Lesson 40 Revelation 17-18 Introduction to Mystery Babylon Part 2

Review: Critically Important to understanding Prophecy & its symbolism

• TWO JUDGMENTS upon Israel:
• TWO destructions of Jerusalem & Temple, followed by TWO exiles from the Land, followed by TWO restorations to the Land.
  • Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon, followed by Judah taken captive to Babylon for 70 years, followed by overthrow of Babylon by God’s “anointed,” Cyrus & the restoration of Israel to the Land.
  • 2^nd destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, followed by Israel’s 2^nd exile for 1960 years, followed by overthrow of Rome (Mystery Babylon), followed by restoration of remnant of Israel to the Land PERMANENTLY.

2. TWO TESTINGS of Israel: defilements of Temple:

• Antiochus Epiphanies – “abomination of desolation” for 3 years 
• Antichrist – “abomination of desolation” for 3.5 years in Revelation

God judges Jerusalem harshly, but later judges the city He used against them:

• Jer. 11:16-17 God uses Babylon to punish Jerusalem (cf. Rom. 11:16-32)
• Jer. 12:1-3 (Jer. 50-51)

God’s total Judgment upon the “Battle Axe” He used against Jerusalem (Jer. 51:20)

Jeremiah 50 – 51 – Ancient Babylon parallel to Mystery Babylon (Rome)

• Jer. 50:1-2; 51:24,34 – Ancient Babylon defeated by Cyrus (Medes & Persians)
• Jer. 50:13,39-40; 51:37 – Ancient Babylon not inhabited, wholly desolate, will not arise again found in Rev. 18:2,21-23; Rev. 19:3
• Jer. 51:6,45 – Flee from her to escape her judgment found in Rev. 18:4
• Jer. 51:7 the “golden cup” made all nations drunk (idolatry) found in Rev. 17:4
• Jer. 51:8 “Babylon is fallen” found in Rev. 14:8; Rev. 16:19; Rev. 17:16; Rev. 18:2,10,21
• Jer. 51:13 “many waters” found in  Rev. 17:15

Rome was the “Battle Axe” God used to destroy Jerusalem & Temple again, beginning the SECOND Exile for 1960 years.

Dan. 9:26-27; Luke 21:20-24 (Isa. 28:1-18; Isa. 29:1-15; Isa. 50:1-11; Isa. 51:13-23; Hosea 2:2-12) C. “Prostitution” statements usually refer to idolatry of God’s covenant people.

1. Jerusalem’s idolatry in the OT (ex. Hosea)
2. Christians acceptance of the “world” (James 4:4) & compromise with Greek Philosophy (2 Cor. 11:1-4).