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REVELATION 17:5 (NKJV):
And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

The true identity of who is Mystery Babylon is often hotly debated between Messianics, Christians, and Catholics. Messianics and Christians are generally split between believing Israel or Roman Catholicism is Mystery Babylon, while Catholics believe Mystery Babylon to be Israel. Judaism rejects the B’rit Hadashah (New Testament), so Judaic Jews outright dismiss any belief in Mystery Babylon.

TWO ROADS TO BABYLON

EZEKIEL 21:19 & 21 (NKJV):
And son of man, appoint for yourself TWO WAYS for the sword of the king of Babylon to go. …
For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the fork of the TWO ROADS, to use divination…

Elohim (God) often addresses two entities simultaneously in Scripture and through prophesy. Concerning the identity of Mystery Babylon, it is a duel-identity. Mystery Babylon is both of Pharisaic Talmudic Judaism and Roman Catholicism. Both entities fit the descriptions of Mystery Babylon in somewhat different yet similar ways. Pharisaic Talmudic Judaism and Roman Catholicism are the two Babylonian-inspired entities that share the title of Mystery Babylon.

TWO HARLOTS

HOSEA 4:15 & 17-18 (NKJV):
Though you, Israel, play the harlot. …
Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone. Their drink is rebellion and they commit harlotry continually.

EZEKIEL 23:4-5 & 11 (NKJV):
Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem is Oholibah. Oholah (Samaria) played the harlot even though she was Mine. …
Now although her sister Oholibah (Israel) saw this, she became more corrupt in her lust than she, and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister’s harlotry.

Israel has played the harlot, committing spiritual adultery, in worshiping the gods of its surrounding nations and adopting their pagan practices onto God’s word (Jeremiah 3:8-9; 5:7, 7:9-10, 23:14; Hosea 3:1).

The Gentile nations (Ephraim and Samaria) historically have committed idolatry with images. Catholicism has adopted idolatry into its church and worships images of Yeshua (Jesus), Miriam (Mary), and other figures in continual spiritual harlotry (Revelation 9:20).

WHAT IS A JEW ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE?

The Scripture definition of a Jew is quite different than the worldly definition of a Jew.

ROMANS 2:28-29 (NKJV):
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Jew (noun):
A member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism who traces his or her origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham.

Scripture defines Jews as God’s spiritual people, whereas a secular definition defines a Jew as a descendant of the Hebraic descendants of Abraham.

MYSTERY BABYLON DEFINED

To understand the identity of Mystery Babylon, it is essential to understand, as best as possible, what is meant by the term, ‘Mystery Babylon.’

‘Mystery,’ refers to something that is difficult to understand and whose identity is mysterious, secretly hidden, or unknown.

‘Babylon,’ refers to a place of confusion and wickedness. The Hebrew word for ‘confused,’ is babal, which is a derivative word of Babylon.

‘Mystery Babylon,’ refers to a mysterious, wicked entity, full of lies, deceptions, and confusion, secretly operating, mixing God’s word in the Scriptures with pagan religion, traditions, and false doctrines.

PARALLEL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES IDENTIFYING PHARISAIC TALMUDIC JUDAISM AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM AS MYSTERY BABYLON

IMPOSTOR JEWS

REVELATION 2:9 (NKJV):
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

REVELATION 3:9 (NKJV):
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

The scriptural definition of a Jew is that of one inwardly circumcised in heart and Spirit (Romans 2:28-29). The Jew of the New Covenant is not the same as a descendant from Abraham, but one who believes in Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ) through faith and obeys His commands (1 John 2:4).

The Pharisaic Talmudic Jews have added to Scripture with their Babylonian-inspired doctrines and heavy burdens that they place upon Judaic Jews from their Talmud (Matthew 23:4). They make the word of God of no effect through their traditions (Mark 7:13). In the synagogues of the Pharisaic Talmudic Jews, they have rejected the true Messiah, and seek to punish and revile Jews who accept Yeshua (Jesus) (Acts 17:1-5).

Impostor, non-spiritual, unrighteous Jews do lie, deny Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, add to and nullify Scripture with their Talmud teachings, and are a synagogue of Satan.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH – THE NEW ISRAEL?

The Catholic Church, with all her unscriptural doctrines, pagan-inspired teachings, additions and changes to the word of God, makes a bold and self-serving claim to be the New Israel.

Excerpts from the Catholic Encyclopedia:

* The Catholic Church is the Messianic Kingdom. It is the Kingdom of God (on Earth).

* Christ during His ministry affirmed not only that the prophecies relating to the Messiah were fulfilled in His own person, but also that the expected Messianic kingdom was none other than His (Catholic) Church.

* A characteristic feature of the Messianic kingdom, as predicted, is its UNIVERSAL extent.

* The (Catholic) Church is regarded as the new People of God, the new Israel, the new Zion.

The Catholic Church claims to be the new Israel (replacement theology, the new Jews); and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9, 3:9).

REVELATION 17:4 (NKJV):
The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.

The Jews are associated with purple and scarlet dress garments, linens, and woven materials (Exodus 25:4, 26:1,31,36, 27:16, 28:5-8,15,33, 35:6, 23-25,35, 36:8,35-37, 38:18,23, 39:1-8,24,29).

The Roman Catholic Church’s clergy dress colors are purple and scarlet. Catholic bishops and archbishops wear purple while Catholic cardinals wear scarlet. In Scripture, the word ‘woman’ is often figuratively used to represent a church. Catholics have adorned their churches with gold and all manner of precious stones. The golden cup in the woman’s hand is a reference to the Catholic Church’s weekly Eucharist mass. The Catholic Church priest holds up a golden cup in his hand and offers Christ as a continual sacrifice, rather than a completed work, along with countless other false and pagan- inspired doctrines that they practice. God calls these abominable Babylonian-adopted religious practices spiritual fornication against Him and His word.

THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS – LUKE 16:19-31

Yeshua (Jesus) described, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man being clothed in purple (Luke 16:19). Yeshua (Jesus) was addressing the rich Pharisee Jews, who were lovers of money (Luke 16:14). The rich man refused to provide any welfare or food to Lazarus, a poor beggar, who was so impoverished that he desired to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table (Luke 16:20-21). At the conclusion of the parable, the rich man is sent to a place of torment. The rich man could see Lazarus in paradise being embraced by Abraham. The rich man pleaded with Abraham, that he might send a resurrected Lazarus as a messenger to his father’s house – to warn his five brothers to prevent them from receiving his fate. The rich man believed a resurrected Lazarus could testify to his five brothers, and that his brothers would believe Lazarus, repent and not go to the place of torment that he was in. Abraham denied the formerly rich man his request, telling him that his five brothers have Moses and the prophets, and if they do not believe them, they will not believe in one who is raised from the dead.

The parable prediction of Yeshua (Jesus), that the rich man’s brothers would not be persuaded to believe and repent – even if one were raised from the dead, came to pass through the resurrection of Lazarus of Bethany. Yeshua (Jesus) resurrected Lazarus and the Pharisees and chief priests would not believe the testimony of those who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus, nor would they repent of their murderous mindset as they sought to kill Lazarus (John 11:1-48; 12:1-11,17-19).

The Pharisee Jews, chief priests, and the Pharisaic Talmudic Jews of today reject Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ), even though He bore witness to the truth, performed wondrous miracles, and He was raised from the dead.

Pharisaic Talmudic Judaism elitists run the world’s banking and economic systems, live in lavish wealth, have little concern for their fellow man, and often believe that they are ethnically superior to Gentiles.

The Roman Catholic Church’s global spending matches the revenues of the world’s largest firms. Yet the majority of monies spent by the Catholic Church are not done so to help the poor and impoverished of the world, but mostly to further empower and enrich its church through business, political, and religious institutions.

The Roman Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest institutions in the entire world. It owns vast wealth through cash flow donations from its over 1-billion member flock and though its investments. Its assets include incalculable amounts of gold, land, priceless art, and real estate [1].

REVELATION 17:5 (NKJV):
And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Mystery Babylon is a mother church. This mother church gives birth to other harlot churches. There are two roads that trace back to Babylon: Pharisaic Talmudic Judaism and Roman Catholicism.

Babylonian-inspired Pharisaic Talmudic Judaism is the mother of the Roman Catholic Church. Talmudic Judaism mixes its Babylonian-inspired Talmud writings and traditions with the Holy Scriptures.

The Roman Catholic Church is a harlot mother church. Babylonian-inspired Roman Catholicism mixes its traditions with God’s word and places its church authority above the Scriptures. The Protestant churches were born out of Roman Catholicism. Protestants, as their name suggests, are Protesting Catholics who protest some, but not all, of Catholicism. Protestants adhere to their mother Catholic Church in many of their false doctrines including the Sunday Sabbath, pagan adopted feasts and festivals, the abolishing of God’s dietary laws, and the overall general practice that the law (Torah) has been done away with and has been replaced by the New Covenant. Protestantism is not Mystery Babylon; it is the offspring of Mystery Babylon. Protestants do not adhere to the whole truth of God’s eternal laws (Torah) and they obey their Roman Catholic mother church in many of her false doctrines, feasts, festivals, and traditions.

REVELATION 17:6 (NKJV):
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua (Jesus).

The Jewish scribes and Pharisees (religious leaders) are responsible for the deaths of the righteous.
Yeshua (Jesus) accused the Jewish religious leaders of being hypocrites and a brood of vipers, responsible for and approving of the murdered righteous prophets, scribes, and wise men (Matthew 23:29-37; Luke 11:47-51). Yeshua (Jesus) identifies Jerusalem as the one who kills the prophets and the righteous sent to her (Luke 13:33-34).

The Roman Catholic Church is responsible for the deaths of millions of saints and innocents during its bloody history. It is estimated that the Catholic Church killed between 100-150 million people during the Dark Middle Ages in its crusades, inquisitions, trials, and executions.

REVELATION 17:9 (NKJV):
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

Israel is the land that God brought the Hebrews to possess. Before taking possession of the land of Israel, God delivered seven nations greater and mightier than the Hebrews into their hands. Israel sits on the location of seven nations that were cast out before them (Deuteronomy 7:1; Acts 13:19). Israel also sits on seven hills: Scopus, Nob, Olivet/Mount of Corruption/Mount of Offense, Mount Zion, Ophel Mount, The Rock/Fort Antonia, and Southwest Hill/New Mount Zion. The seven mountains of Revelation 17:9 represent the seven nations that the Hebraic Jews dispossessed and cast out before establishing the Israelite nation and also the seven hills upon which Israel sits.

The Vatican, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, physically sits on seven hills. Rome is the city that was built on seven hills and is also called “The City of Seven Hills.” The seven hills that Rome sits on are Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Palatine Hill, Quirinal Hill, and Viminal Hill. Vatican City is a city within Rome. The seven mountains of Revelation 17:9 are symbolic of the Seven Hills of Rome on which the Roman Catholic Church sits.

REVELATION 17:15 (NKJV):
The waters that you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.

Israeli Jews have been dispersed to all the nations and many have returned to Israel in these last days (Ezekiel 11:14-21, 20:33-44, 34:11-16). They have returned as international Jews and as different peoples, with many languages and customs adopted from the countries from where they were dispersed.

The Roman Catholic Church is established in many nations as they send out missionaries all over the world and they communicate with multitudes of people in many languages.

REVELATION 17:16-18 (NKJV):
And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.

The ten horns are an alliance of 10-kingdom nations within the European union that will be led by the final Antimessiah (Antichrist) beast superpower (Revelation 17:12-13). This Antichrist Euro-Empire will hate the harlot (the Vatican / Catholic Church) and make her desolate and will also invade Israel and trample the Pharisaic Talmudic Jews in Jerusalem and Judea (Luke 21:20-24). God will put it into the hearts of the kings and rulers of the Gentile nations, to give their authority to this European beast superpower, so that the prophesy of God’s punishment against Mystery Babylon will be fulfilled.

Israel reigns over the kings of the Earth through its banking institutions and its political alliances throughout the world. The beast superpower and the armies of the world will surround Jerusalem, in the last days, and Jerusalem will be trampled and made desolate. The Gentile armies will conquer Jerusalem, as God will use the armies of the Gentiles to extract His vengeance upon the Pharisaic Talmudic Jews of Israel (Lamentations 4:12-13; Matthew 24:15-22; Luke 21:20-24).

The Vatican is a sovereign state that reigns over the kings of the Earth through world politics, its vast wealth, and by using its religious influence in the world. The Vatican will ride the beast superpower. The Vatican is the little horn (Daniel 7:8, 8:9) that fornicates (politically and religiously aligns) with the beast superpower (Revelation 17:1-2, 19:19- 21). The final Roman Catholic pope will act as the false prophet, uniting world politics with a one-world religion. The false prophet final Catholic pope will be cast alive into a lake of fire (Revelation 19:20, 20:10). Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church will be hated and destroyed by fire by the Antichrist beast empire in judgment (Revelation 17:16-18).

REVELATION 18:24 (NKJV) [WITH INTERPRETATION]:
“And in her [AMERICA] was found [DWELLING] the [JEWISH DESCENDANTS OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE] blood of the prophets, and [THE CATHOLIC DESCENDANTS OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLOOD OF THE] saints, and [AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS RESPONSIBLE FOR] all who were slain on the earth [IN VARIOUS AMERICAN FOREIGN WARS AND MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS].”

Mystery Babylon’s two entities (Revelation 17), which both dwell within America and exert a strong political and religious influence over the culture, were responsible for killing the prophets and the saints. The Pharisaic Talmudic Jews were responsible for killing the prophets (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34) and Roman Catholics were responsible for killing the saints during the Dark Middle Ages.

LUKE 13:34-35 (NKJV) [WITH INTERPRETATION]:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He [YESHUA  (JESUS)] who comes in the name of [YHWH] (the Lord)!’”

LUKE 21:20-24 (NKJV):
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Pharisaic Talmudic Messiah-denying Judaism is the dominant faith of secular Israel. Israel will be judged by Yeshua (Jesus) for its national sins, killing of the prophets, and for its rejection of Him, their Messiah. Yeshua (Jesus) will return to save the righteous Jews of Israel when they call on Him in their darkest hour to save them from annihilation.

REVELATION 19:1-2 (NKJV):
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot [the Roman Catholic Church] who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”

In Catholic traditional teachings, they twist Yeshua’s (Jesus’) words to Peter in Matthew 16:18, and declare, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against [the Catholic Church].” Ironically, the Catholic Church is the great harlot ‘gates of hell’ church that will be judged by Yeshua (Jesus) to destruction and He will prevail against it.

Who is the ‘loud voice of a great multitude in heaven’ that cheers at the Catholic Church’s judgment? They are the resurrected raptured saints throughout millennia who were slain by the Catholic Church and those of the end times who were beheaded by it.

REVELATION 6:10-11 (NKJV):
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

THE END OF MYSTERY BABYLON (FALSE RELIGION)

REVELATION 19:15 (NKJV):
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.

REVELATION 22:14-15 (NKJV):
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, AND WHOEVER LOVES AND PRACTICES A LIE.

The word of God is truth and is sharper than and two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12-13). Yeshua’s (Jesus’) truths shall reveal all the lies of Mystery Babylon. When Yeshua (Jesus) returns, He will rule with a rod of iron and put an end to all false religion.

1. Yglesias, Matthew, “How Rich Is the Catholic Church?,” Slate, March 14, 2013, <http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/03/catholic_church_and_pope_francis_religious_institutions_are_exempted_from.html>.