Babylon's Fate linked with | Create Date: 27-May-2021 |
the Woman Who Rides the Beast | Last updated: 16-Jul-2022 |
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In the scriptural account of Adam and Eve, there are so many beautiful truths for us to understand. For purpose of this topic:
Both passages indicated that men and women are created equal where men and women both have specific responsibilities. As quick summary for the purposes of this topic, we know from the scriptures, that the man is the head of the family, just as Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. See 1 Corinthians 11:3.
Genesis 1:26-27 | 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. |
Genesis 2:22 | 20 And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him. 21 And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: 22 and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. |
1 Corinthians 11:3 | But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. |
In the scriptures, the family is always shown as an example of the many aspects of the relationship we have with God. In the family, when the man or the woman commit adultery in a committed relationship (marriage or outside of marriage), then this is a very grievous sin that is considered one of the Four Greatest Sins.
When Israel was worshipping other gods, then this was spiritual adultery of Israel against God as written in 2nd and 3rd Commandments. The Third Commandment is about our ambassadorship for God, so not acting correctly is acting against God. This also applies to Christians. In Isaiah 54:6 and other scriptures, the nation of Israel is given the idiom of the wife of Jehovah.
Isaiah 54:6 | For Jehovah hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God. |
In Hosea 4:11-13 and other occasions, the Nation of Israel was guilty of taking part in the worship of wooden gods which additionally involved a deviant sexual aspect on top of the mountains. God through the Prophet Hosea is informing them that God knows of their adultery against Him with fake false gods.
Hosea 4:11-13 | 11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the understanding. 12 My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, departing from under their God. 13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery. |
There have been many theories, conjectures, discussions and debates between Christians regarding the prophecies in Revelation Chapter 17, concerning the "a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns", often called simply as the "The woman who rides the beast" or the "Harlot of Revelation".
As explained in the preface of this topic, our God is always described as a masculine male Creator of three: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If a believer in the true God begins worshipping another fake and false god, then this means the person is in the position and analogous to an adulterous woman.
The idiom of the woman who rides the beast is the system that has been behind worship of false gods and Lucifer throughout history since the beginning. The control of this adulterous worship, has been organized by Lucifer and Fallen Angels.
The prevailing belief by many Biblical Scholars and this author, of who this woman who rides the beast represents is:
When reading the scriptural passage in Revelation Chapter 17, that contains the reference of the woman who rides the beast, the scriptural passage is dealing within the Tribulation Period. The three summary points, in the scriptural reference, are:
Revelation 17:3-18 | 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a
wilderness: and I saw a woman
sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy,
having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, 5 and upon her forehead a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder. 7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. 9 Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth: 10 and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition. 12 And the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. 13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast. 14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful. 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire. 17 For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. 18 And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. |
A few of the key points in the Revelation 17:3-18 passage, when looking at each verse are listed next. Note that these key points are concerning the woman who rides the beast and the future Antichrist. Also the points are not discussing the timing details and the identification of the seven heads and ten horns.
Excerpt from
Nebuchadnezzar topic: Approximately 602 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar has the first dream which Daniel interprets in Daniel 2:31-44. The dream entails "an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance". Here are the parts of the statue with Daniel's interpretation given to Daniel from God where Biblical Scholars, using history and Daniel Chapter 8's vision of the Goat and Ram, enabled the establishment of the two Empires after the Babylonian Empire. The establishment of the Iron Legs with the Iron and Clay Feet, gave the clue that the next two kingdoms are linked because of the same metal composition description. Since we know that the first Iron Legs kingdom points to the Roman Empire, then the Iron and Clay Feet kingdom will be in the same geographical areas.
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Revelation 17:5-6 | and upon her forehead a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder. |
Revelation 17:18 | And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. |
The first theory is myopic and not broad enough. The Roman Catholic Church, with the good it has done and otherwise, has never influenced the entire Earth as much as the False Religion detailed in the scriptures, with its different incarnations, that originated from the city of Babel (which became Babylon).
The scriptures point to a judgment against the woman who rides the beast, which has affected the entire Earth. In defense of the first theory, the scripture in Revelation on the woman who rides the beast is grouped in the passages discussing the Antichrist where his rule is in the Roman Empire rebuilt, "Iron and Clay Feet" of Nebuchadnezzar dream, so this is why many people have had the theory focused on the religious power entity for that geographical area.
Vatican City, capital city of the Roman
Catholic Church, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem (that is destined
to be rebuilt), and all Christian locations simultaneous events
most likely possibility:
When the Antichrist reveals himself with the Abomination of Desolation event, the priests and others:
Note that the Rapture of true Christians has already taken place, and there are multitudes of peoples from every location on the Earth still accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior regardless of the 70th Week of Daniel events with the Tribulation Period events about to begin. This author has the theory that in the first 3.5 years of the 70th Week of Daniel, the Antichrist will be setting up (many and not all) Christian and Jewish religious rulers to have "titles" for political and monetary gain (in the name of their religious faith only), but will be accepting the Mark of the Beast for primarily two reasons:
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The second theory, in some Biblical Scholars and this author's opinion, is the correct theory where the exact details will not be known until the Daniels 70th Week period. The ability for Christians to know now is hidden just as Antichrist will not be revealed until after the Rapture.
The Apostle Paul warned that evil intentioned people will enter the Christian fellowships, which includes people with psychological disorders that gravitate them to Christian Groups, and distort the truth, along with destroying and murdering.
Acts 20:28-31 | 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. |
The "fierce wolves" have been part of every organized Christian Denomination, along with the Old Testament period of Israel, in every location on the Earth.
When trying to identify a Christian Denomination as the future Harlot because of historical evils has many problems. Consider these three points of what could many that show the woman who rides the beast cannot be simply theorized as a specific Christian Denomination, and the real evil is part of a much larger entity under control by Lucifer:
We know that God takes care of Christians despite any circumstances of affiliation with a Christian Denomination which may have some incorrect scriptural teachings and evil leadership in different periods of history. Suffering, because of a person's belief in Jesus Christ even which involves death, will achieve great Rewards in Heaven.
Catholic martyrs under the corrupt Popes in history along with martyrs under evil Protestant leaders, for their stance of Jesus Christ, are rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
John 16:33 |
These things have I spoken unto you, that in
me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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After the Rapture of the true Christians, in all the Christian Denominations, then there will be some people in power in the Christian Denominations that will follow the guidance of Fallen Angels through Possession to create a powerful religious entity in the Tribulation Period, which will eventually be destroyed by the Antichrist as detailed in Revelation 17:16 through Revelation 18:21.
Part of the understanding in the Revelation Chapter 17 and 18, is the judgment against the false religions in the whole world, who have been against God and God's People, "Saints", since the beginning. The false religions all have their primary roots starting with the City of Babel, during the time of Nimrod, which the city of Babel later becomes the city of Babylon.
According to the scriptures the false religions of the world have always been spiritually under territorial Satanic influence of Fallen Angels, where some Biblical Scholars including this author, believe during the Daniels 70th Week period the false religions will somehow desired to be merged because of the power, wealth and control that offers the human leaders involved in them which the Antichrist will need to use in assuming power through peace. Religious entities of all kinds have been involved in politics throughout history so this is nothing new for religious entities to participate in doing.
An important and required relevant note: In some realms of Christian gossip and negative judgments, there has been a history of prejudice against the Roman Catholic Church which should not be occurring, despite any incorrect beliefs of the Denomination along with reverse prejudice of Catholics against other Denominations with the Catholic incorrect belief that they are the only true Church of Christ. The true Church is inside of the Christian Believer (1 Corinthians 6:19). Affiliation or membership to a Denomination has nothing to do with having Salvation and receiving Rewards in Heaven. The following can be said positively concerning the Roman Catholic Church: Everyone should realize that there are great people in the Catholic Church, who God loves and have Salvation. We are not to accuse the brethren of Christ of not being a Christian as that is what Lucifer is always doing. In the past, regardless of any consequences of evil men in leadership and participating in events, generally speaking the Catholic Church has done many positive things for the world:
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Before Babylon got its current name, it was known as the city of Babel during the time of Nimrod.
Genesis 11:1-9 | 1 Now all the earth used the same language and the same words. 2 And it came about, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 Then they said to one another, Come, let s make bricks and fire them thoroughly. And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 And they said, Come, let s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let s make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of all the earth. 5 Now the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the men had built. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they have started to do, and now nothing which they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another s speech. 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth; and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore it was named Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. |
As discussed earlier in this topic, there is a judgment against the woman who rides the beast because of false religious systems, and grievous wolves who infiltrated God's fellowship, that have killed God's people throughout history. The questions and debate amongst many Biblical Scholars has been if the false religious system of the woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of blasphemy is:
(a) a symbolic entity?
(b) an identifiable religious system that changes?
(c) a geographical
based city?
There are a few Biblical Scholars, which this author agrees, that believe the answer is 'yes' to all three questions. As discussed throughout this topic and additionally the scriptural passage of Revelation 18:1-3 confirms the judgment of Revelation 17:16 is against the city of Babylon and the false religious system that have their origins there.
Revelation 18:1-3 | 1 After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness. |
When the Babylonian empire was conquered, the false religious priests in Babylon, moved to the conquering empire and then continued to move with each time the empire they were located in was conquered. The pattern can be described as a protocol of move where the power and money is located which always involved a form of rebranding their religious systems for the new empires.
There are actually some Christian customs and traditions that have their origin going back to the Babylonian religious beliefs, even though the new Christian customs have lost their original meanings that were from the Babylonian original religious system. As an example of Christian Traditions of this kind, see the topic on Three Kings visit the Baby Jesus.
As a summary, concerning the judgment of Revelation 17:16 against Babylon:
Ezekiel 13:17-22 | 17 Behold, I am going to stir up the Medes against them, Who will not value silver or take pleasure in gold. 18 And their bows will mow down the young men, They will not even have compassion on the fruit of the womb, Nor will their eye pity children. 19 And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. 21 But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there. 22 Hyenas will howl in their fortified towers And jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her fateful time also will soon come And her days will not be prolonged. |
As known from the Iraq war, Saddam Hussein had begun a process of rebuilding the city of Babylon which included a palace and governmental building along with some other municipal structures. There are people living in the area now and have always lived there. Many archeologists, in the last few hundred years, have visited the areas where they have hired local people to help in excavating the area of the ancient city for historic artifacts.
See this link for an interesting tour inside the Abandoned Babylon That Saddam Hussein Built - Atlas Obscura If the link is missing click here.
As mentioned, the verses Ezekiel 13:17-19, there will be a revenge by the Medes who have been victims in history under King Nebuchadnezzar, others empires, and even in recent history. Saddam Hussein was killing the Medes (modern-day Kurds) with poison gas bombs (mustard and sarin). This is why the reference of revenge in verse 18 states the extreme cases of killing women who are even pregnant and children who are part of the Chaldeans, because this was done historically against the Medes. (This author is not stating murder done by the Medes is justified.)
The Biblical point is the city of Babylon still has its final destiny of destruction to never be rebuilt again. This hasn't happened but it will happen according to Ezekiel 13:20-22. In order for Babylon to experience the judgment from God, then Babylon will be completely reestablished and rebuilt.
At the start of Revelation 18:1-3, there is an announcement "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great". Notice these four points of the first three verses:
Revelation 18:1-3 | 1 After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness. |
In the passage of Revelation 18:4-11, notice:
Revelation 18:4-11 | 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: 5 for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Render unto her even as she rendered, and double unto her the double according to her works: in the cup which she mingled, mingle unto her double. 7 How much soever she glorified herself, and waxed wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall in no wise see mourning. 8 Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judged her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived wantonly with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning, 10 standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more; |
Ezekiel 13:19-22 | 19 And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. 21 But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there. 22 Hyenas will howl in their fortified towers And jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her fateful time also will soon come And her days will not be prolonged. |
There is also another amazing scriptural pattern with Babylon and the building of Babel, precursor to Babylon, by Nimrod:
The following is an excerpt from the
400 and 430 years topic on
Israel's bondage in Egypt: Note that the new Pharaoh of Exodus 1:8, "Then a new Pharaoh, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.", according to one historical reference, and Isaiah 52:4, this new Pharaoh was Assyrian and not of Egyptian lineage.
This author has not seen the linkage in any Biblical Commentaries, but it is very interesting:
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What to read next?
What is Salvation? Is it is possible to lose Salvation? We have eternal life. Evolution is not real. When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it. Rewards in heaven. Do we Tithe? What does the 3rd Commandment tell us? What is Grace and Mercy? Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?