StewardoftheMystery
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In Revelation 17:5 we are told the woman that "sat upon many waters" and upon the scarlet colored beast had a name written "upon her forehead"; " MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Many try to confine this MOTHER OF HARLOTS to a single city in the the past or even in the present day; like a brick and mortar city yet to come and be called "Babylon the great". Or some even believe the great city of Jerusalem fits the description, but it takes people to make up a city, and cities don’t commit abominations but rather people do.
Some also say the woman represents the RCC and try to place her in a physical place like in Rome, or even in the United States, like NYC. But if you look at "all the descriptions" given concerning where the woman "sits", and "all the judgements" that come upon her, then hopefully you will come to realize this is not the case.
And though the language used and many of the "similitudes" given are compared to descriptions of Babylon, Jerusalem, and Tyre of old in scripture; we will see how it cannot be limited to these. And though Rome and the US may be enjoined by one spirit to this corrupt global Harlot system, they just don’t seem to fit "all the descriptions", as I will try to show by scripture.
Being "the mother of" something is like being "the origin of "something, just as I’ll try to show in this study there are actually 2 spiritual mothers who are "the origin of "all their children. We also know a Harlot in scripture is often shown as one who leaves her first love for another, thereby "playing the Harlot"; just as Israel and her 2 harlot daughters did with the Lord. The Lord said in Jeremiah 3:20 “Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.”
In Jeremiah chapter 3 the Lord pleads with Israel to return to him, even though she has "played the Harlot" with many lovers, and has greatly polluted the land with "all her abominations". In Ezekiel 23:2 we see she is known as the Mother of 2 daughters that have also "played the harlot," and committed whoredoms throughout the land.
Ezekiel 23:1-4 “The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.”
Israel had played "the harlot" by taking up many of the "false beliefs, false traditions, and false idols" of the surrounding nations, and then in turn polluted others with these abominations of her fornication. These 2 daughters of 1 mother Israel that played the harlot are called Aholah, which means "his tabernacle", and the other is Aholibah, which means "my tabernacle."
So what we see in the Mother of Harlots in Revelation is a false tabernacle system, or "false religious
system" in bed with "the ways of the world", like false idol worship. The name “Babylon the great” written on her "forehead" represents the way a person thinks, as also representing taking up the "the ways of the world". In the Old Testament we saw the mention of the "cursed thing", which was the sign of the "love of money and materialism". Those who coveted the cursed thing, would also suffer the same judgement by fire, as the cursed thing.
This also explains part of the dress of the harlot woman in Revelation 17:4 “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” The way she is dressed shows she is clothed with "the glory of this world", which is money and materialism. Unlike the faithful bride, who is clothed with the glory of God, symbolized in the Sun. (Sun of righteousness)
The golden cup in her hand represents "the wicked ways of the world" that brings forth the wrath of God, as the golden cup in the OT represented Babylon of old in Jeremiah 51:7 “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of "her wine"; therefore the nations are mad.”
In the first tabernacle Moses was commanded to build by God we saw the colors blue, purple, and scarlet, and gold; but this woman is adorned with "the ways of the world" (Babylonish garment) which also represents being clothed with the merchandise and glory of this world.
Notice the description of the merchandise when Babylon falls in Revelation chapter 18 the merchants weep and mourn over their merchandise in Revelation 18:12 “The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, …..” And again notice in Revelation 18:16 “And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!”
This false idol worship of "covetousness" is also shown in "the love of money "as written in 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is "the root" of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Notice the love of money is the "root" of all evil, just as the Mother "of " is the "origin of" the harlot church system. So now we are getting closer to "the root" of the problem (so to speak), and also notice the wording of “many sorrows” there. Compare to the "judgement" of the woman in Revelation 18:7 “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”
Babylon of old was known as the land of graven images and false idols, which explains the name on the woman’s forehead “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT.” Babylon the great represents "the ways of the world" such as the lusts and desires of the flesh, false doctrines, false idols, and covetousness etc. Just as Israel, the mother of the 2 harlot daughters had defiled herself with by taking up the false beliefs, false idols, false religions, and false traditions of all the surrounding Nations.”
So thus far the spiritual imagery we are seeing in Revelation represents a "false religious system" in bed with "the ways of the world", which explains the last part of the name written on her forehead reads
“AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
This is symbolized with the harlot being in bed with, or committing fornication with "the kings of the earth" in Revelation 17:2 “With whom "the kings of the earth have committed fornication", and the inhabitants of "the earth" have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (made drunk with false doctrine, idolatry, traditions etc.)
Revelation 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of "her fornication", and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Revelation 18:9 “And "the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication" and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,” (fall of the false idol system)
This fornication that the harlot religious system has committed with the kings of the earth is shown here in James 4:4; "You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that "friendship of the world" is enmity with God?" Whosoever therefore will be a "friend of the world" is the enemy of God."
This writing on the forehead also symbolizes "the way one thinks" as well, just as the Lord told Israel in Jeremiah 3:3 “Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a "*****'s forehead", thou refusedst to be ashamed.”
This way of thinking would also be "on", or "in" the heads of the worldly Beast system, as the woman sat "on" the 7 heads, which are 7 mountains, which are 7 kings, or Kingdoms. Revelation 17:9-10 “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, "on which the woman sitteth".10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.”
Verse 10 also proves the woman is not the RCC or the US alone because the woman will sit on "all the 7 heads", and 5 of those Kingdoms had already fallen, and the 6th was present when John received the Revelation. So the woman predates both the RCC and the US, thus it cannot be them alone.
Let me get back to the Mystery of the 2 spiritual mothers I mentioned at the beginning of the study.
Spiritually speaking there are 2 women, which are 2 spirits, and represent the 2 spiritual seeds of both flesh and Spirit, which are also represented in the 2 Jerusalem’s in Galatians chapter 4. These 2 Jerusalem’s are, "one is earthly" and the other heavenly; and both are also shown as “mothers”. The "earthly Jerusalem" is symbolized in the bond woman and her children; she is "the mother" of the children of the flesh; who are also "of the world" and in "bondage to sin." I believe her name is called "wickedness" and she is also shown in Zechariah 5:7-8; her children make up the "wicked and adulterous" generation Jesus spoke of. It is also written the whole world lieth in "wickedness" in 1 John 5:19
In Zechariah 5: 11 we see she is also called “it” and was to have a house built in the land of Shinar (Shinar is the land of Babylon) note in verse 11 “And he said unto me, To build "it" an house in the land
of Shinar: and "it "shall be established, and set there upon "her" own base.” Her children are "cursed"by the curse mentioned to Zechariah 5:4, which curse falls upon all those who swear falsely by the Lords name. = false religion and HYPOCRISY. I believe this curse also includes all those who "swear falsely" by the single God of Abraham, this would include Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
The other Spirit and woman is called Wisdom,(just as "wisdom" is justified of all "her children" Luke 7:35) she is shown as the "freewoman" in Galatians 4:23 and as the "heavenly Jerusalem" and the “mother” of all those who are born of God’s Holy Spirit and the "seed of promise" in Jesus Christ. God’s people are referred to as a “holy city” even the “new” Jerusalem being the bride of the Lamb.
In Revelation 12:1 we read “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” We see this woman would give birth to the man child Jesus in verse 5, and she represents the spiritual Israel, not the natural Israel. For there is an "earthy" Israel and Jerusalem, as there is a "heavenly" Israel and Jerusalem. We who are of the heavenly Jerusalem have "her name" written "in our forehead". (Revelation 3:12) as opposed to "the worldly "woman having the name “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT.” written "in", or on her forehead.
We know this woman in Rev. 12 is the spiritual Israel because Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and they that are of the remnant of her seed have "the testimony of Jesus Christ" as shown in verse 17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have "the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
And we know the "earthly" Jerusalem who is the mother of the children of "flesh" being "carnally minded" do not have the testimony of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit.
Now let’s explore who is drunken and guilty of the blood of the saints and prophets, in order that we might better discern that the woman and Mystery Babylon the great is not a single brick and mortar city on the map somewhere.
In Revelation 17:5-6 we read;”And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”
Now some say this woman refers to a brick and mortar city like Jerusalem, but hopefully with some scriptural proof we will see the woman speaks of much more than just a certain location on a map; but more of a global spiritually corrupt worldly system of false religion based on covetousness and false beliefs of carnally minded men.
To prove the woman is "global", and her ways effect "the whole earth" lets go to Revelation 16:1-6 “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God "upon the earth". And the first went, and poured out his vial "upon the earth"; and
there fell a noisome and grievous sore "upon the men" which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.For "they have shed the blood of saints and prophets", and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.”
Here we see the judgment of God’s wrath falls upon "the whole earth" not just a single city or a limited geographic location, because it is those who are "of" this world (and of the spirit of this world) who are all guilty of the blood of the saints and prophets, not just the brick and mortar city like Jerusalem.
This can also be proven in Jesus’ words concerning the “wicked generation”. (or serpents seed) Matthew 23:33-36; “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.”
First thing notice the Lord calls them a generation of vipers, which are those who are of the serpents seed, or children of that wicked.
The Lord said in the beginning to the serpent that He would put enmity between the serpents seed (generation of vipers) and the woman’s seed (seed of promise in Christ). The serpents seed are those who are of the "flesh", and the woman’s seed are those who are born again of Gods Spirit. That allegory was also shown in the 2 separate Jerusalem’s (earthly vs heavenly) and their children in Galatians 4:23; “But he who was of the "bond woman" was born after the "flesh"; but he of the freewoman was by promise.”(promise of the Spirit) This is the great divide between the "earthly" and the heavenly.
Notice Jesus started with the righteous blood of Abel; and so who killed Abel, and what seed was Cain of? We are given the answer here in 1 John 3:12; “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”
In this we see the Lord didn’t single out any certain small generation like the Jews only, or a small city like Jerusalem as some might understand it. But Jesus foretold of the judgment and wrath that would fall upon a whole "wicked and adulterous generation". This generation of "vipers" are those who are of their father the Devil, and they are also the ones who have persecuted and killed the saints of the world since the time of Cain, even until now.
So when the judgment and wrath falls on Mystery Babylon, the “great city”, it shall be felt "globally", as this can also be confirmed by scripture.
When the 7th angel pours out his vial into the air soon thereafter there is an great earthquake "upon the earth". Revelation 16:19 “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.
If Mystery Babylon the “great city” were a small brick and mortar city, it still would not cause “the cities of the nations to fall” if it only experienced a localized earthquake. And if that were the case it would also not cause "all the merchants of the earth" to bewail her falling. Revelation 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: Revelation 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,”
So this Mystery Babylon is much more than just a small place on the map, but more like spiritual idolatry and covetousness found in many false beliefs and religious systems. This corrupt system is based on the love of money and materialism, as many were prophesied to be led astray and fall away from the faith by the deceitfulness of riches.
When Jesus spoke of the end of this age in Luke 21:32 “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” He was speaking to the whole wicked generation ever since iniquity was first found in man until the Lord returns again and consumes that Wicked spirit, and then iniquity shall have an end.
Now think about this, what is the origin of the 3 main religous beliefs in this world today? Judaism, Christian, and Muslim faiths are all based upon the single God of Abraham. And like Israel did, they have all gone astray and have corrupted themselves with man-made beliefs, worldly doctrine, commandments and traditions of carnally minded men, and spiritual idolatry, which is covetousness.
This corrupted version of the faith is also shown as the synagogue of Satan, or false tabernacle system and even the defiled and corrupted church system (Harlot) vs. the True Church who has remained faithful to her Husband (Bride of the Lamb). And this false religious system is of all peoples, nations, and tongues; not just Jews and Christians in a certain geographic location. That is why she sits on, and is carried by "a global beast system", or on "many waters",= (many peoples nations, tongues) as she is also in bed with the kings of the whole earth. (or ways of the world)
So to me this Mystery Babylon is not just a single city on the map, or a single religious denomination, but rather it is spiritual imagery of "spiritual wickedness" that is working in the world and has also defiled all Nations, peoples, and all tongues with her spirit of whoredoms.
It is this corrupt system of covetousness that has infected all faiths by false beliefs, false doctrines, and false idols etc. And by being in bed with the ways of the world, she is also doing the same abominations that the rest of the world is also doing.
This is why I believe part of the name written on her forehead reads “AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.” This is also why the Lord said; "come out of "her" my people, and be not a partaker of "her sins."
The Lord is not talking about coming out of a small city like Jerusalem, but out of "the wicked ways of the world".
Here is something else interesting I wanted to note in the wording of where the blood of all that were slain upon the earth is....
Notice the wording here concerning the Mystery, Babylon the great……
Revelation 18:24 “And "in her" was found "the blood" of prophets, and of saints, and of "all" that were slain upon the earth.”
I know of no single country or city in the world where the blood of "all" that were ever slain can be found do you? But there is one “her” found in scripture that fits this description, and that is good ole "Mother Earth".
Notice the "earth" is mentioned as “her” several times in scripture, and notice she receives the blood…
Genesis 4:11 “And now art thou cursed from the "earth", which hath opened "her mouth" to receive thy brother's "blood" from thy hand;”
Notice the "blood" and slain go back to the "earth"….
Isaiah 26:21 “For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of "the earth" for their iniquity: "the earth" also shall disclose "her blood," and shall no more cover "her slain.”
Another interesting insight is in searching the meanings of names, like the meaning of Babel or Babylon
Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)"
There is a lot of good stuff to glean by searching that word "confusion" as it relates to "the ways" of the world and those who are of it.
I spoke of 2 spiritual Mothers, one is by the spirit of this world being "Wickedness" and the other is called "Wisdom" by the Holy Spirit from heaven above. In scripture we see what I call opposite reflections, like a Lamb with 7 horns vs. a Dragon with 7 heads. Just as Light is the opposite of darkness, and good is the opposite of evil.
With that in mind, look at this verse here...
Proverbs 9:1 "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
So I got to thinking, if Wisdom has her 7 good spirits, perhaps "Wickedness" has her 7 evil spirits, or
Abominations. As she being spiritual wickedness is also the Mother of Abominations of the earth.
And I think those 7 evil spirits are shown here...
Proverbs 6:16-19 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
It is this world that is like a mother that produces "the children of the flesh", because of sin that had entered into the world, by the spirit of that Wicked. Those who are of the world do mind the things of "the flesh".
1 John 2:16 "For all that is "in the world", the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is "of the world."
But those who are born again of the Spirit are no longer of the world, as they have overcome the ways of the world by faith in Jesus Christ, as Jesus also "overcame the world".
So you have 2 different minds at work by 2 different spirits, one that is "earthy" and one that is "heavenly" as I mentioned earlier. These 2 minds are dictated by the "heads" of the body. For instance, Christ is the "head" of the Body, or the "head" of the Church. So those who are of His Spirit have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have "the mind of Christ".
So with that in mind, there is also a "head" that dictates the way the children of the flesh think, as it is the spirit of that Wicked that is also in the world being the "head" of the Body of the sea beast.
Notice what "head" was to be "the head of all the kingdoms" shown to Daniel.
Daniel 2:37-38 "Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art "this head" of gold.
So it was this Babylonian head (way of thinking) that would dictate the mind of those who are of the world. The Lord also referred to the King of Babylon as "Lucifer;" so you can see the connection to those who do the lusts of their father "the Devil "as being of that same "spirit" and "mind".
So the name written "on" the forehead "Babylon the great" symbolizes the way a person "thinks", and also the things they desire. Just as the children born of this world being of the flesh do mind the things of the world and of the flesh, but we who are of the Spirit are "sealed in our forehead" and have a new
name written, and we do mind the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
I hope this study has helped you in understanding some of the many mysteries found in God’s Word. May the grace of our Lord be with you all, Peace and God bless
Many try to confine this MOTHER OF HARLOTS to a single city in the the past or even in the present day; like a brick and mortar city yet to come and be called "Babylon the great". Or some even believe the great city of Jerusalem fits the description, but it takes people to make up a city, and cities don’t commit abominations but rather people do.
Some also say the woman represents the RCC and try to place her in a physical place like in Rome, or even in the United States, like NYC. But if you look at "all the descriptions" given concerning where the woman "sits", and "all the judgements" that come upon her, then hopefully you will come to realize this is not the case.
And though the language used and many of the "similitudes" given are compared to descriptions of Babylon, Jerusalem, and Tyre of old in scripture; we will see how it cannot be limited to these. And though Rome and the US may be enjoined by one spirit to this corrupt global Harlot system, they just don’t seem to fit "all the descriptions", as I will try to show by scripture.
Being "the mother of" something is like being "the origin of "something, just as I’ll try to show in this study there are actually 2 spiritual mothers who are "the origin of "all their children. We also know a Harlot in scripture is often shown as one who leaves her first love for another, thereby "playing the Harlot"; just as Israel and her 2 harlot daughters did with the Lord. The Lord said in Jeremiah 3:20 “Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.”
In Jeremiah chapter 3 the Lord pleads with Israel to return to him, even though she has "played the Harlot" with many lovers, and has greatly polluted the land with "all her abominations". In Ezekiel 23:2 we see she is known as the Mother of 2 daughters that have also "played the harlot," and committed whoredoms throughout the land.
Ezekiel 23:1-4 “The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.”
Israel had played "the harlot" by taking up many of the "false beliefs, false traditions, and false idols" of the surrounding nations, and then in turn polluted others with these abominations of her fornication. These 2 daughters of 1 mother Israel that played the harlot are called Aholah, which means "his tabernacle", and the other is Aholibah, which means "my tabernacle."
So what we see in the Mother of Harlots in Revelation is a false tabernacle system, or "false religious
system" in bed with "the ways of the world", like false idol worship. The name “Babylon the great” written on her "forehead" represents the way a person thinks, as also representing taking up the "the ways of the world". In the Old Testament we saw the mention of the "cursed thing", which was the sign of the "love of money and materialism". Those who coveted the cursed thing, would also suffer the same judgement by fire, as the cursed thing.
This also explains part of the dress of the harlot woman in Revelation 17:4 “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” The way she is dressed shows she is clothed with "the glory of this world", which is money and materialism. Unlike the faithful bride, who is clothed with the glory of God, symbolized in the Sun. (Sun of righteousness)
The golden cup in her hand represents "the wicked ways of the world" that brings forth the wrath of God, as the golden cup in the OT represented Babylon of old in Jeremiah 51:7 “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of "her wine"; therefore the nations are mad.”
In the first tabernacle Moses was commanded to build by God we saw the colors blue, purple, and scarlet, and gold; but this woman is adorned with "the ways of the world" (Babylonish garment) which also represents being clothed with the merchandise and glory of this world.
Notice the description of the merchandise when Babylon falls in Revelation chapter 18 the merchants weep and mourn over their merchandise in Revelation 18:12 “The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, …..” And again notice in Revelation 18:16 “And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!”
This false idol worship of "covetousness" is also shown in "the love of money "as written in 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is "the root" of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Notice the love of money is the "root" of all evil, just as the Mother "of " is the "origin of" the harlot church system. So now we are getting closer to "the root" of the problem (so to speak), and also notice the wording of “many sorrows” there. Compare to the "judgement" of the woman in Revelation 18:7 “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”
Babylon of old was known as the land of graven images and false idols, which explains the name on the woman’s forehead “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT.” Babylon the great represents "the ways of the world" such as the lusts and desires of the flesh, false doctrines, false idols, and covetousness etc. Just as Israel, the mother of the 2 harlot daughters had defiled herself with by taking up the false beliefs, false idols, false religions, and false traditions of all the surrounding Nations.”
So thus far the spiritual imagery we are seeing in Revelation represents a "false religious system" in bed with "the ways of the world", which explains the last part of the name written on her forehead reads
“AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
This is symbolized with the harlot being in bed with, or committing fornication with "the kings of the earth" in Revelation 17:2 “With whom "the kings of the earth have committed fornication", and the inhabitants of "the earth" have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (made drunk with false doctrine, idolatry, traditions etc.)
Revelation 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of "her fornication", and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Revelation 18:9 “And "the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication" and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,” (fall of the false idol system)
This fornication that the harlot religious system has committed with the kings of the earth is shown here in James 4:4; "You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that "friendship of the world" is enmity with God?" Whosoever therefore will be a "friend of the world" is the enemy of God."
This writing on the forehead also symbolizes "the way one thinks" as well, just as the Lord told Israel in Jeremiah 3:3 “Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a "*****'s forehead", thou refusedst to be ashamed.”
This way of thinking would also be "on", or "in" the heads of the worldly Beast system, as the woman sat "on" the 7 heads, which are 7 mountains, which are 7 kings, or Kingdoms. Revelation 17:9-10 “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, "on which the woman sitteth".10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.”
Verse 10 also proves the woman is not the RCC or the US alone because the woman will sit on "all the 7 heads", and 5 of those Kingdoms had already fallen, and the 6th was present when John received the Revelation. So the woman predates both the RCC and the US, thus it cannot be them alone.
Let me get back to the Mystery of the 2 spiritual mothers I mentioned at the beginning of the study.
Spiritually speaking there are 2 women, which are 2 spirits, and represent the 2 spiritual seeds of both flesh and Spirit, which are also represented in the 2 Jerusalem’s in Galatians chapter 4. These 2 Jerusalem’s are, "one is earthly" and the other heavenly; and both are also shown as “mothers”. The "earthly Jerusalem" is symbolized in the bond woman and her children; she is "the mother" of the children of the flesh; who are also "of the world" and in "bondage to sin." I believe her name is called "wickedness" and she is also shown in Zechariah 5:7-8; her children make up the "wicked and adulterous" generation Jesus spoke of. It is also written the whole world lieth in "wickedness" in 1 John 5:19
In Zechariah 5: 11 we see she is also called “it” and was to have a house built in the land of Shinar (Shinar is the land of Babylon) note in verse 11 “And he said unto me, To build "it" an house in the land
of Shinar: and "it "shall be established, and set there upon "her" own base.” Her children are "cursed"by the curse mentioned to Zechariah 5:4, which curse falls upon all those who swear falsely by the Lords name. = false religion and HYPOCRISY. I believe this curse also includes all those who "swear falsely" by the single God of Abraham, this would include Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
The other Spirit and woman is called Wisdom,(just as "wisdom" is justified of all "her children" Luke 7:35) she is shown as the "freewoman" in Galatians 4:23 and as the "heavenly Jerusalem" and the “mother” of all those who are born of God’s Holy Spirit and the "seed of promise" in Jesus Christ. God’s people are referred to as a “holy city” even the “new” Jerusalem being the bride of the Lamb.
In Revelation 12:1 we read “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” We see this woman would give birth to the man child Jesus in verse 5, and she represents the spiritual Israel, not the natural Israel. For there is an "earthy" Israel and Jerusalem, as there is a "heavenly" Israel and Jerusalem. We who are of the heavenly Jerusalem have "her name" written "in our forehead". (Revelation 3:12) as opposed to "the worldly "woman having the name “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT.” written "in", or on her forehead.
We know this woman in Rev. 12 is the spiritual Israel because Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and they that are of the remnant of her seed have "the testimony of Jesus Christ" as shown in verse 17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have "the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
And we know the "earthly" Jerusalem who is the mother of the children of "flesh" being "carnally minded" do not have the testimony of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit.
Now let’s explore who is drunken and guilty of the blood of the saints and prophets, in order that we might better discern that the woman and Mystery Babylon the great is not a single brick and mortar city on the map somewhere.
In Revelation 17:5-6 we read;”And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”
Now some say this woman refers to a brick and mortar city like Jerusalem, but hopefully with some scriptural proof we will see the woman speaks of much more than just a certain location on a map; but more of a global spiritually corrupt worldly system of false religion based on covetousness and false beliefs of carnally minded men.
To prove the woman is "global", and her ways effect "the whole earth" lets go to Revelation 16:1-6 “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God "upon the earth". And the first went, and poured out his vial "upon the earth"; and
there fell a noisome and grievous sore "upon the men" which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.For "they have shed the blood of saints and prophets", and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.”
Here we see the judgment of God’s wrath falls upon "the whole earth" not just a single city or a limited geographic location, because it is those who are "of" this world (and of the spirit of this world) who are all guilty of the blood of the saints and prophets, not just the brick and mortar city like Jerusalem.
This can also be proven in Jesus’ words concerning the “wicked generation”. (or serpents seed) Matthew 23:33-36; “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.”
First thing notice the Lord calls them a generation of vipers, which are those who are of the serpents seed, or children of that wicked.
The Lord said in the beginning to the serpent that He would put enmity between the serpents seed (generation of vipers) and the woman’s seed (seed of promise in Christ). The serpents seed are those who are of the "flesh", and the woman’s seed are those who are born again of Gods Spirit. That allegory was also shown in the 2 separate Jerusalem’s (earthly vs heavenly) and their children in Galatians 4:23; “But he who was of the "bond woman" was born after the "flesh"; but he of the freewoman was by promise.”(promise of the Spirit) This is the great divide between the "earthly" and the heavenly.
Notice Jesus started with the righteous blood of Abel; and so who killed Abel, and what seed was Cain of? We are given the answer here in 1 John 3:12; “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”
In this we see the Lord didn’t single out any certain small generation like the Jews only, or a small city like Jerusalem as some might understand it. But Jesus foretold of the judgment and wrath that would fall upon a whole "wicked and adulterous generation". This generation of "vipers" are those who are of their father the Devil, and they are also the ones who have persecuted and killed the saints of the world since the time of Cain, even until now.
So when the judgment and wrath falls on Mystery Babylon, the “great city”, it shall be felt "globally", as this can also be confirmed by scripture.
When the 7th angel pours out his vial into the air soon thereafter there is an great earthquake "upon the earth". Revelation 16:19 “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.
If Mystery Babylon the “great city” were a small brick and mortar city, it still would not cause “the cities of the nations to fall” if it only experienced a localized earthquake. And if that were the case it would also not cause "all the merchants of the earth" to bewail her falling. Revelation 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: Revelation 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,”
So this Mystery Babylon is much more than just a small place on the map, but more like spiritual idolatry and covetousness found in many false beliefs and religious systems. This corrupt system is based on the love of money and materialism, as many were prophesied to be led astray and fall away from the faith by the deceitfulness of riches.
When Jesus spoke of the end of this age in Luke 21:32 “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” He was speaking to the whole wicked generation ever since iniquity was first found in man until the Lord returns again and consumes that Wicked spirit, and then iniquity shall have an end.
Now think about this, what is the origin of the 3 main religous beliefs in this world today? Judaism, Christian, and Muslim faiths are all based upon the single God of Abraham. And like Israel did, they have all gone astray and have corrupted themselves with man-made beliefs, worldly doctrine, commandments and traditions of carnally minded men, and spiritual idolatry, which is covetousness.
This corrupted version of the faith is also shown as the synagogue of Satan, or false tabernacle system and even the defiled and corrupted church system (Harlot) vs. the True Church who has remained faithful to her Husband (Bride of the Lamb). And this false religious system is of all peoples, nations, and tongues; not just Jews and Christians in a certain geographic location. That is why she sits on, and is carried by "a global beast system", or on "many waters",= (many peoples nations, tongues) as she is also in bed with the kings of the whole earth. (or ways of the world)
So to me this Mystery Babylon is not just a single city on the map, or a single religious denomination, but rather it is spiritual imagery of "spiritual wickedness" that is working in the world and has also defiled all Nations, peoples, and all tongues with her spirit of whoredoms.
It is this corrupt system of covetousness that has infected all faiths by false beliefs, false doctrines, and false idols etc. And by being in bed with the ways of the world, she is also doing the same abominations that the rest of the world is also doing.
This is why I believe part of the name written on her forehead reads “AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.” This is also why the Lord said; "come out of "her" my people, and be not a partaker of "her sins."
The Lord is not talking about coming out of a small city like Jerusalem, but out of "the wicked ways of the world".
Here is something else interesting I wanted to note in the wording of where the blood of all that were slain upon the earth is....
Notice the wording here concerning the Mystery, Babylon the great……
Revelation 18:24 “And "in her" was found "the blood" of prophets, and of saints, and of "all" that were slain upon the earth.”
I know of no single country or city in the world where the blood of "all" that were ever slain can be found do you? But there is one “her” found in scripture that fits this description, and that is good ole "Mother Earth".
Notice the "earth" is mentioned as “her” several times in scripture, and notice she receives the blood…
Genesis 4:11 “And now art thou cursed from the "earth", which hath opened "her mouth" to receive thy brother's "blood" from thy hand;”
Notice the "blood" and slain go back to the "earth"….
Isaiah 26:21 “For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of "the earth" for their iniquity: "the earth" also shall disclose "her blood," and shall no more cover "her slain.”
Another interesting insight is in searching the meanings of names, like the meaning of Babel or Babylon
Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)"
There is a lot of good stuff to glean by searching that word "confusion" as it relates to "the ways" of the world and those who are of it.
I spoke of 2 spiritual Mothers, one is by the spirit of this world being "Wickedness" and the other is called "Wisdom" by the Holy Spirit from heaven above. In scripture we see what I call opposite reflections, like a Lamb with 7 horns vs. a Dragon with 7 heads. Just as Light is the opposite of darkness, and good is the opposite of evil.
With that in mind, look at this verse here...
Proverbs 9:1 "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
So I got to thinking, if Wisdom has her 7 good spirits, perhaps "Wickedness" has her 7 evil spirits, or
Abominations. As she being spiritual wickedness is also the Mother of Abominations of the earth.
And I think those 7 evil spirits are shown here...
Proverbs 6:16-19 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
It is this world that is like a mother that produces "the children of the flesh", because of sin that had entered into the world, by the spirit of that Wicked. Those who are of the world do mind the things of "the flesh".
1 John 2:16 "For all that is "in the world", the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is "of the world."
But those who are born again of the Spirit are no longer of the world, as they have overcome the ways of the world by faith in Jesus Christ, as Jesus also "overcame the world".
So you have 2 different minds at work by 2 different spirits, one that is "earthy" and one that is "heavenly" as I mentioned earlier. These 2 minds are dictated by the "heads" of the body. For instance, Christ is the "head" of the Body, or the "head" of the Church. So those who are of His Spirit have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have "the mind of Christ".
So with that in mind, there is also a "head" that dictates the way the children of the flesh think, as it is the spirit of that Wicked that is also in the world being the "head" of the Body of the sea beast.
Notice what "head" was to be "the head of all the kingdoms" shown to Daniel.
Daniel 2:37-38 "Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art "this head" of gold.
So it was this Babylonian head (way of thinking) that would dictate the mind of those who are of the world. The Lord also referred to the King of Babylon as "Lucifer;" so you can see the connection to those who do the lusts of their father "the Devil "as being of that same "spirit" and "mind".
So the name written "on" the forehead "Babylon the great" symbolizes the way a person "thinks", and also the things they desire. Just as the children born of this world being of the flesh do mind the things of the world and of the flesh, but we who are of the Spirit are "sealed in our forehead" and have a new
name written, and we do mind the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
I hope this study has helped you in understanding some of the many mysteries found in God’s Word. May the grace of our Lord be with you all, Peace and God bless
