Mystery Babylon the Great

Intro

It was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. The birthplace of the written language, the 24 hour day and urban living and this ancient city reappears in Revelation. What is the importance of this ancient Mesopotamian city? I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on “Mystery Babylon the Great.”

Message

Hello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. Perhaps no other ancient city has attained the fame and notoriety that of ancient Babylon. The accounts of this historical city coming down to our time from the ancient historians have described an unsurpassed beautiful city with towering guard walls and the river Euphrates flowing through the center. From the hanging gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, to the gold adorned temple to Marduk, Babylon was a city of splendor and opulence. It was from here in Babylon that Daniel gave his prophecies and Ezekiel wrote his Old Testament book. Babylon became a major subject of Old Testament prophecy through its warfare against the nation of Judah and Jerusalem, but just as the lore of Babylon has continued to the present day, the Bible reveals Babylon as a major last day player, as well. In the Apocalypse, we read of “Mystery Babylon the Great” once again a city, but also a woman. Who is this Mystery Babylon and what does it mean for us today? Let us seek the Lord in prayer as we seek to understand this mystery from Revelation.

Outline

I.        In Revelation, Babylon is still the center of false worship.

A.     Woman named Babylon re-appears – Rev. 17:3-5

B.     Differences between Revelation’s women

1.      What clothed in

a.       Pure – Clothed w/sun – 12:1

1)      Jesus = sun of righteousness – Mal. 4:2

2)      Righteous acts saints – Rev. 19:7, 8

3)      Righteousness =  law – Ps. 119:172

b.      Impure – purple, scarlet, gold

1)      Can’t clothe w/sun–man made garment

2)      Traditions = man made garments

3)      Purple, scarlet & gold

a)      Priest wore w/blue – Ex. 28:6

b)      Blue = obedience– Num. 15:38, 39

2.      What supported by

a.       Pure – Standing on moon – 12:1

1)      Moon reflects light sun = Word of God

2)      Standing = vigilant, watchful

b.      Impure

1)      Sits upon water = people – 17:1

2)      Carried by beast = Church/State – 17:7

C.     Identification of Babylon

1.      Woman = church

2.      Harlot = unfaithful church

3.      Sitting on many waters = many people

4.      Riding on a beast = supported by the state

5.      Clothed w/purple & scarlet – royalty & sin

6.      Golden cup in hand

a.       Lord offers cup of salvation – Ps. 116:13

1)      Jesus offers new cov. – Luke 22:20

2)      Cup can run over – Ps. 23:5

b.      False worship, doctrines & salvation

1)      Entire world drinks from – Rev. 18:3

2)      Makes drinkers drunk – Rev. 17:2

7.      Drunk w/blood – persecuting church

8.      Sits on 7 mountains

9.      Great city reigning over earth

D.     Babylon’s fall – Rev. 18:2

1.      Christianity persecuted & hated

2.      Seeker sensitive Christianity for Pagans

3.      Compromised w/sun worship – primarily manifested via Sunday

E.      Rome has daughters – Rev. 17:5

1.      Like ancient Babylon – one source w/variations

2.      Harlots = women = impure churches

3.      Like the mother church – Ez. 16:44

F.      Who are the churches of Babylon?

1.      Church clings pagan teachings against Bible

2.      Church clings to papal teachings against Bible

3.      Church clothed w/tradition instead of Christ

4.      Church relies on State instead of Bible

G.     God loves Babylonians & calls out – Rev. 18:4

1.      Most of God’s true people still inside!

2.      Member of Babylon? I was. Heed call of Jesus?

H.     God called Lot out of Sodom

1.      Jesus via angels called Lot out – Gen. 19:12

2.      Remember Lot’s wife – Luke 17:32