NOTES ON THE FALL OF BABYLON THE GREAT II: TRANSCENDING THE FINAL RISE AND COLLAPSE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE – (WITH VIDEO)

THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “For thus has the Lord said to me: ‘Go, set [yourself as] a watchman, let him declare what he sees. And when he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, and a troop of camels, he shall listen diligently, very diligently.’

And [the watchman] cried like a lion, ‘O Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my station every night. And see! Here comes a troop of men and chariots, horsemen in pairs!’ And he [the watchman] tells [what it foretells]: ‘BABYLON HAS FALLEN, HAS FALLEN! And all the graven images of her gods lie shattered on the ground [in my vision]!’

O you my threshed and winnowed ones [my own people the Jews, who must be trodden down by Babylon], that which I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I have [joyfully] announced to you [Babylon is to fall]!” – ISAIAH 21:6-10, AMPC

KEY TERM: “FALLEN!” ‘NAPHAL’ [נָֽפְלָה֙]: “A primitive root, ‘To be utterly cast down, to die, or cease [existing].’ Also: To fail, be judged, overthrow, overwhelm; to make to rot, slay, smite out.” NOTE: “The Hebrew verb ‘naphal’ primarily means ‘to fall’ [or fail] and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. It can refer to physical falling, such as a person or object falling to the ground, or metaphorical falling, such as falling into sin or judgment. It also conveys the idea of being overthrown or defeated, as well as the act of prostrating oneself in worship or submission.”

QUOTATION. “Today God is known as the God of huge cathedrals and massive church complexes, but He wants to be known as the God who loves and cares for the poorest of the poor,” ― MICHAEL D. FORTNER, The Prosperity Gospel Exposed: And Other False Doctrines, 2011

Biographical Harbinger. “I finally had a short-lived success with the first editions of my Prophecy books, when one reached number 4 on Amazon, in the Christian Prophecy category. At one time all four prophecy books were in the top 15. But then I was ‘shadow-banned’ on all social media, so when new updated editions came out, I was not able to do much promotion and sales dropped off” [cf. Doctrinal Error, Islamic Terror, America Centrism].

COMMENTARY. “Babylon was a flat country, abundantly watered. The Destruction of Babylon, so often prophesied of by Isaiah, was typical of the destruction of the Great Foe of the New Testament Church, foretold in the Revelation. To the poor oppressed captives, it would be welcome news; to the proud oppressors it would be grievous. Let this check vain mirth and sensual pleasures, that we know not in what heaviness the mirth may end.

Here is the Alarm given to Babylon, when forced by Cyrus. An ass and a camel seem to be the symbols of the Medes and Persians. Babylon’s idols shall be so far from protecting her that they shall be broken down. True Believers are the Corn of God’s Floor; Hypocrites are but as Chaff and Straw, with which the Wheat is now mixed, but from which it shall be separated. The Corn of God’s Floor must expect to be threshed by afflictions and persecutions. God’s Israel of old was afflicted. Even then God owns it is His still.

In all events concerning the Church, past, present, and to come, we must look to God, who has power to do any thing for His Church, and grace to do every thing that is for her good.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

TEACHING

Over the past several years of conducting arguably the most intensive, prayerful research I have ever done, I have been become increasingly convinced of the following position:

The United States of America is the Last Days manifestation of “Babylon the Great.”

EVIL BABYLON. I have made this case in several prior Commentaries, so I shall not travel over old ground here (though I will follow up in Part III). Rather, in this section I shall overview the Roots of Babylonian Wickedness. They are deep, they are unique, and they are the ultimate expression of Human Evil in all our history.

In order to accomplish this important historical and theological perspective, I borrow heaving from a superb review by Christian Culture writer and journalist, JACK ZAVADA. His article is titled, “History of Babylon in the Bible,” published in Learn Religions, Updated Oct. 30, 2024 (edited).

OPEN. “Babylon is referenced 280 times in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. God sometimes used the Babylonian Empire to punish Israel, but His Prophets foretold that Babylon’s sins would eventually cause its destruction. In an age when empires rose and fell, Babylon enjoyed an unusually long reign of power and grandeur. Despite its sinful ways, it developed one of the most advanced civilizations in the ancient world.”

DEFIANCE. “The ancient City of Babylon plays a significant role in the Bible, representing a Rejection of the One True God. It was one of the cities King Nimrod founded, according to Genesis 10:9-10. Babylon was located in Shinar, in ancient Mesopotamia, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. Its earliest act of defiance was building the Tower of Babel. Scholars agree that the structure was a type of stepped pyramid called a Ziggurat, common throughout Babylonia. God confused the Babylonian people’s language to prevent further arrogance so they could not overstep his limits on them.”

NEBUCHADNEZZAR. “Historians believe Babylon was the first ancient city to exceed 200,000 people. The City proper measured four square miles, on both banks of the Euphrates. Much of the building of Babylon was done during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, referred to in the Bible as Nebuchadnezzar. He built an 11-mile defensive wall outside the city, wide enough on top for chariots driven by four horses to pass each other. Nebuchadnezzar was the last truly great ruler of Babylon.”

DANIEL. Babylon’s evil ways are spotlighted in the Book of Daniel, an account of faithful Jews taken into exile to that City when Jerusalem was conquered. So arrogant was Nebuchadnezzar that he had a 90-foot-tall gold statue built of himself and commanded everyone to worship it. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace tells what happened when these three refused and stayed faithful to God instead. Daniel tells of Nebuchadnezzar strolling the roof of his palace, boasting about his own glory, when the voice of God came from Heaven, promising insanity and humiliation until the king recognized God as supreme: Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. (Daniel 4:33, NIV) ‘The Prophets mention Babylon as a Warning of Punishment for Israel and an example of what displeases God. The New Testament employs Babylon as a symbol of man’s sinfulness and God’s judgment.’ In 1 Peter 5:13, the Apostle cites Babylon to remind Christians in Rome to be as faithful as Daniel was.”

RUIN. “Ironically, Babylon means ‘Gate of God.’ After Persian Kings Darius and Xerxes conquered the Babylonian empire, most of the impressive buildings of Babylon were destroyed. Alexander the Great started to restore the city in 323 BC and planned to make it the capital of his empire, but he died that year in Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. Instead of trying to excavate the ruins, the 20th-century Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein built new palaces and monuments to himself on top of them. Like his ancient hero, Nebuchadnezzar, he had his name inscribed on bricks for posterity. When United States forces invaded Iraq in 2003, they constructed a military base on top of the ruins, destroying many artifacts in the process and making future digs even more difficult. Archaeologists estimate that only two percent of ancient Babylon has been excavated. In recent years, the Iraqi government has reopened the site, hoping to attract tourists, but the effort has been largely unsuccessful.”

DK’S TAKE. I have repeatedly proposed that “ROOTS” are of a terrible importance to an accurate assessment of any idea, culture, or historical event, since we all have “Starting Points.” The landmark novel by ALEX HALEY, Roots: The Saga of An American Family (1976) and the subsequent television series broadcast to record audiences in 1992 dramatically portrayed this powerful and very Biblical Idea:

‘All things come from something.’ Except for God, of course, the Divine Source of Everything.

This Commentary will argue and conclude that America also has Roots that we never hear about in Church or the University, and they are Foul Roots indeed, beloved. And they have sprouted their dark offspring for thousands of years, and now are bearing the Darkest Fruit of all in their present matriculation in no other place on the Earth or in history than:

‘The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.’ Selah.

AMERICA AS BABYLON THE GREAT

When the late DAVID WILKERSON first proposed that America was the Biblical Babylon the Great beginning in 1973 with the publication of his landmark work, The Vision, I thought him a fool. I no longer think that. Indeed, on the contrary, I now see him as imperfect, gifted Sage concerning the Future Destruction of the American Order.

By 1985 with the publication of Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth, the controversial preacher got down to brass tacks and said this about America and her Church: “Babylon is a theological term for the Harlot Church and the system of government that has forgotten God. We’ve corrupted the whole world system with our money. The Charismatic Movement is in need of Repentance. We don’t deal with sin. We don’t cry out for righteousness. The only way God can break us is with a Hammer.’”

And He is about to do just that, beloved.

ERRATUM. In two earlier presentations on America as Babylon the Great, I cited at length a brilliant theologian and scholar on the subject, DR. STEVEN ANDERSON (Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary). His writings on Historical and Political Eschatology are both rare and unmatched in contemporary American theology.

All that to say that several months ago, one of my readers alerted me to Dr. Anderson’s alleged strong support for Donald Trump, noting that “Pastor Steven Anderson” was a virulent racist and much worse, and I failed horribly to verify his claims, mistaking “Dr.” Steven Anderson with “Pastor” Steven Anderson. I said so in a subsequent video, to my present sadness and chagrin.

I recently contacted Dr. Anderson and received a gracious note. Here is part that email below for your encouragement.

“I watched the most recent video on your YouTube channel and found it encouraging. I know we don’t agree on everything, but we have many similarities, including our academic background in political science, philosophy, and biblical studies, and our exclusion from the mainstream (for now). I find it amazing that we are in the midst of a political revolution, yet most people are calmly going about their daily business as if it is no big deal. In fact, 90 percent of my Christian friends on social media are aggressively supportive of everything Trump is doing and believe we are entering a golden age. Thankfully, there is the other 10 percent (including the pastors of the two Hispanic churches I attend and some other close friends) that give me confidence that I am not a lone idiot.”

THREE ESSAYS. I will briefly summarize Dr. Anderson’s cornerstone arguments for the United States being Babylon the Great and conclude with his assessment of Donald Trump in the midst of this horrendous national crisis.

THESIS. “‘Babylon the Great is a World Hegemon, a country which Dominates world politics, economics, and culture in the End Times.’ Further, the text of Revelation indicates that it is a unique entity in the world, ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη the ‘Great Polis.’ It uniquely makes all the nations of the world wealthy, reigns over the nations of the world, imposes its culture on all the nations, and leads them in a massive downward spiral of materialistic depravity that culminates in worldwide worship of Satan and the Antichrist during the second half of the Tribulation Period. These are things that can only be done once, and the United States is now doing them. Never before in history has a single country dominated all the other countries of the world and enjoyed such preeminence in comparison to all the others. The United States finds itself in the historically unique position of monopolizing every significant power source in the world—a position it began to occupy since the end of World War II, and which was greatly enhanced by the end of the Cold War.” – Truth Only Bible, “The Case for Identifying Babylon the Great with the United States of America,” July 29, 2021; edited

IMPLICATIONS. “‘The New Testament speaks repeatedly of the extreme difficulty believers will face in the End Times, in the period leading up to the Rapture of the Church’ (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-9, 13; 4:3-4; 2 Pet 3:3-6; Jude 17-19; Rev 3:14-22). It calls this period ‘Difficult Times’ (2 Tim 3:1)—strong language when considering all the persecutions and false teachings that have beset the Church since its inception. ‘The Bible expressly teaches that there will be a great, worldwide Rebellion against God at the End of the Present Age’ (2 Thess 2:3), and that this Rebellion will make inroads in the Church as well as the world (2 Tim 4:3-4) … It should be noted that these Prophecies of a Great Worldwide Rebellion could not be fulfilled if the United States, as the world’s wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential country, were to experience a genuine ‘Spiritual Awakening’ at the End of the Age … In fact, the United States will become so irremediably wicked, and will accrue so much guilt for its actions, that God will destroy it utterly at the beginning of the Tribulation Period, as the Firstfruits of His Destruction of all the nations of the world at the End of the Tribulation Period. While there are clear indications that we are now living in the End Times, it is also clear that the world has not yet matured to the state in which it is found at the Beginning of the Tribulation Period [i.e., God’s Wrath has not yet fallen].” – Truth Only Bible, “Practical Implications for Identifying Babylon the Great with the United States of America,” Sep. 27, 2021; edited

TRUMP. “There are many questions as to what exactly Trump will do in his second term, and how successful he will be in doing these things. What is certain is that Christians who believe that the United States is “God’s Chosen Nation” and that Trump will save it have a Worldview that is squarely at odds with the Bible.’ Just as Democrats have made the United States more like Babylon the Great through Secularization and the enactment of an explicitly anti-Christian LGBTQ+ Agenda (among other things), the New Republican President will also make the United States look more like the prophesied Babylon the Great. He will do so through an aggressive, materialistic America First Agenda, and he may even promulgate a New Constitution that will mark a clear division between the era in which America was a free country and the era of Babylon the Great. ‘Let me make these suggestions to Christians: Give your time, talents, and treasure to God’s work, not to the work of a Political Party and an Earthly hope.’ If you are working for God, not only are you doing something that will make a profound and Eternal difference in the world, you are working for the side which is certain to Triumph in the End.” – Truth Only Bible, “Prophecy and Current Events in January 2025: Part Three – Babylon the Great,” Jan. 23, 2025; edited

DK NOTE. As Dr. Anderson wisely notes, we cannot agree on every point. However, we do concur on the core necessity of understanding the massive importance of America and Donald Trump in the End Days. Thereby we are building a firm Practical and Theological Unity that will strengthen the entire worldwide Remnant, and snatch a few from the Fire as we travel God’s Narrow Road.

LAST THOUGHTS

Beloved, though the days grow Darker every hour, I am actually heartened by SIX REASONS that true Remnant Christians can actually Rejoice in the midst of this Approaching Chaos. DR. JOHN PIPER, my favorite Baptist Reform theologian, once again takes us properly Home on this important matter.

His article is titled, “Why We Can Rejoice in Suffering,” published in his Blog, Desiring God, some 30 years ago on October 23, 1994, B.T. – “Before Trump” (edited). It is based on 1 PETER 4:12-19 (NKJV).

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Not a Surprise but a Plan. Keep on rejoicing because your suffering is not random nor meaningless; it is according to God’s Plan for you and thereby constrained by Him.

Evidence of Union with Christ. “Keep on rejoicing because your suffering as a Christian draws your closer to your King in unprecedented intimacy and fellowship.

A Means to Attaining Great Joy in Glory. Keep on rejoicing because this joy will strengthen your assurance that when Christ comes in Glory, you will rejoice forever with Him as one who was faithful.

The Spirit of God and His Favor Rests Upon You. Keep on rejoicing in suffering because then: The Spirit of God rests on you in ways that people recognize – some to love and honor you, others to despise you.

Glorifies God. Keep on rejoicing because knowing that you are honoring your King comes back to you in large measures of joy, peace, and a profound sense of satisfaction.

God’s Faithfulness to Care for Your Soul. Keep on rejoicing because Your Creator is taking care of your every step, giving you a Confidence and Courage that otherwise cannot be had. ‘Obedience leads to Christian Victory!’

CODA. These are the Keys to His Kingdomtoward an abundant, fruitful and joyful Life in Christ. It thrusts you ever upward through the low hanging Clouds of Darkness that envelop the American Crisis straight into His Marvelous Light. It is the only way to fully live, beloved.

And there is Mysterious Joy Unspeakable in it that is only found here, that Transcends all Cultural Myths, Mortal Crises, and False Hopes, Forever!

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/h4OUY-IAxXs