What does "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT" symbolize in Revelation 17:5 for today's world? Text to keep in view “On her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5) Unpacking the name • Mystery – a truth once hidden, now revealed to God’s people (cf. Colossians 1:26). • Babylon the Great – ties back to historic Babylon, the prime example of proud rebellion against God (Genesis 11:4; Daniel 4:30). • Mother of prostitutes – source and promoter of all spiritual unfaithfulness. • Abominations of the earth – fountainhead of idolatry, violence, and moral corruption. Historical Babylon: the blueprint • Genesis 11: the tower of Babel, humanity united to “make a name” without God. • Isaiah 13–14; Jeremiah 50–51: Babylon’s arrogance, luxury, sorcery, and sudden fall. • Daniel 5: Belshazzar’s feast—open defiance on the eve of judgment. The Spirit uses this well-known history so believers can recognize the same spirit in the last days. How Revelation presents Babylon the Great • Revelation 14:8 – “She who made all nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality.” • Revelation 17 – pictured as a gaudy prostitute riding the beast (world empire). • Revelation 18 – a center of commerce, luxury, sorcery, and persecution of saints, destroyed in “one hour.” Taken literally: a future city revived in the last seven-year tribulation, functioning as the hub of a worldwide religious-economic system. Taken symbolically: every culture-wide structure that lures hearts away from Christ. Layers of meaning for today 1. A coming, literal end-time capital • Prophetic texts (Revelation 17–18; Zechariah 5:5-11) hint at a real city in the land of Shinar rebuilt and judged at Christ’s return. • Expect an actual center where apostate religion, global finance, and political power converge. 2. A present-day world system • 1 John 2:15-17 describes “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” – the very currents Babylon rides. • Any movement that substitutes self-exaltation, materialism, and moral relativism for the worship of the true God already manifests her spirit. 3. A warning to the church • Revelation 18:4 – “Come out of her, My people.” • Separation is not geographical first; it is moral and spiritual: refusing compromise, consumerism, and counterfeit spirituality. Marks of modern “Babylon” • Global influence that presses every nation toward secular unity and control. • Celebration of sexual freedom divorced from God’s design. • Deification of wealth, entertainment, and technology. • Suppression or marginalization of biblical truth. • Sorcery (Greek pharmakeia) – anything from addictive substances to occult spirituality promising power without submission to Christ. • Persecution of saints who will not bow (Revelation 17:6). Living separate and faithful • Keep worship pure – Hebrews 13:15. • Guard affections – Colossians 3:1-2. • Steward wealth for the kingdom – 1 Timothy 6:17-19. • Hold fast to sound doctrine – 2 Timothy 4:2-5. • Bear witness until Christ’s appearing – Revelation 12:11; 22:20. Babylon will rise, seduce, and fall. The Lamb wins. “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). |
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