Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 09:26 (Mar 2005)
Article: What Is The Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18? Part 1
Author: Andrew M. Woods

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What Is The Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18?
Part 1

Andy Woods

Doctoral Student

Dallas Theological Seminary

Abstract

This three-part article explores the variety of opinions as to the identity of “Babylon” in Revelation 17 and 18. The strengths and weaknesses of the following five suggestions are examined. “Babylon” is: the world, Jerusalem, Rome, an end-time religious system, or a rebuilt Babylon. The author believes this last theory is the one with the fewest problems.

My Hermeneutical Approach to Apocalyptic Literature

Much controversy surrounds the identification of Babylon in Revelation 17–18. The reason for this controversy is that interpreters disagree over the hermeneutical approach to be employed in deciphering John’s Apocalypse. This disagreement over hermeneutics in turn results from disagreement regarding how Revelation’s genre should be classified. Should Revelation be classified as belonging to the prophetic genre or apocalyptic genre? The genre categorization selected by the interpreter effects his hermeneutic. Each of these genre categories is accompanied by a different set of hermeneutical principles.

. Most New Testament scholars classify Revelation’s genre as apocalyptic. Apocalyptic literature became predominant during the intertestamental period and continued to flourish during the time when the Book of Revelation was written. Such apocalyptic writings include The Book of Enoch, Apocalypse of Baruch, Book of Jubilees, Assumption of Moses, Psalms of Solomon, Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, and Sibylline Oracles.

These writings possess a common cluster of attributes. Such attributes include the following: extensive use of symbolism, vision as the major means of revelation, angelic guides, activity of angels and demons, focus on the end of the current age and the inauguration of the age to come, urgent expectation of the end of earthly conditions in the

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immediate future, the end as a cosmic catastrophe, new salvation that is paradisal in character, manifestation of the kingdom of God, a mediator with royal functions, dualism with God and Satan as the leaders, spiritual order determining the flow of history, pessimism about mans’ ability to change the course of events, periodization and determinism of human history, other worldly journeys, the catchword glory, and a final showdown between good and evil.1

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