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That is what a lot of folks errantly believe but just like the descriptions of the two witnesses cause some to believe they are the church and Israel instead of the correct view of two men, the descriptions of Mystery Babylon eliminate a religious system from being a serious contender. It is a nation personified by a city that is a center for 'world" trade and finances as the Babylon of old used to be and there are many other clues that point to America as well.
The symbolic description of the two witnesses isn't based on the seven churches but on Zech. 4!
America has only been around for a few years, not enough for it to be "Mystery Babylon", nor did it persecute the saints or blaspheme or do much of what Rome did, so it doesnt qualify.
I've noticed a few things with regard to Babylon the Great.
This is a book of prophecy, not a book of history. It doesn't matter what nations did what in the past, it is what that particular future nation will do in the future that matters. With the anti-christian sentiment growing greater in America on a daily basis, I have no doubt that we will become a nation that fulfills Rev. 17:6 in the relatively near future. It's the beast she sits on that blasphemes, the 10 nation a/c coalition.
The key is Zech. 4:12, Ask yourself, why are the churches called candlesticks? what does that symbolism represent? That same representation will be fulfilled w/ the two human witnesses. That's why they are referred to as olive trees associated w/ the symbolism of the candlesticks, churches have nothing to do with it.
It's really not that hard to understand. They are two olive trees because they are bringing God's message to Israel and they are called candlesticks because they are representing Christ as the "Light" of the world. That's all, nothing more and nothing less!
Well Babylon- biblically speaking is derived from "babel" which means confusion, for it is there that the Lord confounded the languages of the people. Babylon was built or started by Nimrod.
And that also means they are two individuals. the candlesticks in revelation do not mean that every time a candlestick is spoken of- it means churches, especially in light of the fact they stand in the presence of God meaning physically before Him- not like everything else that stands.
2 Jhn 9 says whoever doesn't abide in the doctrines of Christ has no real relationship with God. It's not enough to accept Jesus' divinity and everything as an intellectual exercise. True Christians cannot call God a liar and honestly lay claim to having a good relationship with Him. There is a reason why Paul was inspired by God to pronounce a double curse on literally any angel or man that dared to preach anything that was contrary to the gospel he preached.
The Bible speaks for itself, and a woman in prophecy always represent a church. The fact that the woman in Rev. 17 exists in opposition to the woman described in chapter 12(who happens to represent God's Church) clearly means this woman also represents a church, but it's a Gentile church that is led by Satan. It doesn't matter how many ppl believe it's referring to America because they're all extremely wrong. All of the symbols and imagery supplied in Rev. 17 shows that it is clearly about a Roman church that is wielding influence over a political empire.
Yes, in this case the oil represents the "power" of the HS and that is what is being poured into the two olive trees (men) so they have the power to to devour their enemies through the "fire" that comes out of their mouths and to smite the earth w/ plagues, like (the man) Moses did and yes I believe this will be literal.
Really, How much "wisdom" would it take to guess Rome? But in this case I believe John actually means "mountains" and not hills. None, so that should tell one right away that he's not speaking of Rome, if he was he simply would have said so and no he wasn't speaking in some kind of code, Romans weren't idiots, and he knows that the splendor and power used by this Babylon is similar to the Babylon of old, yet he knows that not the proper identity either. The "woman" of Rev. 12 is Israel, than believing Israel when they go into hiding, and is certainly not the church so there goes that false concept that a woman in prophecy always means the church. I think the woman in Rev. 17 means when these times are fulfilled we will have a female president. At this time satan will have no interest in the gentile church except ot persecute and kill us (Rev. 12:17), the a/c will deceive Israel into believing that he is the Messiah. His purpose is to have Israel's praise and worship attributed to him "instead" (what the "anti" really means) of Christ. During the 70th week, Rome is irrelevant!
That's not quite true. The description of Zech. 4:1 says "...and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:" This is a description of a menorah that is oil-based. A menorah looks like a candlestick w/ seven flames, the oil runs up through the pipes to fuel the flames. They, the "two anointed ones" are the candlesticks in Rev. 11 which is a metaphor for "light bringers" and the HS (olive oil) provides the power they use in their ministry.
This is not scriptural but a mixing and distortion of what is given, Johns says what he saw and the prophecy is within the words he gives. The woman was the church who by this time was changing from the first converts from Israel to all the expanse of the empire so soon was more gentiles than Jews. And who took over the Christians from there, it was the church at Rome, look in any history of Western Civilization and you will see..
