Mystery Babylon is a CITY (Re.18:10, Re.18:16, Re.18:18-19 below). It is the CITY "where also our Lord was crucified" (Re.11:8, Heb.13:12 below).
The mystery of Babylon the great is that it is the holy city Jerusalem which will play a dual role once the false prophet sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God (2 Thess.2:4 below).
The holy city Jerusalem is the pleasant land (Dan.8:9 below); it is the faithful city which has become an harlot (Isa.1:21 below),
There is a curse on Jerusalem in this earth; in the new earth there will be no more curse (Re.22:3 below).
Because there is a curse, Jerusalem will play a dual role - one: the holy city Jerusalem, and, secondly, that great city Babylon (Re.18:10).
Also note at Re.21:10, below, that in the new earth the holy city Jerusalem's name is complete, "that great city, the holy Jerusalem".
Revelation17:9 states that the seven heads (Re.17:3) on the scarlet colored beast are seven mountain on which the woman sits. The seven continents of the earth are the seven mountains. In the beginning, the waters of the earth covered the mountains (Ps.104:6 below). Today we live upon that portion of the mountains protruding from the waters.
The many waters Babylon sits upon represents peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (Re.17:15). Therefore, Babylon's power will be worldwide and will involve all of its people.
The beast of Revelation 13:11 (the false prophet) is seen as the scarlet colored beast once his sits in that great city Babylon.
The false prophet worships a god his fathers knew not (Dan.11:38), a god of forces, that great city Babylon, and honors her with riches (Re.17:4, Re.18:16).
The horns/kings on the scarlet colored beast’s head (Re.17:16-18) play their role upon the world scene as they come against the great city Babylon and fight the battle of Armageddon.
Re.11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great CITY, which spiritually is called Sodom and Eqypt, WHERE ALSO OUR LORD WAS CRUCIFIED (Heb.13:12 below).
Heb.13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, SUFFERED WITHOUT (outside) THE GATE (Re.11:8 above).
2 Thess.2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth HIMSELF above ALL that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (Re.11:1), SHEWING HIMSELF that he is God (Dan.11:36-37).
Dan.8:9 And out of one of them (the fourth kingdom - Dan.7:7, Dan.7:23) came forth a little horn (Dan.7:8), which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the PLEASANT LAND (Isa.1:21 below).
Isa.1:21 How is the faithful CITY become an harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. (Re.18:2, 10, 16, 18-19 below)
Re.22:3 And THERE SHALL BE NO MORE CURSE (Isa.1:21, Re.11:8 above): but the throne of God (the Father) and of the Lamb (the Savior) shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Re.21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Ps.104:6 Thou coveredst it (the earth) with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains (Re.17:9).
Mystery Babylon is a CITY
Re.18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Re.18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great CITY Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Re.18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great CITY, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Re.18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great CITY!
Re.18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great CITY, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Patricia © Bible Prophecy on the Web
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Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982
