When does Babylon come into view?

Those who have read along on this website more often know that, according to Biblical prophecy, Babylon will play a prominent role in the end time. Not as a symbol, but as a literal city, rebuilt on its original location on the Euphrates: the plain of Shinar. And remarkably: it will be a Jewish city. What that entails is extensively explained elsewhere on the site.

Why does Babylon play such a central role in prophecy? Because its fall constitutes the closing act of the current world order. In Revelation 17 and 18, Babylon is described as the city that reigns over the kings of the earth, as the economic and religious center of the final world empire. As soon as this city falls, it makes way for the Kingdom of God on earth, with Jerusalem as its center.

Until recently, I assumed that the restoration of Babylon would more or less coincide with a time of false peace and the restoration of the temple service in Jerusalem. And indeed: we see how Israel is normalizing international relations with Arab countries, and how religious-Zionist movements are pushing for the rebuilding of the temple. But Babylon… no trace. Certainly, on the site where Babylon once stood, the city of Hillah is located today, but there is nothing to be observed there of any major geopolitical or economic significance. So when will Babylon appear on the scene as capital?

Zechariah’s Vision: The woman in the Ephah

We find the answer in a remarkable vision in Zechariah 5. There, the prophet sees how a woman—“the wickedness”—is confined in an ephah (a commercial measure), sealed with a talent of lead (Zech. 5:7–8). Two “women” (or better: “agents of finance”) carry this construction to “the land of Shinar” to build a house for her there. That region is identical to the plain where Babel once stood (Gen. 11:2). Zechariah here prophetically describes how a godless Jewish system, linked to commerce and money, will find its place in Babylon.

This raises the question: When will this Jewish system be transferred from the land of Israel to Babylon?

The destruction of the land and Jerusalem

Isaiah 6:11 speaks of a complete devastation of the land: “Until cities are being desolated so that there is no dweller, and the homes so that there is no human…”. Zechariah 14 also shows that Jerusalem will ultimately be overrun: the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half the population will be exiled (Zech. 14:2). That is the time when the Lord will appear and place His feet on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).

It is also the moment when Babylon comes into view. The deportation of half the city of Jerusalem is not a mere accidental movement: it is the fulfillment of Zechariah 5. The woman in the ephah—the godless Jerusalem—is relocated to Shinar, where a house will have been built for her (Zech. 5:11). There Babylon will revive—as the continuation of apostate Jerusalem. With good reason it is said that in her is found the blood of prophets and saints (Rev. 17:6; 18:24) —for that is exactly what we read about Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37).

Babylon = The Continued Apostate Jerusalem

Revelation 17 speaks of a woman, a harlot, sitting on a scarlet wild beast. She is “the great city” (17:18), named: Babylon. She reigns over the kings of the earth (17:18), is associated with wealth and luxury, and sits on seven mountains (17:9)—just as Jerusalem is also known for its seven hills. Her original seat is Jerusalem, yet she is Babylon. And this is not a contradiction, but the very key: the godless Jerusalem relocates to Babylon and becomes Babylon.

To avoid misunderstanding: this does not mean that Jerusalem and Babylon are identical, but that apostate Jerusalem—which rejects its calling and its Messiah—is, as it were, transplanted to Babylon. Babylon will become the heir of Jerusalem’s religious and political unfaithfulness, and will assume its role as center of world influence.

The final conflict: Harlot versus Bride

Babylon will become the capital of the final world empire—a federation of ten kings, as described in Revelation 17:3,12. From this city, a global military assault will ultimately be launched against the Lamb (17:14). This is no metaphorical conflict, but a concrete and visible war. By that time, the Messiah will already be seated in Jerusalem—“the city of the great King” (Matthew 5:35), the earthly center of God’s Kingdom.

The coming of the Lamb is portrayed in Revelation 19 as a majestic appearance “out of heaven,” with heavenly armies behind Him (19:11–16). The world will experience this as an alien invasion—from heaven—an intruder who claims world dominion. His title is: “King of kings and Lord of lords” (17:14; 19:16)—and that makes Him a threat to the rulers of this world order.

From Babylon, the harlot who has seduced and controlled the kings of the earth, there will be a mobilization against this intruder. The battle will be directed against the Lamb (Rev. 17:14; 19:19). In other words: an open war will be waged against the King and the Kingdom He establishes on earth. The conflict is therefore not only ideological or spiritual in nature, but will manifest in actual military action on the plain of Megiddo (Armageddon; Rev. 16:16).

The contrast could not be greater: Babylon, the harlot—symbol of religious and economic unfaithfulness and world power—versus Jerusalem, the bride—the center of justice, truth, and peace under the reign of the Messiah. The world chooses sides against the Lamb. But His victory is assured.

Conclusion

Babylon will only take its prominent place on the world stage after the destruction of Jerusalem. When the land of Israel is depopulated and Jerusalem partly exiled, the godless part of the people will be relocated to Babylon. There it will become the harlot who reigns over the nations, until she falls and the true King will reign from Jerusalem. The restoration of Babylon as capital is thus not a forerunner, but a result of the coming destruction of Jerusalem.

“And they are building for her a house in the land of Shinar… and she was settled there on her own base.”
—Zechariah 5:11

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