Perhaps the reason Babylon has the title of “Mystery” is not that she is mystical, but simply that we don’t know her name. Or names.
After spending many months studying the topic of Mystery Babylon in both Revelation and the OT, I began to notice something curious. Other prophesies of Gentile nations throughout the prophetic books echoed quite a bit of what was said about the destruction of Babylon. In fact, a few passages were even word-for-word repetitions. A new thought struck me. Could they all possibly be speaking of the same event?
I decided to create a chart with the Babylon prophesies down the first column and the matching ones across so I could see them all in one place. The result was quite stunning. A full, consistent picture emerged of how, why, and possibly when the judgment of Babylon would occur.
If all these passages are about Babylon, then that means she has several other code names throughout prophesy. Perhaps part of the “mystery.”
It also might explain why there are some significant judgments prophesied for what we have assumed are tiny ancient nations which don’t even exist anymore.
Since the verses are far too numerous for a blog post, I will simply link the chart here. Take a look and see what you think:
“Gaza… Philistines… Moab… Ammon… Ethiopians… Assyria… Nineveh… This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me; how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.” Zeph 2
