What does Babylon represent in the book of Revelation 17-18?
402265
the great apostate, ecumenical religion, anything that excludes Christ and His one truth. many roads to destruction.  one that leads to eternal life. do the sums.
294280
Babylon is the Greek variant of Akkadian Babilu, an ancient city in Mesopotamia (Location: 32°32′11″N, 44°25′15″E, modern Al Hillah, Iraq). It was the "holy city" of Babylonia from around 2300 BC, and the seat of the Neo-Babylonian empire from 612 BC. In the Hebrew Bible, the name appears as בבל (Babel), interpreted by Genesis 11:9 to mean "confusion", from the verb balal, "to confuse". In Akkadian, bāb-ilû means "Gateway of the god", translating Sumerian ka.dingir.ra. However this is thought to be a false etymology created by Babylonian scribes, as there is a place name "babil" that exists before the rise to ‭prominence of any Babylonian dynasties.\n\n\nMore information in the link below.
36783
But how about Islamic state, the abassade age for about 500 years, they ruled large state from Baghdad which is very close to babylon and they were anti-christ definitely, do you think? I m still studying bible, so I don't know the whole story. mavbe I'm wrong.   in shiite beliefs, my former beliefs, they expect a man to come and rule the world from Iraq, it seems this taken from bible, but Muslism think that the one who will rule from Babylon is the good one ):
239783
I once heard a biblical scholar interpret this dream prophetically as illustrating the primary world powers from Nebuchadnezzar in this way:\n\nHead of Gold: Neb's current Babylonian empire\n\nBreast and arms silver: Represented the Persian empire, which conquered Babylon and took it's land.\n\nBrass belly and thigh: Represents the Roman Empire, which later conquered Persia.\n\nLegs of iron: Two legs for two empires; Rome was divided into two empires: Rome and Constantinople (?)\n\nFeet of clay and iron: He said this represented modern day; and either represented one of two powerful structures: religion or government.\n\n1. Government: Communism and Democracy. Communism was once known as the "Iron Curtain", and supporters of communism see democracy as being a weak form of government - representative of clay, which is soft.\n\n2. Religion: Islam and Christianity. Islam, with its ferocity is representative of iron. Christianity, with its "love thy neighbor" and "turn the other cheek" m4entality, is viewed as weak - therefor clay.\n\nI thought this interpretation was very interesting.
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11Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. \n 18This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.  -Revelation 13:11-18
766450
In the OT, Zion refers to Israel, and Babylon refers to Iraq.
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HAD EXCELLENT STUDY TODAY ABOUT THIS, IT SAID TO GET OUT OF HER, UNLESS YOU WISH TO END UP THE WAY FALSE RELIGION WILL END UP.  ALSO I AM NOT INVOLVED IN BABYLON THE GREAT, EXCEPT TO TELL OTHERS THAT IT IS GOING TO BE DESTROYED.\n\nThis harlot takes her name from ancient Babylon, the proud city established in Mesopotamia more than 4,000 years ago by Nimrod, the “mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah.” When the Babylonians started to build a pagan religious tower, Jehovah confused their language and scattered them to the ends of the earth. They took their religion with them, and that is how a world empire of Babylonish religion got started. Truly, it is Babylon THE GREAT. (Genesis 10:8-10; 11:1-9) Down to our time, the mysteries of ancient Babylon are reflected in the beliefs and practices of the world’s religions. (Revelation 17:7) The Hebrew name for the city, Babel, means “Confusion,” a fitting label for today’s hodgepodge of false religion!\n\nAncient Babylon became a pile of rubble—uninhabited except for reptiles and wild beasts—exactly as foretold!  \nHowever, that other Babylon, modern-day Babylon the Great, lives on. As the world empire of false religion, she perpetuates the original Babylon’s teachings and haughty spirit. She is Satan’s chief instrument for blinding the people to God's  Kingdom purposes
448154
the numbers relate to three biblical events set to take place. the opening of the sixth seal, the sounding of the sixth trump, the pouring out of the sixth vial will all signal the coming of the antichrist which is satan the devil.
91127
I believe it is where the ancient city of Babylon was located, present day Bhagdad, Iraq.  Even though the river there does not presently branch out into four rivers, it is possible that over time they melded into one.  Some speculaiton is that it is where the Tigris and Euphrates empty into the Gulf in modern day Kuwait.
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Babylon the Great is the world empire of false religion, embracing all religions whose teachings and practices do not conform to the true worship of Jehovah, the only true God. Following the Flood of Noah’s day, false religion had its beginning at Babel (later known as Babylon).  (Gen. 10:8-10; 11:4-9) In time, Babylonish religious beliefs and practices spread to many lands.  So Babylon the Great became a fitting name for false religion as a whole.\nWhat evidence points to the identity of Babylon the Great, referred to in Revelation?\n\nIt could not be the ancient city of Babylon.  Revelation was written at the end of the first century C.E. and describes events that would reach down to our day.  The Encyclopedia Americana says:  “The city Babylon was taken by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. Later Alexander the Great planned to make Babylon the capital of his eastern empire, but after his death Babylon gradually lost importance.”  (1956, Vol. III, p. 7)  Today the city is an uninhabited ruin.\n\nIn the symbolism of Revelation, Babylon the Great is referred to as a “great city,” a “kingdom” that rules other kings.  (Revelation 17:18.)  Like a city, it would have many organizations within it; and like a kingdom that includes other kings in its domain, it would be international in scope.  It is described as having relations with political rulers and contributing much to the wealth of men in commerce, while itself being a third element that “has become a dwelling place of demons” and a persecutor of “prophets and of holy ones.”—Revelation 18:2, 9-17, 24.  \n\nAn empire can be political, commercial, or religious.  The woman named Babylon the Great is not a political empire because God’s Word states that “the kings of the earth,” or the political elements of this world, “committed fornication” with her.  Her fornication refers to the alliances she has made with the rulers of this earth and explains why she is called “the great harlot.”—Revelation 17:1, 2; James 4:4.\n\nBabylon the Great cannot be a commercial empire because the “merchants of the earth,” representing the commercial elements, will be mourning her at the time of her destruction. In fact, both kings and merchants are described as looking at Babylon the Great from “a distance.”  (Revelation 18:3, 9, 10, 15-17)  Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Babylon the Great is, not a political or a commercial empire, but a religious one.\n\nThe religious identity of Babylon the Great is further confirmed by the statement that she misleads all the nations by means of her “spiritistic practice.”  (Revelation 18:23.)  Since all forms of spiritism are demon-inspired, it is not surprising that the Bible calls Babylon the Great “a dwelling place of demons.” (Revelation 18:2; Deuteronomy 18:10-12)  This empire is also described as being actively opposed to true religion, persecuting “prophets” and “holy ones.”  (Revelation 18:24) In fact, Babylon the Great has such deep hatred for true religion that she violently persecutes and even murders “the witnesses of Jesus.” (Revelation 17:6.) Hence, this woman named Babylon the Great clearly represents the world empire of false religion, which includes all religions that stand in opposition to Jehovah God.\n\nIf you would like further information or a free home Bible study, please contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall.  Or visit http://www.watchtower.org
8411
Read the book of Revelations with a concordance. There's mentions of "the dragon of the East". And there's referrences of Assyrian armies attacking Israel. All in all, it's not a pretty picture for the future of our world.
201932
Many people don't actually take the time to personally study the book of Revelations. Four things have to be taken into consideration: the origin of the book, its production timeline, its symbolic representations, and its literal meaning. You can not read Revelation and then literally expect to see a horned beast rise from the ground. One must understand that the references made in Revelation were made prophetically and thus primarily have symbolic meanings. Also the timeline has important significance. John could only write the book using terms and references to which he and the people of his day could relate to. The book of Revelation can not be read alone. You must also read the other end-time prophecies in the bible (including those made by Jesus, Daniel, and other prophets) in order to further your understanding of this subject.
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Rev.13:18 "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."\nIt tells you exactly who the beast is: from the clues in the Bible.\n\n(REV.13:18) on the Pope's Crown (tiara) are these letters: VICARIUS FILII DEI; what do they signify? \nOUR SUNDAY VISITOR, (CATHOLIC WEEKLY) BUREAU OF INFORMATION," HUNTINGTON, IND., APRIL 18, 1915.\nROMAN NUMERALS FOR THESE LETTERS ARE: V=5; I=1; C=100; X=10; U=5; D=500; L=50 = THEY ADD UP TO 666.\n\n*Now we have alot of information about the beast; to start out with; we should find out (2THESS.2:4) "who claims to be God" and is "worshipped"? \nLet's see; this church (Rev.17:9)"sits on 7 hills" in Rome. \nIt wears (REV.17:4)"purple and scarlet". \nIt is a (REV.17:5)"mother church", so it has daughters or other churches following her. \nIt will think (DAN.7:25)"to change times and laws." GENERAL CATHOLIC CATECHISM\nIt even has casted "all the truth to the ground" = Dan.8:12\n"All the world has followed it" = Rev.13:12-15\n*It had a(REV.13:1-3)deadly wound that was healed.\nTHE CATHOLIC ADVOCATE (AUSTRALIA), APRIL 18,1929.\nFRONT PG. OF S.F. CHRONICLE WITH HEADLINE "HEAL WOUND OF MANY YEARS"; FEB.12,1929)\n\n*Daniel 2:32,38; 7:4; 3:1 "Head of Gold" = Lion = Babylon = King Nebuchadnezzar\n*Daniel 2:32: 7:5: 5:25-28; 6:28; 8:20 "Breast and Arms of Silver" = Bear = Medo-Persia = King Darius & Cyrus\n*Daniel 2:32; 7:6: 8:21 "Belly and thighs of brass" = Leopard = Greece = Alexander the Great\n*Daniel 2:33; 7:7,8,24,25: 8:9,12 "Legs of Iron" = Dreadful Beast = Rome\n*Daniel 2:33 "Feet part of iron and part of clay" = Divided Empire\n\n**Now the 10 horns represents kings or kingdoms and 1 comes up among the them and destroys (DANIEL 7:8,23,24)three. THE 10 HORNS ARE POLITICAL: ANGLO-SAXONS, FRANKS, ALAMMI, OSTROGOTHS, LOMBARD, SUEVI, BURGUNDIANS, VISIGOTHS, VANDALS, HERULI, AND THEN A LITTLE HORN COMES UPON THE SCENE THAT IS RELIGIOUS-POLITICAL THAT HAS DESTROYED THE HERULI, VANDALS AND OSTROGOTHS. NOW DETERMINING WHO THE HORN IS: A.C. FLICK, THE RISE OF THE MEDIAEVAL CHURCH. (PUTNAM'S 1909 ED.)PP.148-149.\n*FROM ALL THE CLUES; WE KNOW IT'S THE ROMAN EMPIRE (REV.17:4; COMPARE TO MATT.27:28 AND MARK 15:17 \n\nRev.17:9-10 "AND HERE IS THE MIND WHICH HAS WISDOM. THE SEVEN HEADS ARE SEVEN MOUNTAINS, ON WHICH THE WOMAN SITTETH.(Catholic Church sits on 7 hills in Rome)\nAND THERE ARE SEVEN KINGS: FIVE ARE FALLEN, AND ONE IS,(Italy and Germany ending in the Hitler-Mussolini Axis 1870-1945AD) AND THE OTHER IS NOT YET COME; AND WHEN HE COMETH, HE MUST CONTINUE A SHORT TIME."\n\nREV.17:10 was fulfilled on television when the Papacy said "that Benedict would be Pope for a short time."\n\nREALLY HIS IMAGE IS GOING TO COME ALIVE! WHEN HE PUTS CHURCH AND STATE TOGETHER. HERE'S JUST A PIECE OF IT IN--"POPE'S DREAM OF HEALING CHRISTIAN RIFT STILL A DISTANT GLIMMER" IN ENTERPRISE RECORD DATED: SUNDAY JUNE 12, 2005.\n\nThese 10 (Rev.17:12-13)rulers will be giving their support to a coming union of church and state in Europe, which will aspire to world dominance. After an interlude of apparent peace and prosperity, the system will plunge the whole world into a nightmare(World War 3). That's why Jesus has to come back; he has to save the world from total destruction. Matthew 24:21,22,29,30.\n\nTo understand the Mark of the beast--you have to read all these scriptures.\n\nFirst of all; we have to know the opposite of it.\nThe Seal of God is in the 4th Commandment in Exodus 20:8-11; references are John 4:22-24 and Rev.14:7. \nSabbath in Encyclopaedia Americana, Vol.24, pp.68-69.\nThe Sabbath Day is Saturday.\nLook it up in dictionaries, encyclopedias and etc.\n\nBut anyway a SEAL contains 3 things.\n1. HIS
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I haven't researched my own opinion so I'll keep it to myself but here are some scriptures to look at in your search.\n\nDeuteronomy 18:10-12\n2 Kings 21:6\nMicah 5:12\nIsaiah 47:12\nEzekiel 13:18 & 20\nActs 8:11-24\nLeviticus 20:27\nExodus 7:11\nRevelation 9:21 & 22:15\nGalations 5:20-21\n\nI think Revelation 21:8 seems pretty clear to me.
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Hi,\nThe four horsemen you read about in Revelation relate to the breaking of the seals by the Lamb.  The seals that are broken represent God's curses on the world.  The horses symbolize these curses.  There are four of them.  The general consensus is they are pale, black, red and white.  They represent death, famine, war and the antichrist.  Hope this helps.
435228
There is a lot of speculation about where the Garden of Eden was located. I've not drawn any conclusions yet as to the exact location, but it very well could have been in Mesopotamia.
263279
Babylon was an ancient city-state (a country the size and shape of a city) in modern-day Iraq, close to the Persian Gulf... :)