Prophecy Sign 7: Mystery Babylon
Two full chapters in Revelation are devoted to the identity and the destruction of Mystery Babylon. It seems to be a combination of a religious/political system. The Antichrist will ride her to power, establish himself as world ruler, and literally destroy her in a single day. Lots of thoughts on this prophecy, but it remains the most difficult mystery in the Bible for most students of prophecy. I believe that Joel Richardson in his book Mystery Babylon sufficiently demonstrated that Mecca/Saudi Arabia seems to fulfill all of the scriptural requirements of the Harlot Babylon. His excellent summary notes are provided below.
Mystery Babylon is an End-Time religious and economic power-house that will align with the Antichrist. She is the greatest source of false religion and idolatry ever devised. She will reign over the kings of the earth. The Bible warns God’s people to “come out of her.”
Revelation 18:4-5 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
For this reason, it is important for believers to identify this end-times city/state. The Bible gives us a long list of specific characteristics that she will have. Many different cities have been suggested over the years; Rome, The Catholic church, Babylon in Iraq, the United Nations, Jerusalem, New York, and the list goes on. Today, Mecca/Saudi Arabia seems to fit all the scriptural requirements of the harlot Babylon.
The Destruction of Mystery Babylon
Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of all Harlots (the ultimate End Times false religion and economic system) will ride the Beast (Antichrist) to power when Daniel's 70th begins. In the beginning they are totally in sync, one in Satanic purpose and mission to deceive Israel and the Church. Antichrist will promote this "great city" Mecca, until he has no more use for her and demands the worship of the world for himself (Abomination of Desolation). At the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week, Antichrist and the ten kings of the final beast empire of Satan destroy Mystery Babylon with fire and the kings of the earth who "fornicate" with her, weep and wail when they see the smoke of her burning. As the world enters into the last 3 1/2 years, Antichrist and the False Prophet ignite the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (aka Great Tribulation).
MYSTERY BABYLON (ANOTHER KEY END-TIMES PLAYER)
Revelation 17 and 18 include some of the most profound, and difficult, prophecies in the Bible. In these chapters we are given some astounding information regarding Antichrist and another symbolic woman, a very powerful end-times city/nation called “Mystery Babylon the Great.”
Historical Babylon (Genesis 11) was a nation that was symbolized by the tower of Babel in Babylon (Gen 10:10, 11:4). Historical Babylon represented both a religious/political system that ultimately opposed God’s plan and purpose for mankind. In the end-times, there will be a similar powerful nation, much like Historical Babylon, who will ultimately oppose the purposes of God. The mystery that is being revealed is that Historical Babylon, during the end-times, will re-manifest itself as “Mystery Babylon”. Twice before in the Revelation John suddenly and without explanation introduced “Babylon the Great” into his end-times prophecy.
Rev. 14:8 - A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
Rev. 16:19 - The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.
In Revelation 17 & 18 John gives us clues as to the identity of Babylon the Great; Mystery Babylon is symbolized by a “mystical woman” who will be guilty of committing heinous spiritual adulteries and abominations against God during Daniel’s 70th week. Her acts are identified as “adulterous” because she has broken her original relationship with God to pursue other “lovers” or idols. In the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, the Antichrist and his beast kingdom will find it necessary to temporarily align with this economic power-house while he develops his own 10-nation end-times empire and gains control of the world.
Mystery Babylon is symbolized by a “great city.” This city/nation is the most wealthy, God-forsaking nation on the face of the earth during the end times. Tragically, she did not begin this way. She was once a “gold cup in the Lord’s hand.” But over time she has become exceedingly arrogant, woefully independent of God and self-indulgent. She is so powerful, she is convinced that she will never fall and views herself as “the queen” of the world.
At some point in Daniel’s 70 the week, Mystery Babylon will be destroyed by the Antichrist, but not before God calls his saints out of this mystery nation. Her complete destruction by fire will occur in a single day.
Biblically, a mystery is a truth that is only known by divine revelation. The identity of Mystery Babylon is a mystery that needs to be solved. We will refer frequently to Jeremiah 50 and 51 which reveals helpful information concerning the identity of Prophetic Babylon and additional clues regarding this key end-times city/nation that rules over the kings of the earth. I believe Mystery Babylon is a super power nation that will exist at the time of Daniel’s 70th week and helps pave the way for Antichrist’s rise to world power.