Saturday, April 23, 2016

The identity of Babylon (Revelation 17-18)

Bryan Denlinger of King James Video Ministries is releasing a series of videos on why America is not Babylon in Revelation 17-18.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrKfqWY_V98

To that I say AMEN!

However, after saying that Babylon is not America, he turns around and says it is "Roman Catholicism".

That wouldn't bother me, but then Mr. Denlinger said that if you don't believe Babylon is Roman Catholicism then you are a "wicked pagan papist".

Here is a brilliant insight into what Babylon is in Revelation 17-18, it is BABYLON. B-A-B-Y-L-O-N.

I know that is deep and very profound, but just think about it.

What does the Bible say the city is? Babylon.

Does the Bible say the city is Rome or Roman Catholicism? No.

Does the Old Testament prophesy of Babylon and the King of Babylon oppressing Israel in the last days OR Roman Catholicism oppressing Israel? The answer to that one is easy (Isa. 14:4, Jer. 32:36-42, etc.).

We should look at what the Bible says without allegorizing it, the word of God should be taken literally.

[Note: I realize the Bible uses figures of speech. But that does not mean it should not be taken literally. When we say "it is raining cats and dogs outside", that phrase uses a figure of speech but it does LITERALLY mean that it is raining. Using a figure of speech or a metaphor does not mean that the passage is not literal.] 

Revelation 17:
[1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
[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.
[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
[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:
[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH
.
[6] 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.
[7] And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
[8] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
[9] 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.
[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
[12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
[14] These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
[15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
[16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
[17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth
.

The passage gives us several figures and the angel identifies the figures for us (verse 7, "I will tell thee the mystery").

The beast = The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition

Seven heads = The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 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.

Ten horns = And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

The waters = The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

So after explaining the figures of the passage, the angel concludes by telling us what the women is..."the woman which thou sawest is THAT GREAT CITY" What city would that be referring to? "BABYLON THE GREAT" of verse 5. The woman description is what is figurative, not the name of the city.

Some people will say that Babylon is Rome because Rome is on seven hills and the Bible says that "the seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth". However, there are several problems with this. #1 A hill is different from a "mountain". #2 I have heard of other cities that claim to be on seven hills. The context clearly shows that the "mountains" are kingdoms, a word the Bible uses many times to refer to a kingdom. Look at the context, "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings...And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet...the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth". The Bible calls kingdoms "mountains" many times, it even calls Babylon a mountain (Jer. 51:24-25). Other kingdoms/cities are also called mountains (Dan. 2:35, 9:16, etc.). [Note: People who do not believe that Babylon is literally Babylon have a hard time deciding if Babylon is Rome or just Roman Catholicism that comes from Rome.]

You'll note in the video that Mr. Denlinger said "America can't be Babylon because Babylon is a city and not a country" but then he turned around and said "Babylon is Roman Catholicism"....but Babylon is a city, not a religion.

I am not a Catholic, I don't know any Catholics personally, and so I am not trying to "cover up" the sins of Catholicism. I am just taking the Bible literally. Babylon is Babylon.

--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell

 

12 comments:

  1. Quote; "We should look at what the Bible says without allegorizing it, the word of God should be taken literally.

    [Note: I realize the Bible uses figures of speech. But that does not mean it should not be taken literally. When we say "it is raining cats and dogs outside", that phrase uses a figure of speech but it does LITERALLY mean that it is raining. Using a figure of speech or a metaphor does not mean that the passage is not literal.] "

    So, does that mean that the bible itself is God? After all it literally says it twice;

    (John 1:1) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

    (1 John 5:7) "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

    If not, then which scriptures say that we should make those allegorical and that the bible itself is not literally God?

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    Replies
    1. If you disagree with what I said about literal and figurative language, then you must believe the whole Bible is figurative. I didn't say anything about it that a Bible believer would disagree with. Do you believe the Bible at all, or do you just believe it is all allegorical?

      (just curious, because I don't know any Bible believer that would disagree with what I said about literal and figurative language)

      Are you Pre-Millennial (literal millennium) or A-Millennial (metaphorical kingdom)?

      Isn't your question kind of silly? Anyone can see that the passages that call Jesus "the Word" or "the Word of life" are not saying that the Bible is God (though it is a part of God and it is given many of the same attributes). Those verses aren't even referring to the Bible contextually. Do you think every time the word "word" is recorded in the Bible that it is referring to the word of God? That is silly.

      Jesus is called the Word because...

      "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath DECLARED him." (John 1:18)

      Christ is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15)

      The Son reveals and declares the Father (who is a Spirit and invisible--Col. 1:15, John 1:18, 1 Jn. 4:12, etc.)

      The "Word" is a name of God the Son that comes from His attribute of revealing God the Father.

      The problem with allegorical interpretation of Scripture is that it has no mechanics to it, it changes with culture/history, OR it comes from cherry picking unrelated verses to change what a particular text literally says.

      Delete
  2. Qoute; " I am just taking the Bible literally. Babylon is Babylon."

    So, basically you are now making excuses for not taking it just as it is written LITERALLY. Because I give you scripture, therefore you have seen him!

    (John 14:7) "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

    You see Him because you see His Word!

    Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

    (Job 33:14) "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not."

    He has spoken it multiple times yet you perceived it not!

    (Romans 1:21-25) "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. {24} Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: {25} Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."

    So, what God do you worship? Is it the WORD or some genie in a bottle?

    (Psalms 50:21) "These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes."

    The serpent has corrupted your mind from the SIMPLICITY in Christ. It is so simple to understand, just believe it as it is written!

    2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

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    1. You misspelled the word "quote".

      As for the rest of your comment, it makes no sense and has nothing to do with anything I said or anything about Babylon.

      Are you saved? You can trust Christ alone right now believing that He shed His blood for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 13:38-39, 16:30-31, Eph. 1:7, 1:13, 2:8-9, Rom. 3:19-27).

      What God do I worship? Can't you tell? I am Buddhist. (Prov. 26:5)

      Delete
    2. Quote; " What God do I worship? Can't you tell? I am Buddhist. "

      I would call that "foolish talking" maybe even "jesting" at the very least. ( I would hope that it's not true ) Let's see what God say's about that though, shall we?

      (Ephesians 5:3-5) "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; {4} Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. {5} For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

      You are right, you have the WRONG spirit in you.

      So, yet again you cant discuss scripture righteously so you resort to this.

      Delete
    3. Buddy, everything you say is "foolish talking".

      What did you want me to say? Apparently you don't think I worship the God of the Bible, so I was in a 'lose-lose' situation. If I had of said I worship the God of the Bible you would have said "no you don't" so instead I decided to mock you by saying I was a Buddhist. You know good and well that it was a funny reply, but you are to "holier than thou" to admit it. Samuel, Jesus Christ, and Paul used sarcastic remarks when appropriate (1 Kings 18:27, Matt. 23:24, 1 Cor. 4:8).

      I can't discuss scripture righteously? Well since you comment as Anonymous I don't know for sure, but I am pretty sure you're the same troll that commented like 15 times on my "Another Shot at the Post-Tribbers" post repeating the same thing over and over without any logic to it. I tried to discuss scripture with you there, but you repeatedly got off subject and posted irrelevant verses to what we were talking about. Then you posted a video of a wicked accursed heretic preaching a false gospel.

      You are trying to twist the situation to make it look like you refuted everything I said and that I had to "resort" to jokes. When in fact I have been patient with you and already told you what I believed.

      Until you get saved, you aren't doing anything righteously. Everything that you think you are doing righteously is disgusting filthy rags and dung to God (Isa. 64:6, Phil. 3:7-8).

      Had you rather me convert to Islam? :)

      Delete
  3. So you think you are saved, huh? You are the one cherry picking which scriptures to literally believe or not. Why do you think God answers that very direct question;

    (Acts 16:30) "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

    Simple question and a simple answer. Yet it is so hard to do. Just to simply believe ALL of it!

    (Acts 16:31) "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

    Believe His WORD, ALL of it.

    (Acts 16:32) "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house."

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    1. What are you talking about? What scriptures did I say I took figuratively? My post contended for LITERAL belief in scripture rather than allegorical understanding.

      You're a nut.

      Delete
  4. You think that by posting references like this;
    "(1 Kings 18:27, Matt. 23:24, 1 Cor. 4:8)"
    And then rambling on with your own explanations or interpretations is what constitutes answering?

    I already showed you the scripture where God states that interpretations belong to Him. But like you said you don't understand the scriptures that I have posted and you won't until the day most likely.

    You dispensationalists really are funny. Almost all of you are such angry people half the time. You call people names thinking that that will change something or by questioning their faith, well, who knows what you think you are accomplishing. You all have deleted half the bible by making silly excuses for why or how its not for you.

    Your problem is that you really don't simply just believe all of it. But who am I to say, I am sinner just like you!

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    1. I didn't "interpret" anything kid, but yes I did post scripture references because this is a Bible study blog.

      If you don't like "rambling" why do you visit other people's blog? That is kind of what a blog is...

      Oh, YOU already showed me the scripture in Genesis 40:8 where it says interpretations belong to God? Sorry, you didn't show me anything, I have already known about that verse for years. Which is why I don't try to "interpret" the Bible, I just believe what it says. Here is a post where I used that verse specifically (since you think you are the one that told me about that verse)
      http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/rules-for-bible-study.html

      You're a liar, a big liar. I never said that I didn't understand the scriptures that you posted. You made that up because you're a silly little liar that has been offended and you won't shut up. You have "diarrhea of the mouth" as they say, stuff just keeps coming out.

      Thank you, I try to be funny and dispensational.

      Almost all dispensationalists are angry half the time? That is true, there is a lot to be angry about. We are to be angry with sin and false doctrine, as the Lord was (Mark 3:5). In fact, we are commanded to be angry (Eph. 4:31) without sinning. (therefore anger is not a sin when it is anger about the right things)

      You have sad some bad stuff about me, so don't play the innocent card trying to make it look like you are being so nice and that I have called you names and tried to question your faith (you have no faith--you don't believe the gospel). Don't forget that you accused me of being "upset", "contentious", you accused me of using "pidgin holed terminologies", you said that the Lord had not given me "an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear", you said I will "never learn", you said I didn't know Christ, you said that I was "trying desperately to turn the tables" on you, you said I was "rambling" and several other unpleasant statements.

      By the way, YOU are the one that came to a dispensational blog knowing that you disagreed with dispensationalists and left comments challenging the doctrine that was presented on the "Another Shot at Post Tribbers" post. If anyone has "challenged" anyone's faith here, it is YOU and your stupidity.

      What am I accomplishing? You're the one that keeps wasting our time by posting nonsense into the comments. Why do you think this is fun? You need to get a life.

      I deleted half the Bible? I don't believe it all? I say it isn't for me? Those are stupid accusations. I have many posts showing how the modern versions are WICKED for deleting parts of the Bible (KJB). I have posts explaining why I believe the Bible in my hand (the KJB) is inspired and infallible, so don't tell me that I don't believe the Bible. You just like being an internet troll harassing people. You need to get saved.

      Yes, I am a sinner like you. The only difference is I have trusted Christ and that He died for my sins on the cross. When you put your faith exclusively in Him, you can be forgiven of all your sins (Eph. 1:7, 1:13, 2:8-9).

      But since you are against dispensationalism, why don't you go build an ark of gopher wood, keep the Sabbath, offer animal sacrifices, sell all that you have and give to the poor, have all things common with your brethren, keep the commandments, keep the feasts, observe the holydays, etc? Oh yeah, because you pick and choose what parts of the Bible you like and which ones you don't like rather than acknoweldging WHO God is speaking to in the context, WHEN He is saying it, and WHY He is saying it. Dispensationalism is studying the various revelations that God has given to man over the years. He has dispensed different revelations to people at different times (Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-28, Rom. 16:25, Heb. 1:1-2, John 1:17, Matt. 11:10-12, etc.)

      Delete
  5. Yes, you do interpret.

    Quote; "But since you are against dispensationalism, why don't you go build an ark of gopher wood, keep the Sabbath, offer animal sacrifices, sell all that you have and give to the poor, have all things common with your brethren, keep the commandments, keep the feasts, observe the holydays, etc?"

    See what I mean, you don't understand nor believe ALL the scripture. Yet again you don't know Jesus, the Word! You have misinterpreted and misrepresented the scriptures for your own gainsay.

    (Hebrews 10:1-2) "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. {2} For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins."

    (Colossians 2:16-17) "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: {17} Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

    Oh and just to let you know, I don't care about those perverted perversion versions that others call bibles. They are nothing but false gods and idols. There is only one true God, one true Word. So we can move past that part of this debate.

    LOL!! I like it when people make me feel young again;
    "I didn't "interpret" anything kid"
    LOL!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Your questions or comments welcome.