The hour is late, according to practically every biblically prophetic indicator. Most every geographic region, and in many cases specific nations, are coming into sharper focus in lining up for prophetic fulfillment.
The Gog-Magog coalition (Russia, Iran, Turkey, etc.), China as king of the kings of the east, and, of course, Israel, all stand poised as if on some strange starting line. These are like tense athletes ready to launch into full competition, yet they stand at that starting line, with tremendous tension building, as if awaiting the starter’s pistol to fire. When it fires, it will be a deadly competition that will end at Armageddon.
That seven-year course of murderous interaction leading up to the finish line seems as near as the next major crisis. The Tribulation could begin at any time, it seems. Only the lack of a peace agreement with Israel at its center stands as somewhat of a time constraint, preventing Daniel’s seventieth week from initiating.
All of that said, it is more than just odd that end-times Babylon of Revelation 18 is nowhere to be seen. Babylon–the ancient place in Iraq where the great city once stood–is there, of course, but, rather than being built as we thought when Saddam Hussein began a small restoration project on the site, it, in fact, has been threatened by the likes of ISIS and other disruptive forces. Those forces have already destroyed much of the antiquities near the site, with no apparent resistant force to stop them.
It could be, of course, that the fulfillment of the final prophecies involving this region is far off yet. However, the Lord, I’m convinced, is telling those who are paying attention that all of these things are on the very cusp of fulfillment, not somewhere in the distant future.
There must be a land (nation) and a city of unprecedented power, influence, and opulence on the scene by the end of that prophesied seven years to wrap up history prior to Christ’s Second Advent.
I’ve read Mark Hitchcock’s book on the topic, as well as a number of other books on the subject of the city known as Babylon the Great. Most have it that the city will be quickly built with modern building methodologies and equipment. This, to me, is becoming less likely every day.
Yet that nation and city must be there before Christ’s return, as given in Revelation chapter 18 and other places. There is nothing “spiritual” about the prophecy. The land and the city will be “literally” destroyed in an hour, the prophecy says. To me it is doubtful that building such a city of great opulence and influence could be accomplished during the Tribulation–as the tremendous geophysical destruction from God’s judgment and wrath, it seems logical, will make such construction prohibitive.
The one factor that is a big unknown is the amount of time that will elapse between the Rapture of the church and the signing of the covenant that will initiate the seven years of Tribulation. If this is an extensive period of years, it is possible, perhaps, for a city such as given in Revelation chapter 18 to be constructed. Still, logic dictates that it would take a very long period to have the merchants of the earth grow rich from the delicacies that Babylon the great will offer.
I think it is time to reconsider whether it has been America the whole time that this prophecy references.
Despite every economic and other problem that has been thrown at America–even with the Obama presidency, the most destructive (purposefully, I’m convinced) in its history–America stands far above the rest, $20.5 trillion deficit and all. Like the earlier prophecy says about that ancient city and land (Jeremiah 51:7), America has been a “golden cup” in the hand of God–i.e., this nation has seen to it that the gospel has been disseminated to the world. It has served as midwife in the rebirth of Israel into modernity, and has acted as its earthly protector (realizing, of course, that God, Himself, is its ultimate protector).
Sadly, however, America has also become–like that doomed land and city–the most sinful in all of mankind’s history. Like it or not, the United States fits the model, and there seems no such other that has even the most remote chance of one day fitting the model, if we are talking about a relatively near-term fulfillment of the prophecy in which Babylon the Great is involved.
Let us think a bit more about this nation that alone fits the description of the region in which resides Babylon the Great. The United States stands at the center of the world, whether the other nation-states of the planet acknowledge or deny the fact. America is the envy of the world community for the materialistic good she possesses and produces, thus giving her great wealth and great power. It seems the globalist elitists of that world community are determined to do incrementally what they can’t do any other way short of all-out nuclear war, in which there can be no winners. They want what America has. They want the wealth redistributed, to create for themselves a power base of working class to support their needs to establish a worldwide humanist empire.
Does this sound like the ravings of a conspiracy nut? Maybe so. But if it’s a conspiracy theory, my rave is biblically based. It is not a conspiracy, in my view, of a group of world leaders from around the globe who seek to create a world order dictatorship. I’m of the opinion that most of these people believe they have altruistic intentions. They sincerely believe, for the most part, that building such a world, totally controlled by the globalist-elite thinking they can provide, is the way to world peace and prosperity.
However, the real maestro in this plan to create the new world order we heard the first President Bush talk so much about is none other than the greatest of all deceivers–the father of lies. His moving through the minds of men to build a world apart from God is not without precedent. We see that influence in the following:
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 1:1-4)
This account of civilization that developed in due time following the great Flood reflects the fallen mind of mankind. It is a mindset that has not changed over the many thousands of years since. It is an early attempt at one world order, without consideration for God the Creator’s input in determining the governance of culture and society.
The Bible records God’s dealing with that early rebellion of the globalist-elites’ attempt to establish their humanistic kingdom:
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:5-9)
The Creator dealt with these one-worlders by confounding their language. He erected instant language barriers between the people working on the tower of Babel and other projects in the area so that they couldn’t complete the projects. God then supernaturally scattered the people who had become as one culture into the whole world.
The God of Heaven is on the brink of again intervening into the murderous affairs of rebellious mankind. The destruction of Babylon the Great, like the destruction of the Tower of Babel, will lead to the end of man’s attempt to usurp the throne of God. But, this time it will be a fix that will install the Prince of Peace on His earthly throne.
I know I’ll be in trouble with the seminary types, but, based upon evidence in view and Scripture, I have to be open minded to the possibility that we are living in that mysterious place whose chief, doomed, city is called Babylon the Great. One thing sure: We shall see, perhaps sooner rather than later. I find the following most interesting, upon considering Revelation 4:1. (And, keep in mind, the book of Revelation is not strictly chronological in its presentation. The call might refer to a time considerably earlier than this city’s destruction.)
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18: 4-5)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Brother Terry, the Tribulation Babylon will be a Church/State like Rome was for hundreds of years (Emperor and Pope – Antichrist and False Prophet). I believe my conclusion on this is based in Daniel. The USA will be destroyed by The Antichrist and his coalition (after the rapture). Subsequently, the economic powers will be China and the EU, with the EU being controlled by the Antichrist! The rest you know already. I look forward to seeing you in OK in Oct.
Then, would that possibly mean that Trump is the antichrist ???
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From my perspective the only place that fits the description of Babylon is America, and the only place that fits Mystery Babylon seems to be the Vatican. I also believe Ephraim is the United States, and Manasseh Great Britain, and we’re told destruction comes to Ephraim. Gen. 48:16-20, Hosea 5-6. I know that you don’t believe Obama is the Antichrist, but its been found recently that his lineage traces back to the tribe of Dan, and the Antichrist apparently has roots to that tribe. There is also Scripture that seems to indicate the Antichrist is not of any one particular religion and is dark skinned, and that certainly fits Obama. I also can’t think of anyone who can deceive people better than him, and is so well connected to the shadow governments worldwide, the Rothchilds, UN, Illuminati and Central Banks. No one knows for sure who this man will be, some even think he has to be a Muslim, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if it’s Obama.
I don’t believe we need to focus on who the Antichrist is but on the message and the convergence of the signs. However, I thought he was a good representation of how the Antichrist would be able to pull it off while watching him campaign back in 2007-8. I watched him lie and be able to pull it off without any hitch. I watched him trash our culture and our nation and not a Congressman or Senator would stand up to him. I watched the nation’s pastors flock around him. I remember thinking he was practicing some kind of hypnosis. He was. It is called Eriksonian Hypnosis. I researched it and found this website. http://www.pennypresslv.com/Obama's_Use_of_Hidden_Hypnosis_techniques_in_His_Speeches.pdf
His technique, used to control people and their votes, is unethical and he continues to use it. I cannot stand to listen to him or be within hearing range of his voice even on the television.
My pastor husband (DTS grad) believes that New York and its harbor of trade points to the U.S. being that great city that will be destroyed. He did a series on Daniel that is on youtube and I believe he mentions this in one of the clips with much fear and trepidation as it doesn’t always follow the mainstream thought on this.
Hello Pastor James,
I have thought much the same thing for some time now. How could such a city be built in just a very few years? It has not happened that way in the past. Trading empires have taken decades, even hundreds of years to reach such a point of power and influence. How long was London in the making?
The globalists of ancient times ran into trouble with their own “One World” vision, and now here they are again. This time loads of them based in New York.
Nobody seems to be able to connect the big red dots, but they are getting bigger and redder by the day.
I can hear the “seminary types” sharpening their poison pencils. Not to worry, we will all know everything pretty soon.
Even So Come Lord Jesus,
Thank you, Pastor for your work! Cary
I agree with your husband. It hurts to think this way though.
Carol- you are surely not serious.Don’t you follow all the amazing things your current President has done in 17 months with the many prayers of evangelical Christians?
Don’t think so Terry.Always remember the original fight started at the Garden of Eden which was located in ancient Iraq.
I’ve always believed that the Babylon of End Times will, in fact, be located at the site of the original city. i figure it really will be possible to rebuild it, not only because of the kind of technology available even now when it comes to construction and architecture, but also because of several other elements that I think might be overlooked. Here they are:
1) The 666 Economy. To my understanding, virtually all the world’s economic capacity will come under the control of the Antichrist. This means an unprecedented amount of money will be available to fund such a project. That means an immense source of material and labor. When we consider that America itself developed the technology for manned missions to the moon all by itself in less than a decade and that a lot of brand new things had to be invented along the way to make such a trip possible, this shows just how ingenious we humans can be.
2) The Supernatural Aspect. We got the the moon without using any kind of supernatural influence as far as I know. When the Antichrist comes, the Bible clearly tells us he will be capable of accessing the powers of darkness to accomplish his ends.
With these kind of resources, it would not surprise me that a new Babylon could rise on the site of the old one much faster than normal circumstances would allow.
As an aside, we also believe the Bible indicates that the Temple will be rebuilt and the Mosaic sacrifice system will resume in the last days. No one today can really figure out how that can happen based on current circumstances, but one day it certainly will.
I’m pretty sure that in the last seven years of history as we know it, circumstances will definitely not be normal!
I always enjoy seeing other ideas on End Times topics even if they are different from mine – because an expert I am not and it gives me a chance to learn new things.
Keep up the great work, Terry!
I say its Jerusalem when you compare what scripture says.
Hi John.
I suppose it’s possible, but I think I’ll stick with the term Babylon being literal in referring to a rebuild of the ancient city itself.
There is actually an example of Jerusalem being referred to by another name in Revelation in the description of the killing of the Two Witnesses:
Revelation {11:8} And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
I do not, however, recall any place in the Bible that Jerusalem is ever referred to as Babylon.
Thanks for your thoughts, though!
God bless!
Ed Wood
I posted a comment on here it’s longer you can read I referenced Revelation 11 talking about Jerusalem being called the great city. Babylon is also called the great city (Revelation 18:10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!’)
I have thought for some time that it could be New York City because it is the seat of finance, fashion, industry, shipping, and even the United Nations headquarters.
Look at the text and compare it with Jeremiah it sounds like Jerusalem. In Revelation 18 you see the voice of the bridegroom and the bride being heard nomore you see the same thing being said in Jeremiah many verses all referencing Jerusalem. It says in Jeremiah 7:34 Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. For the land shall be desolate.
Revelation 17 talks about a woman who is a harlot she is called Mystery Babylon notice the 10 kings who come into power under the Antichrist and give him power of their armies hate the whore and make her desolate (Revelation 17:16), (Jeremiah 7:34) check out Luke 21:20-22 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.
In Revelation 11 You see Jerusalem being referred to as the great city who is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. The Jews are spirituality a whore because they’ve turned to other gods (Jeremiah 3), (Jeremiah 16:10-13). Babylon in Revelation 18 is also called the great city.
In Revelation 18 it says to pay her back double for what she have done. (Revelation 18:6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.) Now Jeremiah (Jeremiah 16:17-18 For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes. 18 And first I will repay double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols.”).
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