Chapter 4

Endtime Babylon’s Spiritual Scope

The anti-God World

Contents

A) Endtime Babylon as “the World”

B) Ancient Babylon as the foundation & biblical symbol of “the World”

C) America as the modern center of “the World”

Primary Points

• Descriptions of Endtime Babylon make it clear that its meaning goes far beyond a single physical city.
• Endtime Babylon’s influence will be worldwide.
• Endtime Babylon’s historical scope includes virtually all of human history.
• Endtime Babylon’s worldwide scope and evil nature leads us to interpret it at the macro level with one particular biblical and spiritual concept: the anti-God World.
• The anti-God World is the sinful values and systems empowered by the sinful nature of humans to promote independence from God.
• Whatever humans depend on to meet their needs, thus making them feel independent from the real God, is the World.
• One of the World’s greatest powers is the worship of Money (Matt 6:24). Wealth is the most powerful false religion in the World.
• The advertising, technological, and entertainment systems of the World promote its worship.
• Tracing the history of Babylon through Scripture we find that it is a symbol for idolatrous humanity opposed to God. The very roots of the wicked World began with Babylon.
• Where is the World’s center of idolatrous economic, marketing, technological, and entertainment power today? No other nation today, or ever in the history of humanity, has even been close to rivaling America in these powers. It has become the center of the foremost things that embody and empower the World- the systems invented and empowered by the sinful nature of humanity to be independent of God.
• America has been, by far, both the most powerful nation to ever exist, and the most prostituting nation to ever exist.
• It is a mistake to believe a merely spiritual interpretation of Revelation 17-18 reflects all the truth God wants to communicate. Almost 600 biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled thus far in human history, were fulfilled in a physical, if not literal, way. Endtime Babylon will not be an exception.
• Ultimately, Revelation 17-18 is predicting a real city that will be the world’s foremost example, concentration, source, and influencer of the values of the anti-God World.

A) Endtime Babylon as “the World”

A.1) Endtime Babylon’s Worldwide scope

Babylon the Great is repeatedly described as a literal city in the Endtimes (cf. Rev 16:19; 17:18; 18:10, 16, 18, 19, 21). However, other descriptions make it clear that its meaning goes far beyond a single physical city. We see both these layers of meaning in Revelation 17:18 where we read: The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. Endtime Babylon will be a great literal, physical city on the earth, but its influence will be over the kings of the earth.

Endtime Babylon’s worldwide political and geographical scope is introduced in 17:1 as the great prostitute, who rules over many waters (17:1 NLT). Later the Angel explains: The waters where the prostitute is ruling represent masses of people of every nation and language (17:15 NLT ^[1]).

Endtime Babylon’s worldwide economic influence is described as well. After it is destroyed, it is predicted that, Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will be weeping and mourning (18:17, 19 NIV).

Endtime Babylon’s worldwide spiritual influence is described when we read: With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries (17:2 NIV). It is described as Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World (17:5 NLT). For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries (18:3 NIV). By [its] magic spell all the nations were led astray (18:23 NIV). Also, only a worldwide entity could be described as a haunt for every impure spirit (18:2 NIV)

Finally, Endtime Babylon’s historical scope includes virtually all of human history. If one remains unconvinced that the meaning of Endtime Babylon transcends a single physical city, the last description of it in this prophecy puts it beyond doubt:

And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth (18:24 NASB).

Contrary to what many suggest, the killing being described here is not limited to martyrs among God’s prophets and saints. ^[2] The description includes and [kai] of all [pantōn] who have been slain on the earth. Likewise, Jeremiah said, the slain in all the earth have fallen because of Babylon (51:49 NIV). Accordingly, Hughes writes:

This harlot of anti-God secular power is guilty of all the bloodshed that has disgraced and defiled the history of mankind, starting with the blood of Abel shed by his brother Cain. ^[3]

The Greek word here for slain (esphagmenōn, slaughtered, NIV, NLT) means: “the killing of a person by violence” ^[4] and can include both war and murder. Therefore, Endtime Babylon somehow symbolizes the power behind all wars in human history. ^[5] But even more than that, all murders and martyrdoms as well. Its violent slaughter of people certainly includes the many millions of innocent babies murdered in their mother’s womb through abortion.

It is especially because of the martyrdom of God’s people that we read in the prophecy: Rejoice over her [destruction], O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her (18:20 NASB; cf. 17:6). In some sense, Endtime Babylon has been responsible for the persecution and execution of God’s servants throughout history. ^[6]

Such descriptions cannot be confined to one literal city or nation. ^[7] Rather, we must find a biblical metaphor that encompasses this kind of worldwide wicked influence. And the NT clearly provides one.

A.2) Endtime Babylon as the anti-God “World”

Endtime Babylon’s worldwide scope and evil nature leads us to interpret it at the macro level with one particular biblical and spiritual concept: the World (kosmos). ^[8] This has been a foremost interpretation of Revelation 17-18 in the Church today and throughout its history. ^[9] The World is a large and complex concept in Scripture. It can be defined as: The sinful values and systems empowered by the sinful nature of humans to promote independence from God.

The NT describes this anti-God World when we read: We know … that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19 NIV). John is using the world as a metaphor for the sinful values and systems ruled by Satan and empowered by the sinful nature of humans to promote independence from God. He said even in the 1st century it was ruling the whole world, in much the same way Revelation 17-18 predicted.

Elsewhere the Apostle John wrote:

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. (1 John 2:15-16 NLT)

Accordingly, we read in James:

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. (4:4 NLT)

The anti-God World is synonymous with spiritual adultery. As people worship the idols of this World they become spiritual prostitutes. This is a repeated theme of the OT Prophets. And as we will see, this is clearly revealed in the prophecy about Endtime Babylon.

Likewise, the Revelation is clear that this World is an arch enemy of Christ. In a description of the completion of Christ’s Endtime Wrath and defeat of His enemies, loud voices in heaven are heard saying: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord God and His Son the Christ, and He will reign over it for ever and ever (Rev 11:15 ^[10]).

What is this kingdom of the world that is in direct opposition to the kingdom of our Lord God? It is the anti-God World made up of the sinful values and systems empowered by the sinful nature of humans to promote independence from God.

The World’s values include, Whatever is highly valued among people of the world and is disgusting in God’s sight and He hates it (Luke 16:15 ^[11]). The World’s systems include its political, economic, technological, entertainment, and religious institutions.

The kingdom of the world (Rev 11:15) is really the kingdom of Satan. Again, the Bible says, the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert we read:

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” (Matt 4:8-9 NLT).

Satan could give Christ all the kingdoms of the world and their glory because God has temporarily given him authority and possession over them. And there is a great glory in what humanity has created in this World despite its evil nature.

When the Apostle John saw the woman in his vision (Rev 17:6), he saw the glory of the World in one concentrated image. This is another reason he responded to the vision by saying When I saw her, I was greatly astonished (17:6 NIV) or literally in the Greek “amazed with great amazement.” Seeing all the GLORY of the World was overwhelming for John (but not Jesus, cf. above). The woman he saw was stunningly attractive, just as the World can be. But her obvious wickedness also made her overwhelmingly grotesque. Perhaps it was seeing the intense contrast of beauty and sin that overwhelmed and astonished the Apostle. ^[12]

An independent and arrogant attitude toward God is the essence of the World. This very thing is illustrated in Endtime Babylon when we read: She glorified herself and lived in luxury … She boasted in her heart, “I am queen on my throne. I am no helpless widow, and I have no reason to mourn” (18:7 NLT; cf. Isa 47:7-9).

The World and its systems, institutions, wealth, and values are Satan’s offering to distract humanity from worshipping God. Whatever humans depend on to meet their needs, thus making them feel independent from the real God, is the World. Whatever appeals to human pride, lust, and selfishness, is the World. The World is the institutions and systems humans have built to gain a sense of self-sufficiency, so they need not bow to God’s authority. The World is what humans commit spiritual adultery/idolatry with as they depend on it and worship it as their god.

Therefore, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is … to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (Jms 1:27 NIV). Likewise, the Apostle Paul commands: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (Rom 12:2 NIV).

Although the World is completely evil, it should not be missed that God loved the World, sent His Son to die for the World, commands Christians to stay in the World, and preach the Gospel throughout the World (cf. John 3:16; 17:11, 16; Matt 24:14). Nonetheless, the World is the antithesis of Heaven, which is why God will ultimately and completely destroy it and the Earth it inhabits in order to create a New World (cf. Rev 21:1-4).

The biblical concept of the Satan-controlled anti-God World is the best explanation for what could be guilty of all who have been slaughtered on the earth (Rev 18:24 NIV). The above Scriptures tell us the institutions, governments, and rulers of the whole world have always been under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19 NIV). Only such a universal, spiritual, and evil entity can fulfill this remarkable prophecy about Endtime Babylon. Satan’s anti-God World has been the ultimate power behind all wicked wars, murders, and abortions.

How does the anti-God World exercise its influence over humanity? One of its greatest powers is the worship of Money. Indeed, Jesus said, No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matt 6:24 NIV). Money is God’s greatest rival in the World for worship, dependence, and desire.

As discussed further in the next chapter, money is the most powerful false religion in the World. And as will also be discussed, Endtime Babylon is virtually defined as the religion of money. And the religion of money is by far the most popular religion in America, and America is by far the greatest influence in spreading the religion of money throughout the World. This is the very thing Endtime Babylon is described as being guilty of.

But there are other aspects of the anti-God World that steal humanity’s worship and dependence from God. Related to the idolatrous power of Money is the Advertising industry. Why were companies in the world willing to spend over $600 billion for advertising in 2022? ^[13] Because it creates the desire for more Money and what it can buy. Advertising increases the power of the World over humanity. If Money and worldly possessions is the foremost Worldwide religion, then advertisers are the foremost evangelists of this religion.

The technological advancements of the anti-God World also significantly increase both its power and its spread over the Earth. They make people feel more self-sufficient and independent from God. This is why less developed cultures are the least affected by the influences of the World. Jeremiah may be speaking of that worldly technology when he writes, Babylon reaches as high as the heavens (51:53 NIV). Could this refer to space programs?

The entertainment systems of the World are among its most powerful weapons to influence people away from worshipping God, and instead worshipping celebrities. John described the World as the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes (1 John 2:16 NIV). This especially describes the PLEASURES offered by the World to lead people into sin. It is the entertainment systems of the World that are also broadcasting millions of filthy pornographic images all over the Earth to demean the women who make them, and ensnare and corrupt the men who watch them.

In summary, one meaning of Endtime Babylon at the “macro” level is the biblical and spiritual idea of the wicked World.

B) Ancient Babylon as the foundation & biblical symbol of “the World”

Why is the entity in Revelation 17-18 called BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Rev 17:5 NIV)? Tracing the history of Babylon through Scripture we find that it is a symbol for idolatrous humanity opposed to God. The very roots of the wicked World began with Babylon.

First, the Prophet Isaiah seemed to identify Satan as the spiritual ruler of ancient Babylon. In a prophecy concerning the downfall of the human king of Babylon we read:

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star [KJV Lucifer], son of the dawn!.. You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isa 14:4, 12-14 NIV) ^[14]

Scripture indicates that Satan has an especially close relationship with Babylon. That satanic influence was apparent in a man named Nimrod. He was the founder of the city and empire of Babylon, “which from the time of Nimrod downwards has been the symbol of the power of the world in its hostility to God.” ^[15]

Nimrod was the great grandson of Noah. In the ancient Table of Nations we read:

Cush [the son of Ham who was the cursed son of Noah] was the father of Nimrod. He was the first on Earth to be a powerful tyrant. He was a mighty hunter of men and opposed the LORD… The beginning of his kingdom was Babel. (Gen 10:8-11 ^[16])

The amount of text devoted to Nimrod in the Table of Nations suggests his importance. After the Flood, Nimrod became the world’s first great conqueror (GNT) and “the founder of the first imperial kingdom.” ^[17] But Nimrod and this first human kingdom were opposed to God. OT scholar Bruce Waltke notes from the above text, “Nimrod built cities, not altars to the Lord… Nimrod achieved his ascendancy by aggression… The Hebrew [for mighty man gibbōr bāʾāres] means ‘tyrant.’” ^[18] He concludes that “Nimrod [was] a rebel against God and a tyrannical ruler over people.” ^[19] This is especially supported by Nimrod’s name and actions. Nimrod means: “We shall rebel” ^[20] and he founded Babylon and Ninevah, ancient centers of human depravity and religious idolatry. ^{[21] [22]}

Of course this was illustrated in the Tower of Babel (cf. Gen 11:1-9). This is the first biblical example of humanity uniting in rebellion against God. The very roots of the World. God had commanded humans to fill the Earth (Gen 1:28; cf. 9:7; Acts 17:26). Instead, the founders of Babylon rebelled against God and built a city with a tower so that they would not be scattered over the face of the whole earth (11:4 NIV). With the great powers of human unity and ingenuity, The Lord said … nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them (v. 6). With those human powers they wanted to create a city where they could live independently from God. The World’s efforts to oppose and even replace God began in Babylon.

Representing the technology of the World was the Tower of Babel. ^[23] It is believed to have been 300 feet high, the equivalent of a 27 story skyscraper. ^[24] In addition, it may have been intended to be a refuge for a lucky few from any future flood of divine judgment. As opposed to Noah’s Ark it was Nimrod’s Ark. ^[25] This is perhaps the first attempt by humans to use human technology to become independent from God.

Technology can be a good thing, enabling humans to subdue … the earth as God commanded (Gen 1:28). But ever since the Tower of Babel, humanity has perverted technology to gain their independence from God. Satan has always used technology to empower the anti-God World.

After the Flood, anti-God civilization began in Babylon. Subsequently it spread to other parts of the World including ancient Egypt and Assyria. But the kingdoms of the [anti-God] world and their glory (Matt 4:8 NIV) reached a climax in the nation of Babylon. Around 600 B.C. God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream depicting this. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar: Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory (2:37-38 NIV; cf. Jer 27:4-7).

At its height, Babylon was an enormous empire. Nebuchadnezzar defeated the powerful and vast Assyrian Empire and “became the first Babylonian king to rule Egypt. He also brought the regions of Palestine and Syria under his rule, and in turn controlled all trade routes stretching across Mesopotamia, from the Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.” ^[26] Accordingly, the Prophet Isaiah referred to it as Babylon, the jewel [the most glorious NLT] of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians (Isa 13:19 NIV).

The wealth and wonder of ancient Babylon were legendary. The Greek historian Herodotus personally visited it and claimed that “Babylon surpasses in wonder any city in the known world.” ^[27] At the time, it “was believed to be the largest city in the world.” ^[28] Accordingly, various accounts of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” have listed three of those seven wonders as existing in the city of Babylon. ^[29] These included the Ishtar Gate, the Hanging Gardens, and the massive Walls of Babylon.

Because ancient Babylon symbolized the power, wealth, and wonder of the anti-God World, it also exemplified its arrogance. We read of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride: As the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan 4:29-30 NIV).

Again, advancements in technology increased the power of the World in Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. It is credited with the invention of the following: the first written language, the first wheel, the first chariot, map making, the plow, a system of time divided by 60 minutes, and the first sailboat. ^[30] It is claimed that humanity’s transition from rural to urban cultures began in Babylon. ^[31] Ancient Babylon was the center of human technology in its day. Endtime Babylon will be the primary inventor and supplier of technology to the anti-God World in its day.

Ancient Babylon certainly illustrated the World’s wickedness. This was especially demonstrated in their idolatrous worship of false gods. ^[32] Scholars agree with Thomas who writes of Babylon: “It was a city where false religion began.” ^[33] The Prophet Jeremiah wrote of Babylon: the whole land is filled with idols, and the people are madly in love with them (Jer 50:38 NLT). Those idols included large and numerous temples to false gods:

At the heart [of the city of Babylon] were fourteen different sanctuaries, and another twenty-nine were distributed throughout the rest of the city. That was quite apart from the hundreds of street site chapels and shrines… Nebuchadnezzar lavished attention on the cult-rooms: there were gold, silver, and gemstones everywhere. ^[34]

Ancient Babylon was also known for its pursuit of luxurious living. Rhoades writes:

Perhaps no other feature made the Babylonian people unique among the peoples of the ancient world than their desire for self-indulgence and love of pleasure… In every possible way the Babylonians practiced luxuriousness of living, and in respect of softness and self-indulgence they certainly did not fall short of any nation of antiquity. ^[35]

As the center of the anti-God World in ancient times, Babylon is portrayed in Scripture as the foremost enemy of God’s people Israel. Of course, all that Nebuchadnezzar did to the Jews was under God’s sovereign power and for His purposes of punishing them. But Nebuchadnezzar practically annihilated King David’s former kingdom, the nation of Israel.

In 597 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it (2 Kgs 25:1 NIV). The siege lasted for two years causing severe famine (vs. 2-3). After taking Jerusalem, They killed the sons of [King] Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. (v. 7 NIV). Then the Babylonians demolished Jerusalem’s walls and burned down all the houses, important buildings, and the temple itself (vs. 9-10 NIV). They forced tens of thousands of Jews to leave their homeland and carry whatever possessions they could for the 500-mile journey to Babylon (v. 11). This included Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the priest next in rank who were executed on their arrival in Babylon (vs. 18, 21 NIV). ^[36]

The Apostle John wrote that Endtime Babylon is drunk with the blood of the saints and In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints (Rev 17:6; 18:24 NIV). Clearly, some of that blood was shed by ancient Babylon.

For all of the above reasons, Babylon was the first city to be the center and source of the anti-God World. Therefore, when Endtime Babylon is called Babylon the Great (Rev 17:5; 18:2), at almost the very end of Scripture, there is a lot of human history and spiritual meaning being expressed. And perhaps we can begin to understand what was noted in the chapter 1:

Babylon is a massive topic in Scripture, being mentioned 361 times, from Genesis to Revelation. Only the city of Jerusalem is mentioned more often in the Bible. Except Israel, Babylon takes up far larger portions of biblical prophecy than any other nation. (sec. A)

This is because in Scripture, Babylon symbolizes the opposite of the kingdom of God. Babylon is the biblical symbol for the anti-God World: The sinful values and systems empowered by the sinful nature of humans to promote independence from God. ^[37]

C) America as the modern center of “the kingdom of the World”

Whatever Endtime Babylon is, it will be the center of the kingdom of the world (Rev 11:15) that Christ wants to destroy. It will be the foremost source of the anti-God World’s systems, institutions, wealth, and values to distract humanity from worshipping God. Therefore, Money will be Endtime Babylon’s foremost religion and its advertising of merchandise will be the foremost evangelist of that religion in the World. Its technological advancements will significantly increase its power over the Earth. Endtime Babylon’s entertainment offerings will entice the World to worship celebrities instead of God.

Where is the World’s center of idolatrous economic, marketing, technological, and entertainment power today? No other nation today, or ever in the history of humanity, has even been close to rivaling America in these powers. It has become the center of the foremost things that embody and empower the World- the systems invented and empowered by the sinful nature of humanity to be independent of God.

As noted in chapter 2, a spiritual interpretation of Endtime Babylon is necessary to account for the biblical descriptions discussed in this chapter. For example, some of the descriptions of the anti-God World view of Endtime Babylon have led many to reject the idea that Revelation 17-18 could be predicting the physical nation of America. These include such statements as: I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus (17:6 NIV; ^[38] cf. 18:20).

How could America, the foremost Christian nation in the history of the world, be accused of killing God’s people? A substantial case can be made for America’s guilt in the modern persecution of Christians because of their financial support of anti-Christian regimes. ^[39] However, seeing America as a significant source of Christian martyrs is a stretch.

This is a primary reason that medieval Roman Catholicism or modern Islam are seen to be fulfillments of Endtime Babylon. And if its biblical descriptions were limited to being a foremost murderer of Christians, then Islam or Roman Catholicism might be a better interpretation than America. But as noted above, the Scriptures go on to describe Endtime Babylon in ways that exclude all three of these possibilities: In her was found the blood of … all who have been slaughtered on the Earth (18:24 NIV). No single nation, city, or religion can fulfill such a prediction. Only a spiritual interpretation that includes the entire anti-God World can.

But it is a grave mistake to believe a merely metaphorical interpretation of Revelation 17-18 reflects all the truth God wants to communicate. As pointed out in chapter 2 (sec. A), almost 600 biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled in human history. Every single one of them were fulfilled in a physical, if not literal, way. Endtime Babylon will not be an exception. Ultimately, Revelation 17-18 is predicting a real nation and city that will be the world’s foremost example, concentration, source, and influencer of the values of the anti-God World.

How does the anti-God World (and America) exercise its worldwide idolatrous influence over humanity? In one word: Money. And this is why Endtime Babylon is primarily described as the economic super-power in the World. Therefore, the topic of the next chapter will be the clearest description of Endtime Babylon that enables us to identify its physical fulfillment.

1. NIV describes the great prostitute, who sits by many waters (17:1, 15). Osborne explains: “To ‘sit upon’ a nation is to conquer and control it” (609). Therefore, the NLT is helpful to translate, the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. ↑

2. Some believe all who have been slaughtered on the earth (18:24 NIV) only refers to Christians (cf. Thomas, Ladd, Walvoord). But others like Osborne believe this “most likely means not just the saints but all, believer and unbeliever alike” (659; cf. Mounce, Hughes, Morris). ↑

3. Hughes, quoted in Mounce, 339. ↑

4. BDAG. ↑

5. In terms of the World’s political and military powers slaughtering people we can look at 20^th century history. WWI cost 20 million lives, WWII another 50 million. Postwar Stalin killed another 60 million. During the “Cultural Revolution” of Mao Tse Tung in China in the 1950’s, 75 million perished. In a similar way, one third of Cambodia’s people were mass murdered in the “killing fields” of the 1970’s. ↑

6. Jesus said something similar of apostate Israel, condemning them for “the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah” (Luke 11:50-51 NIV). This is one reason some believe Endtime Babylon is a reference to Jerusalem/Israel. ↑

7. Pink attempts to make a case that Endtime Babylon can only mean one literal city: “Six times is Babylon referred to in the Apocalypse, and nowhere is there a hint that the name is not to be understood literally” (263). The arguments provided in this section prove this wrong.

   Not surprisingly, the metaphorical interpreter Beale recognizes the macro view of Endtime Babylon being reflected in Rev 18:24:

   The Apocalypse’s Babylon is not just one Satanic nation but a corporate, depraved, worldwide system spanning the ages… The concluding clause of ch. 18, “all those who have been slain on the earth,” points further to a universal reference, since it is unlikely that “earth” (gēs) is limited to a particular land, but … probably the entire world. (924)

   Unfortunately, MacArthur, Walvoord, Osborne, and Mounce do not really comment on this meaning from Rev 18:24. Thomas is among those who claim all who have been slain on the earth is limited to God’s people. Therefore, he comments:

   Nothing of this scope has heretofore transpired. The prophecy looks to the future and a massive system that will encompass the globe in its animosity against Christianity (Ladd). (1411)

   Accordingly, he and many others interpret these martyrdoms as occurring only or primarily during The Greatest Persecution. But all means all and this text is referring to all Christians and non-Christians who have been martyred and murdered in all of history in all the world. ↑

8. Regarding the relationship between the anti-God World described in Scripture and Babylon, the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery states:

   Probably in some instances already in the OT (cf. Isa 13:1-22, esp. the ultimacy of the language in Isa 13:9-13; 14:3-23) and certainly in the NT (e.g. 1 Pet 5:13; cf. 1:1; 2:11), Babylon stands not for a specific power but more generally for world power in opposition to God—the empire where God’s people live in exile.

   This is particularly clear in Revelation, which draws heavily on OT imagery in portraying the end times… The force of the imagery is the more strongly felt in Revelation because of the deliberate contrast drawn toward the end of the book between Babylon and the New Jerusalem, which is presented as the Bride of Christ (19:6-9; 21:1-27) (69). ↑

9. This “spiritual” or metaphorical interpretation of Endtime Babylon was introduced to the Church as early as Augustine. His treatise, The City of God, certainly used this perspective. In addition, he wrote elsewhere:

   Babylon is interpreted confusion, Jerusalem vision of peace… They are mingled, and from the very beginning of mankind mingled they run on unto the end of the world… Two loves make up these two cities: love of God makes Jerusalem, love of the world makes Babylon. (Expos. Ps. 65) ↑

10. The suggested translation of Rev 11:15 simply adds God and Son to the text to make it more clear that it is speaking of God the Father and God the Son. ↑

11. The suggested translation of Luke 16:15 is: Whatever is highly valued among people of the world is disgusting in God’s sight and He hates it. The translation primarily follows the NIV.

    Highly valued translates the Greek word hypsēlon which literally means “exalted” (ESV, NLT “honors”). But Webster’s defines “exalt” as to elevate by praise or in estimation.” Therefore, the idea of valuing rather than exalting applies. This is more reflected in NIV’s highly valued, NASB’s highly esteemed, and NET’s highly prized.

    Some suggest Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for exalting themselves (cf. Bock, 1350). But there is better evidence that the rebuke focused on what they valued. In the previous verse it is pointed out that The Pharisees … loved money. The fact that hypsēlon is in the neuter instead of masculine tense suggests the “exaltation” refers to money not the Pharisees themselves (cf. Morris, Luke, 274).

    Disgusting … and He hates it translates bdelygma meaning “something disgusting that arouses wrath” (BDAG #1). ↑

12. Nowhere else in Revelation are we told that John has an emotional response to what he is being shown. This is remarkable considering some of the things John saw. This included demonic forces on horses killing one fourth of the Earth (cf. 6:1-8), the sky and all mountains disappearing at Christ’s Return (6:14), the greenery of Earth being burned up (8:7), all of its water turned to blood (16:3), demonic locusts stinging people who want to die but cannot (9:1-11), 200 million demonic horses killing one third of all humankind with fire coming out of their mouths (9:13-19), and Satan himself as an enormous red dragon taking one third of the Angels out of Heaven with a sweep of his tail (12:3-4). Never are we told that John is overwhelmed by the sight of any of these things. But John says, When I saw her, I was greatly astonished (Rev 17:6 NIV).

    Why? We would suggest the woman simultaneously impacted John with a vision of intense beauty and horrific sin. It is doubtful that this woman was ugly. She was beautiful enough that With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries (17:2 NIV). This woman was stunningly attractive.

    But she was also incredibly grotesque. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries (17:5 NIV). She had a name stamped on her forehead that read: THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (17:6 NIV). Finally, when John saw this beautiful woman he also saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s saints (v. 6 NIV) and In her was found the blood … of all who have been slaughtered on the earth (18:24 NIV). As noted, perhaps it was the intense contrast of beauty and evil that overwhelmed and astonished him. ↑

13. https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5769211/global-advertising-market-industrytrends#:~:text=The%20global%20advertising%20market%20size%20reached%20US%24%20615.2%20Billion%20in%202022.

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14. Admittedly, it is difficult to find a modern commentator or theologian who believes that Isaiah 14 could be referring to Satan. Both Calvin and Luther denied this as well. However, many Early Church Fathers believed the reference to “Lucifer” was Satan, including Origen, Tertullian, and Augustine.

    Clear biblical precedence for this interpretation is found in Ezekiel. In a prophecy about the king of Tyre, the Prophet says of him: You were in Eden, the garden of God (Ezek 28:13 NIV). That could not be true of the king of Tyre and clearly refers to Satan. Elsewhere, the Bible describes the rebellion of Satan and his angels (cf. Jude 6; 2 Pet 2:4; Rev 12:1-5). Therefore, we would expect this momentous event would be described elsewhere in Scripture.

    Accordingly, a theologian of the stature of Wayne Grudem is willing to write:

    It is possible that there is a reference to the fall of Satan in Isaiah 14. As Isaiah is describing the judgment of God on the king of Babylon, he then comes to a section where he begins to use language that seems too strong to refer to any merely human being… This language … strongly suggests a rebellion by an angelic creature of great power and dignity.

    It would not be uncommon for Hebrew prophetic speech to pass from descriptions of human events to descriptions of heavenly events that are parallel to them and that the earthly events picture in a limited way… See for example Ps. 45 which moves from a description of an earthly king to a description of a divine Messiah. (Systematic Theology, 413). ↑

15. K&D, Gen 10:10. ↑

16. For an explanation of the suggested translation of Gen 10:8-11 see description and endnotes in this section. ↑

17. K&D, Gen 10:8. Many translations simply state that Nimrod “became” or “began to be” mighty (cf. NIV, NASB, NET, KJV). But others agree with the ESV that Nimrod was the first on earth to be a mighty man (cf. NLT, CSB, NRSV, GNT). OT scholar Victor P. Hamilton agrees with this translation, explaining, “The inceptive imperfect in the Hebrew and the verb hēlēl [means that] Nimrod was ‘the first to be mighty’” (Genesis, NICOT, 335). ↑

18. Bruce K. Waltke, Genesis (Zondervan, Kindle ed.), p. 168-9. ↑

19. Ibid., 182. The NIV translates Gen 10:9 as He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. But K&D argued that this should be translated, “He was a hunter of men in opposition to the Lord.” Among other arguments, K&D point out that Nimrod’s hunting is closely associated with his rise to power. Secondly, the word before (as in “a mighty hunter before the Lord”) translates the Hebrew word lipnê which literally means “to the face of” and can imply opposition. Thirdly, the Hebrew word for “hunt” (tsayid) is used for hunting men (cf. 1 Sam 24:12; Jer 16:16; Lam 3:15). K&D conclude:

    Nimrod the hunter became a tyrant, a powerful hunter of men. This course of life gave occasion to the proverb, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter against the Lord,” which immortalized not his skill in hunting beasts, but the success of his hunting of men in the establishment of an imperial kingdom by tyranny and power. But if this be the meaning of the proverb, then “in the face of Jehovah” can only mean in defiance of Jehovah, as Josephus and the Targums understand it. ↑

20. Waltke, 168. ↑

21. All of which makes the translations and scholars who make Nimrod out to be some sort of hero, a distortion of God’s word. The NLT refers to him as the first heroic warrior on earth (Gen 10:8). The GNT says, By the LORD’s help he was a great hunter (Gen 10:9). Along the same lines, Hamilton translates these verses as saying: “He was a hero of hunting by God’s grace… Here the translation must connote the approving attitude of [God]” (335). But how could this be true of the founder of the anti-God Babylon? Hamilton completely ignores the context in his interpretation. ↑

22. Waltke suggests the Tower builders demonstrated the same worldly characteristics as Cain: “Both migrate eastward (Gen 4:16; 11:2); both build a city to establish a secure place and a meaningful existence without God (4:17; 11:4); both are proud manufacturers (4:19–24; 11:3—4); both are judged by being forced to migrate (4:12–13; 11:8) (177-178). ↑

23. Waltke notes regarding the relationship between the Tower of Babel and worldly technology:

    The Tower of Babel [meaning “gate of God”] is a venture in human autonomy… The tower is thus an image of human aspiration and pride, accompanied by a spirit of boasting in human achievement… For the rebels, the city and tower symbolize the ability of collective humanity to defy the rule of heaven… This skyscraper is a symbol of their united titanic societal self-assertion against God, who commands them to “fill the Earth” (9:1)… The endeavor to find fame, existential significance, and unity through technology is a new innovation of boundary crossing in postdiluvian history.

    Technology, which enables human beings to subdue the Earth and in part sets them above animals, is God’s good gift to people. However, people pervert it… [T]he city builders were futilely attempting to find significance and immortality in their technology and their achievements. However, technology cannot give divine blessing. Only God can give an everlasting name (see Gen. 12:2), and he gives it to those who magnify his name and not their own achievements (see 4:26; 2 Sam. 7:8–9; 8:13; Isa. 63:12, 14).

    Today the city and its civilization are signs of humanity’s separation from God. It cannot renew the divine intimacy of the lost paradise. The failure of secular technology is symbolized by the incompleteness of their project. Whereas God establishes a complete number of nations, the tower builders, under divine wrath, cannot complete their project. (177, 180, 183). ↑

24. The ISBE states that the Tower of Babel was known by the Babylonians as “the temple of the foundation of heaven and earth” (E-temen-an-ki) dedicated to their god Marduk. Extrapolation from archeological data supports the height suggested by the literary evidence, 295 to 300 ft” (I:384). That is the equivalent of a 27-story skyscraper, and it was built around 3000 B.C.! Historians place the construction of the Egyptian Pyramids about 500 years later. ↑

25. The suggestion that a purpose of the Tower of Babel was to protect its builders from another Flood is supported by the respected ancient Jewish historian Josephus who wrote of Nimrod:

    He threatened to have his revenge on God if He wished to inundate the earth again; for he would build a tower higher than the water could reach and avenge the destruction of their forefathers. (Antiquities 1.4.2) ↑

26. “Herodotus” at All Things Mesopotamia; online at https://allmesopotamia.wordpress.com/tag/herodotus/ ↑

27. “Wall” in World History Encyclopedia; online at https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/. One of the modern instances of arrogance in modern academia is the skepticism that is poured on Herodotus who lived c. 484 – c. 425 b.c. He “was the first writer to do systematic investigation of historical events. He is referred to as ‘The Father of History,’ a title conferred on him by the ancient Roman orator Cicero”

    (“Herodotus” online at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus).

    If you read his writings, it is obvious that he was a careful and detailed historian, having personally visited the areas he writes of. The primary reason it has become fashionable to doubt his accounts is that archeological evidence dug up thousands of years later cannot be found to substantiate some of those records. But this is insufficient reason to simply call Herodotus a liar, as modern scholars often do. ↑

28. “Beautiful Babylon: Jewel of the Ancient World,” National Geographic; online at https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/beautiful-babylon-jewel-ancient-world/

    ↑

29. For versions of “The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” see online at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_Ancient_World ↑

30. “Top 12 Inventions and Discoveries of Ancient Babylonia,” Saugat Adhikari; online at https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/mesopotamia-history/inventions-ancient-babylonia/#4_Urbanization

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31. Ibid. ↑

32. Herodotus wrote of “the most shameful of the customs of the Babylonians.” Evidently, every married or single woman in Babylonia was required to visit the temple of Aphrodite once in her life to have sex with a stranger who chose them. It was against the law to refuse. Of course, the more attractive women were chosen first and were able to return home rather quickly. But Herodotus reports that some less attractive women were forced to stay at the temple for three or four years until a man chose to have sex with them. (“Herodotus on Babylon,” World History Encyclopedia; online at

    https://www.worldhistory.org/article/84/herodotus-on-babylon/

    ↑

33. Thomas, 1326. ↑

34. “Ancient Babylon: Center of Mesopotamian Civilization,” Owen Jarus; online at https://www.livescience.com/28701-ancient-babylon-center-of-mesopotamian-civilization.html

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35. Rhoades, loc. 407. ↑

36. Obviously, Nebuchadnezzar was a violent man. However, there seems to be exaggerated stories in the Jewish Talmud about him. For example, there is the claim that Hiram I King of Tyre was married to Nebuchadnezzar’s mother and that Nebuchadnezzar raped his mother when he conquered Tyre and killed Hiram one body part at a time. The Talmud also claims that the Babylonian king regularly sodomized conquered and imprisoned kings. But the Jewish Talmud is not a trusted source of history. None of these details are confirmed by more careful historians who wrote of Hiram and Nebuchadnezzar like Josephus and Herodotus. This includes the claim that Hiram I was Nebuchadnezzar’s stepfather. ↑

37. Wiersbe writes regarding Babylon:

    In Scripture, the city of Babylon is contrasted with the city of Jerusalem—the proud city of man versus the Holy City of God… Babel/Babylon is a symbol of rebellion against God, the earthly city of human splendor opposing the heavenly city that glorifies God. All of this culminates in the Babylon of Revelation 17:1—19:10, “Babylon the Great,” that symbolizes the anti-God system that controls the world in the end times and then is destroyed by the Lord. (Be Decisive, Jeremiah, 200).

    Likewise, at Rev 17 Wiersbe writes of Babylon:

    Genesis 2 speaks of a pure bride in a lovely garden, but by the Bible’s end, civilization has degenerated to an impure harlot in a wilderness! That is what sin does to the world…
    From the beginning of Nimrod’s city in Genesis 10, an insidious anti-God “Babylonian influence” has been felt throughout history.

    Likewise, Andersen writes regarding the use of Babylon in Revelation: “The name ‘Babylon the Great’ was chosen, rather than some other name, to show that the entity it represents is the pinnacle of the glory, wealth, power, and wickedness of the kingdoms of man” (10). ↑

38. Saints reflects the NIV 1984 version. ↑

39. When America’s significant monetary relationships with countries that are killing Christians are recognized, we see how God could view this as great sin.

    Take for example Saudi Arabia. Voice of the Martyrs reports: “Saudi Arabia is the second most oppressive nation in the world for Christians, after North Korea. Religious freedom is nonexistent, and leaving Islam is punishable by death” (http://www.persecution.com/public/restrictednations). Yet U. S. trade of goods and services with Saudi Arabia totaled almost $40 billion in 2019. (https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/europe-middle-east/middle-eastnorth-africa/saudi-arabia)

    Likewise, we read of China: “Abuses against Christians include arbitrary and lengthy detentions, forced confessions and tortures. More Christians are in prison in China than in any other country. For five consecutive years, Christian persecution in China has increased” (http://www.persecution.com/public/restrictednations). Yet America did over $615 billion of business with them in 2020 (https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/china-mongolia-taiwan/peoples-republic-china#)

    Likewise, what do the following countries have in common: Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Laos? First, they are among “The Top Ten Most Dangerous Countries for Christians,” with martyrdoms happening on a regular basis with the tacit approval of their governments (http://listverse.com/2011/11/24/top-10-most-dangerous-countries-for-christians/). Secondly, they have received 10’s and 100’s of millions of dollars in economic and military aid from America (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1297.pdf.). God could certainly see this as supporting their persecution of Christians. ↑