What Saith the Scripture?
http://www.WhatSaithTheScripture.com/
Babylon the Great (Part 1)
Or, The Coming Destruction of the One World Religion
The Purpose and History of Babylon the Great
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON
THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"
(Revelation 17:5).
by Tom Stewart
2-7-99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preface
Any attempt to describe the final destruction of Babylon
the Great-- "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Revelation
17:5)-- demands an identification of that system, i.e., its purpose, history, as
well as present and prophetic future. Because the spiritual warfare of the Saints
involves wrestling not with simply flesh and blood, but "against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12); it becomes increasingly apparent
to us-- the earthly participants-- as the end draws near, that the identity of Babylon
the Great has been plainly written "upon her forehead" (Revelation 17:5)
by our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
Understanding the true nature of Babylon the Great is as simple as knowing whether
a child is good or bad. "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work
be pure, and whether it be right" (Proverbs 20:11). It only remains for God's
people to "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24) concerning Babylon the
Great. To act consistently with that understanding, will require coming out of her
that "ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues"
(Revelation 18:4). Also, to reach out to those still enslaved by Babylon the Great,
is consistent with Christian love. "And others save with fear, pulling them
out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 23).
Purpose of Babylon the Great: To Seduce the World to Worship Antichrist
Eve was seduced by Satan. "And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and
I did eat" (Genesis 3:13). And, through Adam's transgression "death passed
upon all men" (Romans 5:12), because Adam sought to please his wife more than
God. The LORD Jesus Christ said, "He that loveth father or mother more than
Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:37). Satan seduced Eve, the "weaker
vessel" (1Peter 3:7), to get at Adam, both to whom were given "dominion"
over the Earth (Genesis 1:28). In so doing, Satan usurped dominion of the planet
from both of our original parents, becoming the "god of this world" (2Corinthians
4:4).
And so, "death reigned" (Romans 5:17), because the Seducer questioned the
"goodness of God" (2:4)-- "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of
every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1)-- and contradicted the truthfulness
of God-- "Ye shall not surely die" (3:4). Thus, the Seducer, who "is
a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44), seeks not just dominion over God's
creation; but, Beelzebub seeks the worship reserved only for the Almighty. "13
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the
sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like
the most High" (Isaiah 14:13-14).
The purpose of Babylon the Great is to direct the world in worshipping the Antichrist,
the Man of Sin (2Thessalonians 2:3); so "that [the Antichrist]
as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God"
(2:4). In somewhat the same fashion that the Father, Son, and Spirit "are
one" (John 17:22); even so, Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet are
one. At least for a time, the False Prophet will direct the world to worship the
Antichrist. "And he [the False Prophet] exerciseth all the power of the first
beast [the Antichrist] before him, and causeth the Earth and them which dwell therein
to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed" (Revelation 13:12).
Accordingly, worship of the Antichrist "in the temple of God" (2Thessalonians
2:3) will be the same as worshipping the "Adversary the Devil" (1Peter
5:8), whose heart's desire is to "exalt [his] throne above the stars of God"
(Isaiah 14:13). And, Babylon the Great, who employs the "servants of corruption" (2Peter 2:19), is the vehicle to accomplish
that worship.
Subtilty, deception, and seduction are the necessary modes of operation for those
who descend to so low a level as to serve Babylon the Great. "But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2Timothy
3:13). Notice that the servants of Babylon the Great are not just guilty of
"deceiving" but also of "being deceived" (3:13). Any time man
submits to obey sin and the Devil, he becomes the "servant of sin" (John
8:34). The Tempter thus enlists his followers through a voluntary servitude-- "In
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not"
(2Corinthians 4:4). The success of Babylon the Great will finally be so great that
all but the Elect, the "Called, and Chosen, and Faithful" (Revelation 17:14),
will be seduced. "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall
shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the Elect" (Mark
13:22).
History of Babylon the Great: Beginning of Babylon and the Tower of Babel
Nimrod, whose name means "rebellion", was the great-grandson of Noah, through
the lineage of Ham. He was a "mighty one in the Earth" (Genesis 10:8)--
a "mighty hunter before the LORD" (10:9). Nimrod's might and skill in the
hunt easily lent itself to the exercise of human government; for God intended the
force of arms to be used in human government's punishment of evil doers. "For
he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be
afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain" (Romans 13:4). The cunning employed
to hunt an animal can be as easily applied to snare the "souls of men"
(Revelation 18:13).
Babel-- also translated as "Babylon"-- was the city that was the "beginning
of [Nimrod's] kingdom" (Genesis 10:10). It was situated "in the land of
Shinar" (10:10)-- modern Iraq. In that location, we are told by Scripture, a
significant event occurred "in the Earth after the flood" (10:32)-- the
building of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Though Scripture does not use the expression
Tower of Babel, nor does it pointedly declare that Nimrod built the infamous Tower
of Babel, we are informed that the people purposed to build "a city and a tower"
(11:4), i.e., implying that Nimrod built both the city of Babylon and the Tower of
Babel. It providentially connects the location of Nimrod's city to the location of
the site of the Tower-- a "plain in the land of Shinar" (11:2). The very
name Babel means "confusion", just as we presently describe one whose speech
we cannot understand as "babbling". "Therefore is the name of it called
Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the Earth" (11:9).
What is the significance of the Tower of Babel to Babylon the Great? The opening
statement of Genesis 11 gives us the setting for the construction of the fabled Tower.
"And the whole Earth was of one language, and of one speech" (Genesis 11:1).
Following the Almighty's destruction of the planet by the Flood, the Earth had yet
to be overspread by the migration of man. "And they said, Go to, let us build
us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven; and let us make us a name,
lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole Earth" (11:4). Man's
unity is a blessing from God. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). However, it is an insolent and disgusting
thing for man to unite against the LORD God. "Every one that is proud in heart
is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished"
(Proverbs 16:5). Ultimately, all attempts at unifying man without God, and especially
against God, will fail; for the LORD Jesus Christ will "rule all nations with
a rod of iron" (Revelation 12:5) and shall "dash [all rebels] in pieces
like a potter's vessel" (Psalm 2:9).
Just as the Creator evicted Adam (and Eve) from the Garden of Eden "lest he
put forth his hand, and take also of the Tree Of Life, and eat, and live for ever"
(Genesis 3:22), and as Jehovah destroyed the Earth by the Flood because "every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (6:5);
even so, God Only Wise (Romans 16:27) scattered man from building the Tower of Babel,
lest "nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do"
(Genesis 11:6). Therefore, the God of Love and Peace (2Corinthians 13:11) has continued
to restrain man from the purpose of the Tower of Babel, which was the exaltation
of the name of man in the face of God. "And they said, Go to, let us build
us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven; and let us make us a name,
lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole Earth" (Genesis 11:4).
The Mystery of Iniquity (2Thessalonians 2:7) will finally be unleashed and unrestrained--
at the time of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture (2:7)-- to allow for the exaltation of
the Antichrist, the Son of Perdition (2:3), as the final affront against the Blessed
and Only Potentate, the King of Kings, and LORD of Lords (1Timothy 6:15). [See our article, "Must There Be a Pre-Tribulational
Rapture?", for an exposition of 2Thessalonians 2.]
But, this affront is doomed, because we have it on God's own Word that (prophetically)
"Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen" (Revelation 18:2).
History of Babylon the Great: Baal Worship Plagues the People of God
Israel's reoccurring plague had to be its constant confrontation with the worship
of Baal, the sun-god whose name meant "lord". "The priests said not,
Where is the LORD? and they that handle the Law knew Me not: the pastors also transgressed
against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do
not profit" (Jeremiah 2:8). The wicked prophet Balaam, who counselled Balak
against Moses and the children of Israel, was responsible for introducing this offence
and stumbling to Israel. Balaam told Balak that Israel could be defeated by encouraging
the Israelites to intermarry with the Canaanites, who would teach Israel to worship
Baal; and then, Israel's God would be forced against His own people. "1
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters
of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the
people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor:
and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel" (Numbers 25:1-3).
We have a limited idea of the nature of Baal worship-- limited to the Word of God--
because we are intentionally "simple concerning evil" (Romans 16:19). However,
Scripture does wisely describe the degradation of Baal worship, in that:
History of Babylon the Great: Elijah Confronts the Prophets of Baal
About 300 years before the Babylonian Captivity, Israel's contest with Baal worship
reached a climax when the prophet Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal atop
Mount Carmel. "17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said
unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled
Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the Commandments
of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 19 Now therefore send, and gather
to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty,
and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 20 So
Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto
mount Carmel" (1Kings 18:17-20).
Put simply, Elijah challenged the people to serve God. "And Elijah came unto
all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God,
follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word"
(18:21). Elijah conspired with God to humiliate Baal in front of the nation of Israel.
"22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the
LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give
us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces,
and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and
lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and
I will call on the Name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him
be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken" (18:22-24).
The prophet Elijah gave the prophets of Baal the opportunity to transact their Baal
worship in a familiar environment, i.e., "upon every high hill, in all the tops
of the mountains" (Ezekiel 6:13). "25 And Elijah said unto the prophets
of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many;
and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26 And they took the bullock
which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning
even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered.
And they leaped upon the altar which was made" (1Kings 18:25-26). Even as Jehovah
"will mock when [their] fear cometh" (Proverbs 1:26); likewise, Elijah
mocked these prophets of Baal, "whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Philippians
3:19). "27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry
aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey,
or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut
themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out
upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until
the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice,
nor any to answer, nor any that regarded" (1Kings 18:25-29).
Elijah was not simply attempting to rebuild the LORD's altar, but to call the people
back to obedience to the Living God, Who acknowledges that "to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1Samuel 15:22). "30
And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near
unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah
took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto
whom the Word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the
stones he built an altar in the Name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the
altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed" (1Kings 18:30-32).
As the Great God has condescended to teach man "precept upon precept; line upon
line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:10); also,
He will resort to the dramatic, i.e., an End Time angel flying "in the midst
of heaven, having the Everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the Earth"
(Revelation 14:6). "33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in
pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour
it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time.
And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did
it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the
trench also with water" (1Kings 18:33-35).
Elijah gave what modern, evangelical Christians might term an "altar call",
like Joshua before him. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose
you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that
were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). "36
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah
the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it
be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that
I have done all these things at Thy Word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this
people may know that Thou art the LORD God, and that Thou hast turned their heart
back again" (1Kings 18:36-37).
Elijah knew that the LORD's "secret is with the righteous" (Proverbs 3:32),
and he was "bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1), when he stood in front of
the people waiting for God's answer to his prayer. "Then the fire of the LORD
fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust,
and licked up the water that was in the trench" (1Kings 18:38). The people responded
immediately. "And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and
they said, The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the God" (1Kings 18:39).
But, since "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26), Elijah demanded
the people to act, i.e., to slay the prophets of Baal. "And Elijah said unto
them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them:
and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there" (1Kings
18:40).
Conclusion
Since Satan, who is the "prince of this world" (John 12:31), has been so
successful in promoting the rebellion against our LORD Jesus Christ, "Who is
the Blessed and Only Potentate, the KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords" (1Timothy
6:15), it would be a mistake to assume that God's people do not have good reason
to rejoice, because:
.
Next
in the Series "Babylon The Great"
.
Homepage Holy Bible
.Jehovah Jesus
Timeline .Prophecy Philadelphia Fellowship Promises Stories Poetry Links
Purpose ||.What's New
|| Tribulation Topics || Download Page || Today's Entry
Topical Links:
Salvation || Catholicism || Sound Doctrine || Prayer
Privacy Policy
.