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BABYLON THE GREAT . . . ONE CITY AND ONE HARLOT A common error among prophecy teachers is the teaching that Revelation 17 speaks of ecclesiastical Babylon (religious) and Revelation 18 speaks of commercial Babylon. This theory was held by both Scofield and Larkin nearly a century ago, so it is by far the most widely accepted view. Although I feel much indebted to these men for their masterful writings, I must respectfully disagree with their views on Revelation 17 and 18. In doing so, I will be disagreeing with at least eighty percent of the fundamental preachers in America. However, if you’ll follow me closely and check all the scripture references, I believe you’ll agree that Revelation 17 and 18 are speaking of the exact same harlot city. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong, and it's certainly nothing to fight about, but here are some points to ponder . . . (1) Compare 17:1 and 19:2. The “great whore” is introduced in 17:1, and her judgment is said to be complete in 19:2. Revelation 19:2 does not say that the great “whores” (two of them) have been judged. Only one is judged, yet this covers two chapters (17 and 18). (2) Compare 18:1 and 19:1. Some teach that the words “after these things” in 18:1 implies that a new judgment is beginning after the whore of 17 has been judged, yet the same words occur in 19:1 and no one speaks of a THIRD judgment! The words “after these things” mean “AFTER THESE THINGS”, not “here comes the second Babylon.” That is, general information on the harlot city is given in chapter 17, and then details of her judgment are given in chapter 18. (3) Compare 17:1 with 18:1. Two different angels are mentioned, so it is reasoned that these are two different judgments. (Why God has to be limited to one angel per judgment is beyond me!) This logic won’t hold up because a THIRD angel appears in 18:21 to assist in the same judgment as the second angel. This being the case, why can’t the second angel of 18:1 be assisting the FIRST angel of 17:1? After all, the first angel is said to be one of the seven chief angels of Revelation, unlike the other two. So, the second and third angels are simply helping the first angel reveal this information to John. God can use more than one angel per judgment if he chooses (Gen. 19:15). (4) Compare 17:2 with 18:3 and see that wine, wrath, fornication, and the kings of the earth are elements in both verses. (5) Compare 17:4 with 18:6 and notice that the harlot has a cup in both places. (6) Compare 17:4 with 18:12 and notice that both verses mention gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls. (7) Compare 17:5 with 18:2. The same title is used for the harlot in both places: Babylon the Great. This stands in agreement with Revelation 14:8, 16:19, and even Daniel 4:30. The word “mystery” which precedes the words “BABYLON THE GREAT” in 17:5, doesn’t mean that the Babylon of chapter 17 has to be different than that of 18. If it did, then the resurrection of I Corinthians 15:51 would have to be different than that of I Thessalonians 4:16-18, because only one is said to be a mystery. Sometimes the brethren wrongly divide the word of truth. (8.) Compare 17:6 with 18:20 & 24. In both chapters, the harlot is guilty of killimg God’s people. 9) Compare 17:12 with 18:10, 17, and 19. In the same “hour” that the ten kings receive their power and become confederate with the beast (17:12) Babylon receives her judgment. It’s a perfect match. (10) Compare 17:16 with 18:18 and notice that the harlot city burns in both chapters. (11) Compare 17:16 with 18:2, 17-19. Now, get this: NOWHERE IN CHAPTER 17 IS THE HARLOT CITY JUDGED! This is where so many stumble. It is common to teach that the harlot of Revelation 17 is judged in 17:16 when the ten kings destroy her and that the harlot of 18 is judged afterwards. That is, it is taught that religious Babylon is destroyed by commercial Babylon, and then commercial Babylon is judged later. Not in my Bible. Look closely and you’ll see that there is no judgment in 17:16. There is only a PROPHESIED judgment in 17:16! The angel tells John, “these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” Shall? When shall this happen? Why, in chapter 18, of course. Note the wording of chapter 18: “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils” (vs. 2); “strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (vs. 8); “in one hour is thy judgment come” (vs. 10. In chapter 17, the angel introduces the harlot and foretells her judgment. In chapter 18, another angel announces her judgment as a present event. Then in 19:2 heaven rejoices over her judgment as a past event: “he hath judged the great whore.” There’s only one harlot city, and she receives one judgment. (12) Compare 17:16 with 18:9. It is said that these two chapters must speak of two different harlots because the one of chapter 17 is destroyed by the kings, yet the kings of chapter 18 are mourning over the harlot’s destruction. So the question is asked, Why would they mourn if they wanted her destroyed? This brings everyone to the conclusion that there must be two harlots: a religious one which the kings hate and a commercial one which the king’s love. Now, look a little closer and you’ll see that the harlot is hated and destroyed by the “ten kings” which give their power to the beast (17:16). The “kings of the earth” (17:2, 17:18, 18:3, 18:9) are a different and larger set of kings which do not destroy the harlot. There aren’t two harlots; there are two sets of kings. (13) Compare 17:18 with 18:16 and 18:21. In both chapters, the subject is “that great city.” That is, one literal city is the subject of both chapters. (14) Compare Jeremiah 51:6 and 51:9 with Revelation 18:4. This will show the reader that the Babylon of Jeremiah 51 is the Babylon of Revelation 18. Now compare verse 13 of the same chapter (Jeremiah 51) with Revelation 17:1. The Babylon of Jeremiah 51 dwells upon “many waters” (matching Revelation 17:1), and God’s people are told to flee from her (matching Revelation 18:4). The prophecies of Jeremiah 51 find fulfillment in both Revelation 17 and 18, so these two chapters are obviously speaking of the same harlot. For the proper identity of the harlot, please consult my other post titled, "THE SEVEN MOUNTAINS OF BABYLON," but it all points to one city and one kingdom which starts in Genesis 10 and rules until Revelation 18.