New York City as the Mystery Babylon

The identity of "Mystery Babylon" described in Revelation chapters 17 and 18 is debated among scholars and theologians, but not with me. My belief is ROCK-SOLID and is based on study and revelation, supported by Scripture. While some believe "Mystery Babylon" to be Rome, the Vatican, Iraq, or Saudi Arabia, I present compelling evidence below to suggest that New York City is the true embodiment of Mystery Babylon.

Revelation 17:5-6 "and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly.”

Biblical Foundations - Revelation 17 and 18 Analysis

This brief will present a quick argument supporting my position using biblical references, contemporary analysis, and insights from various sources, including articles and videos.

Revelation chapters 17 and 18 describe Mystery Babylon as a powerful and influential city characterized by its immense wealth, global influence, and moral decadence.

The following attributes outlined in this brief are meant to be compelling data that strongly suggests New York City is “Mystery Babylon"

Mother of Harlot’s and Intoxicating Influence

Mystery Babylon is called the "Mother of Harlots," indicating a city driven by greed and idolatry. As the world's financial hub, New York City embodies this with its central role in global banking and stock exchanges, where financial gain often supersedes moral considerations.

Revelation 17:5 "and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

The nations are "intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." New York City, home to major media and entertainment industries, spreads materialism, idolatry, and self-indulgence globally.

Revelation 17:2 "with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.”

The HARLOT also dwells in a "wilderness."

Revelation 17:3 "And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns."

Symbolically, New York City is a wilderness to the biblical lands, being an ocean away and culturally distinct from Israel. Mystery Babylon is described as being "drunk with the blood of the saints." This clearly describes New York City.

Revelation 17:6 "And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly."

New York City, through its financial transactions, indirectly supports regimes and activities that persecute Christians and Jews around the globe, making it complicit in their sufferings.

The HARLOT "sits on seven mountains." This can be interpreted symbolically as New York City's influence over all continents, with the Statue of Liberty's crown representing this dominion.

Revelation 17:9 "Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits,"

Mystery Babylon is a melting pot of "peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages." New York City is the world's most ethnically and linguistically diverse city.

Revelation 17:15 "And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues."

In the Bible Mystery Babylon is described as a major consumer of luxury items and a center of economic power. New York City's luxury consumption and economic dominance fit this description perfectly.

Revelation 18:3 "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.”

The HARLOT "rules over the kings of the earth." New York City exerts economic and political influence globally, being the headquarters of the United Nations and a key player in international finance.

Revelation 17:18 "The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Cultural and Historical Parallels and Prophetic Signs

The Statue of Liberty, symbolizing freedom and enlightenment, has deep Masonic roots and openly and proudly identifies to pagan deities like Ishtar, representing false enlightenment and idolatry.

The historical and cultural elements of New York City, including its diverse population, economic activities, and symbolic structures, align EXACTLY with the characteristics of Mystery Babylon described in Revelation. I can’t think of any other city that can fit this description. Can you?

Think for a moment... the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, echoes the sudden and fiery judgment prophesied for Mystery Babylon. The attacks were seen by many as a divine warning and a harbiner of further judgment.

Revelation 18:8-9, 17 "For this reason IN ONE DAY her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning... for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance,"

Current geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and moral decline in New York City and the broader United States further support the notion of impending divine judgment as described in Revelation.

Speculative Scenarios of the Destruction of New York City

A nuclear bomb is a plausible scenario for the complete destruction of New York City, as described in Revelation 18:8-10, which speaks of a great city being destroyed in one hour by fire.

Revelation 18:8-10 "For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning. standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’"

Earthquakes or tsunamis could also fulfill the prophecy of sudden and total devastation, consistent with the biblical imagery of catastrophic judgment.

Aftermath and Global Impact

The destruction of New York City would cripple the United States economically and politically, preventing the US from defending Israel and maintaining its global influence over Israel’s enemies. With the U.S. weakened, Israel's enemies would no doubt seize the opportunity to attack, leading to a series of conflicts culminating in the battle of Armageddon, as described in Revelation 16:16.

Revelation 16:14-16 "for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon."

Pre-Rapture Actions for Christians

Christians must prioritize spreading the Gospel, aiming to reach as many people as possible before the Rapture. Our goal is to save a billion souls by sharing the message of Jesus Christ and His salvation.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Believers should live in a state of readiness, maintaining their faith and commitment to God's commands (The Great Commission) and ensuring they are spiritually prepared for the Rapture.

Luke 10:2 "And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Christians should focus on building ministries and initiatives grounded in Christ's teachings that will endure through the Tribulation and contribute to the greatest historical revival EVER during this period.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Post-Rapture Scenario

After the Rapture, God will turn His attention to Israel, leading to a period of intense revival and the greatest harvest of souls, as prophesied in Revelation. Those left behind will witness the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, leading many to turn to Christ and receive salvation during the Greatest Tribulation in humanity's history. This tribulation period can’t be explained; it is beyond comprehension.

Matthew 24:21 "For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will."

My bottom line… while taking everything going on in the world into consideration, THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS. The evidence strongly supports the identification of New York City as Mystery Babylon, perfectly fitting the biblical descriptions and contemporary parallels.

Revelation 2:22 "Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds."

As the most powerful and influential city globally, its potential destruction would have profound implications for the United States and the world, setting the stage for the final events of the end times.

Revelation 7:14 "I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Regardless, Christians are called to evangelize, prepare for the Rapture, and build enduring foundations in Christ, ensuring our work contributes to the greatest revival in the history of mankind, which will happen in our absence during the Tribulation. So, let’s get busy!

Reference

Tramm, T.W. (2024). “Is New York City the Bible's Mystery Babylon?”
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