A. Babylon Is In Existence Now: Babylon Must Be Existing Before the Rapture.
A. Babylon Is In Existence Now: Babylon Must Be Existing Before the Rapture.
We often say there are no more Bible prophecies to be fulfilled before the Rapture. Israel must be in the Land of Israel, and so she has been since May 14, 1948. The Bible also mentions the city of Babylon over 280 times. many in reference to the Babylon of the Tribulation Period.
“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Isaiah 13:19)
Often overlooked is that the city of Babylon must be in existence, as well. Why? Because that is what God says. “Babylon” is referenced in the Book of Revelation 8 times. Once it is in reference to “RELIGOUS BABYLON,” or the One-World Religious System, and found in Revelation 17:5.
“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABY-LON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5)
The other seven times it is referring to COMMERCIAL BABYLON, the city. (See Revelation 14:8; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 18:1-2; Revelation 18:9-10; Revelation 18:21)
Not only must Babylon exist; it must be “up and running” to serve as the capital of an economic empire that has a stranglehold on the world. This cannot be done in just a few days’ time, as we have said. The Bible mentions Babylon over 280 times, many in reference to the Babylon of the Tribulation Period.
“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Isaiah 13:19)
The location of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other three “cities of the plain” are not known with certainty. Babylon, though badly deteriorated, is still in existence; having had some rebuilding done on top of the ancient ruins by former dictator, Saddam Hussein. One of his palaces is built on the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace.
Al-Hillah, pictured on the next page, is a city within the ruins and is the capital of Babylon Province. It has about 540,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) and is located on the Al Hillah stream, the eastern branch of the Euphrates river about 110 km south of Baghdad. The economy of Al-Hillah is based upon being a river port, and grain market. It is built on the site of where archaeologists believe Nebuchadnezzar’s Hanging Gardens were located.
It is the Provincial Capital of BABYLON (Also called Babil in Arabic) Province.
Top: Left to Right, Bab AL Hussein Bridge, (Rebuilt) Ishtar Gate, Babil Neighborhood, Babil Resort, Ale'tiba'a Street.
(Note: “Babil” is Arabic for “Babylon.”)
Some will question that the world’s leaders will meet in Babylon, after the Rapture; as they doubt that there has ever been a world summit in a Muslim country. Actually, before World War II, the Allies, Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill met in Tehran, Iran. Also, Churchill held another in Cairo, Egypt. (Picture) 30. Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill in Tehran, Iran.
If Anwar Sadat (a Muslim) would go to Jerusalem for peace; the leaders of Israel will not hesitate to go to Babylon for peace.
On Wednesday, November 9, 1977, Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt, told Egypt’s Parliament: “Israel would be astonished when they hear me say this. But I say it. I am ready to go even to their home … to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and discuss peace with them if need be.” On November 19, Anwar Sadat flew in to Israel. He was greeted by the blare of trumpets and a 21-gun salute in a formal airport welcome by Menachem Begin, Israeli President, and many past and present Israeli leaders.
31. Anwar Sadat and Mechachem Begin
Sadat later told the Knesset during his same visit, “I WISH TO TELL YOU TO-DAY AND I PROCLAIM TO THE WHOLE WORLD: WE ACCEPT TO LIVE WITH YOU IN A LASTING AND JUST PEACE.” Israel would go anywhere and meet with anyone who could offer peace.
Babylon, will be serving as the capital of the Antichrist’s World Federation of Nations; and, will exert economic and religious control over “ peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” (Revelation 17:15) Babylon has deteriorated; but, has never ceased to exist. It must exist as a city for God to destroy it during the Tribulation Period. It is described by God as a “Mega-city.” It cannot become a mega-city in a matter of days.
1. Revelation 18:2. “Babylon the great is fallen...”
Babylon is a great city where people live. The word “great” is the Greek word “megas,” and means: “ big (literal or figurative, in a very wide application). Compare “megisto” superlative of (megas); which means “greatest or very great :- exceeding great.” In other words, COMMERCIAL Babylon, with the help of RELIGIOUS Babylon had become a “mega-city.” Before her destruction, God warns believers as he did Lot before the destruction of Sodom and the other four cities of the plain. “...COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE...” (Revelation 18:4)
a. Revelation 18:17. “...as many as trade by sea...” This verse has led many Bible scholars to say that Commercial Babylon must be a port city. However, they forget that Iraq (location of Babylon) is one of the three most oil rich countries in the world. They also fail to consider the length and carrying capacity of oil pipelines.
It is 330 miles from Baghdad to Kuwait City on the Gulf vs. 822 miles for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez in Alaska. There are 104 airports in Iraq and, of course, at this writing, Baghdad International is in the Green Zone (Headquarters of the U.S. Military). The reported U.S. Troop strength (minus numbers for support personnel) is 45,000, down from 152,000 in 2007. Somehow, the military was able to provide supplies for all military in that country. Ships carrying cargo for trade will have no problem transporting their goods to and from Babylon.
32. Smoke Billows From Kuwait Oil Fires b. Revelation 18:17-18. “...and all the company in ships...cried when they saw the smoke of her burning...” It is now known that smoke from the Kuwait Oil Fires dominated the weather pattern throughout the Persian Gulf and surrounding region during 1991, and that lower atmospheric wind blew the smoke along the eastern half of the Arabian Peninsula, and cities such as Dhahran and Riyadh, and countries such as Bahrain experienced days with smoke that filled the skies and carbon fallout. (Patrick K. Dowling. "The Meteorological Effects of the Kuwait Oil Fires").
c. Conclusion: Babylon, even in its present location, does not have to be a port city any more than Atlanta, Georgia, needs to be a port city! Therefore, it is not Rome; or, New York City; or, any other city. It is literal Babylon. That is “Thus saith the Lord.”
2. Revelation 16:12-19. Babylon Exists at The Time of Armageddon.
The great city of Babylon will exist after the middle of the Tribulation and before the Battle of Armageddon. It suffers a great earthquake and is divided into three parts. A city has to exist in order to be destroyed!