This is one time we really go outside the scriptures to understand the
full impact of something foundational to the entire Bible, and
especially the book of Revelation. The reason this is necessary is
simply that the people to whom the Bible was written were much more
familiar with ancient religion and cultures than we are today, so it is
important that we study the implications of the ancient religions
surrounding Babylon.
THE FIRST HEAD OF A GOVERNMENT
In a sense the first head of the beast
His wife’s name was Samiramus
A harlot, and very, very beautiful
Nimrod came to be worshipped as the one who had emancipated the human
race from the bondage to God’s law, and ancient mythology says that the
reason for the building of the tower of Babel was so that if God would
again deluge the earth, there would be a means of escape.
Atlas; lifting earth away from us
When Nimrod was killed, his wife determined to continue his legacy
She claimed that Nimrod had not actually been killed, but that he had
GIVEN HIS LIFE FOR THE HUMAN RACE.
After his death, she became pregnant, and claimed that she was a virgin,
and that the son born to her was Nimrod reincarnated
This was the origin of the God “Zoar Astra” which means “the seed of
the woman”
Her son, was Nimrod, who had given his life as a sacrifice for the human
race, “resurrected” through reincarnation as “the seed of the woman”
(the promised messiah)
The result was that Samiramus was also deified; became the first female
deity.
She has been worshipped almost universally as the god of Venus.
The statue of a mother with a child at her breast was spread throughout
the whole world and became the statue of the “divine mother”
She is referred to as the “Queen of Heaven” in Jeremiah
She claimed to have given birth to Nimrod on December 24th, and December
25 was called child’s day” as far back as 2000 B.C.
Should tell you something of how much Babylon has invaded the church
Her philosophies swept the known world:
“The Mother of Harlots”
Malock – sacrifice of children
Egypt at time of Exodus
Nile – children to be thrown into river as a sacrifice
Baal at the time Israel came into the Land of Canaan – (Lord, Master)
Baal’s everywhere
The spirit lords over certain things
Baal over a river, etc.
Baal’s were seen as a source of all manner of blessing
Good crops, etc.
Rain – Elijah
Baal Melchart – God of Power (war)
Priests of Baal Melchart were largely homosexuals
Wife – Ashera – Ashera poles – Phallic symbol
Goddess of fertility & sex
Priestesses of Ashera were temple prostitutes
Cities were capitals of Baal worship, etc.
Ur – Abraham – god/goddess Ninga / Nunga – was to leave before covenant
Sidon – Ef-Baal was king and high priest of Sidon
- Jezebel was daughter of Ef-Baal
- Married Ahab
- Jezebel built a great temple to Ashera in Samaria
- Ahab and Jezebel had a daughter, Athaliah – she married the king of
Other names of the same expressions:
Isis – Ashera in Egypt
Ishta – Syria
CONNECTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION:
Two times in book that John is TAKEN somewhere
First time to see Babylon – Rev. Ch. 17
Second time Ch. 21 to see New Jerusalem
Both times “in the Spirit”
- “This calls for wisdom” – spiritual discernment
- The church is not “seeable” unless in the Spirit
- We will confuse Babylon with Church, unless in the Spirit
WHO IS THE HARLOT?
REV. 17:5 ON HER HEAD, “BABYLON THE GREAT”/”MOTHER OF HARLOTS”
Gen. 10:8-19 – Lists the offspring of Nimrod, and those who descended
from him
The nations who are later driven out of the land of Canaan when Israel
entered in. Consistently
Under judgment throughout the Old Testament.
Gen. 11:9 – Building of the tower of Babel – “that is why it was called
Babel (Babylon – “confused”) — because there the Lord confused the
language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the
face of the whole earth.”
During the time of the Revelation, the worship of Venus very common.
Part of trade unions, etc.
- All rooted in Babylon
She corrupted the Nations:
Body, Soul and Spirit
Appealed to the appetites
I John 2:16 – Lust of the flesh:
- Sex, food, drunkenness
- “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die”
Lust of the Eyes:
- Greed, money, affluence
Pride of Life:
- Arrogance, “I am above judgment.” “I will do my own thing.”
Babylon Mystery
A deceitful mystery
Her philosophies are slowly revealed as one gets involved with her
entrapments
Trail of Babylon was always a trail of the blood of those who refused to
worship her.
Her worship was a part of belonging to trade unions during the period of
time when Revelation was written
She Corrupted Israel:
-The mother of Baal worship
-Isaiah 13; 14; 21; 46 – 48; 25; 50 – 51
Daniel 4: especially v. 30 King Nebuchadnezzar – “Is not his the great
Babylon I HAVE BUILT as the royal residence, by MY MIGHTY POWER AND FOR
THE GLORY OF MY MAJESTY.”
She is drunk with the blood of the saints:
She is the spirit behind the governments.
She is behind the political system – Washington DC
Smell her perfume in Sodom, New York, London
The Spirit of this World.
We no longer think of Babylon as a religion, but we still worship her –
we aspire to her philosophies:
If it feels good, do it.
Worship of the appetites.
We are a god to ourselves.
- Spirit of “entitlement” – especially in America.
Political machines which in the name of religion have accumulated wealth
and power. Today we call them denominations.
Amass silver, gold, sculptures, etc.
- Babylon religion in the church system
Desire for political power.
- Politics and competition in the church
BACK TO THE OUTLINE
THE PATRIARCHS (11:27-50:26)
ABRAHAM (11:27-25:10)
- Read carefully the covenant God made with Abraham in chapter 15.
ISAAC (25:11-28:9)
- Type of Christ (Review “Infinite Supply”)
JACOB (28:10-36:43)
- Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel, is of great importance. He is
JACOB’S SONS, ESPECIALLY JOSEPH (37:1-50:26)
Note that the book began with man in the Edenic paradise and ends with a
coffin in Egypt. It begins with life and ends with death.
- Joseph is the biography that illuminates the providential dealings of