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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)
Much speculation has been raised over “Mystery Babylon”. Is it a country, empire or system of some sort? Is it symbolic or literal? Is Babylon religious, commercial or political? What does the Bible have to say about this mysterious Babylon?
During the tribulation period there will be a nation that will rule over the antichrist and his ten-nation kingdom (Rev. 17:1-18). They will dictate what the antichrist can and cannot do for the first part of the tribulation period. They will be a formidable dynasty of the time. Not only will this country have great worldwide political power, it will also be very wealthy and religious in nature. Notice in the description that Babylon is pictured as a harlot riding a beast (antichrist). The beast has ten horns (Revived Roman Empire) representing ten nations, which are subject to the beast. In essence, Babylon has given the beast and the ten nations their power, but remains very much in control. As stated earlier, this will change toward the middle of the tribulation period.
Although many Bible scholars denounce this conclusion, I am convinced that Babylon is the United States. Many believe that in the years to come the economic tide will turn toward the European Union and lead to the decline of America. For years I have heard the cries of world economists predicting the coming stock market crash, the collapse of the dollar (all fueled by an out-of-control deficient), and the impending doom of the American economic structure, as we know it. Well, you can rest easy; it’s not going to happen! In fact, I believe America will continue to be economically strong up until the end.
When the rapture occurs, the Christian influence will be taken out of America, and hedonism and materialism will shift into high gear. Revelation 18:13 proclaims that they will sell or do anything for profit, “… And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.” It’s unclear what the last phrase “souls of men” means, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some form of slavery exists.
Babylon is described more fully in Revelation 18 and bears a striking resemblance to the United States. This chapter not only describes the demise of a country, but the magnitude of its greatness. Speaking about the magnitude of its greatness, it states that after Babylon was destroyed, from a distance, the kings of the earth and merchants of the sea wept and moaned over her desolation, “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! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, what city is like unto this great city! 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.” (Revelation 18:16-19)
This is talking about a country that is considered the greatest commercial profit center of its time. No other nation can even be compared to its great wealth. All the nations of the world have become rich due to their trade with this country. The merchants of this nation were known as the great men of the world. When it is destroyed world trade will be devastated. This will be a great worldwide lose both financially and politically.
Not only will Babylon be destroyed, its destruction will be swift and decisive, leading me to believe that this will be an all out nuclear attack. It is my opinion that there will be few if any survivors. This is how the Bible describes its demise.
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. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Revelation 18:21-24)
The destruction of this country will be so severe that it will be uninhabitable. Not even the light of one lamp will be found in this place. For in one day it will be reduced to rubble.
The reason for this total destruction is found in the above latter verses. “For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” You might say, “The United States has only been around for a little over two hundred years, why would God say that they have slain and shed the blood of the prophets?” I’m not sure but it is my guess that He is referring to the roots of Mystery Babylon, which can be traced back to the original ancient site located in Iraq. For it is from this evil empire that Mystery Babylon will get its beginnings. The religious side of Babylon, which we will discuss next, is also guilty of killing the prophets and the saints. Its roots go back to the time of the early church.