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Question:
What is your view regarding Mystery Babylon?
Mystery Babylon, described in Revelation 17–18, is indeed one of the most debated subjects in Bible prophecy.
Scholars have proposed various interpretations, identifying it as a potential reference to New York City, the European Union, a revived Roman Empire, Vatican City, and even a rebuilt literal Babylon in the nation of Iraq.
I don’t quite agree with those interpretations.
I understand Mystery Babylon as most likely representing a global economic and religious system rather than a specific city or nation.
The description in Revelation portrays Babylon as having economic, political, and spiritual influence over “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15 NKJV), suggesting a worldwide system rather than a single location.
And as I’ve written and said multiple times here on Tipping Point, AI moves this possibility closer to reality.
The name Babylon itself is significant and worth exploring in more detail. In Genesis, the geographical location of the ancient Babylonian Empire was the place where humanity first rebelled collectively against God, Babel, by trying to build a tower to “make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4).
It was a historical location, and during the time of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel in the Old Testament, Babylon was the capital of the Babylonian Empire. It was a significant political and military power.
But throughout Scripture, Babylon also came to have a symbolic, spiritual meaning, referring to man’s pride, rebellion, and idolatrous systems that oppose God’s rule.
We see this in Revelation 17, which describes Mystery Babylon as:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
—Revelation 17:5 (NKJV)
This indicates that she’s the source or origin of false religion.
This system appears to be an end-times global religion that unites the world under the Antichrist’s leadership, likely combining elements of many faiths into one universal, inclusive religion that opposes biblical truth.
The economic aspect of Mystery Babylon (described particularly in Revelation 18) suggests a global economic system that controls buying and selling, which aligns with the description of the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13.
This will be a cashless system allowing the Antichrist to control all commerce.
As I said, some interpretations of Mystery Babylon focus on specific cities like New York. While those theories have interesting points, they usually don’t account for all the biblical descriptions.
Mystery Babylon is portrayed as having existed throughout history in various forms, persecuting God’s people across time. This suggests an ongoing spiritual system rather than a particular modern city.
The Babylon system will reach its culmination during the Tribulation period when it will fully manifest itself as both a false religious system (eventually centered on worship of the Antichrist himself) and a controlling economic system.
The good news is that God will destroy this system completely, as detailed dramatically in Revelation 18.
What’s most important is recognizing the nature of this system—its opposition to God, its idolatry, and its persecution of true believers—so Christians can avoid being entangled in its values.
Although the Rapture will happen before Mystery Babylon is fully unveiled, as believers watching for Christ’s return, we need to guard against materialism, religious compromise, and any system that puts man’s wisdom above God’s Word.
While we can’t identify Mystery Babylon with absolute certainty today, we can observe the developing global systems that share its characteristics and recognize the stage being set for its final manifestation after the Church is raptured out of the world.
Until then, we stand firm on God’s truth, separate from Babylon’s corrupting influence. ~ Jimmy Evans
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer in a Friday written segment or on the Tipping Point Show? Ask your question by emailing questions@endtimes.com,
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