Thread: What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Admin
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 12:35 AM
WHAT CITY BUILT ON 7 HILLS AND GREAT SEA PORT WILL BE THE WILL BE THE HEADQUARTERS OF 666 DURING THE 1260-DAY GREAT TRIBULATION?? {666 is called the Beast 36 or 6X6 in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 13:5,7 The Beast {666} will exercise his authority for 42 {30-day} months {or 1260 days}And he will be given power to make war against the saints and conquer them. {See Dan 7:25} Rev 17:18: The *WOMAN you saw{In Revelation17:1-18} is the great *CITY* that will rule over the kings of the earth.
Rev 17:3,5,6,8,9,12,13, 18: I saw a WOMAN sitting on a scarlet Beast {666} with 7 heads and 10 horns...The Beast, which you saw, once was {alive}, now is not {Alive in AD 96}, and will come out of the Abyss {Or Hell} and go to his destruction {See Rev 19:19,20} This title was written on her forehead �Mystery: Babylon the Great: Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the earth.� I saw that the WOMAN was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. The Beast {666}, which you saw, once was {alive}, now is not {Alive in AD 96}, and will come up out of the Abyss {Or Hell} and go to his destruction {See Rev 19:19,20} ...This calls for a mind with wisdom. The 7 Heads are SEVEN HILLS {ROME}on which the WOMAN sits {Or reigns}... The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who will give their authority to the Beast {666}...The WOMAN you saw is the great CITY that will rule over the kings of the earth.
Revelation 18:17-20,24 �Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, �Was there ever a city like this great city?� They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: �Woe, Woe, O great CITY, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you....In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.�
Most Bible scholars believe that the book of First Peter was written shortly after the beginning of Nero�s Roman persecution of Christians in AD 64 because of I Peter 4:12,13 & 5:8,9. We know that Peter and his wife were living in Rome at this time. Peter was inspired to write in I Peter 5:13: �She {Peter�s wife} who is in *BABYLON* {Nickname for *ROME*!} sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.� Apparently some Christians including Peter were inspired to call ROME �BABYLON� after Nero�s terrible persecution of Christians starting in AD 64. This is very interesting since the evil city of the End-Times is called �BABYLON� 6 times in Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21.
All encyclopedias agree that Babylon was completely evacuated in 275 BC and completely destroyed by 141 BC. The Wikipedia encyclopedia states, "By 141 BC, when the Parthian Empire took over the region, Babylon was in complete desolation and obscurity." The only question that remains is: Was Babylon rebuilt so that there could be people living in Babylon around AD 65 when Peter wrote 1 Peter 5:13??? Which leads us to the promises of God in Jeremiah 50:1-3,13: This is the word the Lord spoke through Jeremiah concerning Babylon.."Babylon will be captured... A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it; both men and animals will flee away!" Also read Jeremiah 52:52:61-64: And God ALWAYS keeps His promises.
If you check out the latest Iraqi Tour Guides you will notice the following statement: "Today, Babylon lies COMPLETELY in ruins. A large and splendidly carved stone lion is all that remains of its former glories."
I was a missionary in Jerusalem and Jerusalem was never known as they city on 7 hills. It has always been known as the city on 6 mountains {Not Hills} as per Wikipedia {Jerusalem Mountains} which are {1} Mount Herzl {2} MountofOlives {3} MountZion {4}MountScopus {5}TempleMount {6} HarMenuchot.
�Babylon� {Nicknamed Rome by Peter} is a �GREAT SEAPORT� in Rev 18:17-19; JUST LIKE ROME and UNLIKE Babylon whose ruins are NOW 4 miles from the very shallow Euphrates River; and UNLIKE Jerusalem which is 2000 to 3000 feet above sea level and 35 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Babylon is also completely FLAT whereas the End-Time "Babylon" will be a city built on 7 Hills *JUST LIKE ROME*!!�
Rev 17:18: �The woman you saw {Rev 17:3--Who sits with the Beast with 7 heads} is the great *CITY* {Rome--nicknamed Babylon in I Peter 5:13--See Rev 17:5a} that will rule over the kings of the earth.� The headquarters of 666 will be destroyed about 2 weeks before the Last Day.{See Rev 16:10-16}
Rev 18:19: �Woe! Woe, O great *CITY*, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you...In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints and of all who have been killed on the earth!�
I Peter 1:13: �Therefore, prepare your minds for ACTION, and set your hope *FULLY* on the grace to be given YOU when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED*. I Cor 1:7: �YOU do not lack any spiritual gift as YOU eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be *REVEALED*.� Titus 2:13: �*WE* wait for the *BLESSED HOPE*�the glorious *APPEARING* of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. :applause::peace::angel:
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 06:33 AM
Bahira: Washington DC is not a great seaport and is not a city built on 7 hills. Rome has always been known as the CITY built on 7 Hills by Romulus from whom Rome gets its name.
The following is a quote from Wikipedia Encyclopedia:
The Seven Hills of Rome (Italian: Sette colli di Roma) east of the river Tiber form the geographical heart of Rome, within the walls of the ancient city.
The seven hills are:
* Aventine Hill (Latin, Aventinus; Italian, Aventino)
* Caelian Hill (Caelius, Celio)
* Capitoline Hill (Capitolinus, Capitolino/Campidoglio)
* Esquiline Hill (Esquilinus, Esquilino)
* Palatine Hill (Palatinus, Palatino)
* Quirinal Hill (Quirinalis, Quirinale)
* Viminal Hill (Viminalis, Viminale)
Revelation 17:9-14: This calls for a mind with wisdom. The 7 Heads are SEVEN HILLS {ROME}on which the WOMAN sits {Or reigns}. They {The 7 HILLS} are also 7 KINGS, 5 have fallen {died before Revelation was written in AD 96}, One is {Domitian who was ruling Rome in AD 96} the other {the 7th} is not yet come...The Beast {666} who once was {Alive before AD 96} and now {IN AD 96}is not {Alive} is an 8th King. He {666} belongs to the 7 {Kings} {He will come up from the Abyss or Hell-Rev 17:8a; Rev 11:7} and is going to his destruction. {And so the Beast {666} is was one of the first 5 evil kings appointed by Rome}. The 10 kings will receive authority and will give their authority to the Beast {666}. They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.
Daniel 7:23-25 also shows that 666 will be a King from Rome. Bible scholars all agree that this 4th kingdom will be a revised Roman Empire.
Daniel 7:23-25: "The 4th Beast {A revised Roman Empire} is a 4th Kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it...another King will arise... He will speak against the Most High and oppress His saints,,, the saints will be handed over to him for time, times or half a time." {Which is 1260 days or 42 {30-day} months-See Rev 13:5 & Daniel 12:1,2,7b}
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 08:41 AM
Babylon described in Revelation is not the same Babylon which is already destroyed! Modern Babylon in Revelation is described as a prostitute. Do not forget that all prophecies of Revelation relate to the end tim events!!!!
The United States fits the description of Mystery Babylon, a 'city' described in Revelation. A country could be called by the name CITY if God compares this state with the former Babylon!
Babylon sits on many waters, and has many peoples and languages, and where sexual immorality and false religions are rampant.
There is only one nation that fits this description (a world superpower, politically and economically strong). Babylon is the United States of America!
If the Babylon is the USA/Washington/New York City then of course the USA has many sea ports.
Mystery Babylon cannot be a future city where the Anti-Christ rules the world from, because in Revelation 17:15-18 the Anti-Christ destroys Mystery Babylon by fire.
Revelation 17:15 - "...the waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose, and to give their kingdom to the beast until God's words are accomplished. And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth."
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 09:42 AM
Bahira:
The great seaport and **CITY** built on 7 hills or Rome; which is called Babylon by Peter in I Peter 5:13; will be responsible for the death of the martyrs {See Rev 17:6 & Rev 18:24} since it will be the headquarters of 666. About a few weeks before the Last Day God will put it the hearts to destroy their evil headquarters about 2 weeks before the Last Day and then 666 the False Prophet and Satan will gather all the armies of the world at Armageddon Israel {See Rev 16:10-16} 55 miles North of Jerusalem. And then 666 and his 10 armies will attack Jerusalem and kill Moses and Elijah about 3 1/2 days before the Last Day when the 7th angel will sound the 7th and last trumpet and it is time to judge the lost and reward God's saints {See Rev 11:7-18}
Rev 17:18: The Woman {Or Prostitute} you saw is the great **CITY** that rules over the kings of the earth {During the Great Tribulation} Rev 17:6: I saw that the WOMAN was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. Rev 18:24: In her {Babylon} was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.
The woman or prostitute or Babylon is called a **CITY** 9 times in God's Word {See Rev 16:19; 17:18; 18:10 {2X} ,16,18 {2X},19,21 and is **NEVER** called a NATION!!
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 10:01 AM
I always assumed it was Rome also. I haven't studied everything about end times (yet), but i see what i feel like are real warning signs. Here's a link back in 09 of the Pope trying to push for world political authority.
I think he tried to do the same thing in 2010. I feel it's a matter of time when the economy and everything else goes wrong before it becomes a reality. I apologize in advance if i misunderstood something.
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 10:05 AM
Bahira says:
"God will list all the nations that will be His allies."
However,according to God's Word 666 with the help of 10 major nations {after conquering one fourth of the world} will have authority over **EVERY** nation in the world.
Revelation 13:5-8: The Beast {666} will exercise his authority for 42 {30-day} months {or 1260 days} And he {666} will be given authority over **EVERY** tribe, people, language and nation {Including Israel}. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the Beast {666}}--all whose names are not written in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb.":angel:
The following 10 powerful nations have OVER 50% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION and ABOUT 70% OF THE WORLD'S MILITARY POWER and certainly have the military, political and �religious� power to control and rule all the nations of the world: #1. United States #2. Russia #3. China {1.3 Billion} #4. Great Britain #5. France #6. India {1.1 Billion} #7. Germany #8. Japan #9. Brazil #10. Egypt. Brazil borders every nation in South America except for Chile. Egypt is the university, intellectual and theological center of Islam. And then 666 will have �authority over every tribe, people, language and nation� as per Rev 13:7b, from his headquarters in the evil city on 7 hills or Rome. The idea that 666 will choose a European Union of 10 nations with about 5 % of the world's population and about 10 % of the world's military power to control the world just because these nations are close to Rome is just an idea which is not supported by God's Word.
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 11:43 AM
Hey profit:
Jerusalem has SEVEN HILLS also.
666,might be 616 according to a piece of parchment i was shown this past Saturday.
If so,this throws a wrench into your ideas.
Shalom
616 vs. 666: Which Is the Real Number of the Beast?
A recent Greek fragment discovery has brought an old issue back into focus.
You may have seen in the news recently that a fragment of the "oldest NT manuscript" was found to say in Revelation 13:18 that the number of the beast was 616 instead of 666. Since several people have asked me about this topic, I'd like to comment on it.
Report: 616, Not 666 The Real Number of the Beast
First, here's an excerpt of the report of the discovery:
A newly discovered fragment of the oldest surviving copy of the New Testament indicates that, as far as the Antichrist goes, theologians, scholars, heavy metal groups, and television evangelists have got the wrong number. Instead of 666, it's actually the far less ominous 616.
The new fragment from the Book of Revelation, written in ancient Greek and dating from the late third century, is part of a hoard of previously unintelligible manuscripts discovered in historic dumps outside Oxyrhynchus in Egypt. Now a team of expert classicists, using new photographic techniques, are finally deciphering the original writing.
Professor David Parker, Professor of New Testament Textual Criticism and Paleography at the University of Birmingham, thinks that 616, although less memorable than 666, is the original. He said: "This is an example of gematria, where numbers are based on the numerical values of letters in people's names. Early Christians would use numbers to hide the identity of people who they were attacking: 616 refers to the Emperor Caligula."
The Book of Revelation is traditionally considered to be written by John, a disciple of Jesus; it identifies 666 as the mark of the Antichrist. In America, the fundamentalist Christian right often use the number in sermons about the coming Apocalypse.
They and satanists responded coolly to the new "Revelation". Peter Gilmore, High Priest of the Church of Satan, based in New York, said: "By using 666 we're using something that the Christians fear. Mind you, if they do switch to 616 being the number of the beast then we'll start using that."
Don't Write 616 over 666 In Your Bible Just Yet!
So, if you did not know better, you might already be heading to your Bible with a red marker to cross out the 666 and write in 616. After all, we have an textual critic of the New Testament telling us 666 is wrong. But not so fast!
I have a few reasons to keep this one on the shelf, and even to doubt it. Note that none of these are proofs that 616 is wrong. They are just my thinking on why I believe 666 is correct still at this point.
Reasons To Still Prefer 666 over 616
1. The article cites just one man's conclusion. But I'm the type of person who likes to check things out for himself, rather than trust someone else to do my thinking. I want to see the data and reasoning he used to conclude 616 is correct, even though it's in the minority of manuscripts. For example, when I decided that Y'hovah was probably the correct transliteration for God's name in the Old Testament, I did not do so because Nehemia Gordon said so. I did so after looking through the Old Testament manuscripts myself, looking at the vowel points and carefully reasoning out what they likely were telling us were the original vowels. Until I see the proof myself for 616, I'm not likely to switch from 666 based on one man's opinion.
2. One thing that would settle this question would be if a man appeared on the scene fulfilling everything else for the "First Beast from the Sea" in Revelation 13 and other prophecies related to what is (erroneously) called "the Antichrist". If we "calculated" the "number of his name" as instructed and it came to either 616 or 666 we would have our answer. There is such a man. Prince Charles of Wales' heraldic achievement (coat-of-arms) literally consists of the very beasts described in Rev 13 and Dan 7, he is a Prince (Dan 9:27) and he is from the old Roman Empire that destroyed the Temple (Dan 9:27). So what does his name add up to? Rather than 616, his name adds up to 666 using the ancient gematria system. And not only does this work in the English, but also in the official Hebrew transliteration (Nasich Charles Mem Wales). What are the odds anyone would have a name that calculates to the same number in two languages (without tampering with the transliteration like is done to Javier Solana's name to make it equal 666 in Hebrew)?
3. The Book of Revelation introduces very little that is new and tends to mostly expand on concepts or symbols that have already been used elsewhere in the Bible. You must use the rest of the Bible to decipher much of Revelation. It is noteworthy therefore that 616 appears nowhere else in the Bible while 666 appears four times. It very interestingly appears in this verse related to another exalted and adored king, one whom no doubt the coming Antichrist will want to emulate in many ways.
1 Kings 10:14 -- The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents, If anyone gets a good textual criticism report on 616 vs 666 please let me know as I'd like to get to see why someone would conclude 616 is the original.
4. Irenaeus in the second century, a century before the manuscript Parker relies on, already knew of the 616 variation and discounted it as an error:
Such, then, being the state of the case, and this number being found in all the most approved and ancient copies [of the Apocalypse], and those men who saw John face to face bearing their testimony [to it]; while reason also leads us to conclude that the number of the name of the beast, [if reckoned] according to the Greek mode of calculation by the [value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which [expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that apostasy, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end), - I do not know how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] - Adv. haer. 5.30 In this rather obscurely expressed passage, Irenaeus was proposing (even in the second century - a century BEFORE this oldest surviving copy!) that old, Greek copies of Revelation contained an error of copying in which the Greek letter xi with gematraic value 60 was wrongly copied into the Greek letter iota with number value 10.
Meanwhile, I hope this helps you keep this one on the shelf as well.
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 12:14 PM
PassedoverinChrist says:
Hey prophet:
Jerusalem has SEVEN HILLS also.
666,might be 616 according to a piece of parchment i was shown this past Saturday.
If so,this throws a wrench into your ideas.
I was a missionary in Jerusalem and Jerusalem was never known as they city on 7 hills. It has always been known as the city on 6 mountains {Not Hills} as per Wikipedia {Jerusalem Mountains} which are {1} Mount Herzl {2} MountofOlives {3} MountZion {4}MountScopus {5}TempleMount {6} HarMenuchot.
Jerusalem is also not a Great Seaport since it as about 40 miles from the Mediteranean Sea and is 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level.�
It is certainly true that some ancient Greek manuscripts have the number 616 instead of 666. The following study will satisfy both of these numbers:
����� When I was a missionary in Israel I studied the Hebrew language.� One of the first things that you learn when you study the OT Ancient Hebrew language {Which is also the language of Israel today!} is that the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet ALSO represent 22 numbers! When you read Psalm 119 you will note that the 176 sentences are divided into 22 sections; each section with 8 sentences or verses praising the Word of God. These 22 sections are each headed by one of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet in the exact same order as shown below. The ancient Hebrew language {Which is exactly the same as the modern Hebrew language} frequently used the letters of their alphabet to designate numbers in the OT as follows:� ALEPH=1. BETH=2. GIMEL=3. DALET=4. HE=5. VAV=6. ZAYIN=7. CHETH=8. TETH=9. YODH=10. KAPH=20. LAMED=30. MEM=40. NUN=50. SAMEKH=60. AYIN=70. PE=80. TSADHE=90. KOPH=100. RESH=200. SHIN=300. TAV=400.
����� NOTE: Most vowel sounds except "O" {VAV} are not used as letters in Hebrew. These vowel sounds are designated by dots and dashes under their *PRECEDING* consonants. In Hebrew "N" is added on the end of all foreign names ending in "O". Therefore, the foreign name of Nero would be "NERON" in Hebrew. The name Nero Caesar would be pronounced Neron Kaysar in Hebrew. The "E" in Neron and the 2 "A" sounds in Kaysar {There is no "C" in Hebrew} are designated by dots and dashes under their preceding consonants and therefore are not letters in the 22 letter Hebrew alphabet, and so have no numerical value.
����� Neron in Hebrew would use 4 letters with numerical value: N-R-O-N and Kaysar in Hebrew would use 3 letters with numerical value: K-S-R. There would be a dot under the first N to show the "E" sound in NEron There would also be 2 dots under the "K" to show the "AY" sound in KAYsar and a dash under the "S" to show the "AH" sound in KaySAHr.� The 4 letters with numerical value in NERON would be {SEE TABLE ABOVE} N = NUN = 50; R = RESH = 200; O = VAV = 6; and N = NUN = 50 and 50+20+6+50 equals 306. The 3 letters with numerical value in "KAYSAR would be K = KOPH = 100; S = SAMEKH = 60; and R = RESH =200 and 100+60+200 equals 360.
And so the numerical value of Nero in Hebrew is 306 and the numerical value of Caesar in Hebrew is 360, and therefore the numerical value of Nero Caesar is 306+360 or exactly *666*!
��� There is a very interesting footnote in the revised Standard Version concerning the number 666 which states that some ancient manuscripts have the number **616** which *DOUBLY* confirms that Nero Caesar may be the future Anti-Christ!! You will note that the Hebrew language adds an "N" to all foreign names ending in "O". Now "N" or "NUN" in Hebrew has a numerical value of **50**!! and so if you decided not to add the last "N" in NERON then Nero Caesar would add up to exactly *616* in Hebrew. This is an absolutely amazing coincidence!
What CITY on 7 Hills and Great Seaport will be the HQ's of 666??
Posted : 5 Jul, 2011 12:19 PM
On last night I watched Irvin Bazter who has been interpreting Bible Prophecy for over 45 years. He really is good by outlining and making scripture points adn connecting the dots fo the prophecies of the Old and New Testament. There was much that he spoke about regarding the prophecy in Revelation, but I found this of interest becasue so far out of all the prophecies I have read and heard , this is more detailed and sound more like the Lord has releaved it to him becasue he not only gives out scriptures passage, but explains what God has already spoken for our understanding. I still maintain no one really knows, but what Baxter gave out last nigh sound more close to the truth of what God is speaking than anything...
This is a short pieces from his site I thought I would share with you guys. You can visit his site for more of this and his books on Bible Prophecy of you like at www.endtime.com.. Read this and decide what you think especially toward the end of this piece on Revelation chapter 17, and the colors and the article written from the Catholic Church in Rome, he gives out the clues based on his finding and compares them to what scriptures says,based on his eveidence.
This is the first time I have ever heard or read of anyone who claim to know or understand God's word of prophecy point out their evidence to line up with what they see in scripture when it comes to Bible prophecy.
What he speaks makes more sense to me than anything I heard becaseu of the evidence he points out..... this is rather intersting hear what he says....
The two destructions of Babylon foretold� The prophecy of Jeremiah clearly stated that Babylon would be destroyed, never to be inhabited again. Yet the book of Revelation prophesies the destruction of Babylon at the time of Armageddon.
How do we reconcile what appears to be a biblical contradiction? Literal Babylon vs. Mystery Babylon The physical city of Babylon was originally built by Nimrod after the flood. It was located on the Euphrates River, about 55 miles south of where Baghdad, Iraq stands today. The name Babylon came from the Tower of Babel that was constructed there. Babylon became a large city of global prominence around 1728 B.C. during the reign of Hammurabi. The glory years of Babylon were achieved under Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 B.C.).
The city declined during the reign of Belshazzar, and came to ruin when Xerxes, the Persian king, destroyed it in 478 B.C. Thus, Jeremiah�s prophesied destruction of Babylon was accomplished, and, just as the prophecy said, it has never been inhabited to this day. Saddam Hussein launched a project to rebuild Babylon in the late 1980�s, but the effort was halted by Gulf War I and has yet to be resumed. But if Babylon is never to be rebuilt, why are two entire chapters of the book of Revelation devoted to the destruction of Babylon? And why is the destruction of Babylon clearly described as occurring at the time of Armageddon?
The Babylon described in Revelation is called �Mystery Babylon.� The prophecy of Mystery Babylon is found in Revelation 17:3-5. �So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.� Who is Mystery Babylon?�4 clues A mystery is something secret or hidden� a thing that some understand while others do not. In Revelation 17, there are several clues given to the identity of Mystery Babylon. We will discuss four of them here.
Clue #1�Mystery Babylon is a city Notice in the above prophecy that a woman is used to symbolize Mystery Babylon. Verse 18 of the chapter tells us that the woman is a city. �And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.�
Clue #2�Mystery Babylon presides over a vast international system In verse 1, we are told that the woman sits on many waters. Verse 15 explains the meaning of the waters. �And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whoresitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.� Not only is this woman a city, but the city is apparently the headquarters over a vast international system.
Clue #3�The city sits on 7 hills In verse 3, we are told that the woman rides on a beast with 7 heads. Verse 9 reveals the meaning of the heads. �And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.� Remember, we�ve already learned that the woman is a city. This passage tells us that the city sits on seven mountains. There is a city on earth that is known as �The City of Seven Hills.� It�s the city of Rome. But is Rome the headquarters for an international power that rules over �peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues?� The Vatican claims to rule over one billion Roman Catholics worldwide. Remember, this prophecy was written long before the Catholic Church existed and long before Rome became her headquarters.
Clue #4�She is clothed in purple and red Revelation 17:4 �And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:� There are two ruling bodies in the Roman Catholic Church: The College of Cardinals and the College of Bishops and Archbishops. These two bodies are somewhat like the Senate and the House of Representatives here in the U.S.
An article appeared in The Criterion, a Roman Catholic publication, July 1, 1988. The article was entitled, �More than You Want to Know About Cardinals.� It stated, �Cardinals wear red, while non-Cardinal Bishops and Archbishops wear purple.� So let�s review. Mystery Babylon is a city that sits on seven hills. Rome is known worldwide as �The City of Seven Hills.� Mystery Babylon is to �sit� on peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.� Rome is headquarters for the Roman Catholic Church, claiming one billion members worldwide. Mystery Babylon is described as being clothed in purple and red.
The official colors of the two ruling bodies of the Roman Church are purple and red. One other factor should be understood. In Revelation 17, God chose to use a woman�a whoreto symbolize the Roman Catholic Church. Why? It�s really very simple. In scripture, God always used a woman to symbolize a church. He used a virgin to represent His true church (II Corinthians 11:2), and He used a harlot to represent a false church� as he did in Revelation 17-19. There can be only one conclusion: The Vatican is the Mystery Babylon of Revelation. And it is this false religious system that has deceived the people of the world that will be destroyed at the time of Armageddon.
What then is the war in Iraq? If the destruction of physical Babylon is past and the destruction of spiritual Babylon is future, what role will the war with Iraq play in Bible prophecy? Revelation 9:13-16 prophesies a war that will kill one-third of mankind�two billion people. It states that this war will begin in the area of the Euphrates River. Most of the Euphrates River is in Iraq� the nation with which the U.S. currently has 100,000 troops along the Euphrates River.
If this war with Iraq is indeed the one prophesied in Revelation 9:13-16, the face of the world will be changed forever. The cry for peace and security will give birth to a system of global law that will throw the planet into one-world government. The horrible carnage of two billion dead and the aftermath of nuclear war will create the perfect scenario for the ascent of the Antichrist into power.
This unprecedented disaster will also accelerate the Peace plan the International Community has been working on night and day between Israel and the Palestinians. It appears that the anticipated Middle East agreement will be the confirmation of the covenant, which triggers the final seven years to Armageddon.
The coming war with Iraq will not be the end of the world. It will not be Armageddon. And it will not be the prophesied destruction of Mystery Babylon. But it will be the deadliest war the planet has ever seen!
