MYSTICAL BABYLON
INTRODUCTION
Mystical Babylon is revealed in the Book of Revelation; one can learn a lot concerning the prophecy of Babylon given in the Old and New Testaments and equate it to modern day happenings. Prophet Isaiah wrote: The burden (prophecy against) of Babylon, which Isaiah, the son of Amos did see (Isaiah 13:1).
The prophet's message was delivered against Babylon; the nation that would carry Judah into captivity. In speaking the words of the Lord, Isaiah pronounced a heavy sentence on Babylon, that it would sink into utter destruction; which is also noted of the destiny of mystical Babylon.
Mystical Babylon
Glory of Kingdoms
Prophet Isaiah revealed: Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah (Isaiah 13:19). Isaiah closed this chapter, in speaking the words of the Lord, revealing that Babylon would be destroyed, never to be rebuilt, remain desolate and never inhabited again.
Apostle Peter revealed what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah: And (God) turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction) making them an example to those that after (afterward) should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). A warning that has gone unheeded as we are seeing the evilness of Sodom and Gomorrah flourishing once again.
Babylon Cut Off
Isaiah wrote: For I raise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant and son (offspring), and nephew (prosperity), saith the Lord (Isaiah 14:22). Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin, daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne; O daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate (pampered) (Isaiah 47:1).
Isaiah revealed that Babylon was as a deposed queen who can do no more than sit in the dust; for she is no longer the mistress of kingdoms. This same imagery is found in the New Testament concerning mystical Babylon.
Mystical Babylon
Revealed
The first reference to mystical Babylon is found in the Book of Revelation written by Apostle John: And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (Revelation 14:8).
Babylon was famous for its pride and haughtiness, its tyranny and cruelty, with its name signifying "confusion." It drew others into the pleasures of this world, its deceit of unrighteousness, and its practices as well.
Modern Day Babylon
Some have suggested that mystical Babylon could represent America; called "The Modern Day Babylon." It is frightening to note this nation openly endorses a Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyle; spreading its ungodliness to others, promoting the very thing God's Word condemns.
Other nations have let down their guard as well; allowing a similarity to Babylon to fester in their nation. If continued unabated; will they not suffer a similar fate, as that of mystical Babylon?
Hold of Every Foul
Spirit
Apostle John revealed the fall of mystical Babylon: And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power (authority); and the earth was lightened (illuminated) with glory. And he cried mightily with a strong (loud) voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils (demons), and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful (hatred) bird (Revelation 18:1-2).
In the announcement "it will fall" the reason for the destruction of Babylon was given: Because it had become the residence of persons comparable to devils, foul spirits, and hateful. We are seeing these characteristics manifested with common decency taking a backseat to immorality; with laws and rulings made to accommodate unrighteousness, and undermine any attempt towards righteous living.
Nations Committing
Fornication
Apostle John wrote: All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (Babylon), and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are (have become) waxed (grown) rich through the abundance of her delicacies (luxury) (Revelation 18:3).
It is sad to see the embracing of immorality in many nations; with the promotion of ungodliness, and ungodly lifestyles, openly flaunted before all. Apostle Paul wrote: The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
Be Not Partakers
Apostle John noted: I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon) my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues (Revelation 18:4).
It was noted that believers in Christ must separate from the harlot system or else they will share in her sins and thereby receive part of her judgment. The believer is to forsake such, to be a separated people from the world (those of a Babylon influence), not conniving with them, or committing the same; nor having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.
Sins Have Reached
Unto Heaven
Apostle John, in speaking of mystical Babylon: Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities (Revelation 18:5). It was noted that as forgiveness of sin (by God) is signified by non-remembrance; whereas the punishment of sin is the remembrance of it; and of the persons who commit it.
Babylon's sins had not gone unnoticed by God; neither are unrepentant sins allowed to flourish forever. God deals with sin in His time; when repentance is not sought. The Psalmist wrote: The Lord looks from heaven; he beholds all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth (Psalm 33:13-14).
Plagues in One
Day
Apostle John noted: How much she (Babylon) has glorified herself, and lived deliciously (luxuriously), so much torment and sorrow give her: for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow (Revelation 18:7). No sign of repentance; rather a haughty spirit towards continuation of her ways, as seen in the modern day Babylon spirit.
It was noted that she (Babylon) calls herself a queen, and no widow; showing her arrogant self-confidence. She sees herself as beyond any possibility of personal sorrow; but the humbling of mystical Babylon will involve torment and sorrow. Apostle John wrote: Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her (Revelation 18:8).
Those Witnessing
Destruction
John noted the reaction of those who witnessed her destruction: And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously (luxuriously) with her, shall bewail (weep for) her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.
Standing far off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is your judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her: for no man buys her merchandise any more (Revelation 18:9-11).
It was noted that mystical Babylon will leave many astonished; standing far off lest they find themselves sharing in her destruction, those who had partook of her sins being not faultless either; they will be in awe and in dread of God's righteous judgments.
Worldwide Calamity
Perhaps we have tasted a little of what the collapse of mystical Babylon would entail; with a world-wide calamity being only a prelude to what is in store for those who feel they sit as a queen and will see no sorrow.
Perhaps the church (the harlot church) will feel the effects of its walking away from the righteousness of God to serve the unrighteousness of man. What great awakening, or shaking, will be required to see repentance come into the fold; a change towards the righteousness of God?
Finalization of Mystical
Babylon
The finalization of mystical Babylon was noted by John: And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all (Revelation 18:21).
It was noted that the stone cast into the sea depicts the violence and permanence of the destruction. The Babylonian system begin in Genesis, and has continued uninterrupted, in one form or another, to the present day; but one day it will suddenly "sink" never to return.
God is Long-Suffering
How long will God allow the continuation of ungodliness and immorality to exist? How long will He allow pollution by the sinfulness of mankind? One day, the wickedness of mankind will be dealt with; the hardhearted and unrepentant will be dealt with; whether in this life or on Judgment Day. Scripture reveals: It is appointed unto men to die but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
Today is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late. Apostle John wrote: He that believes on the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life: and the that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (John 3:36).
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the ungodly), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). This clearly expresses God's desire for salvation of all who will trust in Him.
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