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Author	: Bill Kochman
Publish	: Feb. 28, 1998
Update	: May 28, 2025
Parts	: 12

Synopsis:



For literally centuries, Bible scholars and Christian laymen alike have been contemplating about and debating over certain verses which are found in the Apocalypse. That is to say, in the Book of Revelation. Upon examining this intriguing Book, we find that in a variety of verses which are found in six different chapters, the Angelic Messenger who is accompanying John the Beloved -- or John the Revelator, if you prefer -- describes a great city which reigns over the Earth. In fact, in the seventeenth chapter of the Book, we are specifically informed that the symbolic name which has been ascribed to this great city is "Babylon the Great", as we can see by the following verse:

"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."


So who is this mysterious woman, and to what specific city does the Book of Revelation refer? As I explain in the series entitled "Jesus Christ's Return: Have We Been Deceived?", as well as in a number of other prophecy-related articles, when I first wrote this series back in 1998, I was of a different mindset -- theologically speaking -- than I am today. Similar to many of my contemporaries, I embraced what is commonly referred to as the "Futurist" point of view, insofar as the interpretation of Bible prophecy is concerned. As a result, for some forty years of my life, my understanding of Bible prophecy was in large part filtered through a Futurist lens. In other words, like so many Christians continue to do to this day, I pushed a number of important Bible prophecies into the future -- that is to say, to our current day or beyond -- as if they had not yet been fulfilled.

Let me give you two simple examples. While I never embraced these positions myself, there are some Christians today who are firmly convinced that Psalm 83 is a prophetic Psalm which describes a great war that will occur in the Middle East at some point in the not-too-distant future. In similar fashion, there are likewise Christians today who are convinced that Isaiah 17 also describes the utter destruction of Damascus, Syria at some point in the future. But are these truly future events as these folks believe, or are they misinterpretations of Bible prophecy, due to certain political leanings which some people have? For those of you who may be interested, I discuss my own understanding regarding this subject in the series entitled "The Psalm 83 War False Doctrine Exposed!".

So as I said, like many of my fellow Believers in Christ, my understanding concerning the identity of Babylon the Great was also skewed for quite a few years. Take, for example, the Seventh Day Adventist church. If you ask one of their members who Babylon the Great is, they will immediately respond that it is undoubtedly Rome. Likewise, many other Christians will also respond without hesitation that Babylon most assuredly represents the modern city of Rome, Italy. "Who else could it possibly be?" they may ask. Such people may even point to a Bible verse or two which -- on the surface, at least -- seem to support their conclusion.

However, it is my hope that by the end of this series, you will come to see that their conclusions are based on a flawed understanding of the Holy Scriptures. This misunderstanding is based in large part on the fact that they fail to grasp the historical context in which certain verses were written. In other words, they don't stop to consider the situation of the world during the time that the Apostle John received his revelations from the Angelic Messenger. They don't take into consideration the historical, political, religious or social conditions of the First Century, and how they directly relate to the prophecies which were given to John.

Now regarding the seismic shift in my own personal beliefs, as I amply explain in the aforementioned series, back around 2011-2012, due to a number of Bible verses which I was unable to satisfactorily explain, I began to seriously question what I had long assumed to be an accurate understanding concerning some of the ancient prophecies regarding Christ's Return, and a number of related issues. Eventually, this renewed study of God's Word led to my acquiring a new understanding regarding what I now believe is the true identity of the mysterious city, Babylon the Great.

Thus it was that in 2012, I updated this series for the first time so that it reflects my new understanding. Then, in 2019, I tightened up this series even further with a second update, adding additional Scriptural support to it, and renaming it from "Revelation's Babylon the Great" to "Who is Babylon the Great?". Then again, as I acquired even more information to support my new understanding, I began updating this series a third time in February of 2023. However, due to other facets of the BBB Bible ministry which have consumed my time and attention, I never finished the 2023 update. Thus, here I am again, in May of 2025, performing another update to the series.

But let me tell you, my friends, this series is similar to a good wine. As it ages, and as I add new information to it, it just gets better and better, and stronger and stronger. Its Scriptural basis becomes more powerful, which in turn serves to convince me even more that I am on the right track. Now the reason for this 2025 update is the fact that aside from having additional new information to add to it, it seems that despite twenty-seven years having now passed since I authored the original version of this series, there are still a lot of Christians today who remain convinced -- and who continuously promote the belief -- that the city of Rome is the symbolic Babylon the Great. There are other Christians who insist the mysterious city represents America herself. I disagree with both of these points of view. You will learn why that is as we delve deeper into this series.

When I first wrote this series over two decades ago, I chose to include about half a dozen different popular theories and interpretations regarding the possible identity of Babylon the Great. However, with this current update to this series, I am taking a different approach. Rather than confuse you with all of the different ideas which are currently espoused by Christians of different doctrinal persuasions -- which you can easily discover on the Internet anyway -- I decided that the best course of action is to take you straight to the Scriptures, and to avoid all of that confusing Internet noise. I must admit that I find it rather ironic that the name Babylon means "confusion", and that is precisely what a lot of the Internet theories and speculations will do to you. They will in fact leave a person utterly confused.

Now, before we get into actually discussing specific verses which reveal the identity of Babylon the Great, I feel that it would be helpful for us to take a few minutes to address the subject of Bible prophecy interpretation itself. It is important to realize that understanding oft times ambiguous and nebulous Biblical prophecies is no easy task; not even for those of us who have been studying the Scriptures for many years. Without the assistance and guidance of God's Holy Spirit, a good working knowledge of the Scriptures, at the very least a basic understanding of ancient history, as well as the proper resources with which to cross-reference one verse with another, it is basically an impossible task.

Perhaps this is why at this current time, there are so many different interpretations of these prophetic events. As I've mentioned before, it seems that there are as many different interpretations as there are preachers and Bible teachers. Sadly, to the hurt of the Christian body, some people have a propensity for writing books or Bible commentaries regarding these important topics, without really meeting all of these necessary requirements. The result is that they end up with an interpretation which is sometimes very distorted, totally off-base, and nowhere near the truth. Add social networks to the mix, and we have got a real mess on our hands. With so many voices coming at them from so many different directions, is it really any wonder that a lot of Christians today end up so confused?

I speak from personal observation. I can't tell you how many websites and blogs I have visited in recent years, where the author is rambling on and on regarding what particular verses mean, and he rarely -- if ever -- offers any Scriptures with which to support his views. He just goes on and on with his own thoughts and his own words, in his own spirit, telling us that such-and-such means so-and-so. People like that are so convinced of what they are saying, that in their zeal, they expect you to believe them, just because they say so. And if you ever try to question them, they quickly become upset and offended. Folks, if you ever come across a site such as that, where the author goes on and on like a spigot that cannot be turned off, but where he never quotes the Word of God, I urge you to stop in your tracks, and go the other way as quickly as you possibly can.

I am very serious about this. I have come across websites, blogs, a plethora of YouTube videos and Facebook pages which promote nothing but absolute nonsense, New Age psychobabble, false prophecies and other extremely deceptive spiritual poison. As serious students of God's Word, we really need to ask the Lord to give us a good dose of Wisdom and Spiritual Discernment. We need to test the spirits; because the truth is that the Internet can be a very dangerous place without these Gifts from the Lord. Furthermore, we all need to follow the wise advice that the Apostle Paul offered to Timothy when he told Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. Consider the following group of Bible verses:

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."


"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."


"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."


You will find this subject discussed in more detail in a number of other BBB Bible articles which I will list for you at the end of this same series. Simply click or tap on the link in order to be taken to them. Now, let's be honest here. We all have a natural tendency to theorize and speculate regarding what certain Bible verses may possibly mean. However, it becomes very dangerous when we lean to our own understanding instead of trusting in God's Holy Spirit, and end up with rather shaky interpretations which we then endeavor to promulgate as the absolute truth. In our quest to decipher these Bible prophecies, it is very wise to take heed to the following counsel which is found in the Book of Proverbs:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."


The previous verses can not only be applied to our walk in this present life, but they can likewise be applied to our path in understanding the Scriptures. If there is one thing of which I am absolutely certain, it is that the Lord knows His Word, and He knows exactly what it is supposed to mean. After all, He both gave it and inspired it. Therefore, if there is anyone who can lead us down the right path in our understanding of the Scriptures, He is definitely the One to do it. And He will, if we are yielded to Him, and are able to receive what He shows us.

My friends, to recklessly put together an interpretation, based on a collection of randomly selected and oft times totally unrelated Bible verses, and then proclaim it to be the absolute truth above all others, is really the epitome of self-righteous pride. Furthermore, it is also being very irresponsible. Sadly, I encounter so many Christians who do this very thing today. As I said earlier, they are all over the Internet, particularly on the social networks. They are novices pretending to be experienced teachers of God's Word. I am reminded of the following Bible verses written by the Apostles Peter and Paul:

"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."


"From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm."


"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"


"Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."


"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist, pervert], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."


For this reason, I am very prayerful regarding how I express my opinions in my articles. If you are an avid reader of my writings, then you will notice that I am quite liberal in my usage of words and phrases such as possibly, perhaps, maybe, may, according to my understanding, it seems to me, in my view, etc. This shows the reader that while I have a lot of faith in what I say, it does not necessarily mean that I am right all the time. After all, I am only human, and thus I am prone to error, just like everyone else. I simply do not believe that anyone has a monopoly on the truth, except for the Lord Himself, of course. This is why I wrote articles such as "My Evolving Theology".

I will admit that there were times in the past, many years ago, when I was not so cautious with my words. I was a bit reckless due to people and beliefs I was associated with at the time. As a young, on-fire evangelist, I thought I knew quite a bit, and I imagine that I was probably proud of it to some degree. Thankfully, time and age have mellowed me out. Of course, I still have some very strongly-held views regarding certain beliefs and doctrines. I am reminded of Bible verses such as the following:

"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."


"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."


"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."


"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."


"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"


As I've advanced in years -- I'll be seventy-two this year -- and have dedicated myself to a closer and more thorough, more personal study of the Scriptures -- instead of just depending on what other folks say or teach -- I have learned how little I really know, as well as how wrong other Christians can be, despite their claims to speak the truth. This has resulted in my acquiring a humility which I imagine I did not possess in my younger years. In fact, this personal realization is what actually prompted me to write the article entitled "Humility in Our Understanding of God's Word", as well as my related companion article entitled "Should Christians Engage in Doctrinal Debates?".

Since my younger days as an evangelist, I have also learned that to say something is of the Lord when it might not be, is indeed a very grave matter, and should not be taken lightly. Sadly, as I mentioned earlier, this is precisely what we see happening all over the Internet right now. There are so many of these self-proclaimed, wannabe false prophets that it is really mind-boggling. It is unbelievable some of the things which they espouse, and the "prophecies" which they make. It is truly a time of great deception. The tragedy is that it is not just happening in the United States. It is happening in ministries everywhere, based on what I have seen on the web.

But as for me, I take the BBB Bible ministry very seriously, and I take my responsibility as a teacher of the Scriptures very seriously. This is a topic I address in the article "The Office of Prophets and Teachers". It is very important to me that I am propagating the truth to the best of my knowledge. As I note in "My Evolving Theology", it is for this reason that I am constantly updating my articles as God reveals more to me by His Spirit. So, if He shows me that my previous understanding was not exactly on the mark, I will not hesitate to change it and update it.

In short, unlike a number of modern, rigid writers and overly confident Bible instructors who believe that their words are final and basically written in stone, as I point out in "Are You Flexible?", I endeavor to remain flexible and sensitive to the leading of the Lord's Spirit. I don't want to be found guilty by the Lord of leading anyone astray or causing anyone to stumble or fall away from the truth.

As I explain in a few other articles, that is precisely what the word "offend" means in the following verse. It is in fact derived from the Koine Greek word "skandalizo", which means to put a stumbling block or an impediment in someone's way. In regards to our faith, it means to cause someone to fall away from the truth:

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."


Having now thoroughly covered this subject, we are going to begin our actual discussion regarding the identity of that mysterious woman, Babylon the Great, who is described for us in the Book of Revelation. Please understand from the start that this is going to require some patience on your part as I slowly build the Scriptural case for you, and explain one Biblical concept after another, one verse after another, and one chapter after another. By the time we are done, you will have a very clear picture of exactly who Babylon is. Are you ready? So let's go! Please hold on to your seat as we begin taking a deep dive into God's amazing Word.

Now, as my longtime readers will already know, I have long believed that the Bible in large part interprets itself, if we are diligent to study it. That is in fact the key which unlocks so much of the Scriptures. The more you read God's Word, and the more you become familiar with it, the more different passages will connect together in order to form a beautiful tapestry of Scriptural truth. I am convinced that this same approach can be applied in order to discover the identity of the mysterious Babylon the Great. So what if I were to tell you that we can know with a high degree of certainty who or what Babylon is, without resorting to all of the doctrinal confusion which is found on the Internet? Would you be interested? Obviously, you are. Otherwise, you would not now be reading this series.

In approaching this issue, one of the very first things we need to do is to set aside any preconceived ideas, beliefs or interpretations that we may have acquired outside of the Bible itself. Second, we must begin to think and see things the way that the original writers of the Scriptures saw and thought about them. We need to remove ourselves from OUR current time period, and imagine that we are living during THEIR time period. In other words, as I clearly explain in the article called "Understanding the Bible in Context", we need to read the Bible IN CONTEXT. We next to study the who, what, where, when and why of everything that we read. Who said it or wrote it? Who was it specifically addressed to? What were the conditions at the time? Etc.

Sadly, as I already mentioned, it is precisely because so many modern Christians fail to do this, that they fall into serious doctrinal error, and arrive at some of the craziest and most outlandish interpretations that you can imagine. It is enough to make your jaw drop. Last of all, as I likewise pointed out earlier, we need to ask the Lord for His Spirit of wisdom and understanding, so that we are able to truly see things as He sees them. Only in this way can we properly identify who Babylon the Great really is.

To understand the mystery of Babylon the Great, we need to first realize that throughout the Bible, God symbolically refers to His people -- in other words, both the Old and the New Testament saints -- as His wife or bride. In the case of Old Testament believers, they looked forward in faith to the revelation of Jesus Christ. In the case of the First Century Church, Jesus was present with them, and then the Apostles continued His work. In the case of the post-First Century Church, we obviously look backwards in faith to the events of two thousand years ago.

But the main point to consider here is that faith in the redemptive Blood of Jesus Christ makes us all the spiritual wife, or bride, of Christ. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Galatian Church, what we are in the flesh has absolutely no bearing. In other words, it has nothing to do with our ethnic origin. Consider the following verse:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."


So if someone comes along and tries to convince you that God has separate plans for the Gentiles and the Jews, I urge you to watch out! If they claim that God has made certain special accommodations for the Jews, do NOT believe them! That is a divisive doctrine which does NOT conform to "ye are all one in Christ Jesus." God does NOT have two brides. He only has one. As Jesus himself clearly stated in the Gospel of John:

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be ONE FOLD, and ONE SHEPHERD."


The Bible is literally full of verses from beginning to end which serve to clarify this particular point regarding the Lord's singular bride who is clothed in her wedding garment which is also referred to as a "robe of righteousness" and a "garment of salvation". For example, consider the following words which were written by the Prophet Isaiah:

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."


Please notice how Isaiah writes "he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness". Now, for those of you who are familiar with the New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ, the previous verses describing a bridegroom and his bride will no doubt ring a bell. Jesus was obviously quite familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. So it should come as no surprise to us that He would incorporate them into His own Parables, such as we see in the following set of verses which are found in the Gospel of Matthew:

"Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."


Isn't that amazing? The Lord is talking about the very same bride and bridegroom, and the very same garment of salvation as the Prophet Isaiah. For anyone who may not understand this Parable, the people who participate in this marriage feast are those who have received the free gift of Eternal Life through faith in Jesus Christ. The robe or garment they each wear signifies the righteousness they have received by being washed in the Blood of the Lamb. This same white robe of righteousness is likewise mentioned in various verses which are found in the Book of Revelation. Consider the following examples:

"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."


"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands . . . And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?‭ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."


"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."


Please go to part two for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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