Tribulation Special Lesson 2  Babylon	
	
	Introduction: Babylon plays a significant role in both Biblical history and future history or prophecy. 

	Historical Babylon (More the Rev. series, chapter 16).

	The book of Daniel opens with the powerful nation of  Babylon seizing the capital of Judah, Jerusalem (Dan. 1:1). As a result of disobedience and continual refusal to repent (Lev. 26:17), the southern kingdom of Israel or Judah is taken into captivity. 
	This took place with three major invasions of Palestine by Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar, the king of Babylon. The first invasion was in 605 B.C., when Daniel was taken captive. The second occurred in 597 B.C., when Jehoiachin, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah was forced to surrender Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:10-14). The princes and leaders, the best of his army, as well as all the skilled craftsmen, the young priest Ezekiel went into captivity. The third invasion took place in 587 B.C. Those who did not escape to the hills were taken to Babylonia.
	From here the seventy-years captivity time clock began. 

	Babylon was a powerful nation that had conquered many peoples and nations including Judah and surrounding nations. Its powerful army swept through the Middle East and controlled that entire area. Nebuchadnezzar was their proud and powerful king. It was he who had the dreams that we studied in early Daniel. After Daniel interpreted the dream of the metallic statue in Daniel 2, he gained favor and  position in Babylon. 
	Later the king had made for himself a nearly 90 foot golden statue (actually covered with gold leaf), probably drawn from his dream except as all gold and also probably symbolized his patron god Nebo who in his view would be god over his eternal kingdom of Babylon on earth. Then he demanded that everyone in his kingdom worship this huge idol (Dan. 3:3-7). This is where Daniel’s three friends got into trouble for refusing to bow down and were thrown into the fiery furnace (Dan.3:11 ff.). 
	Nebuchadnezzar is a type of Antichrist who will rule over the future Babylon and eventually the world. 
	There are many features of this ancient evil Babylon that foreshadow the future evil Babylon. Its original location is in the land of Shinar, another name for Sumer and Akkad, where Babel was located (Gen. 10:10;11:2 ff.). Babel is the place of where the first attempt to establish a one-world government took place (Gen. 11:6). The ancient city was located on the Euphrates River SW of Baghdad. It became the preeminent political and cultural center in southern Mesopotamia during the 19th and 18th centuries under the Amorite rulers of its First Dynasty, the most well-known of whom was Hammurabi (1792–1750). It was the center of religious and political life of southern Mesopotamia. The city had many temples large and small dedicated to their numerous gods like Marduk, Sin, Ningal, Utu and others. It had a monumental Ishtar Gate. All this indicates large and active demonic activity and worship. As the seventy year captivity came to an end, Babylon falls to Persia, King of Persia who God used (Is. 44:28) to release the Jews to go back to their homeland and end the exile. 
	That’s historical Babylon. 

	Symbolic Babylon

	The first nation to destroy the capital city Jerusalem and  the temple was Babylon. God used the evil empire Babylon to discipline and take into captive the people of Judah for their disobedience to the Mosaic covenant (Ezra 5:12; 2 Chr. 36:16, 17; 2 Kgs. 24:2; See 2 Kgs. 25:8-11). Babylon was saturated with demonic activity. So much so that that the name Babylon became synonymous with an evil empire. 
	Even today, in common vernacular, the term Babylon is used for evil and sinful activity . 
	It comes from the Hebrew word babil or babel, meaning “confuse” from when the LORD confused the language of all the earth and dispersed them over the face of the earth after their attempt to unite the world (Gen. 11:9).
	The apostle Peter used the term as a veiled reference to Rome in his time as the center of power and evil (I Pet. 5:13).
It was the evil empire of its day.

	Future Babylon

	Now that we know something of the historical Babylon, its place in history and that the name was used as a symbol of evil for first century Rome, we will begin to see how that ties in to the future Babylon. 
	The first time we see Babylon mentioned by the apostle John is when the second of three angels is calling for repentance and giving warning in the second half of the tribulation (Rev. 14:6-10). 

		Rev. 14:8  Another angel, a second, followed, saying, 
		“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all 		nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual 		immorality.”

	This is anticipating this future Babylon’s fall. Before this, she was established as an evil influence over the world, not unlike her record of the past.
	As we have seen in its historical form, then its symbolic usage, so Babylon here represents a physical place of both evil and great power. 

	In Rev. 16:19, Babylon’s destruction is prophesied to receive God’s wrath. 

	16:19 The great city [Jerusalem] was split into three 	parts, and the cities of the nations fell and Babylon the 	great was remembered in the sight of God, to give her the 	cup of the wine of his fierce wrath.

	Characteristics	

	It is in chapters 17-18 where we learn the most of what the future Babylon is like. 

	Her Corrupting Influence (17:1-5;18:4-5)

	Her Evil is seen in her spiritual and moral corruption of the people of the world. 

	17:1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls 	came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show 	you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many 	waters, (2) with whom the kings of the earth committed 	acts of sexual immorality, and those who live on the earth 	became drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.” (3)
	And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; 	and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of 	blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.
	(4) The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and 	adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls, holding in 	her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean 	things of her sexual immorality, (5) And on her forehead 	was written a name, a mystery: 	“Babylon the Great, the 	Mother of prostitutes and of the 	abominations of the 	earth.”

	The angel is showing John, the great prostitutes judgment. 
She has corrupted the world spiritually and morally through the rulers of the world including their political policies. She is viewed as sitting on a scarlet beast, which is Rome II (our next topic) which indicates her influence over this beast. The cup in her hand represents the many ways she corrupts the world, religiously, culturally, politically and she is a great  military power. Her dress and jewelry indicates her wealth. 

	Her Ruling Power (17:3:18:9)
	
	In 17:3, her ruling power is shown by her sitting upon the “scarlet beast full of blasphemous names (claiming to be deity: Lord, God, Christ, etc), having seven heads. These seven heads relate the beast to Rome I (17:9-11) in the time of John up to and anticipating the antichrist as king over Rome II. So essentially, she sits astride what is remnant of Rome I and Rome II, from the past ancient Rome to the future Rome II.
	Mystery Babylon, the Great prostitute works in tandem with Rome II in ruling the world. 

	Her Extreme Wealth (17:4;18:3,14)

	17:4  The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and 	adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, holding in 	her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean 	things of her sexual immorality,

	Babylon displays her tremendous wealth in her extravagant dress of purple and scarlet and ostentatious jewelry of gold, precious stones, and pearls. This is all linked to her abominations. 

	Her Grand Title 

	17:5  And on her forehead was written a name, a mystery: 	“Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the 	abominations of the earth.”

	Her name is a mystery in the sense that it was hidden in the past until revealed or that it is enigmatic or a puzzle that needs interpretation. Both of these hold true right now. We can only guess what and where Babylon will be until the mystery is revealed. 
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	She is great in the sense of her militarily strength, economic power and control and her dominant corrupt influence. She is the Mother of prostitutes, meaning that she is the origin, source and “grand madam” of prostitutes. Other nations are involved in her abominations, which includes all kinds of vile and hideous activity.

	Her Mass Murder of the Saints  (17:6)

	17:6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the 	saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I 	saw her, I was greatly amazed. 

	She thrives on slaughtering believers, all who stand as witnesses for Jesus Christ and she is at war against Christ (17:5,14). 

	Her World Rule

	17:12  “The ten horns (Rome II) which you saw are ten 	kings who have 	not yet received a kingdom, but they 	receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.

	17:13 “These have one intent, and they give their power and 	authority to the beast.
	
	17:15 And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where 	the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations 	and languages.   

	17:18 “The woman whom you saw is the great city, which 	reigns over the kings of the earth.”
	
	It is in the description of her fall that we see other characteristics of Babylon. 
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	Her Military Power (17:5; Dan. 11:22, 25-26,29 etc.)

	As the historical Babylon was a great military power that swept over and controlled many of the nations and peoples of the world so the future Babylon will use her military power to conquer and rule over much of the world. Her Military Power is seen in her connection with the antichrist and Rome II (Dan. 11:22, 25-26,29 etc) and that its leader honors a “god of fortresses” (11:38). We will see this in later lessons. 

	Her Economic Power (17:4,18:3)

	We see this in her ornate jewelry and in this comment of how the merchants of the world became wealthy from her. 

	“the merchants of the earth have grown rich from 				the power of her luxurious living” (18:3b)
	
	“merchants of the earth weep and mourn over 	her, because no one buys their cargo anymore, (18:11)

	Her many trade items are so longer available (18:12-13)
Ship captains to sailors, international merchants who have become wealthy from her, mourn over her loss (18:17-19). 

	Her Arrogance (17:5; 18:7)

	18:7   As she glorified herself and lived in sensual luxury,
		     so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
			because in her heart she says, “I sit as a queen, I am 		     no widow and I shall never see mourning.”

	She glorified herself. We saw in her dress and ornaments reveal her vanity (17:4). Her pride is in her looks and outward behavior. She wears her name on her forehead proudly (17:5). She opposes God, the Lamb and God’s people. She believes that her power on earth extends to the heaven. 
	She thinks like many religious people in that what she can accomplish on earth must make God somehow uneasy. 
	When she says, “I sit as a queen, she is saying that she is untouchable. Ancient Babylon had viewed her self as queen of the kingdoms (Is. 47:5). She has the authority, the power and a domain over what she rules. She is the No. 1 Madam of all prostitutes. 
	In the Roman culture, when a woman became a widow, she was to be taken care of by her late husband’s family. Widowhood was something greatly feared. So the great prostitute is boasting that she will never suffer grief and dependence on another person because she will always be on the throne.  She views herself as beyond pain. 

      Her Religion (17:3,14)

	This is primarily promoted through the false prophet. The demand of worship of the image and the mark under severe penalties makes this clear. Add to that Babylon’s evil influence (17:2-3), and war with the Lamb and the faithful (17:14).

	Her Demonic Activity (17:14;18:2)

	Last but certainly not least is the widespread demonic activity which is seen again under the laments and in connection with the Antichrist. 

	Destruction of Babylon

	Her Destroyers (17:16-17)

	17:16 “And the ten horns (Rome II) which you saw and the 	beast— these will hate the prostitute and will make her 	desolate and naked, and will consume her flesh and will 	burn her up with fire.

	17:17 For God has put it in their hearts to do his intent by 	having one purpose, even to give their kingdom to the 	beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.

	Initiated by God, the ten-horned Rome II will commence her destruction. She is first made desolate, not only isolated but she will be laid waste. She is stripped naked, not only her wealth and powers all gone but exposed. She is burned with fire, her final demise.  

	Her Aftermath  Chapter 18
								                                                           
	 An angel shouts out that familiar phrase--
		“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! (2a).

	The angel goes on to describe her plagues and fallen condition and then how those who profited from her weep and wail over her loss (18:2-3, 6-19). She is said to be destroyed quickly and violently (18:8,10,19, 21). Babylon goes dark for lack of lighting and silent for lack of population (18:22-23). What was there, was the blood and guilt of the many she slaughtered, both saints and much of the population of the world (18:24).  

	In Rev. 19-1-3, praise from heaven comes forth proclaiming God judgments are true and righteous as applied to Babylon. Her smoke rises forever as a reminder of this. 
	God’s righteous judgment has been accomplished. Smoke rises as a reminder of God’s justice on unrighteousness. 
	
	One more important point especially for believers who live in Babylon before it is destroyed. 

	Warning to Believers To Flee Babylon

	An alert is given in v.4:

		18:4  Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,
	 		“Come out of her, my people,
			  so that you many not take part in her sins,
			  so that you many not receive her plagues;

	However this message is communicated, whether by an audible angelic announcement or the Spirit convicting believers of the very words we are reading, the command is clear----
		“Come out of her, my people,
	This is an aorist imperative which indicates that it is to be done with urgency. At this late in the game-- as they say, there is no time for delay. It is to God’s people-- believers. 
The believer must leave Babylon immediately. Whatever entity Babylon encompasses-- believers are ordered to leave.             
	The fact that one can leave indicates like the historical Babylon, this is a geographical place that one can physically leave. 
	Two reasons are given for the urgent command--
		so that you many not take part in her sins,
	The corruption level of sin is so bad that to stay would certainly corrupt even strong believers. 
		so that you many not receive her plagues;
	This is the penalty of deadly judgment that is about to fall on Babylon.
	So any believer who lives in Future Babylon must leave when this call to evacuate announcement goes out. 
	 
	There is no indication of where to go here-- that may vary with the individual. In the original-historical application, the Judahites were to return to their land of Judah (Jer. 51:6-9). 
	
	Finally . . .
	 
	As you may recall the metallic statue from its golden head
symbolizing ancient Babylon to its feet of iron and clay symbolizing Rome II-- all collapsed when the rock, not made from hands struck its feet (Rome II) (Dan. 2:34). This rock grew into a became a great mountain that filled the whole earth (2:35), which represents God’s kingdom (2:44).

	Other prophets speak of the future Babylon in a similar way, that have a distant eschatological fulfillment. 
	The fact that the book of Revelation reference many OT passages should alert us to broaden our look at the OT prophets for a fuller understanding of the future Babylon. 

	So history comes full circle. As God used historical Babylon, the most evil and powerful single nation of its time to punish Israel, so again this future Babylon will have a significant role in influencing and preparing the world’s armies to attempt to destroy it all again.