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Who is "Mystery Babylon"?
ROME IN BIBLE PROPHECY PT. 3
By John Aziza
Mystery Babylon is the name given to the harlot of Revelation 17-18. In these chapters of John's apocalypse, we find a significant prophecy depicting a harlot astride a "beast". Of course, we realize that both the harlot and the beast are merely symbolic. But who is this harlot and what does she represent?
While the New Testament identifies
the Church as the Bride of Christ, Mystery Babylon is identified as the apostate church and bride of antichrist. The harlot is symbolic for church and state combining to form the antichrist's political government and one-world religion (ecumenicism) of the last days. But as we shall soon discover, the harlot also represents a specific race of people, including their geography and political ideology. So I hope that the following ten points taken from Revelation 17-18 will help us better identify Mystery Babylon and everything she encompases:
POINT #1. A HARLOT IS SYMBOLIC FOR AN APOSTATE NATION OR PEOPLE
According to the Bible, a harlot is symbolic for a nation or people who were once devoted to God, but later forsook Him in exchange for idols and false gods. The best example of this is located in Isaiah 1:21, where speaking of Jerusalem, it reads:
"How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers..." (Is. 1:21).
Like ancient Israel, the early Church gradually departed from the original teachings of Christ and the apostles until it eventually morphed into the biggest religious and political institution in existence. Today, this mammoth institution is easily recognized as the Roman Catholic Church. So is it possible that the harlot of Revelation 17 and 18 is indeed the church at Rome? You will have to decide this for yourself as we continue to examine the remaining points.
POINT #2. THE HARLOT "SITS UPON MANY WATERS"
"I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters..." (Rev. 17:1).
Thankfully, there is no mystery about the meaning of this verse because the interpretation is given to us in verse 15 of the same chapter. Notice:
"And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15).
So according to the above passage, the “waters” occupied by the “whore” represent a multitude of different nations and people. This description is highly significant and demonstrates that the harlot has universal membership. Now consider the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has roughly 1.2 billion members world wide and is commonly known as the universal church. Indeed, the very word Catholic or Catholi is Latin for universal. So does the Roman Catholic Church fit the bill? Is she a UNIVERSAL church comprised of people from every nation in the world? Indeed she is.
POINT #3. THE WOMAN SITS UPON A BEAST WITH 7 HEADS AND 10 HORNS
"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. 17:3).
The beast upon which the harlot sits is clearly the fourth beast described in Daniel 7:7. Most scholars identify Daniel's fourth beast as Rome simply because it comes after the third beast, the Greek empire, located in the same chapter. They also recognize that the 10 horns symbolize the original 10 barbarian nations of ancient Europe. When imperial Rome broke apart it separated into 10 kingdoms ruled by the Visigoths (Spain), Anglo-Saxons (England), Franks (France), Alemani (Germany), Burgundians (Switzerland), Lombards (Italy), Suevi (Portugal), Heruli (now extinct), Ostrogoths (now extinct), Vandals (now extinct). These were the original barbarian nations that ruled ancient Rome and later Europe.
So the 7 headed and 10 horned beast of Revelation 17:3 is clearly Rome. But we have yet to demonstrate what the 7 heads represent. Thankfully, Revelation 17:9 offers us the meaning of the 7 heads of this beast. Notice:
"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth" (Rev. 17:9).
Did you catch that? The 7 heads are symbolic for the 7 mountains upon which the harlot "sits" (her location). This clue is extremely important because the only city in the world known as the city of 7 hills is Rome. In fact, to see this for yourself, simply type into Google the phrase “the city of seven hills” and the first result you'll pull up is Rome. So what does this mean? Remember, according to Scripture a harlot is symbolic for a people of God who were once faithful but fell into apostasy. Now we know of only one apostate church that has existed in Rome for nearly two millennia and that's the Roman Catholic Church. So could it be that Mystery Babylon is a symbolic depiction of the Roman Catholic Church? Many have come to conclude so, including myself.
POINT #4. THE HARLOT IS SITTING ASTRIDE A RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL BEAST "FULL OF NAMES OF BLASPHEMY" (REV. 17:3)
This point is yet another indication that the fourth beast in Daniel 7, Rome, is the same beast mentioned in Revelation 17. After all, Daniel 7:25 did predict that Rome's little horn power, the antichrist, would speak blasphemy against the Most High. So does the Roman Catholic Church qualify? Is she full of blaspheme? One must look no further than the popes of Rome to answer this question. The popes are commonly referred to as Holy Father, His Holiness, Vicarious Filli Dei (in place of the Son of God), Pontifex Maximus (the great high priest), Vicar of Christ, etc. In my opinion, there is hardly anything more blasphemous than the Roman Catholic office of pope.
POINT #5. THE HARLOT IS "ARRAYED IN PURPLE AND SCARLET COLOR, AND DECKED WITH GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES AND PEARLS" (REV. 17:4)
The two primary colors of the Roman Catholic Church are purple and scarlet red. Purple is worn by the bishops and scarlet by the cardinals. So far we have a match. But what about the gold, pearls, and precious stones? Can these also be identified with Rome? Actually, you don't have to tour the Vatican long before immediately noticing the vast amounts of gold and precious stones that adorn it's many ornate churches and shrines. So this also is a fitting description of the Roman Catholic Church.
Europa: The People of the Whore and their Enormous Wealth
Another feature of Revelation 17:4 that is often overlooked has to do with the harlot's specific people. For instance, the Catholic Church developed within Europe and out of the European race. After receiving political power from the Roman emperor Constantine, the Catholic popes ruled Europe for nearly two millennia. In this way, the European people who are the modern day descendants of the ancient Romans could be identified as Mystery Babylon. She is therefore a European harlot, which is why all of the popes have always been biologically European or white. So when we consider the fact that Europe and her colonies (i.e. America and Canada) dominate the world both politically and economically it corresponds perfectly to Bible prophecy. The Western world is comprised predominantly of European people. It is "Christian" by religion (the harlot component). And it remains in possession of most of the world's wealth, including a vast amount of gold and precious stones. So this may be exactly what Revelation 18:23 is referring to: "...for thy merchants were the great men of the earth".
But to further cement this relationship, let me point your attention to an interesting new development in the EU. It just so happens that the latest sculptures commissioned by the European Union to adorn their government headquarters contain an important clue. These sculptures, now featured throughout the EU, depict the female deity Europa, after which Europe was named, in a very interesting pose. She is riding a bull fully naked. According to Greek mythology, Europa was raped by Zeus (in the form of a bull) after he carried her away on his back (see here). Even the picture on the back of the Greek €2 coin is that of the goddess Europa sitting on a bull.
So is there a connection here? Is Europe beginning to acknowledge the fact that they are the people of the harlot? Are they subtly announcing to the world their relationship to Rome and her apostate church?
POINT #6. THE HARLOT "RULES OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH" (REV. 17:18)
It's important to realize that the harlot is riding a very powerful beast. While the harlot is symbolic for the apostate church of Rome (or the RCC), the beast is symbolic for Rome's political power. History confirms this point rather well. Consider the fact that papal Rome, which morphed out of imperial Rome, has been ruling Europe through the popes since the end of the caesars. Interestingly enough, the symbolism in Revelation 17:18 is not only historically accurate, but it's a perfect example of an unholy union between church and state players. Together, the harlot and beast represent a synchronistic relationship that merges the religious with the political to form a very powerful alliance. So this explains how the harlot continues to maintain her supreme rule over the "kings of the earth" even to this present day.
Now according to Daniel 7:23, the fourth beast, Rome, will grow increasingly more powerful until it eventually dominates the entire world through antichrist rule: "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces" (Dan. 7:23).
Only when Jesus returns will He finally end Rome's antichrist rule: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit...A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him...I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning fame" (Dan. 7:9-11).
Note: Unlike what modern historians believe, Rome never lost ALL of its political power and will continue to rule the world until Christ returns. But if that's true then how exactly does Rome rule the world today? It is my firm conviction that the Vatican uses America's military and economic power to forward Rome's agenda. F. Tupper Saucy sets out to prove exactly that in his book Rulers of Evil, which contains indisputable evidence that the most powerful government in the world, the United States, is fully controlled by Rome at its highest levels and has been since it's early founding. Like it or not, America is merely a puppet state of the “holy Roman empire”.
POINT #7. THE HARLOT IS "FULL OF ABOMINATIONS AND FILTHINESS OF FORNICATION" (REV. 17:4)
According to Revelation 17:4, Mystery Babylon is the source of all kinds of sexual perversions and immorality. This is true of both the religious institution of Europe (the RCC) and also the European countries and colonies responsible for producing a deluge of immorality via the Western entertainment industry and internet.
But as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, we know for sure that she's responsible for more pedophilia and child sex abuse than any other institution in the world (see here, here, and here). The RCC has been indicted repeatedly for possession and distribution of child pornography and has even been accused of organized child trafficking in various countries (see here and here). This apostate whore continues to fill up the daily news with scandalous cases of immoral crime, specifically of a homosexual nature (see here). And some credible sources have estimated that 80% percent of Catholic priests are closet homosexuals (see here). That’s roughly 40 times more the percentage of gay men than in the general population. Undoubtedly, the devil has used the Catholic doctrine of celibacy to perpetuate a tremendous amount of homosexuality and pedophilia. So we can be certain that the immoral influence of the Catholic church has been felt the world over.
Note: That Hollywood is a flowing cesspool of filth and immorality is no secret. But according to author Shaun Wilcok, the Roman Catholic Jesuits are responsible for Hollywood's entertainment industry and they fully control it. For further support of this claim, please check out the book Jesuit Hollywood by Shaun Wilcok (available here).
POINT #8. THE HARLOT IS DRUNK WITH THE BLOOD OF THE SAINTS (REV. 18:24)
"And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth" (Rev. 18:24).
The following quotes will help us appreciate the magnitude of Rome's enormous slaughter of true believers:
"From the birth of Popery in 606 to the present time, it is estimated by careful and credible historians, that more than fifty millions of the human family, have been slaughtered for the crime of heresy by popish persecutors, an average of more than forty thousand religious murders for every year of the existence of popery." —History of Romanism By John Dowling pp. 541, 542. New York: 1871
"That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history . . . It is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no powers of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings." —W. E. H. Lecky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, vol. 2, p. 32, 1910 edition
It's abundantly clear that Rome has persecuted Christians at the start of the Church age, throughout the middle ages, and she will do so again at the end of time, if we truly believe Bible prophecy.
POINT #9. THE "MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (REV. 17:5)
In 251 AD, Cyprian of Carthage wrote: “He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the church for his mother.”
Since the days of Cyprian, the Roman Catholic Church has been officially known as the “Mother Church”. Within this Mother Church, Mary has been elevated to a higher status than Jesus Christ. But does the Catholic Church truly venerate Mary or someone made to resemble her? Unbeknownst to many Catholics, the actual object of their worship is Isis (the theotokos of ancient Egypt), not Mary. This is true simply because the “Mary” of Roman Catholicism is officially known as the "queen of heaven". But long before Mary, Isis was the queen of heaven to the Egyptians. Perhaps that's why in Revelation 18:7, Babylon says of herself, “I sit as a queen”.
Mariology or Mary worship, is simply a repackaged form of Isis worship.
POINT #10. "THE KINGS AND MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH ARE WAXED RICH WITH HER" (REV. 18:3)
"...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. 18:3).
According to this verse, the world's businessmen have waxed wealthy from working with the Roman Catholic Church and her European/Anglo-American daughters. In other words, they are directly benefiting from the agenda of the Vatican. But in case you doubt this, the following excerpt [taken from a recent article] will expose the fact that many of the richest and most powerful men in the world are currently collaborating with pope Francis to help him forward his agenda for world domination. And they have much to gain from it in terms of financial wealth. Notice:
“Pope Francis to Address Gathering of World’s Wealthiest and Most Famous” (Fortune + Time Global Forum—Working Group Solutions, ROME, Italy, September 7, 2016).
The following letter from the editors of Fortune and Time was delivered to Pope Francis on December 3, 2016:
“Your Holiness, On behalf of Fortune and Time and the distinguished delegates participating in our Global Forum, we are pleased to present to you the enclosed report. The report presented here is a result of the work of some of the world’s most prominent business and thought leaders, who have gathered for this meeting. Our goal is not only to talk about these problems but also to take specific actions to address them. The chief executive officers who have gathered with us come from companies that collectively employ more than 4.7 million people. Their supply chains—the companies they work with to produce and deliver their products and services— employ millions more. These companies operate in every country on earth with networks that range from the inner cities to the smallest villages. And so, at this Forum, top executives from some of the world’s largest companies, as well as prominent non-governmental, labor and civic leaders, have sought to answer the Holy Father’s call to action, forging a new social compact for the 21st century. Companies will support initiatives to produce digital identities for the one-fifth of global citizens who lack one, and therefore are shut out of financial systems. Digital financial technology (“fintech”) and the spread of mobile phones have been transformative in expanding financial access to hard-to-reach populations. Still, there remain obstacles to achieving the World Bank’s goal of Universal Financial Access (UFA) by 2020.”
So there you have it. The world's top political leaders and businessmen stand to benefit immensely as they begin to implement the Vatican's global agenda of Universal Financial Access by 2020. These companies will be responsible for setting up the mark of the beast financial system (fintech) wherein, according to Revelation 13, no man may buy or sell without the “mark” (see here).
In spite of this, many remain ignorant of the fact that the Vatican controls the global economy and the buying and selling of all things (see here and here). And they are also ignorant of just how closely the United States and Rome collaborate on global policy. But those who have studied the well documented evidence have good reason to believe that Rome uses the military might and economic power of the United States to accomplish their objectives (see here and here). Therefore we must expect the US to play a major role in the completion of this global agenda in the coming days.
POINT #11. MYSTERY BABYLON DECEIVES THE NATIONS THROUGH SORCERY (REV. 18:23b)
It's interesting that the word "sorcery" is used in Revelation 18:23 to describe how the harlot deceives the nations of the earth. But notice the fact that our English word for pharmacy comes from the Greek word pharmakeia, which literally means drug sorcery (see here). So is it a coincidence that European and American pharmaceutical companies are leading the charge in vaccinating the world against COVID? There are many ways in which these vaccines can change our thinking in order to create mass deception, including through the use of special drugs (see here, here, and here). After all, psychotropic drugs that directly impact the mind have been around for many decades and can be easily injected into humans through a vaccine of some kind. What we know for sure is that pharmaceutical companies have a long history of corruption and scandals (see here and here). They are motivated by profit and personal agendas that do not involve the betterment of the human race and therefore they cannot be trusted (see here and here). So it's easy to see how the harlot, engaged as she is in religious deception, may also attempt to deceive the nations through "science based" drug sorcery.
POINT #12. "BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN... FOR IN ONE HOUR IS THY JUDGEMENT COME" (REV. 18:2,10)
The entire chapter of Revelation 18 is focused on describing the harlot's judgement. For instance, verse 2 announces the fall of Babylon and how she becomes a desolation and the "habitation of devils". Verse 8 informs us that her plagues will include death, mourning, and famine, and that she will be utterly consumed by fire. The rest of the chapter describes her complete and total economic ruin to the point that in verse 23, we are told, "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". Obviously, this judgement is so devastating that it's almost unfathomable.
But the question to ask here is whether or not the destruction of Babylon is limited to the city of Rome only (the Vatican's headquarters), or is it also describing the ruin of the wealthy and superfluous Western world to whom the whore belongs (i.e. Europe, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc)? This question is an important one to consider. Because clearly, if it's the Western European world that will be destroyed so comprehensively, then verse 4 is a stark warning to God's people: "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" (Rev. 18:4).
Therefore it is possible that Christians might be required to leave the judgement zone, just as Lot was required to escape the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah.
CONCLUSION
Now finally, there is good news. Based on the prophetic promise in Revelation 18, God's people will soon be vindicated when His wrath is poured out unmixed upon Mystery Babylon and all of her allies. The popish system of false religion enshrined in the Roman Catholic Church and her incessant persecution of true Believers will be no more. The harlot will be destroyed by fire just before Jesus Christ returns and the Saints of God with Him, and that time is approaching very quickly:
"For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fll to her double. 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. 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. 18:4-8).
