Babylon and the Beast

Following the seven trumpets are the seven bowls, which will bring about the end of the Tribulation period. The bowls are reminiscent of the plagues of Egypt, both in content and purpose. The plagues were meant to bring people to repentance and to punish the wicked. The bowls include turning the salt and fresh water sources to blood, painful sores, darkness, and intense heat. The sixth bowl dries up the "great river", always known as the Euphrates, so that the kings of the East can move in for the final battle at Armageddon. The word Armageddon is literally translated Mount of Megeddon and refers to a plain in the center of Palestine between two mountains, Mt. Tabor and Mt. Gilboa. This region is currently known as Megiddo. The seventh bowl will be a great earthquake that will wipe off the islands and mountains from the face of the earth.

John was shown the "punishment of the great prostitute", but does not name her. The prostitute is clearly not a literal woman. It has been suggested that she is a city that functions as the headquarters of the Antichrist. There is some debate over what city this is, with the three options being Rome, Jerusalem, and ancient Babylon. The name Babylon is used many times in reference to the prostitute, but it could be a code name meant to symbolize the pagan rebellion against God that existed during the time of Nebuchudnezzar and the Jewish captivity. Remember too, that Babylon has it's roots in Babel, the site where mankind decided to elevate himself to God by constructing a massive tower. So, Babylon could be symbolic of idolatry and rebellion against God, specifically a false religion.

The "beast" on which the woman sits is described as having seven heads and seven hills, which seems to represent seven kings, five of whom are gone, one of whom is currently alive, and one of whom is yet to come. The one yet to come is the Antichrist. The beast will have a confederate of 10 nations, pictured as the 10 horns. These are kings without kingdoms, I.e. people of high importance who do not have official titles. Though the beast and prostitute will initially have a symbiotic relationship, eventually the kings will hate the prostitute and throw off her yoke. For the first half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will use the prostitute to gain power and favor, but once his position is secure, he will cast the her aside.

Chapter 18 discusses the fall of Babylon. Again, this could be symbolic, but it could also mean that the literal city of Babylon will be rebuilt and then destroyed. It's location is in Iraq, and interestingly, Saddam Hussein began the process of rebuilding the city during his dictatorship. Babylon will be the commercial center of the world and the seat of Satan.

Tomorrow's reading: finish the Bible!!!