What Does Babylon in Revelation Represent?

Direct Answer

The Babylon in Revelation represents the entire worldwide system, not the ancient city of Babylon.

Les Feldick teaches that the Babylon of Revelation is the whole global system—religious, political, and economic—that is coming together as one world. The Old Testament says ancient Babylon will never be rebuilt, and when the end-time Babylon falls, the world's cities will fall into nothingness by the spoken word of God.

Key Scriptures

Isaiah 13:20 — Declares that ancient Babylon will never be inhabited, which is why the Babylon of Revelation is identified with the worldwide system rather than a rebuilt city.

Revelation 18:2 — Announces the fall of the great end-time Babylon in the book of Revelation.

What Does the Bible Say?

Isaiah 13:20 says of Babylon, "It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there." Verses 21-22 add that wild beasts of the desert, owls, and dragons will dwell there. Revelation 18:2 similarly announces a Babylon that "is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Revelation 18:4 then calls out, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Babylon in Revelation?

Les Feldick teaches that the Babylon of Revelation is not the ancient city of Babylon, which Scripture says will never be rebuilt. Instead, it is the whole worldwide system—the one-world concept of religion, politics, and economics. He points to modern communication, transportation, the internet, and global finance as evidence that the world is becoming a tightly knit global system that Scripture can call one city, Babylon.

Why Can't the Babylon of Revelation Be the Ancient City?

Les points to the Old Testament declaration that Babylon will never be rebuilt and will remain only a habitation of wild animals and birds of prey. He also mentions that even Saddam Hussein's attempt to rebuild ancient Babylon did not succeed, so he cannot envision the ancient city being the end-time Babylon of Revelation.

What Is the One-World System Called Babylon?

Les says Babylon in Revelation is comprised of the world's religions, the world's politics, and the world's economics. He sees Tokyo, Berlin, London, Rome, and New York becoming one tightly knit group within a growing one-world concept. Modern communication, transportation, the internet, and global finance are making this more visible every day.

What Happens When the Babylon of Revelation Falls?

When Babylon falls, Les teaches that it will not be just one city. All the cities of the world will fall into nothingness in one hour by the spoken word of God. This fits his understanding that Babylon represents the whole world and its united system, which will suddenly disappear.

From the Teaching

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poor. See, that doesn't fit in the church age. Man, you talk to a poor person today, and I don't think he ever feels blessed, do you? The Lord may provide and get them through, but they're not happy as such. But in the kingdom, there'll be no unhappiness. So the Beatitudes, remember, are always affiliated with the kingdom rule.

Babylon as the Worldwide System

Les teaches that the Babylon of Revelation is the whole worldwide one-world system, not the ancient city, and that when it falls all the cities of the world will collapse in one hour by the spoken word of God.

The Whole Global System

Les repeats that Babylon in Revelation is the whole global system, showing that political, economic, and religious affairs are so intertwined that Scripture can speak of the entire world as one city called Babylon.

Religions, Politics, and Economics

Les says whenever you see Babylon in Revelation, think of the whole global picture, which is made up of the world's religions, the world's politics, and the world's economics.

Not Any One City

Les explains that the Babylon of Revelation is not speaking of any one city in particular, using modern communication and transportation to show that the world is becoming smaller and more connected.

Ancient Babylon vs Present World System

Les distinguishes ancient Babylon from the present-day world system Babylon, saying he cannot envision the ancient city being rebuilt despite Saddam Hussein's grandiose schemes.

Babylon the Great Is Fallen

After reading Revelation 18:1-2, Les notes that many try to make this Babylon the ancient city rebuilt, but the evidence points to the end-time worldwide system falling after the cataclysmic events of the tribulation.

World System Babylon Today

Using today's internet, computers, and global finance, Les says the world is more closely knit than ever, making it far more believable that Babylon in Revelation is simply the whole world system.

Bible Verses

Isaiah 13:20: It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

This Old Testament declaration shows why the ancient city of Babylon cannot be the end-time Babylon of Revelation.

Revelation 18:2: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

This verse records the angelic announcement of the fall of the great Babylon in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 18:4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

This verse shows the call for God's people to separate from the end-time Babylon system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Babylon in Revelation mean the ancient city of Babylon?

No. Les Feldick teaches that the Babylon in Revelation is the whole worldwide system of religion, politics, and economics, not the ancient city, because the Old Testament says ancient Babylon will never be rebuilt. He sees the world becoming one closely knit system in our day.

Why is Revelation's Babylon called a city if it is a worldwide system?

Les says Scripture uses one word and speaks of the whole global system as one city because political, economic, and religious affairs are getting so intertwined. The entire world system can be called Babylon as if it were a single city.

What will happen when Babylon falls in Revelation?

Les says Babylon's fall is the collapse of the entire world system, not just one city. All the cities of the world will fall into nothingness in one hour by the spoken word of God.

Has anyone tried to rebuild ancient Babylon?

Yes. Les mentions that Saddam Hussein had grandiose schemes to rebuild the ancient city near Baghdad, but it was not going well. Les uses this to argue against the idea that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt as the end-time Babylon.

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