Babylon the Great represents a false religious system and represents a geographic location. In terms of a geographic location, I know there’s some people who feel that Babylon the Great is America. I personally do not view Babylon the Great as America. In this blog entry I’ll briefly state the case why I do not see America as Babylon the Great.
I can see why some people would gravitate towards believing that Babylon the Great is somehow related to America.
- 1. You can argue that Babylon the Great is not the actual city of Babylon because the title “Mystery” in Babylon the Great’s title implies that a non-literal interpretation of the city’s identity may be necessary. In other words, “mystery” suggests that a person needs to look beyond the city of Babylon as a potential candidate to be Babylon the Great.
- 2. Babylon the Great is depicted as the global headquarters of economic activity (Revelation 18:11-16). The United States has been that since the end of World War 2.
- 3. Babylon the Great is also depicted as being the center of global political power. Again, the United States has been that since the end of World War 2 (Revelation 17:18).
However, scripture eliminates the possibility that Babylon the Great represents an entire country. Revelation 17:18 states Babylon the Great is a great city which rules over the kings of the earth.
- Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Therefore, if Babylon the Great is associated with the United States it must represent a city in the United States. The choice that many people point out is New York City. I can see why people would argue that it is New York City:
- The United Nations is headquartered in New York City
- New York City is the “financial capital of the world” as it is home to Wall Street.
- New York City is on the coast, which is important because sailors at sea will be able to see the smoke of Babylon the Great when it is destroyed (Revelation 18:17-18).
However, I do not view Babylon the Great as New York City because I do not believe the Antichrist’s base of power will be in New York City. As I wrote several weeks ago, I believe there is scriptural support to argue that Jerusalem is Babylon the Great. To quickly summarize that article for new readers, the basis to argue that Jerusalem is Babylon the Great rests on two key points:
- Revelation 17 depicts the woman (Babylon the Great city) riding on top of the beast (Antichrist), which suggests that the woman’s power is dependent on the beast. Daniel 11:45 suggests that the Antichrist will be primarily situated in Jerusalem because he will establish his headquarters “the seas in the glorious holy mountain”.
- Revelation 11:8 identifies Jerusalem as “the great city”, the same title given to Babylon the Great in Revelation 17:18.
Another reason why I do not see Babylon the Great representing New York City is that I believe world as we know it is about to experience a traumatic paradigm shift where the United States is no longer going to be a major world power.
- Although the U.S. may still be a global economic and political power right now, the U.S. is in such poor fiscal shape and has such poor leadership that it is highly unlikely to be able to sustain its status as a major global power for much longer. The imminent decline of the U.S.’s power is likely going to bring the decline of New York City as the financial capital of the world. In addition, I could easily see a situation where the U.N. relocates to a new city outside of the U.S. because New York City may become an unsafe place for global leaders to meet.
If Babylon the Great actually is New York City or some other American city it would mean that the America would fare fairly well in any upcoming chaos. Based on the horrid fiscal health of the United States and the incompetence of U.S. politicians it is extremely difficult to see how America could avoid a major decline in power.
I know some people feel that the prophecies concerning Babylon in passages like Jeremiah 50, 51, etc may apply to America or New York City. I feel the prophecies of Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51, Isaiah 13, etc deal with the territory that was part of the former kingdom of Babylon. They do not relate to Babylon the Great because the Bible specifically identifies “Babylon” in Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51, and Isaiah 13 as being related to the territory of the Chaldeans.
- Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Jer 50:8 Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks.
- Jer 50:9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
- Jer 50:10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
- Jer 51:1 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
- Jer 51:2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.
- Jer 51:3 Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.
- Jer 51:4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.
- Jer 51:5 For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
- Jer 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
If the prophecies of Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51, Isaiah 13, etc related to America they would not have mentioned the Chaldeans like Revelation 17 and Revelation 18 do not mention the Chaldeans. Thus, spiritual Babylon is spoken about in the Book of Revelation while non-spiritual Babylon is primarily spoken about outside of the Book of Revelation.
