Why is the USA the Great Babylon mentioned in the book of Revalation?

Answer 1

It isn't. Those who have studied the book of Revelation agree that it is referring to events that have already past.

One of the “fatal errors” that people make when they study the Book of Revelation is reading the book and trying to apply its contents to a modern-day time frame. John specifically stated in Revelation 1:1 that the things with which the book deals “must shortly take place.” In Revelation 1:3, John referred to the events as being “near.” These two words—“shortly” and “near”—are used by John in the same manner in which we today would use them. They describe things that are eminent. John was not speaking about things that would happen in 2,000 or 5,000 years from his day. Rather, John was writing to Christians who were suffering under persecution.

Do you ever work crossword puzzles? If you do, you know how the process works. The first thing you do is fill in the boxes, using the information you know. That, then, sometimes helps you figure out what goes into the boxes that are still empty (representing things you do not know). That is what we need to do here in Revelation 12. We know that the dragon is Satan, so we can plug that piece of information into our crossword puzzle. In chapter 13, we see a beast that comes up out of the sea. We therefore can call him the “sea beast” or the “first beast.” He receives his power from the dragon, and, in fact, he looks so much like the dragon that there is no mistaking whose side he is on. The second beast arises out of the Earth. Any time something comes from “down below,” it is generally evil. Thus, both of these beasts are evil and wicked. The second beast does only what the first beast gives him the power and authority to do. What does the second beast do? He goes around setting up images of the first beast, and then forces people to bow down and worship these images. Was there a situation that existed at this time in history when someone forced someone else to bow down and worship images? Yes, there was. During the first century, the Roman government had people who went around the countryside, set up images of the emperor (Caesar), and forced people to worship those images. Those people who refused to worship Caesar were persecuted, and quite often were put to death. Thus, the second beast represents those who enforced emperor worship. The first beat represents the Roman Empire with the emperor as its head. Thus, the sixth key to understanding the Book of Revelation has to do with the fact that we can identify the dragon (Satan), the first beast (the Roman government with Caesar as its head), and the second beast (those who enforced emperor worship).

The symbolism of the Book of Revelation is apparent here in chapters 12 and 13 as we see the dragon (Satan) and the two beasts (the Roman government and its henchmen). The real message is that the devil is behind all of this, and is using the Roman Empire to do his dirty work. John says in Revelation 12:9 that he “deceives the whole world.” The Christians of the first century were enduring terrible persecution.

A key to understanding the Book of Revelation has to do with the fact that the woman named “Babylon” is identified. In chapter 17, we see that the woman is finely dressed, and sits upon the back of a scarlet beast. On her forehead is written the following: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. The woman’s symbolic name is “Babylon,” which was the name of a city. The scarlet beast on which the woman is sitting has seven heads and ten horns, and turns out to be the same as the sea beast from chapter 13. Thus, the scarlet beast represents the Roman Empire. The woman is said to be “drunk with the blood of the saints,” which indicates that she was heavily involved in the persecution of Christians. Revelation 17:9 says, “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” We know the woman represents a city. In the first century, what city sat on seven hills? It was Rome. Thus, we learn that the “harlot Babylon” is the city of Rome, which was the centerpiece of the Roman Empire.

Answer 2

Sorry, but you are wrong. No surprise there. Try Rome, as any reasonable First Century reader/listener could have told you. Unfortunately, reading comprehension seems to have died out almost completely, in the Second Century.

Answer 3

It isn't. Do not listen to those who claim to have some insight on the book of Revelations and modern happenings and signs--they will prove their falseness once their predictions don't come true. Revelations was written to people about 2000 years ago and it was to help them. We, too, can learn from it, but there will be no signs given. As a thief in the night as Jesus says.

Answer 4

It is just speculation about the USA. But it is also speculation that it could be Rome. Read the description in Revelation.

Answer 5

Rev. 18

Answer 6

Erm, it isn't, except in the fevered imagination of silly religious fundies! The ramblings of John, if they had any coherent meaning at all, were purely local in context, ie, they referred to the political and theological struggles of the first century leventine!

Answer 7

In rev. 18? I don't know the reason why, but I've always thought that might be referring to us too, which is of course pretty scary.

Answer 8

" The new whore of Babylon." Judaism- -Christianity-- Islam.

Answer 9

its not USA... its false relegion