Babylon was one of Israel’s main enemies in Old Testament times. For this reason it became a New Testament symbol in Revelation of fallen Christianity in its fight against God’s remnant people (Revelation 14:8; 17:5; 18:2).
In a general sense, the symbols of the book of Revelation are drawn from the stories of ancient Israel or are founded on the prophetic messages of the OT prophets. Thus, when the symbols of the book of Revelation are examined, it is vital that a cautious reflection be given to their corresponding experiences in OT history and prophecy. For with such background, the symbols of the Revelation can be fully understood.
Some features of the punishment of literal Babylon as presented in Jeremiah 25 are worthy of notice in relation to the study of the punishment of mystical Babylon as presented in Revelation 16 to 19 (Isaiah 14:4). Let’s examine these features:
| Jeremiah 25 | Revelation 16 to 19 |
| 1. “I will take from them the voice of mirth . . . bridegroom . . . bride
. . . millstones . . . candle” (v. 10). | 1. “The voice of harpers . . . a millstone . . . a candle . . . the bride- groom . . . the bride shall be no more heard in thee” (18:22, 23). |
| 2. “I will punish the king of Babylon” (v. 12). | 2. “Great Babylon came in remembrance before God” (16:19; 17:1; 18:7, 8). |
| 3. “I will recompense them according to their deeds” (v. 14). | 3. “Reward her . . . ac-cording to her works” (18:6). |
| 4. “The wine cup of
this fury” (v. 15). | 4. “The cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath” (16:19). |
| 5. “A sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth” (v. 29). | 5. “The remnant were slain with the sword” (19: 21).
“A sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations” (19:15). |
| 6. “The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habita-tion; . . . he shall give a shout” (v. 30). | 6. “There came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne” (16:17). |
| 7. “The Lord hath a controversy with the na-tions” (v. 31). | 7. “He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (16:16).
“In righteousness he doth judge and make war” (19:11; 17:14; 19:15, 19). |
| 8. “Evil shall go forth from nation to nation”
(v. 32). | 8. “The spirits of devils, working miracles, . . . go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world” (16:14). |
| 9. “The slain of the Lord” (v. 33). | 9. “The remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse” (19:21). |
Jeremiah’s prophecy of chapter 25 against Babylon began to be fulfilled when “the Medes and Persians” seized the city, destroyed Belshazzar, and ended the Neo-Babylonian Empire (Daniel 5:17–31). Although God used Babylon to punish His chosen nation, this did not release the Babylonians from receiving their own judgement which they deserved for their own sins (Jeremiah 50; 51; Isaiah 10:5–16).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
