To continue our discussion of Jerusalem (symbolized by the city
destroyed by the king in the parable), a provocative theory will be
introduced. One of the great symbolic themes of the book of
Revelations is the destruction of the Great Whore.
Who is she?
In Revelation she is pictured sitting upon an allegorical scarlet beast.
She is said to have committed fornication with the kings of the earth
and that the inhabitants of the earth are made drunk with her
fornication. Upon her forehead is written, MYSTERY, BABYLON
THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH. The woman, herself, is drunk with the blood of the
saints and martyrs. Note that this image is a symbol of an actual
city, not a religion or world system. A careful study of the scriptures
will show this. The term Babylon is used symbolically, just like
Sodom and Egypt were used in Revelation 11:8, to describe
Jerusalem.
The historic Babylon became infamous biblically, not only because of
it's origins with Nimrod and Babel, but also as it was allowed to
destroy Jerusalem and bring Judah into captivity. The temple was
destroyed and the form of Judaism, without that temple, called
Rabinical Judaism, evolved and is still practiced today.
Idolatry existed long before Nimrod. It is as old as Adam and Eve
who not long after their creation chose Satan's seduction over God's
nurturing. Recent excavations have determined that the
Babylonians, and hence the Greeks and Romans, borrowed the root
of their belief systems from other more ancient cultures including the
Sumerians. Idolatry in these systems dominated the native culture
of the patriarch Abraham.
The idolatry and wickedness of any gentile nation, be it Sumeria,
Babylon or Rome, is subordinate in scriptural history to how Israel
was treated by these nations. Israel and, in particular, Jerusalem are
the center of the biblical universe because of God's promise of
protection to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.
A study of the Babylonian captivity will reveal that the whoredoms of
Israel against God were more abominable than the idolatry practiced
by Babylon. Ironically, the whore has always been a biblical image
of Israel, Judah or Jerusalem depicted symbolically as Jehovah’s
bride ( and the bride commits the whoredoms with it’s many idols,
murders (including human sacrifice) and much self-righteousness).
Notice that this city cannot actually be Babylon as some theologians
have suggested because, if it were to rise from it's current state as
archaeological ruins in a ruined country, it would take a miracle
economically and politically for it to achieve the status of a
dominating power as suggested in Revelation 17:18.
"And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth
over the kings of the earth."
The vengeance against the historical Babylon for it's violation of
Israel has already been accomplished.
One stunning insight is that any scripture in Revelation that
concerns the Mystery Babylon in Revelation can also be applied to
the prophesies concerning Jerusalem, both in the Old Testament
and the New. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem is called a harlot and
adulterer for forsaking the true God and serving idols.
Both the symbolic Babylon and Jerusalem are besieged by the
gentiles under the leadership of the Anti-Christ in Revelation.
Babylon is besieged, see Revelation 17:16.
"And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall
hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall
eat her flesh, and burn her with fire."
Jerusalem is besieged. See Revelation 11:2.
"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it
not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they
tread under foot forty and two months."
In Revelation 16:19, Babylon is divided into three parts and is
subsequently destroyed by supernatural forces. In Ezekiel 5:2,
Jerusalem is divided into thirds and is destroyed.
Both cities are called "the great city" in the context of Revelation.
See Revelation 11:8 and 14:8. However, presently, only one remains
a great city with a population of over a million people--Jerusalem.
Babylon's greatness to this day is in ruins.
Of all the parallels, the one that convinced me of this reality is the
saying in Revelation 18:24, concerning Babylon.
"And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of
ALL that were slain upon the earth."
Jesus spoke these words concerning Jerusalem in Matthew 23:35.
"That upon you [Jerusalem] may come ALL the righteous blood
shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood
of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple
and the altar."
Notice the use of "all" in both of these verses. If Jerusalem is
responsible for all the righteous blood then another city can not claim
that notoriety. Though Babylon was responsible for much bloodshed
during the captivity, it was not responsible for the deaths of the many
prophets of God. The religious heads amidst Israel, acting in
accordance with demonic spirits, held this dubious honor. Jerusalem,
even now could be considered a "great city" being the largest city in
Israel with over 1 million people.
Only time will reveal the true identity of Mystery Babylon. However,
the evidence seems clear enough. Mystery Babylon will have many
peculiar qualities. It will be an economic, political, and religious
center. It will capture the world's attention and mystify them with it's
sorceries. Revelation 18:23:
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all, in thee; and the
voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at
all, in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for
by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
There is only one place on earth today that has so totally
mesmerized the people of the earth. The attraction is almost
unworldly. The Jews, the Moslems, the Christians and the multitude
of sects from each of these world religions claims Jerusalem as it's
ideological center. Hence the bloodshed that occurs there is
continuous. The orthodox dogmas that are promoted in the name of
God radiate bondage throughout the world; and the Jewish and
Moslem religious heads curse the name of the true Jesus as if he
were still hanging from the cross. The idolatry there is abominable
and even the Christian idols and relics are as plenteous as they
were in the dark ages. Jerusalem, the holy city beloved of God in
the old testament will remain the harlot until it is totally obliterated
from the face of the earth.
It is not the old Jerusalem that will be presented to Christ as his
Bride, but the New Jerusalem which will descend from heaven. See
Revelation 21:9-11.
"And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the
seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me
saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain,
and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out
of heaven from God..."
Note that the Bride of the Lamb is not the Church of God, as some
commentators say, neither is it Israel, as others say. It is new
Jerusalem, set in contrast to the old Jerusalem, which has become
the great whore. The glory of God is displayed as He makes all
things new. The scriptures speak gloriously of the city God prepared
for Christ and his saints. Revelation 21:24 and 25.
"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of
it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be
no night there."
Some of the fascinating aspects of this city are, firstly, it's size.
According to Bullinger, it's walls will be a perfect 1500 miles high,
wide, long and deep. Set down onto the United States there would
be little room for anything else. The materials used in it's
construction are pure gold and priceless gems. The light is ethereal,
for the sun and moon will no longer be present. A wondrous river will
flow through it and Paradise, itself, will be reproduced for it's
occupants. This city will not be a dreamy, cloudy trance-like
destination. The new Jerusalem will be on earth, and it's inhabitants
will be flesh and bone. Their sensory perception will far transcend
the most lucid moments as mortals on earth for “they will know even
as they are known” and their understanding of God will no longer be
"through a glass darkly" --but they will see their Lord “face to face”.
| Chapter 14 The Great Whore and the Lambs Bride |
Copyright Pete Lounsbury 1994