Babylon was a city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, sometimes considered an empire, the remains of which can be found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers (55 mi) south of Baghdad. It has been officially recognised as one of the first civilisations on earth. All that remains of the original ancient famed city of Babylon today is a mound, or tell, of broken mud-brick buildings and debris in the fertile Mesopotamian plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in Iraq. Although it has been reconstructed, historical resources inform us that Babylon was at first a small town, that had sprung up by the beginning of the third millennium BCE (the dawn of the dynasties). The town flourished and attained prominence and political repute with the rise of the First Babylonian Dynasty. It was the "holy city" of Babylonia by approximately 2300 BCE, and the seat of the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 612 BCE. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The form Babylon is the Greek variant of Akkadian Babilu (bāb-ilû, meaning "Gateway of the god(s)", translating Sumerian Ka.dingir.ra). In the Hebrew Bible, the name appears as בבל (Babel), interpreted by Book of Genesis 11:9 to mean "confusion" (of languages), from the verb balbal, "to confuse".
In the end of days the Babylon would become a great nation world wide. But in Rev 17-18 we can see two Babylons one is a Political/Religious Babylon and another one is Economic Babylon. I don’t presume that the present Iraq would be the end time Babylon as stated in the prophecies. Because the seven Hills represent the seven mighty kingdoms which would sprout in the last days. Hill/Mountains always symbolically represent the kingdom in the Bible. Babylon is symbolically used to represent the disobedience towards God. We saw that in building the Babel tower and during Nebuchadnezzar time we saw that his arrogance was broken by God. The word Babylon is derived from “Bab”(Gate) & “El” (God) which means man’s self appointed way to God rather than going through the God’s appointed way.So Babylon which was stated in the prophecies is an allegorical/Symbolical nomenclature used by the Holy Spirit and which would represent the Anti-Christ Arrogance & revolt in the last days i.e. during the period of tribulation. In Rev 17:5-7 we see it was written that it would be a mystery!
“This title was written on her forehead: MysteryBabylon the GreatThe Mother of ProstitutesAnd of the Abominations of the Earth.
I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns” (Rev 17:5-7).
Please note that it is a mystery and would be revealed in the last days. When George Bush Senior during Gulf war with Saddam Hussein, it was highlighted by so called many prophets that the Iraq was the Last day Babylon mentioned in Rev 17-18 and even prophesied that the second coming was at hand and the world would come to an end. But it was proved to be an Illusion because it was stated in the Prophecies that it is a mystery and any assumption by Human viewpoint will lead us to false conclusion.
In Revelation 17 it was Religious/Political Babylon and in Rev 18 it is Economic Babylon. In the past we have seen many European Communities evolved but was disintegrated due to non cooperation among the nations of Europe, mainly due to the spirit of self Nationalism. The European Economic community (EEC), European common Market (ECM), United States of Europe (USE) could be possible only in the last days. In Rev 18:10-20 we see it is Economic Babylon and most probably a greater Economic emerging market in the last days. I don’t think the present Iraq would become a great economic and military power in the last days. There is a chance of one world wide currency will be emerging by this (Mysterious Babylon of Rev 17-18) great economic power in the last days.
There is a possibility of coming a one world wide Currency and I strongly believe it would be a Euro which would be the world wide currency available in the world. I think the mysterious Political/Religious & Economic Babylon of Rev 17-18 would be the same Mysterious Babylon one would politically with strong military power integrating all the nations of the world to fight against Jews coupled with Anti-Semitism, In which the messiah defeats the Conflagrations of all nations in the battle of Armageddon at Jeshurun. Another Economic Babylon of Rev 18 is the one world Economic Market started by the Anti-Christ in the Last days integrating Worldwide Trade centre.So let us wait for the mysterious Babylon to be revealed.
“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (II Thess 2:1-12).
Possibilities of Current IRAQ to be the Prophecied Babylon!
As per the prophecies are concerned according to Isaiah 13-14; Jeremiah 50-51; Rev 17-18. The Babylon has to be destroyed fully i.e. the total houses has to be burnt up and the total inhabitants has to be slaughtered, the city should be totally wiped out. In history we have seen it was never happened. During the Gulf war “Operation Desert storm” Iraq was not totally being destroyed. And in recent attack by America Iraq was not totally destroyed. According to the prophecies. Babylon has to be totally destroyed and should be rebuilt.
Ok If we assume that the present Iraq is a literal Babylon and as per the prophecies in Rev 18:10
It should be a capital/great city
“‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power!In one hour your doom has come!’
Actually Babylon is situated in the southern parts of the Iraq and we have seen no ruler has announced that the Capital city of Iraq is Babylon. Baghdad is considered to be the capital city of Iraq. According to the prophecies are concerned Babylon should be announced as a city in the world history and it should become the great economic power and military power. Then we can believe that the literal Babylon is what the prophecies are concerned. Let us wait and see How the Babylon will emerge as a great Political/Religious economic power in the world.
If almighty God intended that the literal Babylon is the prophecies are concerned in Rev 17-18 then the Literal Babylon would be rebuilt and have the authority and control over the seven Hills/Heads (Seven Kingdoms) mentioned in the Bible. May be the Present Iraq(Babylon) would play a pivotal role in the last days under which guidance a one world military power/ One world religious system would emerge and even there are possibilities of conglomeration of all the middle eastern empires under one umbrella attacking the Israel coupled with Anti-Semitism will result. The destruction stated in the Rev 17-18 regarding Babylon must be simultaneously followed by the restoration of Israel meaning Israel will be at total peace. As far Israel is being disturbed by its enemies with frequent attacks but during Millenium Israel will be at total peace i.e the following of Babylon destruction stated in Revelation 17 & 18 and the great war of Armageddon will result in complete restoration of Israel living in total peace during Millenial rule of Christ on this planet earth.
So there is a chance to believe that the present Iraq could be the literal Babylon mentioned in the prophecies provided it should be announced that the Babylon is capital city of Iraq and would emerge as a great military power as well as great economic power!
May all of us wait and see how the mysterious prophecies are going to be fulfilled!
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