Now there are some definite similarities between the Babylon city named in Revelation 17 when compared to the Babylon city named in Revelation 18. – But there are also some definite distinctions between the two Babylons. In this article, I am going to point out the 'definite similarities’ between the two Babylons, and in the next article, I will point out to you the ‘definite distinctions’ between the two Babylons.
SIMILARITIES
(1) Both Babylons are under the rule of Antichrist:
Revelation 17:13 - "These [ten kings] have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast [Antichrist]".
Revelation 18 - Once Antichrist receives the support of the ten kings from out of the Roman Empire, he will be able to conquer many nations, and he will also be able to set up new headquarters in Babylon, Iraq sometime before, or after, he destroys the “Harlot Woman” [Vatican City, Rome] … But God will in turn destroy his “One World Commerce Base” in Babylon, Iraq...which is what we see has happened in one hour in Revelation 18. `
(2) Both are identified as cities:
Revelation 17:18 - "And the woman which thou sawest is thatgreat city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Revelation 18:10 - "Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”
(3) Both have committed fornication with kings of the earth:
Revelation 17:2 - “the kings of the earthhave committed fornication with her” ... “the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of herfornication”
Revelation 18:3 - “the kings of the earthhave committed fornication with her” ... “all nationshave drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication”
(4) Both are arrayed (clothed) the same:
Revelation 17:4 “the woman was arrayed in purple and scarletcolour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls" . . .
Revelation 18:16 - "that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, andscarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls”
(5) Both have filled cups:
Revelation 17:4 - “the woman . . . . having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication”
Revelation 18:6 - “Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double."
(6) Both have the same name “Babylon the Great”:
Revelation 17:5 - “name written, mystery, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”
Revelation 18:2 - "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen”
(7) Both contain blood of saints and martyrs:
Revelation 17:6 - "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”
Revelation 18:24 - "And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.”
(8) Both are destroyed with fire:
Revelation 17:16 - “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.”
Revelation 18:8 - "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire."
(9) Both are made desolate:
Revelation 17:18 - ”And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate"
Revelation 18:19 - “And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is shemade desolate."
Because of all the similarities noted above between the two Babylons, some have come to see the Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18 as being one and the same Babylon. - However, there are some distinctionsregarding the Babylon city inRevelation 18that cannot possibly be applied to the ‘Vatican City Babylon’ in Revelation 17. - I will elaborate on these distinctions in the next article.
