We begin our investigation into the identity of Babylon the Great with the following scriptures:
“And the
great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and
great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” (Rev 16:19)
“And the
woman whom you saw is the
great city which has
a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” (Rev 17:18)
“Here is the mind, which has wisdom: The seven heads are
seven mountains (hills) on which the
woman sits.” (Rev 17:9)
“And on her forehead was a name written,
Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.” (Rev 17:5)
There is a linkage within the above scriptures which is immediately apparent:
- Rev 16:19 links The Great City irrevocably to Great Babylon.
- Rev 17:18 links The Woman to The Great City.
- Rev 17:9 links The Woman to a geographical locality.
- Rev 17:5 links Mystery Babylon to the Mother of Harlots.
Therefore, these links establish beyond doubt that: Great Babylon, The Woman, The Harlot, and The Great City are one and the same entity, but, having different titles or descriptions – hence the mystery referred to in Rev 17:5.
FRAMEWORK
The following chart is a graphic illustration of these links, and is further fractionated to illustrate the structure of this system.

Revelation 17:5, is the composite title for this woman. By dissecting verse 5 an amazing Biblical axiom is revealed:
Notice that the title is written on her forehead. The forehead is a prominent position and the title is intentionally place there for all to see and take cognizance of – it’s not hidden!
- To the vast majority, the intent of this woman will remain an absolute enigma.
- She is not any Babylon, but is the Great One – the preeminent!
- She is designated a mother and by implication has daughters.
- Her offspring are deemed harlots.
- She is responsible for the earth’s abominations!
THE MYSTERY
Examined in closer detail: ‘Babylon The Great’ is the mystery, and is a composite title of Great Babylon, The Woman, The Harlot, and The Great City.
COMPOSITE DESCRIPTION
It is clear from what has been elucidated thus far; if we pinpoint the Great City we will know beyond a shadow of doubt the identity of Babylon the Great. There are two Great Cities referred to in the Revelation.
“And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified(Rev 11:8)
This scripture refers to the murder of the two Witnesses by the Beast (Abaddon) and since Jesus was crucified at Golgotha it is clear that this great city is Jerusalem.
The other great city is the Rome of John’ day.
“And the woman whom you saw is the great city which rules over the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17:18)
“Here is the mind, which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains (hills) on which the woman sits.” (Rev 17:9)
It is an irrefutable fact that the Roman Empire was the master of the known world of John’s day. And the city of Rome was the capital and government of this Empire – hence the great city! Another clue is the seven mountains, or hills. In our day, apart from documented history, travel brochures etc advertise the fact that Rome is the eternal city upon seven hills.
At the time of the vision, John the elder was a prisoner on the Island of Patmos for preaching the gospel. The visitation of our beloved Saviour to John occurs sometime around AD95/96. After the explanation of what amounts to chapters 1-3 of the Revelation Jesus takes John up into heaven. Once there, he is shown events relating to the last days. We have confirmation of this from the following scripture:
“After these things (preceding events) I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice, which I heard, was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying Come up here, and I will show you things, which must be hereafter. (Rev.4: 1)
Sequentially the following scripture relates to the ‘hereafter’ (future) portion of the vision and not to John’s day…
“And one of the seven angels who had the seven vials came and talked with me, saying to me, Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot sitting on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and became drunk with the wine of her fornication, those inhabiting the earth. And he carried me away into a desert by the Spirit.
And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, filled with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet. And she was gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with a great marveling. And the angel said to me, Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, that has the seven heads and ten horns.” (Rev. 17:1-7)
The reason why John was so shocked is that he was shown modern-day Rome and not the ancient Rome of his day. In his day, Christians were enemies of the Empire primarily because they would not bow down and worship the image of Caesar – or, acknowledge his deity in any way. Because of this, they were brutally persecuted. However, here he is shown modern-day Rome (Vatican) in all her ecclesiastical glory. This modern Rome has the outward appearance of Christianity, but inwardly he is told she is spiritually bankrupt! In his day, Rome was very clearly the enemy of the Christians and now he sees her as the so-called preeminent universal Church of Christ. The shear scale of this corrupt religious organization would have been beyond his comprehension! The angel basically explains to him that it is this woman that controls and manipulates the political system (10 kings) of the last days. It is an established fact, that purple and scarlet are the colours of the Catholic hierarchy. The Roman Catholic Church in her official documents and catechisms refers to herself as ‘Mother Church’ (woman). Roman Catholicism is Satan’s masterpiece because it masquerades behind the mask of Christianity. It never, ever, was Christian! Nor can it ever be!
We are to have nothing to do with this satanic masterpiece apart from encouraging those individuals trapped in this diabolical system to do what our beloved Saviour says:
“And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that you may not be partakers of her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues. For her sins joined together, even up to Heaven, and God has remembered her unjust deeds. Reward her as she has rewarded you, and double to her double, according to her works. In the cup, which she mixed, mix double to her. As much as she has glorified herself and has lived in luxury, so much torment and sorrow give her. For she says in her heart, I sit as a queen, and I am not a widow; and I do not see mourning at all. Therefore her plagues will come in one day, death and mourning and famine. And she will be consumed with fire, for the Lord God who judges her is strong.” (Rev. 18:4-8)
THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED: BABYLON THE GREAT IS NONE OTHER THAT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ITS INSTITUTIONS
“And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads!” (Rev 12:3) And he carried me away into a desert by the Spirit.”
“And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, filled with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
“And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev 12:9)
“And they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with it?” (Rev. 13:4)
Adopting the linkage understanding to the above scriptures, it is clear that as the great dragon is Satan and since it is the woman who rides (controls) the beast she too is of satanic origin!
N.B. The Pope by succession is the Bishop of the diocese of Rome. However, he is also the Holy See. In this office he holds jurisdiction over the Roman Catholic Church universal!
Compiled by: The Final Word Internet Ministry
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