Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 09:27 (Aug 2005)
Article: What Is The Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18? Part 2
Author: Andrew M. Woods

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CTJ 9:27 (August 2005) p. 142

What Is The Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18?
Part 2

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.

Part 1 discussed the theories that Babylon is “the world” and was about halfway into its discussion that Babylon is Jerusalem. This article begins by examining the weaknesses of that theory.

Weaknesses

General Problems

Before responding to some of the specific arguments advanced by Jerusalem advocates, I will first specify some general weaknesses with the position. To begin with, to refer Jerusalem to Babylon is unprecedented.1 While Scripture typically relates Jerusalem to the people of God, it relates Babylon to the world.2 Although Sodom and Egypt have precedent for being used as a metaphor for Jerusalem, Babylon is never used in this way.3 Also, there is no example in Jewish literature of the use of the name Babylon for Jerusalem.4

CTJ 9:27 (August 2005) p. 143

Moreover, if the Babylon = Jerusalem hypothesis is correct, then Jerusalem will never be rebuilt again. Revelation 18:21–23 describes the permanent destruction of Babylon. Revelation 18:21 says, “... Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.” Thus, according to the Babylon = Jerusalem view, Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 and will never be rebuilt again. Yet, how can this be a description of Jerusalem when Scripture repeatedly speaks of its return to prominence during the millennial reign (Isa. 2:3; Zech. 14:16; Rev. 20:9). Scripture is quite plain that God still has a plan for ethnic Israel and yet the Jerusalem view seems to teach the opposite.5

Furthermore, the description of th...

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