TODAY’S BABYLON
Ch. 2
THAT GREAT “CITY”
As we read through these chapters probing for the identity of Babylon,
two things are readily evident. One is that it is a “great city” (Rev 17:18).
Also, it will be destroyed by fire (Rev 17:16). So we can conclude that this is
in fact a real, physical place and not merely a kind of “spiritual” entity.
Although – as we will see – there is a spiritual aspect to Babylon, it is clear
that there is also a definite, physical place epitomizing the spirit of Babylon,
which will be destroyed by fire.
In the Old Testament there was a real city
of Babylon. It was the capital of an empire which was also referred to as
“Babylon.” The city was the center of and thus a kind of symbol for, the entire
empire. Therefore, it could be that this New Testament “city” is more than
merely an individual city but an entire nation which is typified by the city. So
what we are going to be studying about the city Babylon probably applies to an
entire country and its culture. Although there is some speculation here, the
evidence for it will become clear as we proceed.
THE WORLD’S MARKETPLACE
In searching for the identity of Babylon, we will begin with the clearest
parts of the biblical revelation. One thing which is strikingly evident upon the
reading of these two chapters is that this final Babylon is the marketplace of
the world. This fact is very important. Here we see that she is not merely a
spiritual entity. Babylon is a center of commerce. It is a place where everyone
in the world who has anything to sell is marketing it. This one location buys so
much that the merchants of the entire earth are becoming wealthy selling their
goods to Babylon. We read that: “the merchants of the earth have become rich
through the abundance of her luxury” (Rev 18:3). So when we wish to identify
this woman, we must look for some real place on this earth which fits this
description.
Then we are given a great list of luxury goods which Babylon has
been buying. Verse 12 reads: “merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones
and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood,
every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood,
bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and
frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and
chariots and bodies and souls of men.”
This is quite a list. It includes
every kind of item which was considered expensive, attractive and desirable in
the day in which this revelation was given. It represents the best of all the
things the world has to offer. Since almost 2,000 years have passed since the
writing of this list, a few things have changed. We have concluded that the
Babylon which will be destroyed is not the ancient one but a modern day entity,
consequently it would not be stretching the sense of the scriptures to speculate
that this list today might include other items.
Perhaps presently the list
might read: jewelry items, clothes (linen, purple, silk, scarlet), automobiles
(chariots), furniture (precious wood), granite and marble (the current rage in
bathrooms and kitchens), all sorts of imported foods, fruits and vegetables,
perfumes, spices and all kinds of domesticated animals and even laborers who are
exploited because they are not citizens. In short, everything made in the world
which is desirable Babylon is importing to satisfy her lust for luxury.
Therefore, to identify her today, we must find a city/nation which has an
insatiable desire for every kind of ornate and beautiful item.
This “city”
does not appear to manufacture much herself. Many of the goods which she
consumes with abandon are imported. So, we may conclude that she is primarily a
consumer nation. This is clear in the verses which we have already read about
the “merchants of the earth” who are selling her what she craves. Also, in verse
15 of the same chapter, when Babylon is destroyed, we read that “The merchants
of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of
her torment, weeping and wailing.” This shows us that they and their goods have
survived the judgment, indicating that they did not live or produce much in
Babylon.
Not only this, but the word of God tells us how these goods come to
Babylon’s shores. This gives us an important clue to her identity. Please pay
careful attention to this. These goods arrive by ship. This is not just any ship
or a few ships, but it appears that the appetite of the prostitute requires the
services of almost everyone who owns or works on ships.
Verses 17 and 18a
read: “And every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and
as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they
saw the smoke of her burning.” Then again in verse 19 this fact is repeated, the
sailors and shipowners are weeping and wailing, saying “Alas, alas, that great
city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth!”
(The ancient city Babylon which Saddam tried to reconstruct could not be a
fulfillment of this prophecy. The Babylon of Iraq lies hundreds of miles up the
Euphrates river which is not navigable by oceangoing ships.)
So we can
understand that Babylon is a place which produces little and imports much. Most
of what she imports arrives by sea. She is a consumer more than a producer.
Possibly, her balance of trade is very out of balance. This might mean that the
economy of Babylon is oriented around the providing of services rather than the
production of goods.
The sheer volume of the trade which is done with
Babylon supports the idea that she is not merely a city but a city which
represents a larger nation. No one city, no matter how large, could ever consume
so much that it would require the services of virtually every shipowner in the
world to satisfy her desires.
Further, we may safely conclude from these
scriptures that Babylon must have access to the sea. In fact, it must be very
accessible. She is a location that requires most goods which are imported to
arrive by ship. The main route of these items is not by land but by sea.
Therefore, Babylon must have many, many seaports to provide access for “every
shipmaster” (Rev18:17) in the world to service her. No one city in the world has
anywhere close to enough harbor space to accommodate so many tens of thousands
of vessels.
Babylon is exceedingly rich. Therefore, she must be one of the
world’s most wealthy nations or even the most wealthy. This is a very reasonable
conclusion to draw, since in order to purchase so much of the earth’s most
valuable items, she must have a great abundance of money. In Revelation 18:19 we
are told that “all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth.” So when
we are seeking to identify modern Babylon, we must certainly look for a place in
the world which is known for its profligate spending and abundant wealth. Her
population in general must have a very high level of income which they spend
with abandon on themselves.
When we speak about Babylon, naturally we are
referring to the general characteristics of the population. It is the people who
live in Babylon who act in specific ways which give her a certain international
fame. Of course there must be exceptions. Among the inhabitants of the Babylon
of today there must exist, just as in the days of Sodom, at least one righteous
man. In fact, we can be sure of this since God calls His people who are in her
to come out of her (Rev 18:4). But in general we understand that even though
there are righteous men and women who live in this place, the principal
character of the population is what is described in Revelation.
BABYLON LOVES LUXURY
Another important characteristic of Babylon, one that will help us to
identify her, is that she loves luxury (Rev 18:7,9,14). In fact, she is addicted
to it. She pampers herself with every imaginable purchase with which she can
gratify her soul. Perhaps her houses are full of every kind of knickknack and
decoration. We can imagine that her “chariots” are shiny and new. No doubt, her
attention is constantly on herself, seeking how she can try to satisfy more
fully the constant itch for more comfort and ease. This probably includes such
pursuits as more and more clothes, more and more jewelry (Rev 17:4) and an
unending search for the finest foods and beverages.
We may speculate that
she spends much of her time shopping and trying out new restaurants and tea and
coffee shops. Entertainments probably occupy a large part of her time. Every
kind of movie, sports event, theater or party might be the focus of her
attention. It may even be true that new cars, guns, boats, ATV’s, snowmobiles,
motor homes, jet skis and many other such things consume a considerable portion
of her disposable income.
It is probable that the average person in the
final Babylon lives at a level which until very recent times only kings and
nobles enjoyed. Perhaps the inhabitants of Babylon can buy almost any kind of
food or drink their heart could desire. It could be that their homes are filled
with every kind of convenience, luxury and even extravagance. Their televisions
are large and their sofas comfortable. Their closets are never big enough to
accommodate all the clothes they have jammed in them. They have their electronic
“servants” to wash the clothes and the dishes. Increasingly, instead of having
to cook their own meals, they dine in restaurants where they are waited on. If
they could want anything, they simply hop in their “chariot” and within a few
minutes their desires are satisfied. They live royally in every respect.
Perhaps you think that I am going too far afield in my postulations
concerning the character of Babylon. But the Bible tells us plainly that Babylon
lives “luxuriously” (Rev 18:7). In our world today, to live in this manner must
be to live exactly as we have described. She is the epitome of self-indulgence.
Babylon lavishes upon herself anything and everything that she can possibly
afford. Her economy appears to be very dependent upon consumerism. She has
gained worldwide fame for her self-indulgence. She loves the world and all the
things which are in the world. Her heart is completely devoted to and seeking
after all that this present world has to offer. All the sensual pleasures,
entertainments, goods and comforts available are her constant pursuit. Truly,
“she glorified herself and lived luxuriously” (Rev 18:7). Nowhere, ever, in the
history of the world has there been a nation like Babylon.
WORLD DOMINATION
Another characteristic of Babylon which will help us identify her is that
she holds a commanding position on the world scene. God’s word tells us that:
“the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the
earth” (Rev 17:18). This is amazing! Babylon is some city/nation which is
dominating the world scene. She is so powerful and influential that she can be
said to be “reigning” over the other rulers of the earth. This tells us that we
must look for some place that is a kind of superpower, perhaps the superpower.
Babylon must be a very obvious, prominent location. Although she probably
does not rule the world directly, she dominates the other rulers and nations.
She finds ways to influence the other countries to cause them to do her will. We
cannot tell from the scriptures if this is done diplomatically, militarily or by
economic pressure, but it is clear that her power and influence are
tremendous.
Undoubtedly because of her dominant position, Babylon is proud.
Her heart is lifted up because of her position and power. She is totally
self-centered and thinks of herself as being the best in every respect. Some of
Babylon’s merchants (and perhaps corporations) are world famous. Their financial
influence is dominating. Perhaps some of these merchants have become
billionaires and their names are known almost everywhere. We read: “For [her]
merchants were the great men of the earth” (Rev 18:23).
The prostitute is
utterly confident of her strength and invincibility. Probably, she exists in a
location which is isolated from the rest of the world and so feels quite safe
and secure. She imagines that no one could bring her down. “She says in her
heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow’ ” (Rev 18:7).
Perhaps she even believes that her position and affluence is because of God’s
blessing. This attitude of pride, world dominance and sense of great security
are characteristics which we can use to identify modern-day Babylon.