Mystery Babylon in Revelation. Who are the three main candidates?
Who, what or where is Mystery Babylon that was mentioned by St John the Divine in the Book of Revelation Prophecy nearly 2000 years ago? There are many candidates for the title of Mystery Babylon but the main three that come up time and time again and seem to stand the test of time are:
1. Rome, Italy and The Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church
2. Mecca, Saudi Arabia and Islam
3. New York or Washington DC or even maybe LA and/or the US/America.
There is a fourth which is quoted by many and that is Jerusalem and Israel, but this is not up for consideration at this time. The three that will be focused on are the three most consistently popular theories out there that are backed by scripture in various shapes or forms and to varying degrees. These three possiiblities for Mystery Babylon are very different animals indeed, that appear in vastly different locations and embracing totally different cultures. This is yet another topic that results in some extremely heated debate, but which one of these three is it and does the Book of Revelation scripture and Prophecy contain the key to narrow it down very clearly to just one candidate?
This article is a follow on from two previous articles that looked at Who or What Mystery Babylon is.The main body of the research is contained in the video from The Twelve Gates You Tube Channel which appears at the foot and end of this article.
Where Mystery Babylon appears in Scripture.
Mystery Babylon is mentioned in the Book of Revelation in Chapters 17 and 18 and the beginning of Chapter 19, so quite a large portion of Revelation Prophecy is tied up with this entity, which tends to suggest that it is of some significant importance in the Revelation timeline.
Who or What or Where is Mystery Babylon.
The scripture of Revelation makes it quite clear that Mystery Babylon is initially depicted as a woman in the form of a Harlot that rides "The Beast", and the Beast and this Harlot seem to be closely linked. The mention of Mystery Babylon and it's status as a woman is merely symbolic in the earlier stages of the relevant Chapters and is explained in greater detail as the scripture progresses. It is made quite clear that it is not a Woman or even a person, but a location and more to the point a city mentioned as a "Great City". It is also possibly an organisation, establishment or institution or something with religious connotations that is instantly recognised around the world.
The What is Mystery Babylon is the easy part of the puzzle to solve as it is mentioned quite clearly in Revelation Scripture but it is the What and Where is where things are not so clear and where the heated debate starts.
What is Mystery Babylon Bible Verses
These are the verses that clearly state WHAT Mystery Babylon is and a clue is given to where this entity is located. This city has dealings with many nations and the city is located on or near "Seven Mountains" which in some versions of the Bible is mentioned as "Seven Hills"
Rev 17.1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgement of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters
Rev 17.9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17.15 And he saith unto me, The Waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues
What role does Mystery Babylon play in the End Times?
Mystery Babylon plays quite a significant role in End Times Prophecy as it has a devastating effect on Christians as mentioned in the following two verses
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
What are Christians advised to do with regard to Mystery Babylon?
It is made very clear above that Mystery Babylon is an adversary to Christians and "The Church" mentioned in the New Testament many times. So much so that anybody that is part of this Mystery Babylon in any shape or form are advised strongly to leave, otherwise you will be subjected to the same judgement as Mystery Babylon itself. This is a strong indicator that Mystery Babylon could be a False Church which would rule out Islam and Mecca as one of the candidates for Mystery Babylon. As is revealed in the video though, Mecca ticks many boxes in the prophecy contained in Revelation including some interesting cross references, so things are not so clear cut.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues
The video below from The Twelve Gates You Tube Channel doesn't claim to have the definitive answer, but it does attempt to make things clearer who this mysterious "Mystery Babylon" is? It really is narrowed down to just two candidates!
20 key Bible verses in the Book of Revelation reveal Mystery Babylon is either Rome, Mecca or the US. An in depth study to try to solve the Mystery Babylon puzzle to see who, what and where is Mystery Babylon mentioned in the Bible Prophecy contained in the Book of Revelation. What role does Mystery Babylon play in End Times Prophecy and why it is of significant importance in the Revelation Timeline.
Mystery Babylon has revealed itself and Revelation 18 has just been fulfilled? But has it? This is a closer look at a very interesting video that I spotted just before Christmas which was left on the side to become an article for the New Year and it is an eye opener. This is part of a new way forward for this website, not just putting out my views and opinions but also taking a look at other reasonably feasible theories from elsewhere that are backed up by scripture.
The topic of Mystery Babylon was covered in a previous article and there are many theories on what Mystery Babylon actually is. The main front runners are
1. New York (or Washington DC) and America
2. The Roman Catholic Church, Vatican and Rome, Italy
3. Mecca and Saudi Arabia and Islam.
Each theory has a solid backing in terms of views and opinions and numbers of people and as I stated in order of likelihood I personally think it is Saudi Arabia, Rome the second and the least likely is the US. That´s just my opinion and scripture seems to back it up, others will disagree and some quite strongly, but I've seen little evidence to suggest otherwise, but this video does raise the odds slightly for the Catholic Church and certainly the opening picture shown above which features in the video is an eye opener.
The On Point Preparedness (OPP) You Tube Channel, a channel that I only bumped into before Christmas, which seems to be very popular and on the rise, produced this video below covering the latest meeting held with the worlds business leaders chaired by the Pope. It smacks of further implementation of the 2030 Agenda mentioned in a previous article which forms the backbone of the New world Order of one currency, one government, one religion, one world with no boundaries, one language, one ID, one financial/banking system and all the rest. This would equate to the Beast system mentioned in Revelation 13 and of course the associated mark.
The owner of this OPP Channel is apparently an ex catholic, so is in a strong position to give an insider view from the outside of the Catholic faith. I have had limited dealings with Catholicism so I'm not really qualified to comment on it, but what little I have seen, has not impressed me much at all, but my attitude is each to their own. I'm personally non-denominational these days.
Watch the Video on this meeting and more importantly the associated highlighted documentation and you will see the Pope who should be first and foremost a Religious leader step out as an emerging World Political/Government leader, something we saw hinted at way back in September 2015 when he visited the US.
NEXT watch this video on why the OPP Channel thinks the Catholic Church is Mystery Babylon. Probably one of the most convincing arguments yet with many of the jigsaw pieces fitting into place. VIDEO
What's my view on all this?
So has Mystery Babylon been revealed and part of Revelation 18 Fulfilled. It certainly is interesting and raises the profile of the Catholic Church as Mystery Babylon, but in my humble opinion the jigsaw pieces even now, a lot DO fit, but the fit is still not 100%. For Prophecy to be correct it has to be 100%, not 90% or 95% or even 99% but 100%.
The Pope is most certainly up to something, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that one out, but for me I still think he could be the False Prophet. The Mekudeshet event last year amongst many others, would be another case in point. Let's just say I keep one eye on the Pope at all times.
Here´s a couple of lines of scripture that throw a spanner in the works of the Rome and the Catholic Church as Mystery Babylon.
Revelation 18:17-19 17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every ship master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
1. If Rome is Mystery Babylon why are sailors, ships, ship masters, the sea mentioned so frequently. Rome is inland and is a not a seaport. Saudi Arabia is classed as a Desert in the Sea and imports most of it´s goods and is a better fit.
2. Verse 19 is particularly bizarre "And they cast dust on their heads and cried weeping and wailing". Casting dust on the head is a Middle Eastern custom that is not found in Europe or America. Why is this mentioned if Mystery Babylon is in the West such as Rome and not in the Middle East.
3. All of Revelation is focused pretty much around Israel and Jerusalem and the neighbouring Middle Eastern areas.
4. The Vatican is decked out in finery as mentioned in Revelation but is it making it's merchants rich. Certainly this recent meeting with the world business leaders would fit that description, but again Saudi Arabia by it's sheer importing power and incredible consumption has made more merchants rich?
Moving onto Revelation 19:2-3
2. For true and righteous are his judgements: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
If you cross reference Verse Rev 19:3 you come up with this:
Isaiah 34:9-10 9 It's streams will be turned into pitch, And its loose earth into brimstone, And its land will become burning pitch. 10 It will not be quenched night or day; Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation it will be desolate; None will pass through it forever and ever.
This prophecy has not happened yet and has not been fulfilled in Revelation either, nothing on this planet has continually burnt with smoke going on for ever and ever..........unless I've missed something?
What is Pitch. Wikipedia Definition?
Pitch is a name for any of a number of viscoelastic polymers. Pitch can be natural or manufactured, derived from petroleum, coal tar or plants. Various forms of pitch may also be called tar, bitumen or asphalt. Pitch produced from plants is also known as resin.
Italy imports 90% of it''s coal. It is not a producer of coal so that rules out Pitch derived from coal tar. Italy does have recently found oil reserves but nothing in comparison to say a country like Saudi Arabia that would burn forever and ever.
Here´s the Top 4 oil producing nations on this planet by Barrels per Day
Rank Country Oil - production (bbl/day)
1 Saudi Arabia 11,730,000
2 United States 11,110,000
3 Russia 10,440,000
4 China 4,197,000
Out of those 4 countries which is the smallest and therefore has the densest oil reserves per square km? The finger points at Saudi Arabia. What country could burn and it´s smoke would go up forever and ever, certainly the incredibly concentrated oil reserves of Saudi Arabia fit that description??
Revelation 18:11-13 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Revelation 18:12 could certainly apply to the Vatican with the colours Purple and Scarlet being particularly relevant. This one is often quoted by the Rome and Mystery Babylon backers. The first part of Revelation 18:13 could also apply. BUT this could also be said of Saudi Arabia who is a huge importer of such products as the country is mainly desert.
It´s in the latter part of Verse 13 where everything falls flat on it´s face with regard to Rome and the Vatican. Italy is renowned for producing it´s own Oil such as Olive Oil, it´s own wine, it grows it´s own wheat (thin durum for pasta), has it´s own farms, produces it´s own cars (chariots). Slavery maybe in the past, souls of men yes. Apply Verse 13 to a country like Saudi Arabia and the pieces fit shockingly almost perfectly, especially when you throw the Islamic religion into the equation which Mecca is the capital city of.
The Old... Revelation is in Chronological Order - Not in Chronological Order debate?
This is the debate that brings out the Bible scholars in droves who state that the Book of Revelation is in Chronological Order or it is NOT in Chronological Order. My view is it is in Chronological Order mostly with some parallels in places. There are only two entities that really know the answer to that question and that is St John the Divine who is no longer with us who received the vision and the entity that gave him the vision in the first place and that is God. It doesn't matter how many letters you have after your name, whether you have studied Revelation for centuries and written a best selling book on it, the fact remains those are the only two entities that really know..........anything else is merely just theory and mans interpretation.
Revelation 18 is an example that is almost near to the end of the Book of Revelation. It is the last event before Christ’s return in glory at Armageddon in the next chapter. It is placed after the wrath of God is poured out and before Christ’s return. To say that Revelation 18 has been fulfilled would be like saying that the Wrath of God has been poured out via the Great Tribulation which quite clearly is not the case. That's if you hold the Chronological view. Even if you don''t hold the Chronological view, things don''t quite line up?
Summary.
The three front runners for mystery Babylon remain the same New York, US...... Vatican, Rome and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. There will be others emerging in the future, to challenge these three established locations, entities. As always with Prophecy that has been written by somebody else, it is easy to arrive at certain theories, it's getting all those jigsaw pieces not only to fit together but to present you with a clear and not scrambled picture. On a final note I suggest you watch this video below which appeared in the previous article on Mystery Babylon which goes into great detail on why he thinks and myself included that Saudi Arabia is Mystery Babylon and really is the strongest argument that is backed up by scripture. The Catholic Church and Rome is still a strong candidate but just slightly less convincing even with the recent developments and meeting taken into account which is compelling evidence. The direct scripture in Revelation 18 is clos,e but when you look for confirmations via cross referencing in the Old Testament, the Rome Mystery Babylon theory comes short! As always form your own opinion.
Further Reading
“The burden against Dumah” (Isaiah 21:11)
“The burden against Arabia” (Isaiah 21:13)
“All the glory of Kedar will fail” (Isaiah 21:16).
Mystery Babylon. Where is it, what is it and the importance of this in the Book of Revelation and End Times Prophecy.
There are many theories as to what the Mystery Babylon or Mystery Babylon the Great mentioned in Revelation 17 and 18 in great detail is and what it represent. This article will narrow down what Mystery Babylon is in our modern times, why it is mentioned as a "Mystery" and the three prime candidates that fit most accurately the quite detailed description of who, what and where this place is.u
The three prime suspects are as follows:
1. Rome or more precisely The Vatican and The Roman Catholic Church.
2. America or more precisely New York
3. Saudi Arabia or more precisely Mecca and Islam
Istanbul in Turkey has been mentioned as another possibility, the original Babylon in Iraq, Europe and even London are others. These have not been looked into here but it has been mentioned many times by many people that Turkey has a role to play in the unfolding end times scenario and is always watched closely and cannot be ignored. Recent events unfolding confirm that fact. Some say it will be the seat of Satan in the End Times.
This is not a Prophetic article it´s just a demonstration that all of God´s plans are contained in the word. Only God has the whole picture. We just get the jigsaw puzzle and have to fit the pieces together via what is contained in the Bible. It´s just knowing where to look......but it is there, it just seems to reveal itself to people that have the understanding of how God works. This article ties in with The Rapture and the Tribulation article as Mystery Babylon is a key component within the forthcoming Tribulation time frame.
Everything about Mystery Babylon is contained in Revelation 17 and Revelation 18 and the detail is quite frightening in places as in it´s . If you cross reference from a hard copy KJV Bible from these two chapters you will be led to mainly two books. The Book of Isaiah and Jeremiah tie up closely with Revelation and many cross references reference those two books by these two Major Prophets from the Old Testament. Genesis also comes up on occasion especially with specific reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, which means this Mystery Babylon has similarities and will be judged accordingly. The cross references strongly suggest this!
When doing these Bible studies to see whether Rome, New York or any other city in the US and Mecca fit the bill....everything must align with the word...everything. Just having a theory and pulling out Bible Quotes to support that theory may seem convincing, BUT do ALL the jigsaw pieces fit?
The way this research was approached was via videos that each were convinced that their particular theory was correct and that it just can´t be denied. Many videos were watched and just four in my personal opinion, came up with a convincing argument that Mystery Babylon was definetly and undeniably the place that they think it is.
There are many Bible quotes in reference to Mystery Babylon but I have reduced it down to 23 verses/quotes which I think are key in identifying Mystery Babylon, some are major, some are very small details. Sometimes it´s the smaller details that really nail what and who and where this Mystery Babylon really is. Some people say the Book of Revelation is full of metaphors and symbolism and is not to be taken literally. Sometimes that is true, sometimes it isn´t. In Revelation 17 and 18 anything that is a metaphor or a symbol is quite clearly explained.
Here´s the key Bible quotes that give away the identity of Mystery Babylon and narrow things down quite convincingly to the Rome (Vatican), US (New York) and Saudi Arabia (Mecca) candidates.
Revelation 17 Relevant Bible Quotes (10)
Rev 17:1. And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Rev 17:6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Rev 17:9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Rev 17:18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Revelation 18 Relevant Bible Quotes (13)
Rev 18:2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Rev 18:3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Rev 18:7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Rev 18:8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Rev 18:9. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Rev 18:11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Rev 18:12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Rev 18:13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Rev 18:17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Rev 18:18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Rev 18:19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Rev 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.
Rev 18:24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
The Rome Argument
Rome in Relation to Revelation 17
Rev 17:1 It does not sit on many waters, it is not a coastal city. The nation Italy is but the Vatican is not. Rome is inland with no access to the sea.
Rev 17:3 The wilderness referred to here is desert. There are no desert regions in Italy or near the Vatican
Rev 17:4 The Pope wears Purple, Scarlet and Gold and the Golden Cup is also a Roman Catholic identifier
Rev 17:5 No reference
Rev 17:6 The blood of Martyrs and Saint The Roman Catholic Church has been responsible for many Christian deaths via the Roman Catholic Crusades and the Roman Catholic Inquisitors
Rev 17:9 Rome is the City known as the City of Seven Hills
Rev 17:10 No reference
Rev 17:12 No reference
Rev 17:15 The Vatican is not renowned as a multicultural melting pot but the Roman Catholic Church does have many peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues
Rev 17:18 The Roman Catholic Church is a Mariana (Mary the Mother of God) based religion which would fit The Woman. Are the world leaders answerable to the Pope in finality is another question.
Rome in Relation to Revelation 18
Rev 18:2-3 The nations have drunk of the wine of her fornication could refer to the Catholic Eucharist. The Kings of te Earth have committed fornication with her just doesn´t fit. Merchants of the earth rich via her delicacies. No convincing argument there either except for materials for church idols and worship.
Rev 18:7. The Roman Catholic Church has glorfied itself and the Pope is more a Celebrity figure than other Church leaders.
Rev 18:8-11 No reference
Rev 18:12-13 Some of the merchandise listed does appear at the Vatican and in Catholic Churches around the globe but beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots. Slaves historically but not in these modern times. Souls of men you could argue is very relevant but not exactly a precise fit overall.
Rev 18:17. Rome and the Vatican has nothing to do with shipmasters, and ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea.
Rev 18:18 Why would the Vatican be burned to the ground?
Rev 18:19 "And they cast dust on their heads". This is not an Italian or even Vatican or Roman Catholic Custom
Rev 18:23 Catholicism is renowned for burning of candles in it´s Churches and weddings take place in Catholic churches with a bridegroom and a bride. The pieces do fit here.
Rev 18:24 Mention again of the Blood of Saints and Prophets which the Roman Catholic Church is guilty of in it´s past
The Rome Video
The America Argument
New York and America in Relation to Revelation 17
Rev 17:1 America sits on many waters, The Great Lakes, The Atlantic Ocean, The Pacific Ocean and The Gulf of Mexico. The Great Whore could be in reference to the Statue of Liberty which is based on the Goddess of Ishtar which is the goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex.
Rev 17:3 America has Desert but it is to the West. New York has no wilderness or desert where the Statue of Liberty is based.
Rev 17:4 The Statue of Liberty is Jade Green and is not dressed in Purple and Scarlet, she has something in her hand but it is not a Golden Cup but a Flaming Torch or representation off it.
Rev 17:5 The Statue of Liberty has no writing on her forehead
Rev 17:6 America is a predominantly Christian Nation and has not been responsible for the death of Christian Prophets, Martyrs and Saints.That´s unless it is the Secret sponsor of ISIS?
Rev 17:9 The woman sitteth on Seven Mountains. New York does not sit on Seven Mountains, America does not sit on Seven Mountains it sits on hundreds of mountains. The video following this states the Seven Mountains are Seven Continents which the US has control over. Form your own opinion.
Rev 17:10 Some say the Seven Kings are the Seven Presidents of the United States,the last being the present President in Office. Form your own opinion.
Rev 17:12 No reference
Rev 17:15 The waters are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Yes America and New York in particular is a nation/city of peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues as in multicultural.
Rev 17:18 The woman as in the Statue of Liberty the first thing you see when entering the US from the East and representation of that Nation is the current World No1 and Superpower and in effect rules over the other Kings (Presidents) via the US Dollar and superior military firepower and technology.
New York and America in Relation to Revelation 18
Rev 18:2-3 All the nations have drunk of the wine of her fornication. This could be applied o the US with it´s liberal views and Westernised society that has spread throughout the world, with Hollywood Films and Pornography dominating their respective markets along with Technology.
Rev 18:7 America has cartainly glorified itself and been proud in it´s history which is lately turning to arrogrance in it´s latter days.
Rev 18:8-11 No reference but if the US were to collapse it would cause major disruption to trade around the globe.
Rev 18:12-13 Some of the items in this merchandise list may be applicable to America but importation of food as suggested by this Bible verse just doesn´t fit whatsoever. The argument that the prophecy is an old one and these are the goods that they had in those times does not hold either. Spices could be equated to drugs but if the Bible mentions Spices....then it is Spices.
Rev 18:17 And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. This isvery relevant to America with it´s many seaports and New York in particular is a busy Seaport.
Rev 18:18 The destruction mentioned here and mention of a Great City again ties in with New York but loosely.
Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads. This is a very small detail but a major one in the Revelation prophecy. In the US (as far as I´m aware) it is not a national custom to "cast dust on their heads" in anguish. A small point but a major one and another jigsaw puzzle piece that doesn´t fit.
The America Video
The Saudi Arabia - Mecca Argument
Mecca and Islam in Relation to Revelation 17
Rev 17:1 Mecca, Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsular sits on many waters including the Persian Gulf on the northeast, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman on the east, the Arabian Sea on the southeast and south, the Gulf of Aden on the south and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
Rev 17:3 Mecca and Saudi Arabia are predominantly wilderness or desert and dust.
Rev 17:4 The woman decked in scarlet and purple and decked with precious stones could represent the wealth of Saudi Arabia.
Rev 17:5 No reference
Rev 17:6 Blood of Saints and Martyrs. Recent news headlines confirm that many Christians are being killed or beheaded or persecuted by extreme and radical Islam such as ISIS
Rev 17:9 Mecca the capital of Saudi Arabia sits on seven hills
Rev 17:10 No real reference but the country of Saudi Arabia is not run by a President but by Royalty and a King
Rev 17:12 No reference
Rev 17:15 The waters are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Saudia Arabia is 90% Arabic and 10% Afro/Asian. It is not a multicultural country. It does serve multitudes of nations, tongues and peoples via it´s world leading oil production.
Rev 17:18 "Is that great city that reigneth over the Kings of the Earth" Saudi Arabia is the 2nd largest oil producer in the world with the US only recently claiming the No1 spot due to it´s newly found shale oil and gas exploration. Islam isthe worldssecond religion and rising fast only Christianity is bigger. The Islam religion and capital of the Islamic faith is Mecca
The Saudi Arabia Video 1
Mecca and Islam in Relation to Revelation 18
Rev 18:2-3 For all nations have drunk of her wine: The wine of Saudi Arabia has just got be OIL. Kings of the Earth have committed fornication: Prominent World leaders have ensured Saudi Arabia is protected because of the resources she has. The merchants of theearth are waxed rich: Saudi Arabia is a net importer of food, goods, spices, vehicles, gold etc.
Rev 18:7 Saudi Arabia has certainly glorified itself amongst the nations especially amongst it´s other Middle Eastern counterparts and proud of it´s powerful relations with the West.
Rev 18:9 "when they shall see the smoke of her burning". If Arabia was to experience agreat fire as mentioned in Revelation then there would be much burning and vast amounts of smoke due to the oil reserves that she has and the oil dependent West would sorely miss those supplies.
Rev 18:11 "And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more". Saudi Arabia is a net importer of Food and Goods as it has limited means of production. It imports around 80% and produces 20% locally.
Rev 18:12-13 All the merchandise mentioned in these two verses are very relevant to Saudi Arabia. Replace Chariots with cars and slaves with cheap imported labour from Africa and Asia working in horrific conditions on building sites and other jobs that Saudi´s do not want to do and this is a best fit of the three
Rev 18:17 "And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off" Most of the trade for Saudi arabia arrives viaseaports such as Jeddah which serves Mecca.
Rev 18:18 If Saudi Arabia was to burn, it would burn for some time with much smoke due to it´s extensive oil reseves.
Rev 18:19 "And they cast dust on their heads". This custom does not fit the New York US argument or even the Rome argument. What society casts dust on their heads and what country has plenty of dust? The Middle East. It´s an old Judaism custom and a symbol of mourning and is still practiced today by Islam although not as much as in the days of old.
Rev 18:23 Can´t see any fit in relation to Mecca or Saudi Arabia. Possibly Islam with the Sorcery as Islam is a Baal Worship based religion.
Rev 18:24 See Rev 17:6. Same reasons
Extra Cross References:
In my KJV Bible there is a reference to Isaiah 34.10 and the verse before it as in 34:9 explains it further and gives in my opinion further confirmation.
9. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
10. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
Pitch produced from plants is also known as resin. Pitch in it´s other various forms may also be called tar, bitumen or asphalt. These are derivatives made from OIL
Saudi Arabia and Mecca Video 2
This is an extremely quick skim on how I look at the Prophecy in relation and how it fits in with our modern times. Mystery Babylon is a reference to a New Babylon that has yet to come (based at the time of the prophecy writings). Rome was around in Biblical Times but New York and America were not and the Religion Islam came after Christianity (about 600 years) which would also earn it a Mystery tag.
Each one of the four videos gives a convincing argument that makes you believe that particular theory is the best fit when viewed in isolation, but when viewed one after the other, the theories do not seem so clear cut. For me personally Mecca, Islam and Saudi Arabia tops the list, the pieces just seem to fit. New York and America a close second and Rome and The Vatican and the Catholic Church a close third. All 3 are inter connected in some way and in reality the best option is to watch all 3 closely for developments. For example the Pope visited the US for the first time on 23 September 2015 which gives strength to the Rome and US argument, but again always follow the scripture.
Finally what ultimately swayed my decision is to always remember, keep your eyes on the following areas in this order Jerusalem, Israel, and the Middle East. Most of Revelations is centred around those areas and Yes America, Russia and China are powerful but they are I think 3 of the Ten kings mentioned in Rev 17:12. The world could be divided into 10 kingdoms prior to the establishment of the New World Order One World Government.
Still not convinced Saudi Arabia is the Mystery Babylon. Watch this last video
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