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; to make a donation, visit my Buy me a coffee page or the Truth Only Bible Ministries page. See also this January 2025 update.
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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WOW!!! MY BROTHER, i LOVE IT.. GRANDSLAM!!! YOU ARE ONE OF VERY FEW WHO ARE DELIVERING THIS OBVIOUS AND EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MESSAGE.. PLEASE CONSIDER REACHING OUT TO RICHARD PEARSON WHO IS A GRADUATE OF ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY. @ (PROPHECY USA) HIM AND HIS WIFE KAREN HAVE BEEN ON LINE FOR ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, AFTER THE LORD REVEALED THIS TO RICK PEARSON BACK IN THE MID 1980’s.. HIM, YOU, AND MAR MARI EMMANUEL, ARE THE ONLY SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST TEACHING THIS.. JACK HIBBS, JONATHAN CAHN AND A FEW OTHERS HAVE BEEN ON HIS PODCAST AND ARE COMING AROUND SLOWLY ON THIS CHANGE IN THEIR THEOLOGY, WHICH IS SAD BECAUSE IT’S SO OBVIOUS THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS IN THE BIBLE. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE BODY OF CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD YESHUA… GOD BLESS
William Gaines, AZ.
I have been seeing such a great resistance among both conservative and Christian friends I know that the United States is Babylon, and I think this has a great deal to do with how conservatives have a strong, in some ways almost patriotic blind zeal, that keeps them from seeing America as possibly something so wicked and evil that would merit God’s eventual catastrophic annhilation. I’m not against patriotism per se, as we need a common defense and need to particpate in the wellbeing of those we live with in a common society and land, but when it keeps people from believing what the scriptures are warning us about, and their loyalty is more to country than to the God they serve, this leads me to think some are making a dangerous idol out of America. I see this on FB where many Christians are even accepting of those having LGBTQ lifestyles as long the people support Trump, are conservative leaning, or otherwise patriotic in some way. Many of them are chanting USA, USA, USA at political rallies and sporting events like a cult mantra. At Taylor Swift concerts they may have huge American flags draped above the stage while she dresses up in occult costumes and uses satanic imagery, and she even calls herself a Christian (the emerging apostasy and false Christinity of Babylon).
Christians may also find it difficult to believe the US is Babylon because they think of God’s grace and mercy being so deep and infinite, though they fail to recognize it has finite limits when factoring in God’s standards of justice, righetousness, and the prophetic plans and timetable he has for the eventual culmination of humanity and it’s judgment. As evil becomes worse and more intolerable, at some point many Christians eyes will be opened. I also know so many Christian singles who live a life of pursuing pleasure, their main “Christian” activities, going out to eat, music concerts, potlucks, trivia night – mostly carnal things of the world, not of the spirit – it is all empty pursuit and most seem like they ar esearching for true happiness in all their busyness. They seem the last to want to accept what is coming, and most have their hopes set on the Rapture with nothing that could intervene (Babylon’s martyr and persecution of Christians) that could disrupt this assurance of a safe exit.
I also noticed it’s unpleasant for them to hear about the upward trending lawlessness, pervasive greed and corruption, immorality, and rampant drug use, even though being aware of it may make some of us more likely to pray for others and witness to them. Hopefully, there still might be a few mini-revivals before it gets far worse, but we can’t count on a good outcome for the US when we know what prophecy is telling us. Those who do not want to see whats going on or are too lukewarm in their faith will be taken by surprise at some point.
Amen. Thank You So much.
Well said… I agree with you whole heartedly. America’s man-made traditions, to whom or what one worship and to whom one give their allegiance to are the so-called christian ideals. However, in some ways people are ignorant of satan schemes. Satan is constantly trying to guide our attention to unimportant situations, and people are being manipulated in assuming and believing those man-made ideals are important; People need to open their minds and hearts and realize what is actually going on this world and focus on the LORD and trust in his word.
Prof. Anderson,
I have been trying to extract information from Revelation for over fifty years. I wrote a paper on it back in 1973 while I was in Bible College. Even if I had an inkling of the U.S. in Rev. I’m sure I dismissed it at the time. It wasn’t until the early 80’s I began to think the U.S. was in this prophesy. I expressed that idea to a well-seasoned bible scholar/teacher here in Mi. and he told me in no uncertain terms I was just plain wrong. Still, I never let it go, because as I believed then and I believe now, I don’t believe anyone (him, me, you or anyone other then the Lord) has Revelation completely right.
That said, earlier last week I read all your treatise (59 pages) and to my amazement I agree with almost everything you’ve written. The only exception is the mountains of Rev. 17:9 and the reference you made to the past historical nation/powers etc. I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m right, but perhaps some may find my geographical “bottom shelf” approach more intriguing, possibly plausible?
I did a study attempting to focus on the geographical references in chapter 17, mountains, rivers, oceans (all plural) looking up some 60+ translation/versions and making notes as to the different words used in same. Most went along the lines of the KJV and some made it a little more interesting. I read commentary after commentary looking for any geographical ponderings in the few verses available in this text, but there was no help worth mentioning. Anyway, back to the mountains (as opposed to hills). One day I was having a quite time thinking about this subject. With regards to Rev. 17:9, I began to wonder just how many mountains there are in the U.S.? I turned to the intranet and came across the World Atlas. “Land Forms of North America” was where a map showed me 7 mountain ranges. The Alaskan, Brooks, Cascades, Costal, Sierras, Rockies and the Adirondacks mountain ranges, all in the U.S. I know, you can make most anything fit a situation and I guess one could argue that scholars did the same thing I’ve done here with the interpretation of the 7 hills. They went down the rabbit hole of Roman Universalism at great length building their whole thesis on an incorrect interpretation of hills rather than the Greek that says they are ‘mountains’. So if the Greek expresses mountains and you say there’s no case for them in the real sense, then why? You don’t have to answer, I have already read your earlier response to that question and I simply do not at all agree with the logic.
I guess I would sum this all up by saying; “God made this country, its mountains, its rivers, its surrounding oceans and He directed this text”. Did He make them all for each other??? … With regards to 17:9, I can’t say with any certainty, but I thought my approach was interesting enough to share.
Thank you Sir, for all your in-depth studies on this subject and sharing them, very, very enlightening. I hope many will read and take heed.
Ken
Ken, have you thought about if it could make more sense that the word mountain would represent the main land masses of earth that emerge out of the the depths of the oceans and where most of the populations of the earth are distributed (N. America, S. America, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Oceania (Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, etc.? I don’t see how this would be just the mountains only of the United States because some of them such as the Cascades for instance are relatively unpopulated and it would seem to me that there needs to be some type of deeper significance, i.e., where humanity resides abnd has power, that these mountains represent. In Revelations these mountains signify concentrations of humanity ruled under the power of kings and kingdoms which disqualify the Cascades, the Rockies, or most of the seven mountains of the United States, : Rev. 9 “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”
The 7 mountains may be connected to Freemasonry. The Freemason cornerstone was laid in Washington DC by the first US president in the late 1780’s. The US is the first Freemason country ever established by Freemasonry. How many countries does Freemasonry rule over? 1. USA, 2. Canada, 3. Australia, 4. New Zealand, and 5. 6. and 7. The United Kingdom ( 3 Kingdoms, England, Wales and Scottland.
On the back of the dollar bill we have the Freemason Pyramid and the all seeing eye. A historic symbol for Freemasons has been the Tower of Babel (Babylon). Many sincere Christians consider Freemasonry to be involved in the occult (mystery)
I am opposed to Freemasonry, but Freemasonry has greatly declined in popularity. The Masonic lodge doesn’t rule over any of the countries you listed, and it is doubtful that it ever did. A larger problem is that this interpretation doesn’t fit with Revelation 17:9 and its biblical parallels. A comparison of Revelation 12:3 (diadems on the heads) with Revelation 13:1 (diadems on the horns) indicates that the heads are the domain over which Satan rules, and the horns are the domain over which the antichrist rules. Since Revelation 17:12-13 identifies the ten horns as the ten component parts of the antichrist’s kingdom, this indicates that the ten horns are all situated on a single head (cf. Dan 2:42; 7:7-8, 24), and that the head represents the antichrist’s kingdom—the horns are subsets of the head (cf. Dan 7:7-8, 24; 8:3-9, 20-23). The other six heads must therefore represent six other kingdoms. The Bible teaches that Satan is the ruler of the ungodly kingdoms of this world (Isa 14:4, 12; Ezek 28:11-19; Dan 10:13, 20; Luke 4:5-7; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 6:12; 1 John 5:19; Rev 12:9; 20:3), which explains why the dragon is portrayed with diadems on its seven heads. The antichrist’s realm is a subset of Satan’s realm; the antichrist wields direct political control over the political units of the seventh kingdom, and Satan is the spiritual power behind the political power.
The angel in Revelation 17 gives an important clue as to the identity of the kingdoms by situating them chronologically. He says, “the five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come; and when he (or, ‘it’) comes, he (or, ‘it’) must remain for a little while.” Since the angel says that the beast’s kingdom has not yet come, and he says in verse 12 that the ten kings who rule the ten parts of the antichrist’s kingdom “have not yet received a kingdom,” it is apparent that the verb tenses he employs in these verses should be understood with reference to John’s own day. This identifies the kingdom that “is” as the Roman Empire (which is therefore distinct from the woman). The prophecies of Daniel 2 and 7 help to identify the other kingdoms. The kingdom to come is the end-time form of the Roman Empire, which is ruled by the ten kings and the antichrist. The five kingdoms that have fallen are the notable kingdoms of biblical history that preceded Rome. Daniel’s visions list the three great kingdoms that immediately preceded Rome, namely, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. Daniel’s prophecies naturally begin with the kingdom that was ruling in Daniel’s own day, but there are two earlier kingdoms that played a dominant role in biblical history. The first kingdom is Egypt, which was the dominant power in the ancient Near East from the time of Abraham until the rise of Assyria. The second kingdom is Assyria, which dominated the ancient Near East for most of Israel’s divided monarchy period until the rise of Babylon.
These seven empires are ones that held the Jewish people captive and oppressed them. Egypt enslaved the Israelite nation; Assyria destroyed and deported the northern kingdom of Israel; Babylon destroyed and deported the southern kingdom of Judah; Persia allowed a return of Jews to Judah, but maintained oppressive political control over the land and people of Israel (Neh 9:36-37); the Greeks replaced the Persians as occupiers of the land of Israel, and the Seleucid Empire savagely persecuted the Jews; after a brief period of Jewish independence, Rome conquered the land of Israel, and eventually destroyed Jerusalem; finally, the antichrist’s kingdom will also invade the land of Israel and will persecute the Jews more savagely than in any previous pogrom in history. The relation of these seven kingdoms to Israel explains why great kingdoms such as the Mongol Empire and the United States are not included among the heads of the beast—they did not occupy the land of Israel while the Jews were living in it. When the Muslim caliphates occupied the land of Israel during the Middle Ages, there were few Jews living in the land; the Muslim armies simply drove out the Roman armies that had previously occupied the land.
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. She differs from the other seven kingdoms in that she never occupies the land of Israel, but she oppresses the church of God with just as much vigor as the pagan kingdoms have oppressed Israel. Indeed, she leads the world in a great rebellion against God that is carried to its ultimate end by the antichrist. Economically, technologically, and militarily she is greater by far than any preceding kingdom in the history of the world. No kingdom in human history has ever been, or ever will be in this age, as materially prosperous and comfortable as Babylon the Great.
Thank you for your reply Brian. I read what you had to say a number of times. I’m not sure we’re on the same page as my intent was the same as the rest of this site, to show the U.S. in this text. Although what I presented is admittedly weak in the KJV, please consider the TLB version; 9 “And now think hard: his seven heads represent a certain city built on seven hills where this woman has her residence”. Yes, I realize it says hills not mountains. My point is this, the TLB emphasizes more about the woman’s location, not so much the KJV. You might consider reading some of the 60+ versions of chapter 17. Some versions may surprise you or give you a little different perspective. For starters, TLB, NLV, NLT are the most diverse from most “others” that ultimately run along the same lines as the KJV, at least that’s what I found in reading them. I might add that some of the most respected Bible teachers in the country are fans of TLB and have Dallas Theological Seminary as their alma-mater, just in case you are a KJV only fan.
As we look at all this try to consider the effect of shinning a light on a wall. If you shine a light straight at it you will not see all the detail that comes with shinning it on the wall sideways. You will be amazed at what you could not see until you looked at it from a different direction.
These are creative ideas. However, symbolism in biblical prophecy must be interpreted according to the indicators present in the biblical text. Otherwise interpretation is subjective and imaginative. In the case of the seven mountains, these are not literal mountains, but are rather a way of speaking of seven great kingdoms. The TLB “the seven heads represent a city built on seven hills” is an interpretation based on the view that Babylon the Great is Rome; this is not what the Greek text says. Rather than reading many different Bible versions, it is best to develop expertise in the original languages and do exegesis from the original languages.
Amen!!
absolutely agree!
This was an incredible article. I agree that the US is infact mystery Babylon. Food for thought… 10 kings that recieve power in one hour ?? The BRICS nations… in which they just added 5 more in January 2024 which would make up 10 nations … and please look closely at the G7 and G8 Russia was apart of the G8… verse 10 in Revelation 17 speaks about the G7 & G8 America going to sudden destruction ( meaning it will appear for a short time then be utterly destroyed ( by Russia) interesting right?? I think so …
Thanks for the comment. However, the ten countries/rulers that comprise the antichrist’s kingdom will be in Europe, and therefore can’t be the BRICS countries.
Steven, you replied to the post that mentioned Russia, so I tried to look through this article more about how this country factors in prophetically with America being Babylon, but I don’t see anything mentioned in depth about Russia. Do you have any thoughts about the prophecy in Ezekiel that some have interpreted as being the invasion of Israel by Russia (Gog and Magog) with its allies at which time they will be destroyed by the hand of God? I’m not sure where you stand on this in terms of a timetable relative to the other end times events, including when Babylon begins to persecute and martyr Christians, the Rapture of the church, and beginning of the reign of Antichrist in the tribulation period. It would seem to me that this invasion would precede the tribulation, but possibly be concurrent with Babylon’s persecutions. Ezekiel indicates as you know that they will be burning the leftover weapons as fuel for 7 years (nuclear fuel perhaps). We see Israel so much in the news now and Russia is clearly pivoting against her, whereas before they at least made the appearance of being neutral. Could the US use the invasion by Russia as a pretext to jail those Christians who ideologically were supporting Russia in terms of moral principles or who were against the involvement in Ukraine? Russia is anti-LGBTQ as are many Christians, and now many consider the US to actually be at war with Russia and perhaps those who have supported Russia might be considered traitors especially if the nuclear part gest unleashed and then it becomes a more striking national security threat.
Hi Brien, it remains to be seen exactly how the persecution of Christians in the United States will develop, but I don’t think it will be for supporting Russia. For one, many Christians (myself included are no fans of Russia due to the extreme brutality and injustice of the Putin regime. Putin supports the Russian Orthodox Church because it supports him, but he has a mixed record when it comes to evangelical Christians, especially in Ukraine. As for Ezekiel 38-39, yes, Gog is evidently Russia, and the land of Magog is roughly the territory of the former Soviet Union–Slavic or Slavic-influenced countries. Russia will be the leader of a huge coalition of countries from the area of the former Soviet Union, Africa, and also Iran. So I think Russia will win the war with Ukraine and continue to expand. I plan to write a series of blog articles with a detailed exposition of Ezekiel 38-39, but haven’t been able to make the time to do it yet. The chronology is complex because of the mention of the seven years, but I am convinced that the invasion happens at the midpoint of the tribulation period. Psalm 46:8-10 associates the burning of weapons with the beginning of the messianic kingdom and the attendant cessation of war. Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3 state that the nations will “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks” when the millennium begins. So it is possible for the burning of Gog’s weapons to continue symbolically into the millennium. There are too many other issues in the passage to try to explain it all in a comment; Ezekiel 38-39 deserves its own dedicated article, or series of articles.
Hi Steve, Thank you for this very insightful response, makes a lot of sense to me. Yes, I agree that would be the least of reasons why Babylon would persecute Christians since many support Ukraine instead. That is also very eye-opening about when the Russian (Rosh, Gog, and Magog) invasion of Israel would take place, mid-tribulation, and I have never heard that stated but also makes sense too when so much war, death, and mayhem will be taking place with red horse of the apocalypse, and how then at the end when the Lord Jesus comes to earth to rule they will still be making use of the energy even into the post-trib. period in times of peace. Praise God!
In a vision, Jehovah showed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel and gave him its meaning. The next day, Daniel went to the king’s servant and said: ‘Don’t kill any of the wise men. I can explain the king’s dream.’ The servant took Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel told the king: ‘God has revealed the future to you. This is your dream: You saw a huge statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, stomach and thighs of copper, legs of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay. Then a stone was cut from a mountain, and it struck the feet of the statue. The statue was crushed into powder and blew away in the wind. The stone became a large mountain, and it filled the earth.’
Daniel then said: ‘This is what your dream means: Your kingdom is the head of gold. The silver is a kingdom that will come after you. Then there will be one like copper, which will rule over the whole earth. The next kingdom will be strong like iron. Finally, there will be a divided kingdom with some parts strong like iron and some parts weak like clay. The stone that becomes a mountain is God’s Kingdom. It will crush all these kingdoms and will last forever.’
Babylon represents the head of gold
Medo-Persia: the silver
Greece: copper
Rome: Iron
and the feet mixed with iron and clay, imo, is the United States of America or the Anglo American world power.
Thanks for the comment. However, it is best to interpret the vision of Daniel 2 by comparing it with the parallel vision in Daniel 7. From this, we can see that the ten toes (2:42) represent the final state of political power in the fourth of the four empires, and correspond to the ten horns in the vision of ch. 7, which represent the antichrist’s base of power. A more likely reference to Babylon the Great/the United States in Daniel’s vision is in Daniel 11:39 (“the strongest of fortresses”).
This is a fantastic article that is causing me to reconsider the case.
And in light of world events that started in 2020 and 2021, and the US involvement in them, perhaps Revelation 18:24 has already been fulfilled (“…of ALL who have been slain on earth”).
People always ask me what I do in retirement. This is the best way to answer their questions.
Great article. I too have thought that America is Mystery Babylon just from a geo political view. No nation such as Russia, China, or Iran would ever consider invading the Middle East while America rules the world.
I agree with everything you have said. Awesome article. I guess the final question is; how close are we to the end…
Hello. I also agree with this post.
That the United, now Divided States of America is Mystery Babylon. The descriptions of revelation can definitely be taken literally rather that symbolically (as some suggest “The Book of Revelation is just full of symbolism!”), which it is, but, also real time imagery is involved. And, as you pointed out well, “polis” can be either City or Country/Nation. Although, we might insinuate that New York City is that great city, as it is very representative of the U.S.A.. And, a many in the Body of CHRIST have received Visions and Dreams of it being nuked some day. No other nations fits the description of Revelation like America. She is now the most WICKEDEST NATION ON EARTH. We murder the unborn, doing it for 51 years. Legalizing the breaking of GOD’s 6th Commandment of “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” We are a lead nation in producing and selling Pornography, immoral sexual activities, illicit drugs, alcohol, child sex-slavery, prostitution, LGBTQ promotion, poisons and toxins in the food supplies. All these that help destroy the American families. We are the most idolatrous nation. We worship Money. And the Love of Money is the root of all evil. We have politicians and presidents that will sell out their campaign values and their own country for money and “personal financial security”. People will lie, cheat, steal, kill, and sell their souls for money. America worships entertainers, musicians, actors, sports athletes, the police, fire-fighters, other people, material possessions, food, etc. America is full of the Occult, Witchcraft, cults, secret societies, false religions: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Satanism, Feminism, etc. But, Money is our main Golden Calf. America cares more about Money than Morals. No other nation has prospered like America. Since the 1960’s America has systematically marginalized GOD, and kicked HIM and HIS Laws out of the public venue.
Alongside Revelation 18 is Jeremiah 50-51, which also pertains to America, calling her Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans (steeped in Occultism).
America is the youngest of civilized nations. She is a shame to her mother Great Britain.
Jeremiah 51:13-14 shows GOD cursing Babylon (America) by “filling her with MEN that raise up a shout against her. Military aged men have been flooding into our nation for some time now. Causing a national threat to America and her citizens. Taking over this nation, without any political party stopping this illegal influx. Because they cannot stop what GOD Himself is steering as Judgment. America kills off her unborn infants, GOD will refill that vacancy, but, as a Judgment.
And, when America is a curse to Israel, GOD will curse America. Isaiah 47, also. All from King James Version.
Very well stated, brother! I was amazed when I heard that Taylor Swift had reached a fortune of $1 billion which is based on her being worshipped like an idol, and she is expressing the demonic now by dressing as a demon in some of her performances, and she promotes the sick cult of abortion, veiled as women’s rights. Another example is the rapper/music mogul P Diddy being charged with numerous sex crimes and also having accusations of murder and he is worth just under, half a billion $’s, again the product of mindless, satanic, cult-like worship. You can see the hearts of people growing so cold as it warns us 2nd Thessalonians would take place. Even in the churches they have become like the Laodicean church of Revelations. I don’t see the sincere love for one another that would be expressed in kindness, encouragement, building each other up in the Lord Jesus, instead there is a coldness veiled as a minding your own business which is really being self-centered and distant from one another. This maybe explains why a majority of Christians I have brought this up to cannot or will not see that America is Babylon because they are to caught in her sins or lukewarmness to have any discernement. I’m not boasting in any way as self-righteous, but it perplexes me that I have long known America to be Bablyon since the late 90’s as it seemed so obvious even back when i first heard this, but very few see this now. I probably only was able to through God’s grace and Holy Spirit allowing me to.
America as Mystery Babylon is a prostitute because she was once a virtuous and faith wife (the bride of Christ) in her mission and her people’s, but as you said sold herself for money, thereby prostitutinh herself and becoming the great whore of the earth. As Dr. Anderson’s post mentions we need to think seriously of leaving Babylon since the passage in Rev. tells us to do this before her judgement takes place. Even though some may think we are called to be martyrs in the passage in Ch17, “…the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.”, because it also warns us to flee in Ch 18, “‘Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given;
pay her back double for what she has done.
Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts,
‘I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[c]
I will never mourn.’
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”
We are meant to esacpe her judgement and it would seem only those who stay within her too long as she becomes more diabolical and evil will they then come under her wrath. But I do not think we are meant to suffer this since it also means being debased in this sinful and dark place. I’m stil hoping and praying for God to open a door to get out by His grace and timing.
Sorry if I missed it, but I didn’t see anything in regards to being “drunk on the blood of the saints and martyrs” (Revelation 17:6) on how that can relate to the US. All the other points seem right on, but I think that is a tough one to overcome without doing some serious gymnastics no? ð¤âï¸ð¤ Thanks in advance! Nate
The United States has not yet fulfilled all the prophecies in Revelation 17-18. Even the financial dominance of the United States over the world is not yet what it will be in the future. The United States is not yet putting Christians to death for their faith, but it is easy to see how this could happen in the future. Historically, societies that are anti-Christian seek to eliminate Christianity.
How does the recent election of Trump as president impact your views of the US as mystery Babylon? Any thoughts on how he plays in all of this?
Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan certainly fits well with “Babylon the Great.” Although America already is the greatest superpower the world has ever seen, I believe that Trump and his successors will succeed in making it much greater, especially from an economic and financial perspective. America will become a much richer and economically dominant country.
Under Trump or one of his successors, the U.S. government will very likely issue a digital currency and/or digital payment system that will eventually become the world’s sole currency and will lead to the mark of the beast. Well before the mark of the beast is implemented, the United States will control the world’s currency and will evidently have some control over the rest of the world through its control of the digital currency (Rev 17:18).
I believe Trump’s election is also highly relevant to Ezekiel 38–39. After the conclusion of the current war, Trump will likely work to negotiate a comprehensive Middle East peace, which will eventually lead to Israeli disarmament (Ezek 38:8, 11). Trump also intends to allow or help Russia to build an empire, at Europe’s expense. This will lead to the immense coalition led by Russia (Gog) that invades Israel at the midpoint of the tribulation period, as described in Ezekiel 38–39. I also think it is likely that Trump will withdraw from NATO, and the United States’ abandonment of Europe to face Russia on its own will lead to deep resentment and the eventual destruction of the United States by the European Union or its successor body (Rev 17:16).
With regard to religious freedom, a Trump administration will likely be better in the short term than Biden-Harris, but Trump has shifted both himself and the Republican Party away from strong opposition to abortion and homosexuality. Trump himself has poor moral character, and his acceptance among American evangelicals appears to have weakened the church. The influence of Trump’s materialistic, self-interested attitude is particularly concerning, as these are the main sins of Babylon the Great enumerated in Revelation 17–18.
Thanks Steven! This very timely reponse was very well written and fills in a lot of the blanks I had.
Wow, your analysis is almost prophetic when you look at Trump’s Gaza deal and entreaties to Russia since being re-elected.
After reading Section 4 of Excursus I was reminded of a story from the Holocaust:
It is human nature to ignore the obvious and even to criticize the testimony of witnesses. Most Christians prefer ignorance to truth because they are afraid, lied to in churches, and are backslidden and sinful. American Christians in particular are so immersed in the lies of wolves they run to their own destruction.
Some of us who are aware of what is “at the doors” realize that the Lord may require us to give up our very lives in order to do His will—to go out into the highways and byways, compelling those lost souls to come in because those who were called, from the pulpits, refused.
Babylon the Great is Fallen! Is fallen! That will a day of the Lord’s Glory! The merchants of earth will mourn but we who worship the King of Kings will REJOICE!
You mention that the “Lord may require us to give up our very lives in order to do His will—to go out into the highways and byways, compelling those lost souls to come in because those who were called, from the pulpits, refused.” but what Dr. Anderson suggests in his follow-up article, Practical implications of the identification of Babylon the Great with the United States of America, is that we are supposed to leave Babylon to be obedient to God, not to stay here to become martyrs when it becomes that evil.
Rev.18 shows that people in Babylon will refuse to repent at some point, sounding somewhat similar to Sodom and Gomorrah for which reason it was utterly destroyed after Lot and his family were allowed to flee. No one stayed there to try to persuade people to repent or share the truth with the inhabitants because God knew they were beyond repentance and salvation. It appears to be same in Babylon as we are told to flee before this martyrdom takes place.
What you say here could be true at this current point in time for being able to share the gospel with people because some people are still open to it, though at present is hardly a time that martyrdom would be taking place with possibly a few exceptions of a crazed or demonic possessed person preaching without the safeguards and covering by the blood of Jesus, but at some point things culturally and politically will drastically change to such a degree that will enable this extreme persecution. We are not meant to give up our lives at that point as you are suggesting because if we fully heed the warning of Rev. 18 as a commandment to obey God by fleeing then we won’t be here to become a martyr or be compelled or forced to commit the grievous, institutionalized sins.
We are literally told to come out from her so we do not share in both her sins or the judgements. Rev. 18;4 “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” Although it does not explicitly say that one of the plagues would be martyrdom, by being obedient to God to leave before the sin becomes so rampant that God judges her with plagues would then preclude the persecution by death of the Saints that would likely be happening by that stage.
Just as Lot was not meant to arbitrarily “give up his life” in the evil, unrepentant Sodom and Gomorrah, it would seem to also be the case for Babylon since we are admonished to leave because of the utter sinfulness that is taking place. That is not to say we will not or should not become martyrs at some future point or situation (outside of Babylon) because this is how God can be glorified to bring more people into his kingdom, but this would not be going against God’s warnings about Babylon and his plans for us according to the scriptures. Here are some helpful excerpts I took from Steven’s Practical Implications article that mostly resonates with what I said and I hope this is a blessing to you:
What American Christians should do
Bible prophecy was given so that believers can know what will happen before it happens, and so they can plan and prepare accordingly. Thus, it is critical to ask and answer this question: What should American Christians do, in light of the realization that the United States of America is Babylon the Great?
An opportunity to survive the coming persecution
The book of Revelation reveals that the antichristian movement in the United States will culminate in a program of official persecution in which Christians will be killed in large numbers for their faith. Often in the Bible and throughout church history, Christians have fled from places where they are being persecuted to places where they can live and worship freely. In fact, many of the original colonists of the United States were Christians who left their home countries in Europe in search of religious freedom.
Revelation 18:4 – A warning to flee from evil
Revelation 18:4-5 gives a direct command to Christians who are living in Babylon the Great. Those verses read as follows: Then I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins, and so that you will not receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” These verses clearly command Christians who are living in Babylon the Great to leave, warning them that they risk both participation in her sins and sharing in her judgment if they do not. The key interpretive question is whether the command to come out of Babylon the Great is given only to Christians who are living in Babylon the Great during the tribulation period, or whether it is also directed to Christians who are living in Babylon the Great before the tribulation period.
However, the reasons given in Revelation 18:4 as to why Christians should flee Babylon the Great are broader than an appeal to tribulation saints to seek to preserve their physical lives because of the imminent judgment of Babylon the Great. These reasons are “so that you will not participate in her sins, and so that you will not receive of her plagues.” The command to flee so as not to participate in the sins of Babylon the Great would seem odd if applied only to a context in which believers are saved a few days or weeks before the judgment falls; it must apply to a much longer time period prior to the rapture, and stands as a warning regarding the great pressure to apostatize that will be applied to those who attempt a “normal life” in Babylon the Great.
Various other verses in the book of Revelation refer to the judgment of God on those who participate in Babylon the Great’s sins, even if they are not destroyed at the same time as she is (Rev 14:8; 17:2; 18:3). Participation in the sins of Babylon the Great therefore implies receiving of her plagues. Applying the warning to the current situation of Christians in the United States, there an increasingly grave danger in attempting to participate in the economic and cultural life of the United States as a Christian, due to way in which the whole American system is being set up to directly oppose the Word of God.
The fact that a command is given to leave Babylon the Great implies that there are a considerable number of Christians living in Babylon the Great, who need to be warned to leave. To the reader of the book of Revelation this may be surprising, given the fact that Babylon the Great is so thoroughly wicked and murders Christians (Rev 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:2).
Another implication of the command to leave Babylon the Great is that Christians have the ability to leave Babylon the Great. Once again, this implies a window of opportunity between the time that Christians should realize their country is Babylon the Great and the time when they can no longer leave because they are in jail or on death row.
An interesting aspect of the command to leave is that it is open-ended. Revelation 18:4 does not give a specific moment to leave, nor does the text specify where Christians who leave should go (contrast Matt 24:15-16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20-21). In the context of imminent judgment early in the tribulation period, evangelists will likely warn new converts to leave immediately, and to go to some faraway place.
However, with regard to the application of this command to believers living in Babylon the Great prior to the tribulation period, the indefiniteness of the command gives individual Christians some leeway as to when to leave and where to go. It is still a command which must not be put off in perpetuity, but different individuals have different circumstances which affect their ability to leave.
That said, the day will come in which faithful Christians will be arrested and will not be allowed to leave the United States. Thus, it is not wise to plan to wait until the last possible moment to leave, especially since the complexity of international real estate and finance entails a long and complicated moving process for Americans who move overseas.
It is interesting that persecution is not mentioned in Revelation 18:4-5 as a reason to flee Babylon the Great. Persecution was also not mentioned as a major concern in the letter to the church at Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). Larger than the threat of the loss of one’s life is the threat of the loss of one’s soul—the overwhelming pressure to conform to the sinful, materialistic system of morality promulgated by Babylon the Great. It is no secret that while the church has been growing in some less developed parts of the world, the evangelical church in the United States has been in a long decline. Large numbers of young people who grew up in Christian homes have renounced Christianity, large numbers of Bible colleges and seminaries have closed, and many of the young people who are still in the church have a very weak commitment to the Word of God.
There are no longer large numbers of new converts, and the churches that remain are growing ever-weaker in doctrine and practice. However, while the spiritual threat is the main one, it is connected to the pressures of persecution, and there will come a day when it will be difficult or impossible for faithful American Christians to emigrate from their country. Thus, the command to leave Babylon the Great does imply that it should be obeyed before persecution closes the door to emigration.
As for new converts after the persecution starts, most will probably be able to leave the United States if they do so immediately after their conversion and can join supportive communities of Christians elsewhere in the world—although these communities must beware of frauds who will seek to harm them.
Revelation 18:5 begins with the word “for” (Gk ὅτι, hoti), which gives an explanation as to why the sins and plagues of Babylon the Great mentioned in verse 4 are such a great danger. By the time this oracle is spoken, Babylon the Great’s accumulated “sins have piled up to heaven,” metaphorically speaking (cf. Gen 18:21; 2 Chr 28:9; Ezra 9:6; Jer 51:9; Jonah 1:2; also Gen 15:16; Rev 14:18), and because of this “God has remembered her iniquities.” When God “remembers” Babylon the Great’s iniquities, this means He brings into view all of the wicked things she has done in order to pour out just judgment on her (cf. Pss 109:14; 137:7; Jer 14:10; Hos 8:13; 9:9).
This is something that happens very early in the tribulation period, when the physical destruction of Babylon the Great is imminent. However, it happens again at the end of the tribulation period, when God judges all the nations of the world for participation in Babylon the Great’s sins (Rev 16:19). Thus, the warning that judgment will fall on Babylon the Great in the future for her extreme sinfulness is a reason to flee Babylon the Great well before her destruction, in order to avoid the moral and spiritual corruption to which nearly all who live in such a thoroughly wicked place will succumb.
What Christians should not do
It is a great tragedy that many pastors and other Christian leaders today speak prolifically about current events without ever relating them, or relating them properly, to Bible prophecy. Many seek to ignore prophecy altogether. When evangelical Bible scholars and pastors do speak about prophecy, all too often it is only to plant a twisted (spiritualized) view of prophecy in the minds of their hearers, and to denounce those who read Bible prophecy literally. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized that the United States is in the process of eliminating religious freedom and freedom of speech by means of imposing a radical homosexual agenda which attempts to force all institutions and individuals to actively support homosexuality. Christian leaders are reacting to this trend in a variety of ways, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
In truth, the American Dream has always been a dubious pursuit from a spiritual perspective; Christians ought instead to live a life of service and sacrifice for the Lord. We need to remember that our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20), and our call is to make disciples of Jesus throughout the whole world (Acts 1:8).
When should American Christians leave the United States, and where should they go? The answer to that question will be different for different people. But every American Christian should realize that he will not be able to continue to live freely in the United States for many decades to come.
The exact date when the United States will begin to jail and execute large numbers of Christians is not in biblical prophecy, although it may coincide with the writing of a new constitution or the passage of the equal rights amendment, or with the loss of a key court case. For now, the persecution continues to build gradually. In any case, American Christians need to face the reality that their country is going to harm them sooner or later if they refuse to accept homosexuality. The prudent and biblical response is to make plans to move overseas. In the short term, there are still many countries in the world in which
Christianity is fully legal, although Christians must be wary of the progress of the militant homosexual agenda in other countries as well. It is wise to prefer countries with conservative moral values over those with abundant wealth and physical comforts, and to be willing to live under a different political system than that of the United States. Also, there are some countries in which Christianity is not currently fully legal which may grant Christianity full legal protection in the future. Christians should be especially attentive to events in the Middle East, since that is where God’s program is focused at the end of the age.
There are many American Christians, both leaders and laymen, who believe they are in the process of losing their religious freedoms.
They also realize that American culture is having a significant negative impact on the spiritual health of the church. The exodus of young people from the church has been well documented, as has the involvement of Christians in sin and the doctrinal weakening of the church due to cultural influences and pressures. The anti-Christian agenda of mainstream American institutions is also well known. In spite of all these things, nearly every Christian is planning to stay in the United States for the rest of his life. Virtually no one is making contingency plans to leave for a friendlier country or a better environment, and no leader or group is calling for an organized, coordinated exodus. Why not? It makes no sense. It is like a group of people standing on the beach waiting for a tsunami to come in. These people document in detail all the signs that the tsunami is coming, and they are filled with anxiety as they see it build, step by step. Yet people just keep discussing how bad it will be, and how much damage it may do. Some are frantically piling up stones to try to stop its advance. But no one is running to higher ground, which is the obvious solution.
Looking to the end of the age
The New Testament speaks repeatedly of the extreme difficulty believers will face in the end times, in the period leading up to the rapture of the church (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-9, 13; 4:3-4; 2 Pet 3:3-6; Jude 17-19; Rev 3:14-22). It calls this period “difficult times” (2 Tim 3:1)—strong language when considering all the persecutions and false teachings that have beset the church since its inception. The Bible expressly teaches that there will be a great, worldwide rebellion against God at the end of the present age (2 Thess 2:3), and that this rebellion will make inroads in the church as well as the world (2 Tim 4:3-4). The multitude of martyrs in Revelation 7:9-17 shows that the whole world is vehemently anti-Christian throughout the first half of the tribulation period, before the antichrist sets up his image in the temple.
Surely the mass murder of Christians in the first half of the tribulation period does not come out of nowhere, but simply continues and strengthens a policy of severe persecution against Christians that was already in place throughout most of the world before the tribulation period (cf. Rev 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:2). The world’s rebellion against God culminates in the second half of the tribulation period with open worship of the antichrist and the devil by the entire unsaved world, with the death penalty imposed on those who refuse to comply (Rev 13:4, 8, 15-18). Most of the unbelieving world will repudiate the gospel in spite of many astonishing signs from heaven and even the preaching of angels. For these things to happen during the tribulation period, the world must first become incredibly hardened and spiritually deluded in the era leading up to the tribulation period.
It should be noted that these prophecies of a great worldwide rebellion could not be fulfilled if the United States, as the world’s wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential country, were to experience a genuine spiritual awakening at the end of the age. If the world as a whole will rebel against God at the end of the age, this rebellion must be led by the country which acts, more than any other, as the leader of the world—the United States of America. In fact, the United States will become so irremediably wicked, and will accrue so much guilt for its actions, that God will destroy it utterly at the beginning of the tribulation period, as the firstfruits of His destruction of all the nations of the world at the end of the tribulation period.
There is a principle stated in Daniel 12:8-10 that the referents of certain eschatological prophecies cannot be understood before the stage begins to be set for the fulfillment of those prophecies. Thus, while the identification of Babylon the Great should be obvious at the present time, it would have been impossible to make this identification before the United States became the dominant power in the world.
Today, the identification of Babylon the Great is clear, due to the way in which the United States of America is aligning with Revelation 17–18. The main reason why this interpretation has not yet gained wide acceptance in the church is due to a commitment to eschatological agnosticism on the part of most Bible scholars and pastors. It is hoped that the arguments made in this treatise will help refocus the church’s attention on the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy.
Thank you, Ben, for reminding me re: the fact that I could lose my soul by being dragged down by the reprehensible culture of Babylon.
In point of fact, I am already experiencing challenges in the workplace—(and have been for some time )—which take all my energy and prayerful efforts to remain a non-conformist with the ultra anti-God mentality which is so very pervasive.
The number one issue in regards to relocation in another country is the fact that I am a single senior female with zero resources. It’s a hand-to-mouth life of drudgery at jobs I loath, where I am mocked and scorned for not participating in banter, levity, and all manner of worldliness.
I am weary.
I will pray for you Shoshi, as well as all of us whose eyes are open, that we will trust Jesus to make a way for us to leave in due time according to his will and purpose, we must not give up hope! I too can relate to the sad, lifeless, cold, drudgery of being in a toxic worldly system including the workplace, marketplace, as well as even some friends who seem in denial, letting the evil influences of this world lure them into a zombiestic capitulation and compliance. We know the love of most grows cold as we were warned in 2nd Timothy. It can be a struggle to maintain the faith as we al must feel isolated and despondent at times, but surely the Lord has not abandoned us! Babylon the Great is a dark and lonely place compared to the spiritual heights and glory some of us have experience in the Lord Jesus.
I have discussed with some thought leaders the idea of getting a group going for moral support, ideas, and perhaps collaboration in finding a way out of Babylon. One such suggestion was a group on Telegram which would avoid the censorship issues of FB. Mostly I’ve noticed people on FB, of my 300 to 400 so called friends (most as mere, unknown associations, but some political affiliations), virtually ignore what I have to say about Babylon, thinking me as a crackpot. Time will soon enough reveal what’s in Revelations and what will shock many patriotic Americans and Christians who don’t see it coming, I pray enough will open their eyes as it gets closer. I don’t ever give up or give in, never have, never will (the Lord is not permitting it! – this why we face the ugly, stark reality we are in) and even as early as my sophomore year in High School I was warning classmates of the coming judgement, now we are all the more closer. May the Lord Jesus be glorified and praised! His righteousness will cover the earth!
Hello again Ben,
Please keep me in the loop re: Telegram/ thought tank you mentioned. Hopefully y’all come up with a possible plan and will coordinate a “mass exodus” of believers. 🙏🏻
Absolutely first class analysis here.I concur totally that the United States is the only possible candidate for the role of “mystery Babylon”.Iraq isn’t a superpower game nor is Italy so Rome cannot be a plausible option.
A vital corollary of this is that the ruler of mystery Babylon must also be the antichrist..ergo the ruler(president) of the USA must be the antichrist.Donald Trump is almost the perfect candidate for “the beast” or “lawless one”. He matches perfectly all the characteristics ascribed to him in Daniel and the epistle to the Thessalonians:”a crafty politician”,”charismatic speaker”(Daniel),and “blasphemous” and “boastful”.He is also the only one who can “confirm a covenant with many”..ie the peace agreement between Israel and the Arabs.As soon as this happens, the rule of the antichrist begins.
Thanks for the comments. However, Donald Trump can’t be the antichrist. The antichrist destroys Babylon the Great (Rev 17:16-17) with the assistance of ten rulers/countries in his alliance. He rules over a different realm. The ten rulers are identified in Daniel 2 and 7 as the end-time form of the Roman Empire, so they must be a latter-day form of the European Union. Daniel 9:26 more specifically identifies the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem as the future antichrist’s people, so the antichrist must be Italian. I would further argue that while we are living near in time to the return of Christ, there are still many events that must take place in order to prepare the world for the tribulation period. See this post: https://truthonlybible.com/2021/08/23/the-imminence-of-the-rapture-does-the-bible-teach-it/
Sorry, but your analysis is wrong. The Anti-Christ and his subservient 10 kings will DESTROY Mystery Babylon – he cannot be the leader of that nation. More likely, Anti-Christ springs from the EU and/or NATO, which makes sense since “he is the 8th, which comes from the7th” – the old Roman Empire. The destruction of the USA will allow EU to become the 3rd major player on the world stage, along with Russia & allies, and China & allies (“the kings of the East”). It will also make the US dollar worthless, completely upset the dollar-based economic system, and pave the way for the cashless economy of the Beast System.
Hi Keith, I too am leaving room for the possibility of Trump being one of the 10 heads of the first beast because of the assassination attempt last summer. But that possibility would change my understanding of the makeup of the first beast and it’s 10 heads as Rev 17 clearly states that the 10 heads will hate the prostitute and destroy her. (it would make DJT an internal enemy to the status quo of Babylon) To me Rev 17 seems to describe the spiritual side of earthly kingdoms that we don’t physically see. (like the Prince of Persia holding up the angel described in Daniel 10).
As I wait patiently I keep my eyes on Israel and remember the instructions Jesus gave us in Matthew 24: Be found doing His work when he returns. So whether I figure out these mysteries or not my instructions are clear which brings me great comfort.
Steven, thank you very much for providing this forum to discuss these topics!
See this January 2025 update: https://truthonlybible.com/2025/01/23/bible-prophecy-and-current-events-in-january-2025-part-3-babylon-the-great/
WOW! GOD IS INDEED SPEAKING TO HIS CHURCH! I just stumbled across this post today after a google search of identifying the United States as the harlot in Revelation 17. I haven’t finished reading the article yet, but there is so much confirmation already. My husband and I just completed Part 2 of a series on youtube entitled “The Rise of the Beast and the Fall of America (America in Biblical Prophecy)” where we were specifically discussing Revelation 17 and identifying America as the harlot. This article is head on with everything the Lord has been revealing to us as we have been studying Revelations. Not sure if this post is still active seeing that it was created in 2021, but I would love for you to check it out and share your input. It is a great blessing for us to encounter people of like precious faith. I am going to post the link to Part 2 just in case you happen to see this comment and are interested in watching. God bless you and may the Lord continue to enrich you and your family. Thanks for posting!
Thank you for the encouragement. I hope you find my work useful. Be sure to check out this update on Babylon the Great. Also, you can find links to the draft chapters of my commentary on Revelation on the About page. The commentary is where you can find detailed discussions of the relevant biblical texts.
While I appreciate being made aware of other teaching on the United States and Babylon the Great, most of the popular teachers who hold this view have some significant difference with me in prophetic interpretation. For example, in the video you linked, it seems that the speaker claims that the antichrist will be a Muslim from Turkey (Erdogan?) who will lead a revived Ottoman Empire, which I think is a very strange view. I plan to write an article on the antichrist at some point (in the meanwhile, see my commentary on Revelation 13 and 17). I hold that the antichrist will be Italian, likely Roman, and that the tribulation period will begin with the inauguration of a seven-year treaty between the antichrist and Israel.
Also, unlike others who attempt to connect Bible prophecy with current events, I do not try to interpret either the Bible or current events in a way that makes it sound as if everything is in place for the rapture to happen and for the tribulation period to start. I believe that we are living in the end times, but I do not believe that the rapture and the tribulation period are right on the cusp of occurring. See further this post on the doctrine of the imminence of the rapture and this post on the pretribulational rapture.
Many people say eschatology is not practical, but in fact the misinterpretation of prophecy is resulting in enormous practical problems in the church, such as the widespread acceptance among evangelicals of MAGA and America First, and even theonomy (e.g., Douglas Wilson and the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches).
Greetings brother Steve, A nicely written paper on how Mystery Babylon points to the United States. I myself have take that position, but I am not dogmatic about it at this point. I do have a difference of opinion on the timing of the rapture. I do not see a pretribulation rapture. I see the rapture between the sixth and seventh seal, or a type of pre wrath position. Well done!
I am a pre-wrather as well…..also see the US as the Harlot…..the description of her is spot on.
I read your post on the US being the whore of Babylon but was wondering about “come out of her” spoken to the church in the US…how do you see this occurring? In what manner? Are the Christians going to flee to other countries or is it a rapture event?
I write more about this in this post from 2021. Essentially, Christians should leave the United States sooner or later, when they are able to do so. It is hard to say how fast things will deteriorate, but it would be good to at least have a Plan B (a second passport or residency or citizenship). It can easily take a full year and a substantial amount of money to move to another country, so planning ahead is essential. Some countries offer citizenship by investment; for example, there is this new program in Botswana, and Botswanian citizens have the right to reside in 16 different countries, giving them other options if there is a crisis in Botswana. Paraguay is a nice place to live, with a conservative government and a strong Christian community, although the U.S. is currently seeking to exert control over South America. I am also praying that the countries of the Middle East will soon recognize Israel’s right to possess its God-given homeland, and that doors will open for Christians in the Middle East.