As we concluded Chapter 16 last week, we saTherefore, w the final pouring out of the bowl judgements. These were sent forth directly from the heavenly Temple demonstrating justice being poured out. Yet, avoid thinking falsely we should mourn the loss of Babylon. We are given this nonlinear interlude to discuss and understand the necessity of Babylon’s fall. It gives us full perspective as to why this is necessary. It is the act of a just and righteous God. Furthermore, the 6th and 7th bowl judgements that ushers in Armageddon. After this Christ Returns to earth as the victorious King.
The wedding of the Lamb is now complete. Therefore, we know that as His bride we will begin the wedding feast of the Lamb upon the newly reclaimed earth. Will it be a 1000-year feast? Perhaps. Tradition has that the wedding feast does extend for many days. Would it not be amazing to think it will extend throughout the millennium?
Some say that chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation concerning Babylon’s fall are the most difficult to understand. Yet, I contend that they are not. When we consider the Old Testament descriptions of what is and what is to come, they are clear. Allow scripture to interpret scripture.
“Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God,because His judgments are true and righteous. For He has judged the great prostitute who was corrupting the earth with her sexual immorality. And He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.” Revelation 19: 1-2 NASB
Should We Mourn Mystery Babylon’s Fall
Multiple times we have read “Babylon has fallen. Essentially demonstrating the ultimate importance of that truth. Babylon has always been the essence of evil ideology. It is man’s attempt to be God. He wished to empower himself to overthrow God. Was that not the central ideology of Satan as well? Did not Adam sin because he was enticed by the idea that he could be like God? And Cain wanted to worship God his way. Never considering God had provided a means of salvation by grace. He chose to even kill his brother. Why? Envy. Because his own humanistic designed sacrifice was rejected. At the same time God accepted his brother’s humbly obedient sacrifice.
Eden is believed to be along the southern Euphrates River. This was the same region where the Tower of Babel . The tower represented humanity’s attempt to reach God by human endeavor alone. Their Desire? To become as powerful as God by human effort. God scattered the people and confused their language. But the false belief system led by Nimrod and his wife continued. This was a system of idolatrous worship. From it sprung Baal worship, the worship of Asherah (also known as Ishtar) and all false religions against God. In fact, these false doctrines have invaded all our modern-day Christian celebrations. Easter with its Easter bunny has glimpses of Ishtar the fertility goddess. Christmas has yuletide logs, symbolic of the worship of the solstice or sun worship.
Babylon, symbolic of humanities desire to outdo God and to overthrow Him, must be destroyed. Therefore, we must never mourn her destruction. Rather rejoice in His victory. Now is the time to warn sinners. Today we must tell of His Grace, Love, and Mercy. Proclaim His perfect plan of salvation. Today is the day they may turn to Him.
What is Mystery Babylon versus Babylon does anyone mourn her?
Mystery Babylon is the Spiritual ideology driving the political/commercial Babylon. That is an important distinction in understanding chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation. So, as we look at these chapters. I hope to shed some light demonstrating how to distinguish the truth in God’s word.
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came. And talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” Revelation 17:1-2 (NKJV)
Throughout Scripture, God refers to idolatrous worship as fornication and harlotry. Truly idolatry symbolizes the turning away from true love to fulfill selfish desires. Precisely including self-worship or the worship of anything apart from God.
So, he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet. (She was) adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT.
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:3-5 (NKJV)
This “harlot” symbolizes all the evil ideologies driving the evil activities of humanity throughout the world. Note: she is riding the Anti-Christ representative of her control over him at the beginning. She is symbolic of the apostate church as well.
Mystery Babylon Explained—No Never Mourn Her Demise
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 wondered greatly. And the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman. And of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. Revelation 17: 6-7 (NASB)
The infiltration of all false religious systems are responsible for the death of so many. They teach human abilities as a means to salvation. This leads to many dying in their sin. Additionally true saints have been martyred by false religious leaders. Should we mourn the death of this ideology?
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who live on the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was, and is not, and will come. Revelation 17:8 (NASB)
This refers to both the King and a Kingdom. There will be a reformation of a Roman Empire (kind of). We do not know if that is pre-rapture or post rapture. But it is believed that the Mystery Babylon—the spiritual apostate church does rise out of Rome. That is shown by her sitting on seven hills. Multiple references also demonstrate that this rebirth of a union of 10 Kings is the 7th and then 8th Kingdoms referred to in Daniel. The 8th Kingdom being the Anti-Christ taking over the rule of all during the second half of the tribulation. (The little horn arising from the 10). That is the explanation of
Revelation 17:9-13 (NASB)
Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains upon which the woman sits, and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. The beast which was, and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction. The ten horns 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.These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
How Wonderful the Next Verse jumps forward to remind us not to mourn
These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 (NASB)
That will be at the end. Yet, God is even in control here. Mystery Babylon (the spiritual apostasy) is destroyed by the Kings of the Earth to then worship only the Antichrist. This happens midway through tribulation. Without their knowledge, it was God directing them to destroy this evil religious system.
And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages. And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purposeby having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17: 15-18 (NASB).
Political/Commercial Babylon
Then, there is the political/commercial Babylon which is reborn. Many speculate where this could be; however, God was very clear in the Old Testament Prophecy that when He ultimately destroys Babylon—no stone is left standing. (Isaiah 13:17, 19-21 and Jeremiah 50:39-40). Many prophecies have a near and a far fulfillment. Although Babylon was overtaken and somewhat destroyed when the Mede/Persians overtook the Babylonian Empire, there are stones still standing. There are people still present. And there are crops that grow. Therefore, it is not finished. That is why I do believe that Babylon will be rebuilt. May be during the tribulation or uncertain when exactly. Yet, it is interesting to know in 2017 the United Nations sent an expedition of people to begin a project of nominating Babylon for UNESCO Preservation of Cultural sights.
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated from his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich from the excessive wealth of her luxury.” Revelation 18:1-3 NASB
Rejoice in God’s Goodness Even in her Destruction
Spiritually, socially, and politically, she had fallen into the darkest depravity of all. Capital of the new One World Order. Even the Apostate Church was destroyed by the Kings of the first half of the tribulation. Yet, before her final physical destruction, God calls any who believe on Jesus Christ to come out. His grace reaches out to the true believers always.
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive any of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her offenses. Pay her back even as she has paid and give back to her double according to her deeds. In the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.To the extent that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, to the same extent give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen. And I am not a widow. (I) will never see mourning.’ For this reason in one day her plagues will come, plague and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. Revelation 18:4-8 (NASB)
In all her boasting, God will destroy the city.
Humanity will Mourn for Babylon
“And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of sexual immorality and lived luxuriously with her, will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning,standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ “And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore—cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; every kind of citron wood, every article of ivory, and every article made from very valuable wood, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, and cargo of horses, carriages, slaves, and human lives. Revelation 18:9-13
No longer will they have the desires of their heart
The fruit you long for has left you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and people will no longer find them.The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and all who make their living by the sea, stood at a distance,and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’
And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich from her prosperity, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” Revelation 18:14-20 NASB
Do Not Mourn as the 6th and 7th Bowl Judgements are Enacted
Remember last week? The 6th bowl judgements dry up the river Euphrates. The water for movement is gone. Furthermore, the armies of the east and west can join forces. Then the 7th bowl was great hail stones falling with a massive earthquake.
Then a strong angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will never be found again. And the sound of harpists, musicians, flute players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; and no craftsman of any craft will ever be found in you again; and the sound of a mill will never be heard in you again; and the light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of the groom and bride will never be heard in you again; for your merchants were the powerful people of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your witchcraft.
And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.” Revelation 18:21-24 (NASB)
What will be her destruction?
Will the earthquake swallow up the entire city? Or perhaps fire and brimstone as was Sodom and Gomorrah with no stone left? Maybe both. At any rate as Theodore Epp concluded.
“On the basis of Old Testament prophecies concerning the destruction of Babylon and from the details given in Revelation 17 and 18, it appears that Babylon must be rebuilt in order to be destroyed as prophesied. The time of the prophesied destruction will be during the Day of the Lord.
It is possible that Rome will be the ecclesiastical capital of the world during the first three and a half years of the Tribulation and reguilt Babylon will be the political and commercial capital of the world during the last three and a half years. Only time will reveal the exact fulfillment of all of these details. [1]
Look around you. It is amazing how the whole stage is being set. Only God knows when. Yet, we must never mourn. Rejoice our wedding and wedding feast are ever nearer each day. Keep your eye focused on Jesus Christ, our love and our bridegroom. He will return for us soon.
Never Mourn, Rejoice for Our King Returns to Reign on Earth
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. Revelation 19: 11-12 NASB
A name only He Knows—what intimacy within the Godhead. This name beyond our compression or understanding. Even greater than mighty counselor, provider, protector and Saviour.
He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19: 13-16 NASB
How Appropriate to Never Mourn-they Did it to Themselves
Despite all His patience. After all they had seen of their own destruction. Still they rose up against the Lord who died for their sins, refusing to accept Him as Lord. The epitome of self and arrogance.
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19: 19-21 NASB
[1] Epp, Theodore H., Practical Studies in Revelation, Back to the Bible Publication, Lincoln, NE, 1969 page.301
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025
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