Babylon the Great

Definition: The world empire of false religion, embracing all religions whose teachings and practices do not conform to the true worship of Jehovah, the only true God. Following the Flood of Noah's day, false religion had its beginning at Babel (later known as Babylon).  (Genesis 10:8-10; 11:4-9)  In time, Babylonish religious beliefs and practices spread to many lands . So Babylon  the Great became a fitting name for false religion as a whole.

What evidence points to the identity of Babylon  the Great, referred to in Revelation?

It could not be the ancient city of Babylon. Revelation was written at the end of the first century C.E. and describes evens that would reach down to our day.  The Encyclopedia Americana says: "The city [Babylon] was taken by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. Later Alexander the Great planned to make Babylon  the capital of his eastern empire, but after his death Babylon gradually lost importance."  (1956, Vol III,  p. 78)  Today the city is an uninhabited ruin.

In the symbolism of Revelation, Babylon the Great is referred to as a "great city," a kingdom that rules others kings.  (Revelation 17:18) Like a city, it would have many organizations within it; and like a kingdom that includes other kings in its domain, it would be   international in scope. It is described as having relations with political rulers and contributing much to the wealth of men in commerce, while itself being a third element that  "has become a dwelling place of demons" and a persecutor of "prophets of the holy ones." -REVELATION 18:2, 9-17, 24.

Next time: Babylon the Great-Continued

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