EB: 8 Evaluating Various Views of Endtime Babylon

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Chapter 8 Evaluating Various Views of Endtime Babylon

A) The 12 biblical attributes of Endtime Babylon

B) A spiritual metaphor for the anti-God “world”

C) 1st century Rome or Jerusalem/Israel

D) A future “one-world government”

E) Europe or China

F) A world-wide false religion, perhaps Roman Catholicism, Islam, New Age, or a future religion that does not exist today.

G) A future rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq

H) America, the spiritual prostitute, and the economic, cultural, and military superpower of the world, centered in New York City

Primary Points

America, centered in New York City, is the only nation and city that fulfills 12 biblical attributes of Endtime Babylon.
In fact, the weaknesses of alternative explanations serve to strengthen and confirm that Endtime Babylon is America.
There is metaphorical meaning to Endtime Babylon. But all biblical prophecies fulfilled to date were fulfilled in physical, if not in literal ways. Despite popular views, the prophecies of Endtime Babylon will be fulfilled in the same way.
Despite many scholars claiming that the ancient Roman Empire fulfilled the prophecies of Revelation 17-18, it did not. Neither will Jerusalem nor Israel fulfill the prophecies regarding Endtime Babylon.
Suggestions that a “one-world government” or the United Nations could become Endtime Babylon do not fit its biblical attributes.
The suggestion that Endtime Babylon will be a uniting of the world’s religions is false for several reasons, including the fact that the idolatrous worship of Money is the “religion” described in Revelation 17-18.
It is odd that so many who actually live in the superpower of America, are so confidently claiming Endtime Babylon will be in the desert of Iraq. How convenient!
At least nine other books can be listed that support the view taught in Endtime Babylon. But it is admitted that many of their arguments do not reflect accurate and careful interpretations of Scripture, but rather, emphasize novel ideas. It has been a desire to correct that.
Most will not try very hard to understand this prophecy. But there are serious problems with that. First, the prophecy predicts the complete destruction of the people and place of Endtime Babylon while the Church is on the Earth (Rev 17:16). Which is why in the prophecy God commands My people to escape Endtime Babylon (18:4). If you want to be certain that you and your loved ones will not be painfully destroyed with the rest of the people in Endtime Babylon, you need to decide what you believe about Revelation 17-18.

A) The 12 biblical attributes of Endtime Babylon

Chapters 1-7 of Endtime Babylon (EB) have provided a careful exegesis of the biblical prophecy in Revelation 17-18. As a result the following 12 primary attributes of Endtime Babylon have been demonstrated:

1) It will be the economic superpower of the world, possessing great wealth (18:17) when the Endtimes begin.

2) Its international businessmen will be the world’s important people (18:23).

3) It will be the foremost consumer and importer of material goods in the world because all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth (18:19).

4) Its people will be living in extravagant luxury (Rev 18:3).

5) It will be the world’s foremost example and promoter of the worship of Money.

6) Endtime Babylon will be the world’s foremost nation.

7) Endtime Babylon will be the Gentile world’s foremost spiritual prostitute.

8) Endtime Babylon will be the world’s foremost moral corruptor.

9) Endtime Babylon will be the world’s foremost technology power.

10) Endtime Babylon will be the world’s foremost military power.

11) Endtime Babylon will be the world’s foremost mixture and uniter of people.

12) Endtime Babylon will be all of the above, centered and concentrated in one literal and physical city.

It has also been abundantly demonstrated that America, centered in New York City, is the only nation and city that fulfills these 12 biblical attributes of Endtime Babylon. No other interpretations or applications of this prophecy even come close to matching its biblical attributes compared to the attributes of America.

In fact, the weaknesses of alternative explanations serve to strengthen and confirm that Endtime Babylon is America. Unfortunately, modern and scholarly attempts to interpret Revelation 17-18 is a confusing and contradictory jungle of literature. Andersen is correct to note:

At present pretribulational dispensationalists are badly divided as to the interpretation of these chapters, and commentators who do not follow a strictly futuristic view of Revelation 4–22 add even more interpretations to the mix. The lack of consensus on the identification of a prophetic entity that ought to be plainly evident indicates that none of the prevailing views does justice to the text of the book of Revelation, resulting in a state of confusion. ^{^[1]}

In chapter 1 the most common views on the identity of Endtime Babylon were introduced. Some aspects of these views have been addressed in the previous chapters. Here, they will be dealt with more fully.

B) A spiritual metaphor for the anti-God “world”

This has been the most popular view of Endtime Babylon throughout Church history and today. It was discussed elsewhere that a metaphorical interpretation of Revelation 17-18 is necessary to explain some of the worldwide attributes of Endtime Babylon (ch. 4). However, most insist the metaphorical view is the only view necessary and that Revelation 17-18 is not predicting anything physical or literal for the future. If they do suggest such a thing, the physical and literal aspect of Endtime Babylon is greatly diminished.

Again, all of this ignores the biblical and historical precedent of God to fulfill His prophecies (promises) in a physical and even literal way. As noted in chapter 2:

Expect a biblical prophecy to be fulfilled in a physical way by a person, place, or event, when there is no biblical or reasonable basis to do otherwise. This rule of interpretation is generally denied or diminished in Amillennialism… Unfortunately, Amillennialism seems to completely ignore how God has fulfilled biblical prophecy in the past.

OT scholar J. B. Payne has provided what is probably the most detailed study of biblical prophecy available. In his Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy he identified 592 OT and NT prophecies that have already come true in history. Every single one of these almost 600 biblical prophecies was fulfilled in a physical way by a person, place, or event. None of these prophecies were fulfilled in merely a metaphorical or spiritualized way… This is true even in the many instances when God communicates a biblical prophecy in metaphorical language…

Metaphorical interpreters need to be asked, “When did God abandon His repeated practice of fulfilling biblical prophecy in a physical way?” Contrary to the popular metaphorical view, God has not changed the way He will fulfill biblical prophecy…

Unfortunately, much of the Church today is only focused on the metaphorical meaning of Revelation 17-18. However, when the prophecies of Endtime Babylon’s physical destruction are being fulfilled, no one will care at all about its metaphorical meaning, and only its physical meaning will have any value. Which is why its physical meaning is the focus of Endtime Babylon.

Every single biblical prophecy in human history was fulfilled in either a literal or physical person, place, or event. The prophecies in Revelation 17-18 will not be an exception. Therefore, Endtime Babylon’s metaphorical meaning does not exhaust the literal and physical meaning of the prophecy. (sec. A)

The above reasons are why many Evangelical scholars suggest Revelation 17-18 should be interpreted in at least a couple of layers. One, a worldwide (even historical) metaphorical view, and two, a more physical, even literal interpretation to be fulfilled in the future. This is the view demonstrated in Endtime Babylon.

But again, the metaphorical meaning of Endtime Babylon does not replace its physical and even literal meaning. For example, it was demonstrated in chapter 3 that Revelation 17 predicts that Endtime Babylon (America) will hinder the Antichrist from rising to full worship and authority in the world (cf. sec. C). In fact, even the idolatrous wealth of the metaphorical anti-God World that Endtime Babylon empowers, must also be destroyed before the Antichrist’s purpose and desires can be fulfilled. What would be the best way to destroy the idolatry of even the metaphorical anti-God World? Physically destroy America.

So, again, we need to find the physical meaning of Revelation 17-18. However, at the time of this writing, there is not a single notable or influential Bible scholar or teacher in America that would claim America is the best interpretation of the physical and literal aspect of Endtime Babylon. In fact, in all the commentaries on Revelation that have been consulted in the writing of Endtime Babylon, not a single one of them even suggests America as a possibility. In light of the 12 primary biblical attributes of Endtime Babylon carefully derived from Revelation 17-18, the absence of any mention of America in any of these Evangelical studies on the topic, seems to reveal a distorting bias.

C) 1st century Rome or Jerusalem/Israel

Some see virtually all biblical prophecy being fulfilled in the past or present (e.g. Preterism, Historicism, Amillennialism, Idealism). Such views put relatively little importance on the literal and future aspects of biblical prophecy. Some promoters of this view think Endtime Babylon was fulfilled by 1st century Rome. This is a common interpretation especially among more liberal scholars who doubt the Bible’s ability to predict the future. ^{^[2]} However, some respected Evangelical scholars emphasize this interpretation as well. ^{^[3]} Their focus is on the fact that Endtime Babylon is described as seven hills on which the woman sits (Rev 17:9 NIV), an obvious reference to Rome.

Indeed, as discussed in the previous chapter (7, sec. B), the 1st century city and empire of Rome was obviously a partial fulfillment of the attributes of Endtime Babylon. However, the fundamental error of this view is the complete ignoring of the obvious near/partial and final/complete nature of how many biblical prophecies have been, and will be, fulfilled (cf. ch. 2, sec. B). Therefore, such views have little value in helping us understand the much more important future, literal, final, and complete fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Accordingly, you read in the previous chapter:

Contrary to many (Preterists, Amillennialists, Historicists, Idealists, etc.), the book of Revelation is not history or a commentary on current events in John’s day. Revelation 17-18 is a prediction of a future literal and physical city.

Accordingly, Rome did not fulfill all that is predicted of Endtime Babylon. First, Rome never exercised the worldwide economic dominance and idolatrous influence predicted of Endtime Babylon. Second, it was not a seaport as Endtime Babylon probably will be (cf. 18:17-19; cf. sec. C below). Third, Rome has never been consumed by fire … in one hour to never be inhabited again (cf. Rev 18:8, 10, 21-23).

There is one more reason that Rome is not a fulfillment of the prophecy in Revelation 17-18. It is described throughout Scripture as one of the Historical Beast Kingdoms that were servants of Satan from their very beginnings (cf. Dan chs. 2 and 7). But as explained earlier in EB (ch. 6, sec. C), Endtime Babylon will be a spiritual Prostitute, suggesting it began as a nation with a unique relationship with God. That was never true of Rome.

It is true that the Roman Empire and even Roman Catholicism (discussed below) have elements that are types reflected in Endtime Babylon. But metaphorical types are not sufficient to explain all that God wants us to understand in biblical prophecy. Such an approach ignores the many biblical prophecies fulfilled literally thus far in human history.^{^[4]}

More recently, some have claimed Revelation 17-18 was already fulfilled in 1st century Jerusalem and Israel or will be in the future. ^{^[5]} The primary reason that Jerusalem is interpreted as Endtime Babylon is that the latter is repeatedly described as a spiritual prostitute (Rev 17:1, 4, 5; 18:2, 3, 5, 9; 19:2; cf. EB, ch. 6, sec. C). Likewise, Jerusalem and Israel are repeatedly described the same way throughout the OT (cf. Isa 1:21-26; Jer 2:13-3:25, Ezek 16:8, 15; Hos 2:5, 14-15). Therefore, some have suggested Israel/Jerusalem will be the spiritual prostitute of Endtime Babylon in the future.

However, this view falters for several reasons. ^{^[6]} First, Endtime Babylon is most clearly described as a worldwide economic superpower. Israel has never been this and it seems very unlikely it ever will be until Christ’s Return. Then in the Millennial Kingdom, Israel will exercise the kind of worldwide influence described in Revelation 17-18. ^{^[7]}

In addition, as pointed out in the previous chapter (7, sec. C), the capital city of Endtime Babylon will be a major seaport. Jerusalem will probably never be that.

Finally, there is a difference between Jerusalem and Endtime Babylon that clearly differentiates them. Contrary to Amillennialism, Jerusalem is always promised forgiveness and eternal restoration. But Endtime Babylon is promised condemnation and complete and everlasting destruction. Jerusalem is never described as being depopulated for eternity. Endtime Babylon is (cf. Rev 17:16).

Therefore, it is the woman in Revelation 12 that depicts Israel, not Revelation 17. In fact, it would seem there is an intentional contrast between them.

D) A future “one-world government.”

Some have proposed that Endtime Babylon will be a future worldwide government, brought about by the Antichrist. Something like the United Nations is an example of this interpretation. In this view, the Antichrist eventually takes over this “one world” government for his own means to exercise his authority over the Earth. For example, one proponent of this view writes:

The “great whore that sits upon many waters” (Rev 17:1) is the United Nations that sits upon many peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City. The goals of the United Nations are to keep world peace, to help countries get along, to improve living conditions for people all over the world, and to make the world a better place. ^{^[8]}

The United Nations is certainly a force in this world to promote the anti-God World. And as noted in the previous chapter (7, sec. C), the existence of the UN’s headquarters in New York City makes this city, “the world’s center for international diplomacy.” Therefore, it seems to be another reason to see this city as a center for the anti-God World and the capital of Endtime Babylon.

However, there are several problems with confining the prophecies in Revelation 17-18 to just a political entity like the diplomatic organization of the United Nations, or seeing its power and influence as occurring through a “one world political government.”

First, there are no clear allusions in Revelation 17-18 to suggest that Endtime Babylon’s influence will be primarily through a political power. True, the prophecy states it will be the great city that rules over the kings of the earth (Rev 17:18). But this is referring to its economic power, not political power.

Accordingly, when Endtime Babylon is destroyed, the kings of the earth do not celebrate some sort of freedom from a political power, or mourn the loss of a “one world government.” Rather, they will mourn because they enjoyed her sinful and worldly luxury (Rev 18:9; cf. ch. 4, sec. C.1) that Endtime Babylon’s wealth provided them. ^{^[9]} The kings of the earth will be voluntarily ruled by Endtime Babylon’s idolatrous religion of Money, not so much its political power. Accordingly, Edgar writes:

Although there are statements indicating a position of influence and leadership, such as 17:18 (“the great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth”), this leadership is not stated to be political. Chapter 18 describes the details regarding the city, but the bulk of the chapter deals directly with commercial or economic aspects. There is no verse in the prophecy clearly reflecting a political sense as in governmental control. ^{^[10]}

Second, the United Nations is not the economic, cultural, or military superpower of the world, as predicted of Endtime Babylon. Third, it would be hard to interpret the United Nations as a great spiritual prostitute, having once belonged to and served God and now the most influential moral corruptor in the world.

E) Europe or China

Those who read this book could conclude that the European Union (EU) could be Endtime Babylon. This is not a popular view among Christians. The popular focus on the EU has been to prove it is the 10-nation Endtime Coalition that Scripture actually predicts will be destroying Endtime Babylon (cf. Rev 17:16), not becoming Endtime Babylon.

However, let it be said that it is possible that Europe and the EU will be a part of Endtime Babylon. It certainly is relatively wealthy, worldly, and immoral. Because the roots of the Protestant Reformation formed there, it could be argued that these countries are also spiritual prostitutes. There are certainly centers of commerce and shipping in Europe (e.g. London). So let it be repeated, it is possible that Europe will be included in fulfilling the prophecies about Endtime Babylon.

But there are some reasons to doubt this. First, it will be argued in the following chapters that the destruction of Endtime Babylon will occur through nuclear weapons. If a country like Russia is part of the 10-nation Endtime Coalition that attacks Endtime Babylon, then it may deem the nuclear destruction of Europe as endangering itself. But using nuclear weapons to destroy a country like America that is separated by entire oceans from Russia and China does not as clearly place those countries in danger.

Second, since “Brexit” and Great Britain’s exit from the European Union, the EU’s economic power as a whole has been severely diminished, as has its unity. Those who have thought the EU is prophesied in Scripture to play some major role in the Endtimes should take notice of such a diminishing event for the future of the EU.

Some might suggest China could possibly economically surpass America to such a degree that it would have the kind of economic superiority predicted of Endtime Babylon. This can only be a guess. China is still a very long ways from America in terms of having lived in luxury (Rev 18:7), and having enjoyed her great luxury (v. 9). We should not ignore the fact that a people and place clearly matching the attributes of the prophecy in Revelation 17-18 already exists today. Also, again, Endtime Babylon is repeatedly described as a spiritual prostitute which at one time served God. This is not true of China.

F) A world-wide false religion, perhaps Roman Catholicism, Islam, New Age, or a future religion that does not exist today

As noted above, many Evangelical scholars have believed there are two layers of meaning for Endtime Babylon. On one hand it will be a literal city/nation. But in a metaphorical sense it will be something influencing the entire world. In chapters 4-5 it was demonstrated that the worldwide idolatrous “religion” practiced and promoted by Endtime Babylon will be the worship of Money. Which is why America is the best candidate for the superior source, center, and promoter of this religion.

However, others want to suggest Endtime Babylon’s “religion” will be a formal ecclesiastical religion that does not exist today. ^{^[11]} These are the same Christians who are alarmed by any ecumenical efforts between Protestants and Roman Catholicism, or any other religions. MacArthur represents this (and his) view well when he writes:

During the [Endtimes], all the world’s diverse false religions [e.g. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.] will be reunited into one great world religion. That ultimate expression of false religion will be an essential element of Antichrist’s final world empire, in holding together his military, economic, and political structure. Only religion can unite the world in the most compelling way. Politics, economics, even military force are unable to overcome the world’s cultural diversity. ^{^[12]}

In MacArthur’s view, the Antichrist is going to build Endtime Babylon and its worldwide religion for his own purposes. But then the Antichrist is going to destroy that religion. Commenting on Revelation 17:16 MacArthur writes:

Antichrist’s alliance with the false religious system will not last. Eventually the ten horns (the ten kings who rule under Antichrist) and the beast (Antichrist himself) will come to hate the harlot. Having used the false religious system to help him gain control of the world, Antichrist will discard it. In his rampant megalomania, he will want the world to worship only him… Thus, he will turn on the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. That graphic language of extreme violence is used to make clear that Antichrist and his henchmen will utterly and completely obliterate all vestiges of the false religious system. ^{^[13]}

Therefore, this seems to be the popular interpretation of Revelation 17-18 as promoted by MacArthur and others:

1) During the Endtimes (at its beginning?) the Antichrist will work to form an alliance of all world religions with him. It will be a formal, ecclesiastical religion.

2) Initially the Antichrist and Endtime Babylon’s religion will have a congenial relationship.

3) However, Endtime Babylon’s religion will be merely aligned with the Antichrist, but not a religion specifically worshipping him. This religion will possess great wealth. And be a distraction from Antichrist’s eventual goal to have all the worship in the world.

4) Because of this, Antichrist will eventually destroy the religion he helped to form so that he alone will be worshipped.

Those who have read the previous book, The Beginning of Birth Pains (BBP), will recognize that the above scenario reflects much that was taught there, but in a distorted form. There would seem to be some subtle but important errors in MacArthur’s view. Based on BBP and this book, Endtime Babylon, the following scenario has been argued for:

1) Before the Endtimes begin, Endtime Babylon will arise as the economic, cultural, and military superpower of the world, represented by a literal nation, and centered in a city. It will promote the idolatrous worship of wealth, which can be considered a “religion.”

2) It will not be the Antichrist who helps to form Endtime Babylon or its religion. Its formation will be empowered by humanity’s sinful nature which pursues the values of the anti-God World ruled by Satan.

3) With the opening of the 1st Seal (cf. Rev 6:1-2) the Antichrist will be miraculously resurrected from the dead, form his Religious Covenant with many (cf. Dan 9:27), and implement his Religion (Rev 13).

4) Antichrist (and Satan) will rather immediately desire the full and more direct worship of the world. The worship of wealth practiced and promoted by Endtime Babylon all over the world will be a hindrance to that.

5) Therefore, the Antichrist and the 10-nation Endtime Coalition will destroy the people, place, and wealth of Endtime Babylon.

Therefore, it seems MacArthur is correct on some basic ideas. Endtime Babylon will represent a “religion” that will hinder the fuller and more direct worship that the Antichrist (and Satan) will desire. This explains why the Antichrist will hate Endtime Babylon and destroy it.

But MacArthur assumes some fundamental things in his scenario that do not seem supported in Scripture. First is that there will be some sort of congenial and mutually aligned relationship between the Antichrist and Endtime Babylon which will be essential in Endtime Babylon’s formation.

As demonstrated in chapter 3 (sec. C) biblical prophecy only describes an adversarial relationship between them. The description of the woman sitting on top of and riding on top of the beast (Rev 17:3, 7) refers to Endtime Babylon’s suppression of the Antichrist, not some sort of mutually beneficial friendship. MacArthur’s view depends on a friendly relationship between the Antichrist and Endtime Babylon that is nowhere mentioned in Scripture.

A second error is to suppose that a formal, ecclesiastical religion could “unite the world in the most compelling way.” On the contrary, the idolatrous worship of wealth is a more powerful religion than the ecumenical religion MacArthur has in mind. Money is the universal religion and desire of all pagan humanity throughout all of history. Even Jesus said so (cf. Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:9-10; cf. EB ch. 5, sec. B). Which is why the almost universal desire and dependence on Money is the best candidate for the worldwide idolatrous religion being described in Revelation 17-18.

Accordingly, when Endtime Babylon is destroyed, it will not be religious leaders who will be mourning. The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore (Rev 18:11 NIV), and all who earn their living from the sea will be weeping and mourning (Rev 18:17-18 NIV). Nor does the prophecy say it will be Endtime Babylon’s religious leaders who will be the world’s important people (Rev 18:23). It will be Endtime Babylon’s international businessmen who will be the world’s important people, not its priests (18:3, 11, 15, 23).

Accordingly, NT scholar Thomas Edgar writes regarding the identification of Endtime Babylon:

There is no statement in [Rev 17-18] that a religious or ecclesiastical entity is in view [as in] some type of formal and primarily religious system [like an ecumenical or apostate church]… The dominant influence of this city is economic or commercial (18:3, 11–13, 15, 19, 23)… Entities other than religious or ecclesiastical may commit spiritual fornication.^{^[14]}

The religion of Endtime Babylon will be wealth, not a formal ecclesiastical religion.

There is one more confusing thing about MacArthur’s view. He writes regarding Revelation 17:16: “That graphic language of extreme violence is used to make clear that Antichrist and his henchmen will utterly and completely obliterate all vestiges of the false religious system.” On the contrary, the prophecy predicts the depopulation of the people living in a city and nation, not destroying a religion. And in MacArthur’s view, how would the Antichrist completely burn down with fire (Rev 17:16) a religion?

A related approach to the view that Endtime Babylon is an ecclesiastical religion is the claim that it will be the Roman Catholic Church. Today this is a relatively minor view, especially among Bible scholars. However, this was the predominant view of the Protestant Reformation in the 1700’s. Luther was especially vocal and dogmatic on this view. Accordingly, it is even stated in the Westminster Confession (art. 25:6). This view may have been more understandable in that time when Roman Catholicism was especially heretical, sinful, idolatrous, killing real Christians, and wealthier than most kings. ^{^[15]}

The Roman Catholic Church could certainly be considered a spiritual prostitute. Accordingly, the picture of the woman sitting on the seven hills of Rome (cf. Rev 17:9-10) could be interpreted as the Vatican. But the Roman Catholic Church is not the economic, cultural, and military superpower in this world that Endtime Babylon will be, nor will it ever be. America is far superior in all of Endtime Babylon’s attributes than the Roman Catholic Church.

Other suggested support is more anecdotal. The purple robe worn by the prostitute and the golden cup she holds (cf. Rev 17:4) are seen as the clothing of Catholic priests and the chalice of the eucharist. But as argued elsewhere, these are more clearly indications of wealth and prosperity, not a religion (cf. ch. 5, sec. A).

In this view, the woman (Rev 17:3) is seen to represent the worship of Mary in Roman Catholicism, which is somehow tied to ancient Babylonian worship. But the primary deities in ancient Babylon were male, including Baal and Marduk. While goddess worship was a part of pagan empires, it certainly didn’t rule Rome. The false and idolatrous religion of the world is not, and will not be Roman Catholicism, but Money. The world has always worshipped wealth, but not a woman.

The horrible persecution and murders of real Christians by the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages is understandably taken to be a reference to the persecution Endtime Babylon is guilty of (cf. Rev 17:6; 18:24). But Stalin in Russia (a ruler under Satan’s anti-God World) killed more Christians than the Roman Church.

Finally, the idea that Roman Catholicism will become a worldwide uniting religion seems foolish at a time when it is in serious decline. This is partly due to worldwide scorn because of its very public scandals involving homosexual priests abusing young boys.

Another popular religion that has been suggested to explain Revelation 17-18 is Islam. This view has become particularly popular with the increase in terrorism. But notice that the “religion” being described in Revelation 17-18 is one that the world is very willingly and whole-heartedly pursuing. Can you really imagine the whole world embracing Islam in that way?

The same problems disprove the idea of some that New Age will be the one-world religion described in Revelation 17-18. This view was especially popular in the 1960’s and 70’s when there was a growing interest in the New Age and the Occult in America. But this views falters for the same reasons given above.

G) A future rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq

This view has been held by many Evangelical scholars including Pink, Walvoord, Thomas, ^{^[16]} and MacArthur, and popular prophecy writers including Tim Lahaye, Mark Hitchcock, ^{^[17]} John Price, and Joel Rosenberg. MacArthur is typical of this view, writing:

Some of those who view the great city as an actual city identify it as Rome, others as Jerusalem. But the angel quite clearly and repeatedly refers to Babylon on the Euphrates throughout chapters 17–18… Thus, a rebuilt city of [the ancient city of] Babylon [in Iraq] will be closely identified with Antichrist’s world empire, perhaps as its capital city. That city will be the center of his kingdom, the extent of which will be the whole Earth. ^{^[18]}

The strength of this view is that it is at least interpreting Revelation 17-18 in a literal and future sense. As pointed out in the previous chapter (7, sec. C), Endtime Babylon is referred to as a physical and literal city nine times in the Revelation.

One argument made for Endtime Babylon being rebuilt in Iraq is John’s statement in Revelation 17: Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness [erēmon]. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast (v. 3). It is claimed that the wilderness here clearly refers to a desert, and therefore Endtime Babylon will exist on the site of ancient Babylon in Iraq that is located in a desert. ^{^[19]}

However, the Greek word erēmon has a wide variety of meanings ranging from an “isolated” or “abandoned” place, to a “desert, grassland, or wilderness.” ^{^[20]} John’s use of wilderness does not require the scene of Endtime Babylon to be a desert. Even Thomas who claims it will be located in Iraq, writes this “may anticipate the harlot’s desolate condition in the end (17:16).” ^{^[21]}

The view that Endtime Babylon will be in Iraq seemed to have some support in the 1980’s when Saddam Hussein “spent over 500 million dollars in his try to reconstruct the city and build a modern residence on the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace.” ^{^[22]} But Saddam’s efforts were stopped when American forces invaded Iraq in 2003 and Saddam was executed.

More recently, some have claimed that efforts to make the site of Babylon a tourist attraction are solid evidence that these activities are fulfilling Revelation 17-18. ^{^[23]}

However, there are several reasons that a rebuilt Babylon on its ancient site will not be Endtime Babylon. First, it seems impossible that such a location could become the economic, cultural, and military superpower of the world. What is the probability that the site of ancient ruins in the Iraqi desert will become an economic and cultural powerhouse that rivals what New York City has been for decades in our world? That is the same probability that those claiming this is the correct interpretation of Endtime Babylon are correct. And the probability is virtually zero.

Second, most advocates of this view claim Antichrist will build such a city after coming to power. But that view seems to completely ignore several things. First, there is no hint in Scripture that the Antichrist will build Endtime Babylon. The clearest description is that he will hate and destroy it (cf. Rev 17:16). This is because Endtime Babylon will be a rival to Antichrist’s desire to be fully worshipped in the world. These facts are precisely why the Antichrist will destroy Endtime Babylon after his rise to power. Therefore, contrary to popular interpretations, the Antichrist is not going to build Endtime Babylon as the power center of the world and then destroy it.

Second, it was demonstrated in chapter 3 that Endtime Babylon will exist when the Endtimes begin and before Antichrist is ruling the world. In addition, the biblical sequence, duration, and nature of Endtime events will not allow opportunity for the Antichrist to rebuild Babylon in the Iraqi desert to be the economic, cultural, military, and political capital of the world.

There are more problems with the common view that the Antichrist will build Babylon in Iraq after coming to power. First, if a rebuilt Babylon in Iraq is the city of Endtime Babylon, then Iraq would be the nation of Endtime Babylon. Proponents of this view do not address this problem. It seems foolish to expect the country of Iraq will ever be the superior economic, cultural, and military superpower of the entire world. Again, this interpretation is especially odd when a nation fitting this very description exists today in America.

Second, Iraq could never be considered a spiritual Prostitute in the biblical sense as is Israel and America. Iraq’s roots and beginning as a nation were pagan, not Judeo Christian.

Finally, as discussed in the previous chapter, a rebuilt Babylon could never be the thriving seaport that Endtime Babylon will be. It is located over 300 miles from the Persian Gulf.

Accordingly, it is again suggested that there is a distorting bias operating when so many Bible scholars who actually live in the economic, cultural, military, and sinful superpower of America, are so confidently claiming Endtime Babylon will be in the desert of Iraq. How convenient!

H) America, the spiritual prostitute, and the economic, cultural, and military superpower of the world, centered in New York City

The major views on Revelation 17-18 have been addressed above. Some of them have some of the attributes described in the prophecy. But none of them even come close to fulfilling all of the biblical attributes of Endtime Babylon. There is only one entity in this world that does:

America, the spiritual prostitute

and the economic, cultural, and military superpower of the world, centered in New York City.

However, as noted, it must be admitted that scholarly support in the Church for this view is scarce. Below several authors will be quoted that generally support the view argued in Endtime Babylon. But it is doubtful the reader has ever heard of them.

For example, S. Franklin Logsdon was one of the most popular and respected Christian authors in America in the 1950’s and 60’s. He was the Pastor of the influential Moody Bible Church in Chicago. In 1968 he published a small booklet entitled Is the U.S.A. in Prophecy? It was not well received and has long been out of print. But Logsdon concluded his study of Revelation 17-18 and Jeremiah 51-52 by asking this question: “To what other nation of all time could these divinely-given characteristics and descriptions so convincingly apply?” ^{^[24]}

More recently, Edward Tracy has written in his book, The United States in Prophecy (Convale, 2009):

If prophecy foretells the sudden destruction of the greatest world-power of the end time, confident in its own invincibility, sitting “as a queen” among nations, revelling in luxuriousness, ease and wickedness, the envy of the world, having forsaken the truth of God for the idolatry of covetousness, and having spread its subtle form of idolatry throughout the world, intoxicating all nations with the wine of her fornication;

moreover, if prophecy depicts the destruction of a nation comparatively recent in its origin and one that is composed of all nationalities of the world, and if this destruction is said to come in one day and one hour; further, if this destruction is of such a startling and unexpected nature as to cause astonishment and alarm among the inhabitants of the Earth, together with sorrow and weeping, and if this destruction is said to leave her ultimately without an inhabitant and unapproachable to sympathetic onlookers;

and finally, if the vast commercial interests of the world which lived deliciously on her delicacies and were made rich by her trade are made to mourn, what Scriptural reason have we to believe that this is anything short of prophecy which outlines the total and irreparable desolation, destruction and dissolution of our own nation, the United States of America? ^{^[25]}

Richard Rhoades in his book, The Babylon Code (Zion Foundation, 2014) provides several arguments for the view that Endtime Babylon is America. The author is very knowledgeable about many things. Rhoades concludes: “The character of Jeremiah’s latter day “Babylon” uniquely coincides with the character of the United States of America.” ^{^[26]}

However, there are some obscure and, at best, extra-biblical arguments presented in Rhoades’ book. For example, the author ends with the numerology/Bible code theory, seeing the Hebrew letters “A-M-R-H-K-H” in Isaiah 18:1-2 as referring to “A-M-E-R-I-C-A. ^{^[27]} The author seems to suggest this is the most compelling reason to believe America is in Scripture. It’s just this kind of poor biblical exegesis that has brought scholarly scorn to other supporters of the view that Endtime Babylon is America.

The same could be said for other books supporting the view argued more carefully in Endtime Babylon. These include:

America, the Babylon: America’s Destiny Foretold in Biblical Prophecy by R. A. Coombes (Leathers, 1998).

America, Daughter of Babylon, by Alan Bonck (iUniverse, 2008).

The Final Babylon: America and the Coming of Antichrist by Douglas Krieger, Dene McGriff, and S. Douglas Woodward (Faith Happens, 2014).

America is Mystery Babylon by Steven Stillwell (2015).

Babylon the Great America by Michael Fortner (Trumpet Press, 2020).

The Hour that Changes Everything by Richard Pearson (Prophecy USA, 2021).

Unfortunately, much in the above books represent poor biblical exegesis and unsupported, speculative, and sensational claims. ^{^[28]} For example, you will not see any quotes from the book by Coombes in Endtime Babylon. Why? Because like the approaches of other books above, Coombes’s evidence is more anecdotal instead of biblical.

The last book by Pearson makes some of the same points as Endtime Babylon. But the author unfortunately also teaches heresy. For example, Pearson claims only a certain “group of believers has been placed into a ‘preferred position’” and will be “counted worthy to escape the tribulation” in the “rapture” because they are especially holy (p. 240). He writes: “God alone will determine who is worthy to escape the hour of tribulation that shall come upon the earth.” As for those Christians supposedly left on the Earth after the Church’s Rescue, Pearson writes: “Believers who do not have faith to tithe now somehow think they will supernaturally resist taking the mark of the beast” (p. 260) and being damned forever (cf. Rev 14:9-12).

All of this is scary stuff, and false teaching. Which is why it is tempting to not even mention that this author supports several points made in Endtime Babylon. It’s as if the Devil is working through some of these authors to further repel good Christians from the view that Endtime Babylon is America.

Likewise, do not waste your time with Stilwell’s book. The author claims: “The information in this book was divinely revealed to me through dreams, visions, personal experiences, and Biblical studies.” Unfortunately, the book is pretty light on the “Biblical studies” part.

Nevertheless, at least nine books can be listed above that support the view taught in Endtime Babylon. But it is admitted that many of their arguments do not reflect accurate and careful interpretations of Scripture, but rather, emphasize novel ideas. It has been a desire to correct that in Endtime Babylon.

By far the best treatment of Revelation 17-18 is an article entitled, “Excursus: The Identification of Babylon the Great with the United States of America,” written by Steven Anderson. ^{^[29]} This is an excellent paper. Anderson’s exegesis of Revelation 17-18 is detailed, usually accurate, and superior to any commentary available on the topic. Which is why he is repeatedly quoted throughout the previous chapters of Endtime Babylon. Much of Andersen’s paper needs to be biblically refuted if anyone wants to disagree with him. Unfortunately, he believes in Pre-tribulationism, and this makes his view sometimes both unbiblical and confusing. Nonetheless, Andersen concludes:

Babylon the Great is presented in Revelation 17:1–19:4 as the greatest superpower in world history, militarily, culturally, economically, and politically—a fact which fits solely with the United States. ^{^[30]}

Others are willing to briefly admit that America fits attributes of Endtime Babylon, but the thought is quickly brushed aside with no arguments. For example, the popular prophecy writer Mark Hitchcock has written in his book, The Late Great United States: What Bible Prophecy Reveals About America’s Last Days:

America has exerted a vastly greater political influence upon the world than has ever been exerted by any other country. Would it then be unreasonable to expect that inspired prophecy, which has delineated the course of other and lesser nations, should have something to say regarding the career of this great republic? ^{^[31]}

Yet what does Hitchcock conclude? That the Scriptures predict nothing about the greatest Christian nation in human history, Israel’s greatest supporter in the world, and the world’s greatest superpower ever known. In other words, in a book entitled What Bible Prophecy Reveals About America’s Last Days, the author’s conclusion is essentially nothing. It becomes apparent that the title was just a marketing ploy.

So what does Hitchcock think is such a superior interpretation of Revelation 17-18 than America and its economic and cultural capital New York City? He writes:

While there could be a few interesting parallels between Babylon and New York City, I don’t believe this is the best view. I believe Babylon in Revelation 17–18 refers to a literal rebuilt city of Babylon in modern-day Iraq on the Euphrates River. ^{^[32]}

Hitchcock primarily supports his view by trying to disprove the arguments of R. A. Coombes. As noted above, this book was not even deemed worthy of quoting in Endtime Babylon. But Hitchcock claims that Coombes’ book, “offers the most extensive, in-depth treatment of the American Babylon view that I’ve been able to find.” Unfortunately, that is understandable. However, in Hitchcock’s arguments against America being Endtime Babylon, he does not even mention most of the 12 biblical arguments listed at the beginning of this chapter and demonstrated in the previous chapters of Endtime Babylon.

Thomas Edgar, Professor of New Testament at Capital Bible Seminary wrote an article in 1982 for the highly respected Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. It was entitled: “Babylon: Ecclesiastical, Political, or What?” (vol. 25, no. 3). In the article, Dr. Edgar was willing to many of the attributes of Endtime Babylon that uniquely fit America. But he just did not say it. For example, he wrote regarding Revelation 17-18:

This passage describes one of the momentous events of the tribulation period. It is the destruction of a system of international economic or commercial interests that has its headquarters in a major city. ^{^[33]}

What else could Dr. Edgar have thought matched his interpretation other than New York City in America? Why didn’t he state that conclusion? Probably because he knew he was up against the emotional (even idolatrous?) bias that has led to the otherwise inexplicable absence of scholarly Christian literature that even considers America to be the fulfillment of the prophecies in Revelation 17-18.

There has been a diligent search to find biblical arguments that refute the view shared in this book, Endtime Babylon. Especially in the endnotes there is a rather detailed effort to interact with the best Evangelical commentaries and resources available on these Scriptures. But the conclusion stated at the beginning of this chapter stands.

Based on the 12 attributes of Endtime Babylon carefully derived from the text of Revelation 17-18 and Jeremiah 50-51, America, centered in New York City, is the only reasonable modern application of what the prophecy in Revelation 17-18 is predicting. In fact, the weaknesses of alternative explanations serve to strengthen and confirm that Endtime Babylon is America. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude there is an 85% probability that America will fulfill the biblical prophecies of Endtime Babylon.

Most may view that level of probability too high. However, they probably will not have a better suggestion of who and what Revelation 17-18 is describing, nor be able to refute the biblical arguments offered in this book. Some may wonder why the suggested probability is not higher than 85%. This is because as explained in the previous book, no mere human can be 100% certain of every aspect of their interpretation of a prophecy as complex as Revelation 17-18, until it is fulfilled (cf. BBP, ch. 1, sec. B).

Which is why most will not try very hard to understand this prophecy. But there are serious problems with that. First, the prophecy predicts:

The ten horns that you saw and the beast will hate the Prostitute and these will permanently remove all people from her and strip her naked and they will completely devour her body and will burn her up with fire… in one hour [such that no people ever live there again] (Rev 17:16; 18:10, 21-23)

God is clearly telling us that the people and place of Endtime Babylon will suffer destruction in a horrible way. Based on the biblical sequence of Endtime events provided in the previous book, Christ’s Endtimes Teaching, and in this book (cf. ch. 2, sec. C), it is certain that the Church will be on the Earth when this event occurs. Which is why there is a command from God in the prophecy. John writes:

Then I heard another voice from Heaven say: “Move out from Babylon the Great My people; so that you will not be connected [synkoinōnēsēte] to her sins and so that you will not experience her being struck hard with a sudden and severe disaster [plēgai]. This is because her sins are piled up to Heaven and God has focused His attention on her wrongs.” (Rev 18:4-5)

The suggested translation will be supported in a later chapter. Revelation 18:4 is clearly a command from God to Christians living in Endtime Babylon to physically leave Endtime Babylon in order to escape its physical destruction. Therefore, reader, if you want to be certain that you and your loved ones will not be painfully destroyed with the rest of the people in Endtime Babylon, you need to decide what you believe about Revelation 17-18. Getting it wrong could have the worst consequences imaginable for you, your family, and your church. Not only the tragedy of you and them experiencing such a horrible and unnecessary death, but even worse, dying in disobedience to God’s command.

Which is why you need to Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 NLT), including the word of truth in Revelation 17-18. Perhaps you do not like the conclusions in Endtime Babylon regarding its identity. But what if you are wrong? As explained further in the next chapters, the consequences would be horrific.

Andersen, 1. Andersen goes on to describe the complexity of the issue just within Pre-tribulationism:

The two dominant views of Babylon the Great among pretribulational dispensationalists are that Babylon the Great is Rome, or that it is the city of Babylon in Iraq; many say it is also symbolic of all evil in the world—the Satanic world system that is opposed to God. Traditionally, most pretribulationist interpreters have differentiated the Babylon the Great of Revelation 17 from the Babylon the Great in Revelation 18, arguing that Revelation 17 speaks of an apostate church symbolically as a prostitute, and that Revelation 18 describes a literal city. However, some pretribulationists have argued against this idea that there are two Babylon the Greats. (2)

For arguments against the “idea that there are two Babylon the Greats” see ch. 2, endnote #6. ↑
Andersen writes:

The identification of Babylon the Great as Rome was originally developed by Protestant Reformers who saw the Roman Catholic Church as the primary source of evil in the world; now, the major proponents of the identification of Babylon the Great with Rome are critical scholars and other preterists who believe that John was describing the politics of his own day, rather than prophesying (or describing the Roman Catholic Church). If one believes that John was prophesying of an eschatological entity, and that the Roman Catholic Church is not the primary source of evil in the world, then there is virtually no basis whatsoever for the identification of Babylon the Great with Rome; thus, few pretribulational dispensationalists now hold this view. (8) ↑
Actually, it is often difficult to clearly understand what a certain Bible scholar believes about Endtime Babylon as their opinions are often rather obscure. However, an example of a respected Evangelical scholar who emphasizes ancient Rome as the interpretation of Endtime Babylon is Osborne. While he is willing to reject the full Preterist view (see endnote #5 below) he writes of Revelation 17-18:

This section focuses on Rome/Babylon the Great… Chapter 17 centers on Rome as the “great prostitute” who is drunk with the blood of the saints, while chapter 18 then looks at Rome as “the great city” destroyed… In both, Rome’s depravity and judgment by God are uppermost. (605)

Likewise, Wiersbe’s commentary on Revelation 17-18 is marred by his emphasis on the belief that ancient Rome fulfilled the prophecies of Endtime Babylon.

↑
Several scholars point out the unbiblical nature of the Preterist and Amillennial views that claim the prophecies concerning Babylon have already been fulfilled. Thomas concurs that ancient Rome does not fulfill the prophecies in Revelation 17-18: “Rome was a city with a kingdom over the kings of the earth, but it was never the great city of commerce described in [Rev] chapter 18 (Seiss)” (1352). Likewise, MacArthur writes:

Babylon’s destruction was only partially fulfilled when the Medes and Persians sacked the ancient city of Babylon. As is the case with many Old Testament prophecies, those predictions had both a near and a far fulfillment. Henry Morris noted that Babylon, indeed, will be permanently destroyed, as recorded in the very next chapter (18:21), but this has not happened yet. The prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah also refer to this future destruction, not merely to Babylon’s present-day condition, as is evident from the following considerations, among others:

The city will become as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah, burned completely, with no remains whatever (Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 50:40)… It shall become desolate forever, with neither man nor beast entering it anymore (Isaiah 13:20; Jeremiah 51:62)… Babylon’s stones will never be used in future construction elsewhere, whereas the present-day ruins of Babylon have been frequently plundered and reused in later constructions (Jeremiah 51:26). (MNTC, 167-168)

Osborne gives reasons for rejecting the view that ancient Rome fully fulfilled prophecies concerning Endtime Babylon:

The demise of the Great Prostitute here shows the difficulty of the strict preterist view, for one would have to add that the prophecy never came true, since Rome lasted another four centuries…

What is possible again is to combine the preterist, idealist, and futurist views. This is primarily a prophecy of the final evil Babylon established by the antichrist, but it still considers Rome the basis for the imagery and also embraces all the Rome-like cities of history (628).

Likewise, Mounce writes:

The woman is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. For John, the city is Rome. She is the wicked seducer whose pernicious influence has permeated the whole of the Mediterranean world.

Yet Babylon the Great, source of universal harlotry and abomination (v. 5), is more than first century Rome. Every center of power that has prostituted its wealth and influence restores to life the spirit of ancient Babylon.

John’s words extend beyond his immediate setting in history and sketch the portrait of an eschatological Babylon, which will provide the social, religious, and political base for the last attempt of antichrist to establish his kingdom…

For John, the judgment brought against the city of Rome was at the same time the eschatological judgment that would bring history to its close. He was describing things that “must soon take place” (1:1). While history has shown that some 2000 years have intervened and the “end” has not yet come, it is nevertheless true that the forces exemplified by Rome will in fact be those very forces which will play the major role at the end of time. In the same way that the [“near” 70 A.D.] desolation of the historic Jerusalem in Luke 21:5ff. becomes the eschatalogical finale, so does the portrayal of the fall of Rome describe the final judgment that will usher in the eternal state.

Prophecy by nature resists being forced into any particular time sequence. It guarantees the ultimate issues of God’s redemptive program, which will be completely fulfilled when the time comes. Living in a world dominated by the oppressive practices of Rome, John portrays the eschaton in figures taken from that specific cultural setting. It is incumbent on us, living in a much later period in history, to interpret those same figures in the eschatalogical setting toward which we are rapidly moving. (321, 340) ↑
A primary supporter of the view that Israel fulfilled the prophecies of Endtime Babylon in the 1^st century is the popular Christian radio host and author Hank Hanegraff in his book The Apocalypse Code (Thomas Nelson, 2010). ↑
Beale refutes the idea that Endtime Babylon is Jerusalem for some of the reasons stated here (cf. 887, 889). ↑
As Thomas points out: “Referral of this expression to Jerusalem is flawed because Jerusalem never had a kingdom over all the kings of the earth. To refer the name “Babylon” to Jerusalem is unprecedented. Jerusalem cannot possibly fit the picture of this final Babylon (Seiss).” (1352) ↑
Unfortunately the reference is unavailable. ↑
Accordingly, Andersen seems wrong to conclude: “Revelation 17:18 states that Babylon the Great ‘has a kingdom over the kings of the earth,’ indicating that it is the most powerful political entity in the world in the end times” (27). Here he seems to uncharacteristically overlook the economic and cultural power of Endtime Babylon which will be how it will rule over the kings of the earth (NIV). However, Andersen goes on to suggest something worth consideration:

Other details in Revelation 17:1–19:4 concerning the political power of Babylon the Great harmonize well with the United States. It is striking that, whereas the judgment of ancient Babylon included a judgment on its king (Isa 14:4-23; Jer 25:12; 28:2, 4, 11; 50:18; 51:31, 34), a king of Babylon the Great is never mentioned. This fits well with the United States and its republican form of government, but is not at all what would be expected if Babylon the Great were either the capital of the antichrist’s kingdom or a representation of the Roman Catholic Church. (28) ↑
Thomas R. Edgar, “Babylon: Ecclesiastical, Political, or What?,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 25, no. 3 (1982): 340. ↑
The debate over the religious nature of Endtime Babylon is the greatest example of the confusing mass of arguments over its identity.

Andersen gives an example of those that partly interpret Endtime Babylon as a religion:

Traditionally, most pretribulationist interpreters have differentiated the Babylon the Great of Revelation 17 from the Babylon the Great in Revelation 18, arguing that Revelation 17 speaks of an apostate church symbolically as a prostitute, and that Revelation 18 describes a literal city. (2)

For a refutation of this view, see EB ch. 2, endnote #6.

See Dyer, Edgar, and Andersen for the view that Endtime Babylon is not a religion at all. These scholars are correct that Endtime Babylon will not be an institutional ecclesiastical religion with buildings and priests etc. But they seem to fail to recognize that wealth is truly a religion that rivals the world’s worship of God. This seems to be the fundamental error of Andersen. He intends to argue against the popular and mistaken interpretation of Endtime Babylon as a formal, ecclesiastical religion, but in the process does not seem to recognize its wealth as an object of worship, and therefore a religion.

For example, he writes:

As with Tyre, economic sexual [and spiritual] immorality is in view, which consists of trade between countries and the adoption of a commercialistic value system along with it. This is all very fitting as a characterization of a wicked nation, but cannot be construed as a description of a religion. (p. 5)

Perhaps we are dealing with some semantics. Andersen is correct if he defines “religion” in only an ecclesiastical and formal sense. But in Endtime Babylon, (and Scripture, cf. Rev 13), a religion is defined as anything or anyone that the world worships.

Andersen goes on to write:

There is not one mention of idolatry … in all of Revelation 17:1–19:4, which hardly comports with the idea that a false religion is the primary entity portrayed in Revelation 17. (6)

It is unclear why Andersen would not recognize the obvious worship of wealth being described as “idolatry.” Biblically speaking, it certainly is (cf. Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:9-10; cf. EB ch. 5, sec. B). Finally, Andersen writes:

The interpretation of Revelation 17 as a description of an ecclesiastical entity that dominates the world religious scene throughout the first half of the tribulation period conflicts with every other scriptural description of religion in the first half of the tribulation period. (6)

This is not true, and is perhaps an example of where Andersen’s Pre-tribulationism misleads him. As demonstrated in BBP chs. 10-17, the Antichrist will implement a formal religion in what Andersen would consider “the first half of the tribulation period.” ↑
MNTC, Rev, 157, 172. Thomas has essentially the same view, stating:

So this woman represents all false religion of all time, including those who apostatize from the revealed religion of Christianity… Eventually it is against such a dominant religious system that the ten horns and the beast will suddenly turn (1316, 1346).

Likewise, Walvoord writes:

During the first half of the seven years, apostate Christendom flowers and establishes its power over all the world… All religions of the world, apart from the true faith of Christ, gather in one great church.

However, with the beginning of the second half of the week, the ruler of the revived Roman Empire, who is the political head of the world empire and is himself designated also as “the beast,” is able to proclaim himself dictator of the whole world. He no longer needs the help and power of the church, which he destroys and replaces with the worship of himself.

However, Walvoord differs with MacArthur, Thomas, and many others in denying that Endtime Babylon predicts a literal city as well. He wrote:

The interpretation that this is a reference to pagan political Rome, as advanced by the historical [metaphorical, Preterist] school of interpretation, or that it refers to a future literal city of Babylon, is wrong. According to verse 5, the city is a mystery, not a literal city.

Therefore, some like Walvoord, deny that the literal layer of Endtime Babylon will be a real city. Such a view is described by Edgar:

The basis for the belief in a world church or “super-church” as a sign of the end is a specific interpretation of Revelation 17. The “great harlot” is considered to be an ecclesiastical system in chap. 17, and the entity in chap. 18 is considered to be the final world governmental system. Chapter 17 is “ecclesiastical Babylon” whereas chap. 18 is “political Babylon.”

What Walvoord fails to see is that there are both metaphorical and literal meanings to Endtime Babylon. That’s one thing the mystery (Rev 17:5) is referring to. Although he is correct that the “historical” view of seeing Endtime Babylon as anti-God governments throughout human history does not explain the literal aspects of Endtime Babylon. ↑
MNTC, 172. ↑
Edgar, 336-341. ↑
Since the Protestant Reformation, the view that the Roman Catholic Church is Endtime Babylon, was carried on by the popular Scofield Reference Bible, the 1917 edition stating, “ecclesiastical Babylon” will be “apostate Christendom headed by the Papacy.” Even more recently, this view has been argued by Dave Hunt in his book, The Woman Rides the Beast (Harvest House, 1994). Unfortunately, Hunt’s poor exegesis of Revelation 17-18 falls far short of his rather arrogant boast that:

Based upon the insights John provides, our identification of the woman will be determined carefully and unequivocally. Although many readers may denounce our conclusions, no one will be able to refute them. (10)

It is suggested that this section and the previous chapters of Endtime Babylon does this very thing. For further arguments against the claim that Endtime Babylon will be fulfilled in Roman Catholicism see A. W. Pink, Antichrist, 260ff. ↑
Thomas writes of his view that a rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq: “It will once again become the world’s leading city religiously as well as commercially and politically as the end draws near” (1326). ↑
Mark Hitchcock, in his book, The Late Great United States (Random House, 2008, ch. 2), supports the view that Endtime Babylon will be a rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq. He offers the following reasons. However, they are all at best secondary and none of them address the objections given in this section to this view. Hitchcock writes:

While there could be a few interesting parallels between Babylon and New York City, I don’t believe this is the best view. I believe Babylon in Revelation 17–18 refers to a literal rebuilt city of Babylon in modern-day Iraq on the Euphrates River, which God will destroy at the end of the Tribulation. I find seven main points in Revelation 17–18 that favor this identification of Babylon.

Already, Hitchcock is wrong on when Endtime Babylon will be destroyed in the sequence of Endtime events as demonstrated in EB ch. 3. Hitchcock goes on:

First, in Revelation the great city that is described as the last-days capital of the Antichrist is specifically called Babylon six times in Revelation (14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21)… While it is possible that the name Babylon is a code name for Rome, New York, Jerusalem, or some other city, the text contains no indication that the name is meant to be taken figuratively or symbolically.

However, it was noted elsewhere in EB that there is biblical precedent for using the name of a city as a symbol for a different city (cf. 1 Pet 5:13; Rev 11:8; EB ch. 7, sec. B). The same is happening in Revelation 17-18. And contrary to Hitchcock, there is abundant evidence that metaphorical meanings are laced throughout Revelation 17-18. Hitchcock continues:

Second, since Babylon was the capital city of the first world ruler and is pictured as Satan’s capital city on Earth throughout Scripture, it makes sense that in the end times he will once again raise up this city as the capital of the final world ruler.

Where in the Bible is the physical ancient city of Babylon “pictured as Satan’s capital city on Earth throughout Scripture”? It was certainly the spiritual roots of the anti-God world (cf. EB ch. 4, sec. B). But it has not been a center of satanic power for many centuries. So no, it does not “make sense” that Satan will rebuild Babylon and Iraq to be the greatest economic and military superpower in the world. Hitchcock continues:

Third, the city of Babylon fits the criteria for this city as described in Revelation 17–18. As Robert L. Thomas, a respected New Testament scholar, notes, “Furthermore, Babylon on the Euphrates has a location that fits this description politically, geographically, and in all the qualities of accessibility, commercial facilities, remoteness of interferences of church and state [what does that mean?], and yet centrality in regard to the trade of the whole world.”

It simply is not true that the site of ancient Babylon in the Iraqi desert “fits” a “description” of having “commercial facilities” or “centrality in regard to the trade of the whole world.” And it is very unlikely these things will ever be true. Hitchcock continues:

Fourth, the Euphrates River is mentioned by name twice in Revelation [cf. 9:14; 16:12]. These references point to the fact that something important and evil is occurring at this site. The emphasis on the Euphrates River in Revelation makes sense if the rebuilt city of Babylon on the Euphrates functions as a religious and political center for the Antichrist.

One problem with this view is that the references to “the Euphrates River in Revelation” are never in reference to Babylon. And once again, the author is making assumptions while ignoring the clearest descriptions in Revelation 17-18 of what Endtime Babylon will be. Next Hitchcock writes:

Fifth, Zechariah 5:5–11 records an incredible vision that pertains to the city of Babylon in the last days.

This is at best a very obscure biblical prophecy on which to base any argument on. However, it has been argued elsewhere that the primary meaning of this prophecy is the metaphorical and economic idolatry in Endtime Babylon (cf. ch. 5, endnote #22). And there is nothing in Zech 5 that contradicts interpreting Endtime Babylon as America. Hitchcock writes next:

Sixth, since the city of Babylon has, to date, never been destroyed suddenly and completely, as predicted in Isaiah 13 and Jeremiah 50–51, these passages must refer to a literal future city of Babylon that will be totally destroyed in the Tribulation.

The author is partially correct here. But his view that this “literal future city” will be in Iraq instead of America is not convincing. Finally, Hitchcock claims:

Seventh, Jeremiah 50–51 clearly describes the geographical city of Babylon on the Euphrates. The many parallels between this passage and the future Babylon in Revelation 17–18 indicate that they are both describing the same city.

Again, the author is correct in the first sentence. But his conclusion in the second sentence is disproved by this chapter and the previous chapters of EB. ↑
MacArthur, MNTC, Rev, 167. ↑
Accordingly, MacArthur writes: “Wilderness translates erēmos, which describes a deserted, desolate wasteland like the region where modern Babylon is located” (163). ↑
BDAG #1 & #2. ↑
Thomas, 1320. Although Walvoord also believes that Endtime Babylon will be in Iraq, he does not mention Rev 17:3 as support for this. See Osborne for various things the wilderness could be referring too (610). ↑
http://ivarfjeld.com/2012/05/27/rebuilding-babylon-a-fight-between-god-of-the-bible-and-his-enemies ↑
Joel Rosenberg is a prominent proponent of the idea that recent efforts to make the site of Babylon a tourist attraction is proof that it will fulfill the prophecies about Endtime Babylon. Rosenberg wrote an article for the Jerusalem Post in 2022 to support his theory (https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-696640). However, all the article says is that one participant in these efforts claimed the goal was to: “relaunch the art, culture, and even the economy of Iraq by making Babylon a showcase of a new Iraq, a must-see tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world.” Even if that is accomplished, and that is a big if, it would still not even be close to making the site of Babylon, or the country of Iraq, the economic, cultural, and military superpower of the world. ↑
S. Franklin Logsdon, Is the U.S.A. in Prophecy? (Zondervan, 1968), 63. ↑
Edward Tracy, The United States in Prophecy (Convale, 2009, Kindle ed.), locs. 190-199. ↑
Rhodes, loc. 962 ↑
Richard Rhoades, The Babylon Code: Is America in Prophecy? (Zion Foundation, 2014, Kindle ed.), loc. 5042. ↑
Andersen is generally right to conclude:

The earliest books to propound this view [that Endtime Babylon is America], so far as this writer is aware, are S. Franklin Logsdon, Is the U.S.A. in Prophecy? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1968) and Edward Tracy, The United States in Prophecy (South San Francisco: Convale, 1969). Unlike many (not all) of the more recent proponents of this view, Logsdon and Tracy (especially Logsdon) are not sensational or speculative writers, and were not on the fringes of evangelicalism. Logsdon was a pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. (1) ↑
Online at https://truthonlybible.com. ↑
Andersen, 1. ↑
Mark Hitchcock, The Late Great United States: What Bible Prophecy Reveals About America’s Last Days (Multnomah, Kindle ed.), 130-131. ↑
Ibid., loc. 298. ↑
Edgar, 341. ↑

Chapter 8

Evaluating Various Views of Endtime Babylon

Contents

Primary Points