🕯️ Traditions What Is Babylon the Great?

[Gentleman007]

The Bible’s answer​

The book of Revelation describes “a woman” who is a “great prostitute” and has a name that is “a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great.’” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) This woman represents the world’s collective body of false religions, those which have “exchanged the truth of God for the lie.” You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Although those religions differ in many respects, in one way or another they all lead people away from the worship of the true God, Jehovah.—You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..

Keys to identifying Babylon the Great​

1. Babylon the Great is a symbol. The book of Revelation is presented “in signs,” so it is reasonable to conclude that Babylon the Great is a symbol, not a literal woman. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) In addition, she “sits on many waters,” which represent “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) A literal woman could not do that.
2. Babylon the Great represents an international entity. She is called “the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Thus, she has international scope and influence.
3. Babylon the Great is a religious entity, not a political or commercial one. Ancient Babylon was a profoundly religious city, known for its use of spiritistic “spells” and “sorceries.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) In fact, the residents of the city practiced false religion in opposition to the true God, Jehovah. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) The rulers of Babylon arrogantly exalted themselves above Jehovah and his worship. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Likewise, Babylon the Great is known for her “spiritistic practices.” That shows her to be a religious organization.—You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
   
   Babylon the Great cannot be a political entity, because “the kings of the earth” mourn her destruction. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Neither is she a commercial power, because the Bible distinguishes her from “the merchants of the earth.”—You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
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   Photograph taken by courtesy of the British Museum
   
   Stela of Babylonian King Nabonidus with symbols of the triad of gods Sin, Ishtar, and Shamash
   Babylon the Great is a fitting symbol of false religion. Rather than teaching people how to draw closer to the true God, Jehovah, false religion actually leads them to worship other gods. The Bible calls this “spiritual prostitution.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Many false religions continue to teach beliefs that date back to ancient Babylon, including a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., the You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., and the use of You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. in worship. These religions also blend their worship with love for the world. The Bible refers to this form of unfaithfulness as spiritual adultery.—You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
   
   False religion’s wealth and showy display of it match the picture that the Bible paints of Babylon the Great, who is “clothed in purple and scarlet” and “adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Babylon the Great is the source of “the disgusting things of the earth,” or the teachings and actions that actually dishonor God. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) The members of false religion are the “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues” who support Babylon the Great.—You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..

Babylon the Great is responsible for the deaths “of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) Throughout history, false religion has not only fomented wars and fueled acts of terrorism but has also failed to teach people the truth about Jehovah, the God of love. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) This failure has contributed to much bloodshed.

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How does God view Babylon the Great?​

In God’s eyes, Babylon the Great’s “sins have massed together clear up to heaven.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) God is angry with false religion for misrepresenting him and for mistreating its followers.

What will happen to Babylon the Great?​

The Bible says that “God has pronounced his judgment” on Babylon the Great. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) With symbolic language, the Bible foretells that God will put an end to all false religion. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) He will motivate a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.—representing a powerful political entity—to turn on false religion and completely destroy it. (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) “Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again.” (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) For good reason, those who want to please God must “get out from among them,” separating themselves from false religion.—You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..