Babylon, Babylon, Babylon...

[Diaste]

20 hours ago, Triton57 said:

The issue I found with this way I used to think of it is the context of the whole vision, it takes place at the end just before Christ establishes His kingdom on Earth. In addition to these same for beasts seen in John's vision of the end, the false christ's kingdom, being no longer diverse from each other, but joined together as parts of the Dragon, the context of when this happens seems very clearly tied to Armageddon and the Messianic Kingdom.

 

Not necessarily joined together, just the succession in view so we know what we are looking at, and for, when the time comes. In addition, it's tied into the prophecies of Daniel that we may have a path for further information, confirmation and understanding. 

I can't make the assumption the previous three beasts are somehow revived and Great Babylon, Persia and Greece of ancient days consolidate and become something new. 

I also don't see it necessary to place fulfillment in the ancient times. 

Certainly the beast arises and becomes the power and authority, but that power and authority doesn't come from the consolidated military power of kingdoms ancient or contemporary. The beast is given power by the dragon:

"But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. 4They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”"

The world isn't in awe of the beast through the gathering of military might or alliances, the world is in awe based on an apparent resurrection so well crafted no one can tell it was faked. Or maybe it wasn't faked and the dragon has the power of resurrection, or God grants that power to the dragon, or God resurrects the beast for His purpose to divide believers and unbelievers. 

The authority of the beast lies in the [false] resurrection and the authority granted to the dragon. The world is so in awe they know they cannot make war with the beast, before the beast had done anything; all based on that deadly wound that is healed. 

And yes, the end of the beast is the arrival of Jesus. The text indicates the beast is taken first, along with the FP, and both are cast alive into the lake of fire, then the rest are slain. 

[Diaste]

20 hours ago, Triton57 said:

You said, "Babylon is the lion, Medo-Persia is the bear, and Greece is the leopard, then those three kingdoms would exist and be united with whomever the 4th beast turns out to be." But how can this be if the context of their coexistence with the 4th beast is his defeat by Christ at His coming?

It more of a succession and a common purpose for identification. Because we see the form of the beast, "The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.", does not necessitate a joining together, unless the text says so. Even the three kings plucked up by the roots have no identification.

History confirms Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece are a line of succession of empires. Then comes the Diadochi. From one of those four empires arising from the Grecian Empire comes the little horn, the end of the age beast. There is no implication of coexistence with the three beasts of Dan 7. 

At the most Rev 13 is showing a commonality of existence when those kingdoms did exist. IMO, the common thread is world domination in the form of attributes of all three previous to the 4th. 

20 hours ago, Triton57 said:

Furthermore, Daniel 2 makes it pretty clear that the kingdom of God came with Yeshua's first coming. It's not a kingdom of this world, but a spiritual kingdom that exists in the union of the Spirit of God in each individual inhabitant of the eternal kingdom, wherever they exist. This is often used to associate to the four beasts of Daniel 7, but as I pointed out, their existence is at the end, not in history.

Yes, it's also a physical kingdom. It's both spiritual and physical. Two aspects, both very real. 

[Marilyn C]

13 hours ago, Diaste said:

 Even the three kings plucked up by the roots have no identification.

 

 

 

May I suggest to you Diaste that God`s word says the A/C is the Assyrian. That region is Iraq, Syria and Jordan. However, previously it was called Assyria or the Levant. Then after WW 1 France and Britain divided up that region. France took Syria and while Britain took Iraq & influence over Jordan. They `drew a line in the sand,` and thus 3 nations.

Those are the 3 roots that will get pulled up and then support the Peace Maker, (A/C) when he makes a peace treaty with Israel.

`I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots.` (Dan. 7: 8)

The A/C is a Sunni and thus the Syrian leader has to be one too. That is why we see the changeover in Syria now. Also, he wants the label of `rebel` taken away and to have credibility. 

[Marilyn C]

 

 

[Diaste]

6 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

May I suggest to you Diaste that God`s word says the A/C is the Assyrian. That region is Iraq, Syria and Jordan. However, previously it was called Assyria or the Levant. Then after WW 1 France and Britain divided up that region. France took Syria and while Britain took Iraq & influence over Jordan. They `drew a line in the sand,` and thus 3 nations.

Those are the 3 roots that will get pulled up and then support the Peace Maker, (A/C) when he makes a peace treaty with Israel.

`I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots.` (Dan. 7: 8)

The A/C is a Sunni and thus the Syrian leader has to be one too. That is why we see the changeover in Syria now. Also, he wants the label of `rebel` taken away and to have credibility. 

You may be right and I don't disagree. 

Just saying there are questions unanswered at this point in the prophetic timeline, and speculation doesn't further understanding, imo.

[Marilyn C]

[Marilyn C]

[Triton57]

On 12/25/2024 at 5:12 AM, luigi said:

Ezekiel 17:4 metaphorically describes Old Babylon as a land of traffick (business), set in a city of merchants.

As such, I then think modern Babylon the Great represents a land with a great amount of traffick (business), set in a city with a great many merchants

Ezekiel 17:4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick: he set it in a city of merchants.

Yes, I agree Babylon will be the center of a lot of trade. The problem is that a lot of people are looking at the world as it is now, but we are not in the end yet. Now I think it is very close, but many things can change overnight.

For instance, from scripture I believe that Mystery Babylon will be Jerusalem. But that's not really the center of trade today and it's hard to think of that as such. However, I think it's important to understand that in the paradigm of a false christ coming in the name of the anointed Messiah.

Matthew 24:3-5
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

It is my contention that this will happen over the first 1,230 days of the 70th week of Daniel when a leader from the lineage of David will come on the scene

Let's look at the expectations for the Messiah according to Jewfaq.org (Mashiach):

- Before the time of the mashiach, there shall be war and suffering.
- The mashiach will be a great political leader descended from King David. The mashiach is often referred to as "mashiach ben David" (mashiach, son of David).
- He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments.
- He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions.
- But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being. It has been said that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the mashiach. If the time is right for the messianic age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the mashiach. But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the mashiach, then that person is not the mashiach."
- The mashiach will bring about the political and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people by bringing us back to Israel and restoring Jerusalem.
- He will establish a government in Israel that will be the center of all world government, both for Jews and gentiles.
- He will rebuild the Temple and re-establish its worship.
- He will restore the religious court system of Israel and establish Jewish law as the law of the land.
- All on earth shall worship him
- He shall rule the earth and destroy the wicked

Now if we realize that Yeshua blinded Israel to Him because they didn't know the hour of His visitation, they still expect all these Old Testament prophecies to be fulfilled by the Messiah, which they reject Yeshua as being. In that light, the true fulfillment of the Messianic Kingdom sees the glory of the world brought to Jerusalem to worship Yeshua as He rules, but the great deception happens before. The whole world worships the false christ and his Dragon. The deceived will believe they are in this Messianic Kingdom with the Messiah dwelling in Jerusalem and the world worshiping him.

Isaiah 60:1-18
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at [thy] side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who [are] these [that] fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that [men] may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and [that] their kings [may be] brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those] nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through [thee], I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

There are several other verses about the Messianic Kingdom, where the Gentiles will bow at Israel's feet and cling to them, etc. What's interesting is to hear what the merchants say at the destruction of Babylon.

Revelation 18:9-16
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 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. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 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. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 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!

Also understanding that oil and wine, wheat, and incense are all central to ministering at the temple. And the city is the harlot riding the Dragon, clothed with fine linen, purple, scarlet, decked with gold and precious stones. A city is desolate without inhabitants and it is the inhabitants that make a city one way or another. That Babylon is decked this way is interesting in that light because of the depictions of the priestly garments. If the city is identified by the priesthood and the priesthood ministered to the king at the temple from which he reigns, it makes sense why Mystery Babylon is clothed this way. I'll only include a bit of Exodus 28, but this is also in Exodus 39.

Exodus 28:2, 4-10, 13-27, 33-34, 36-38
And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. ... And these [are] the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and [so] it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which [is] upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; [even of] gold, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: Six of their names on one stone, and [the other] six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. ... And thou shalt make ouches [of] gold; And two chains [of] pure gold at the ends; [of] wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches. And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first row. And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends [of] wreathen work [of] pure gold. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. And thou shalt put the two wreathen [chains] of gold in the two rings [which are] on the ends of the breastplate. And [the other] two ends of the two wreathen [chains] thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put [them] on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it. And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which [is] in the side of the ephod inward. And two [other] rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the [other] coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. ... And [beneath] upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. ... And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

All that to say this, it is possible that Mystery Babylon will not be apparent until the false christ's kingdom is established after the abomination of desolation because it becomes the center of trade because the world bring their glory to the false christ, a false messianic kingdom.

Revelation 17:4-6
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: And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."

Also, I forgot to add, we see this idea of a city represented by her inhabitants in New Jerusalem too. We see the city compared to a bride adorned and the walls and streets are clear as glass. So if one were to be looking at New Jerusalem, they would see the inhabitants of the city, the treasure of God and adornment of His dwelling place, the Father's house with many mansions.

Revelation 21:2, 10-27
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ... 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, Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

So just like Jerusalem on earth is called a harlot at times for her apostasy, New Jerusalem will be adorned for her Husband and the bride of Christ will dwell there with the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, representing the new city.

Edited December 28, 2024 by Triton57
Add reference to New Jerusalem

[luigi]

2 hours ago, Triton57 said:

Yes, I agree Babylon will be the center of a lot of trade. The problem is that a lot of people are looking at the world as it is now, but we are not in the end yet. Now I think it is very close, but many things can change overnight.

For instance, from scripture I believe that Mystery Babylon will be Jerusalem. But that's not really the center of trade today and it's hard to think of that as such. However, I think it's important to understand that in the paradigm of a false christ coming in the name of the anointed Messiah.

Matthew 24:3-5
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

It is my contention that this will happen over the first 1,230 days of the 70th week of Daniel when a leader from the lineage of David will come on the scene

Let's look at the expectations for the Messiah according to Jewfaq.org (Mashiach):

- Before the time of the mashiach, there shall be war and suffering.
- The mashiach will be a great political leader descended from King David. The mashiach is often referred to as "mashiach ben David" (mashiach, son of David).
- He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments.
- He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions.
- But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being. It has been said that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the mashiach. If the time is right for the messianic age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the mashiach. But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the mashiach, then that person is not the mashiach."
- The mashiach will bring about the political and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people by bringing us back to Israel and restoring Jerusalem.
- He will establish a government in Israel that will be the center of all world government, both for Jews and gentiles.
- He will rebuild the Temple and re-establish its worship.
- He will restore the religious court system of Israel and establish Jewish law as the law of the land.
- All on earth shall worship him
- He shall rule the earth and destroy the wicked

Now if we realize that Yeshua blinded Israel to Him because they didn't know the hour of His visitation, they still expect all these Old Testament prophecies to be fulfilled by the Messiah, which they reject Yeshua as being. In that light, the true fulfillment of the Messianic Kingdom sees the glory of the world brought to Jerusalem to worship Yeshua as He rules, but the great deception happens before. The whole world worships the false christ and his Dragon. The deceived will believe they are in this Messianic Kingdom with the Messiah dwelling in Jerusalem and the world worshiping him.

Isaiah 60:1-18
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at [thy] side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who [are] these [that] fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that [men] may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and [that] their kings [may be] brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those] nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through [thee], I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

There are several other verses about the Messianic Kingdom, where the Gentiles will bow at Israel's feet and cling to them, etc. What's interesting is to hear what the merchants say at the destruction of Babylon.

Revelation 18:9-16
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 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. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 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. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 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!

Also understanding that oil and wine, wheat, and incense are all central to ministering at the temple. And the city is the harlot riding the Dragon, clothed with fine linen, purple, scarlet, decked with gold and precious stones. A city is desolate without inhabitants and it is the inhabitants that make a city one way or another. That Babylon is decked this way is interesting in that light because of the depictions of the priestly garments. If the city is identified by the priesthood and the priesthood ministered to the king at the temple from which he reigns, it makes sense why Mystery Babylon is clothed this way. I'll only include a bit of Exodus 28, but this is also in Exodus 39.

Exodus 28:2, 4-10, 13-27, 33-34, 36-38
And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. ... And these [are] the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and [so] it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which [is] upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; [even of] gold, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: Six of their names on one stone, and [the other] six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. ... And thou shalt make ouches [of] gold; And two chains [of] pure gold at the ends; [of] wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches. And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first row. And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends [of] wreathen work [of] pure gold. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. And thou shalt put the two wreathen [chains] of gold in the two rings [which are] on the ends of the breastplate. And [the other] two ends of the two wreathen [chains] thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put [them] on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it. And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which [is] in the side of the ephod inward. And two [other] rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the [other] coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. ... And [beneath] upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. ... And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

All that to say this, it is possible that Mystery Babylon will not be apparent until the false christ's kingdom is established after the abomination of desolation because it becomes the center of trade because the world bring their glory to the false christ, a false messianic kingdom.

Revelation 17:4-6
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: And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."

Hi Triton57,

The Lord also tells us Babylon the Great is the that great city that reigneth over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:18). Taking then also into consideration that Babylon the Great is a great merchant city of commerce today, whom the nations of the earth take their cue from; I would think the city today that best meets this criteria is NYC with Wall Street. Further support for it being NYC also appears in when God punishes Babylon the Great, all mariners at sea who see her conflagration (thus a city with nautical ports) will cry over her, seeing there will then be no one to do business with on par with that of Babylon the Great (Revelation 18:17-19).

[Michael37]

6 hours ago, luigi said:

I would think the city today that best meets this criteria is NYC with Wall Street.

Why do some, like yourself, think it necessary for Babylon the Great to be a literal rather than metaphorical city?