Jer 51:25; Dan 2:35, 44-45; cf. Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1). The association of mountains with kingdoms also serves to clarify the angel’s statement that the seven heads/mountains “are seven kings,” which should be understood here as kingdoms. While the word βασιλεύς normally means “king,” not “kingdom,” the use of the word “kings” to refer to kingdoms has a parallel in the prophecy of Daniel 7. The four beasts of the vision of Daniel 7:2-8 are called “kings” by the interpreting angel (Dan 7:17), even though they represent the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (cf. Dan 7:23). Daniel 8:20-21 also uses the word “king” to mean “kingdom.” Some biblical uses are debatable or perhaps refer both to kings and to their realms (Dan 2:44; 11:40; Rev 16:12). In a sense, an empire is also a king, because it bears rule over many nations. In addition, each empire was ruled by kings, so the king can stand for the power of his empire (cf. Dan 2:37-38).
The fact that the woman sits above the seven kingdoms indicates that she is also a kingdom, and in fact is the greatest of all the kingdoms in world history—she sits on the others as her foundation, and rises above them all to the apex of human glory.
One problem I have with babylon in iraq is the Mariners that stay at a distance and see the smoke rising. The Persian gulf is the closest water and is 300 miles. A large forest fire can be seen from maximum 20 to 30 miles. Interesting to note that if you base our alphabet on the number 6 – a is 6 b is 12 etc new York adds up to 666 not that that means anything, so does computer.
Greetings to Dr. Anderson and all my family in Christ here,
I’m new here….I just read the article and the comments. Great great article Dr. A. Thank you.
I’m surprised so many fellow Americans feel the need to exit the country because of what Rev 18:4 said. First off, I’m not convinced that verse means to physically run to Central or South America. But more importantly, I believe the rapture occurs suddenly in Rev 4:1 before the seals of Rev 6 are released and before judgment falls on Babylon.
I believe the fall of Babylon the Great, whoever that is, is subsequent to the rapture. I’m sure you also know God’s true children are not subject to His wrath, which seems to be exactly what the fall of Babylon the great is, even though God is using the Beast and the 10 buddies to do the dirty work. In addition, the AC cannot harm any Church saints because they will be gone. He can affect both Trib Saints and Jews though.
In conclusion, as for me and my household, we are staying put. If I am in error in my thinking and am not following His instructions to flee, then that will be on me…..my wife agrees. We will trust that whatever does happen to us, He is greater.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing! (Rev 5:12) -BB
Thanks for the comment, BB. I certainly agree with you about the timing of the rapture. The church will be gone when the antichrist destroys the United States. What I don’t agree with is the idea that it will continue to be possible for Bible-believing Christians (i.e., Christians who oppose LGBTQ+) to continue to live and work in the United States indefinitely. Revelation 17-18 is clear that there will be a violent persecution of Christians in the United States (and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in most of the rest of in the world) in the run-up to the tribulation period. Logically, it makes sense that the world must be terribly hardened for people to refuse to repent in the face of all the supernatural judgments of the tribulation period, and to take the mark of the beast. So my counsel to American Christians is that, rather than fighting a losing political battle to turn America around, they look abroad and at least think about where they could go to live in peace whenever an official crackdown on biblical Christianity looks set to begin (e.g., after a rewrite of the Constitution or the passage of a Constitutional amendment).
Excellent write-up. I whole-heartedly agree with everything you said, and I would like to add further clarification that the US is Babylon.
Scripture indicates in several passages that Israel & Judah were both captive and oppressed in Babylon, The Great. At no point in history outside of the original Egypt Exodus has Israel & Judah been oppressed together.
Zechariah 2:7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
Micah 4:10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
Jeremiah 50:33 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.
According to Jeremiah 3:18, Hosea 2:16 or Revelation 12 all 12 tribes of Israel will be gathered at the same time 3.5 years before Jesus’ return, today’s Jews cannot be the tribe of Judah. Because according to Bible prophecy, they will all return at the same time. All will be gathered from the Gentile nations and specifically The Land of The North which seems to be synonymous with Babylon, The Great.
Amos 9:8-15 or Obadiah 17-19 Indicate Israel battles for their land when Jesus returns and the inhabitants will be removed forcibly. The Nations seem to have an issue with this debacle and Jesus intervenes to defend Israel.
Remember, Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the fullness is complete. This does not happen until the last trumpet is sounded.
How can an entity only 250 years old, in the churches 2000 year history fulfill the mystery Babylon prophesy?
Revelation 17-18 is a prophecy of an entity that arises at the end of the age. It isn’t a prophecy of an entity that has existed throughout the Church Age.
Revelation chapters 17 & 18 describes a nation known as “Mystery Babylon” – implying the nation’s real name is unknown (or not divulged by God) at the time of John’s writing. That is why it is a “mystery” and has remained so until now – when the End Times have truly begun !
I enjoyed this read, thank you Dr. Anderson. The evidence you provide screams Babylon the Great as being the US. Upon reading one of your comments, if I interpreted it correctly, you mentioned how you believe the US won’t be destroyed until at least several decades. Hence, what is your stance on when the pretribulation rapture will occur?