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NASB | Revelation 17:5 and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 17:5 And on her forehead a name was written, a mystery: "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES (false religions, heresies) AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." |
Subject: BABYLON THE GREAT, (book excerpt) |
Bible Note: BABYLON THE GREAT This is an excerpt from the book "Exploding the Israel Deception" Please read it, and let me know what you think of it's message. Modern interpreters usually apply the words "Babylon," "Euphrates," and "kings of the east" to a literal city, a literal river, and literal armies in the Middle East. Yet Revelation speaks of the "which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt," about a "Mystery, Babylon," and about "waters" that represent "peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues." Revelation 11:8; 17:1, 5, 15. This issue can be compared to the wearing of two different pairs of glasses. If we put on the "literal Middle East glasses" and then read Revelation, we will "see" these prophecies as applying to the Israel in the flesh. But if we put on the "Middle East symbolism glasses" and then read Revelation, we will "see" these prophecies as applying to the Israel in the Spirit. Paul wrote to Christians, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit." Romans 8:9. If we put on the wrong glasses and interpret prophecy according to the flesh, we will end up more blind than a bat. But if we put on the right glasses and interpret prophecy according to the Spirit, then we will say, "I was blind, now I see." John 9:25. A woman in prophecy represents a church. The Church of Jesus Christ is called "his wife" who makes "herself ready" for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7, 8). That woman called "MYSTERY, BABYLON" represents a false form of Christianity which has fallen away from God and is now leading "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" away from the truth of Jesus Christ! Just like ancient Israel during her darkest days, this modern Babylon is now "playing the harlot." Ezekiel 16:1, 2, 15, 35. She is even now making "all nations" drunk with "her wine," which represents her false doctrines. She has rebuilt a wall between Jews and Gentiles—a wall that Jesus Christ abolished at the cross (Ephesians 2:14-17). In the Old Testament, when Cyrus dried up the literal river Euphrates, God told literal Jews to come out of literal Babylon. "My people," the Lord pleaded, "go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord." Jeremiah 51:45. This very same call is now being given in Revelation to those in the midst of spiritual Babylon. God says, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4. Inside spiritual Babylon today are large numbers of true Christians who are serving the Lord to the best of their ability. This applies to many who are even now teaching false prophecy. Yet God still calls them "my people." The Lord mercifully sees them as part of His spiritual Israel. But they are confused! The word "Babylon" means "confusion." Because of today’s global religions confusion, especially about Bible prophecy, millions of the Lord’s people now believe false theories about the end of time! Yet according to Revelation 18:4, Jesus Christ is now calling us all to "come out" of spiritual confusion and into the truth of His Word. We must all leave Babylon before it is too late! Soon the river will run dry When the "peoples, and multitudes, and nations" that have supported modern Babylon up to the end finally experience God’s wrath, then they will realize that they have been deceived. Then they will "hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Revelation 17:16. Their support for Babylon will vanish. This is how Babylon’s water will dry up, preparing the way for the "kings’ of the east." Revelation 16:12. Cyrus came from "the east" to conquer ancient Babylon (Isaiah 44:26-28; 46:11). The word "east" means "sun rising." The name "Cyrus" means "sun." Cyrus was a type of Jesus Christ, the "Sun of righteousness." Malachi 4:2. In Revelation, God’s angels come from the east (Revelation 7:2). Jesus said, "As the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:27, emphasis added. Jesus is coming from the east with the armies of heaven as "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:14, 16. Thus, the "kings of the east" are not the Chinese, but King Jesus and His armies, which will soon descend from the eastern skies to conquer modern Babylon and to deliver Israel at Armageddon! Which Israel will Jesus deliver? It will surely be an Israel in the Spirit, which, having chosen to walk in the Spirit and to interpret prophecy according to the Spirit, has also chosen to "come out" of Mystery Babylon and to forsake its fleshy ideas (Galatians 5:16, 25; Revelation 18:4). Let’s be part of that Israel! |
Down View Branch | ID# 45785 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Rev 17:5 | Author | ||
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JohnK | ||
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JohnK | ||
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Pastor Glenn | ||
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isis8282 | ||
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wps | ||
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enochkung | ||
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gdh1127 |