Mystery Babylon

[PS. 87:4] I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. On September 22 through October 22, 1987, a World Music Festival was held in the old city of Babylon, fifty five miles south of Baghdad, Iraq. The festival continued for a month in Babylon’s 2,000 year old amphitheatre to celebrate the restoration of Babylon, including the Hanging Gardens and Tower of Babel by the government of Iraq. Musical groups included ballet troupes from the Soviet Union and France; opera from Italy; folk dancers from Greece, Turkey, Poland, and Yugoslavia; flamenco artist from Spain; and Bedouin dancers from Saudi Arabia. Could this be a fulfillment of Ps. 87? The reference to Rahab could also be a symbol connecting the notorious harlot of the days of Joshua with the mystery religion of ancient Babylon. It seems that G-d has thus promised to reveal the harlot Babylon to those who desire to know the mystery. The Apostle John (Rev. 17:5) called her MYSTERY, BABLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Over the centuries, BABYLON THE GREAT has remained a mystery. Perhaps soon, she will be revealed! According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, the term Rahab as used in this passage refers to a ‘sea monster’. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Encyclopedia calls it ‘Rahab the Dragon – a mythological sea monster or dragon representing the evil forces of chaos…as it occurs in Job 9:1, Job 26:12, Ps. 89:19, and Isaiah 51:9…’ The O.T. usage compares perfectly with MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, seen by John as a harlot upon a seven-headed dragon in Rev. 17:3-5. Isaiah’s (51:9) makes it clear: Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rabab, and wounded the dragon? Perhaps then, Rahab and Babylon in Ps. 87 refers to the Revived Roman Empire predicted to dominate the world under the leadership of the antichrist during the Tribulation Period. The mystery city will be destroyed as related in Ps. 89:10-11! Ethan completes the picture of G-d’s judgment upon the harlot city as he wrote, Thou has broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong are. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine:… This is the kind of proiphetic description given in Rev. 17-18. The wicked city is destroyed. …behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia – as a prophecy, it should be noted that Ethiopia is listed in Ez. 38:5 as an ally of Magog in their future invasion. Tyre could be the location of invasion route (from the north). Philistia is an ancient name for the modern Palestinians and may refer to the PLO. The verse to participants in the future Battle of Gog and Magog which also may be described in the previous psalm (86:14): as a possible reference to 1987, our attention is drawn to the alliance with is building against Israel. [5] And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. [6] The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 4-6 When the time has come for Mystery Babylon to be revealed and for the Battle of Gog and Magog to ravage the world, G-d will appoint and seal 114,000 Jews for a special ministry. When 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes are chosen, they will need to present their genealogies. Each must prove his tribal ancestry. Therefore, it is written, this man was born there, … A prophetic reference seemingly is made to the choosing of the 144,000 as the sons of Korah wrote, The LORD shall count. 4-6 When the time has come for Mystery Babylon to be revealed and for the Battle of Gog and Magog to ravage the world, G-d will appoint and seal 114,000 Jews for a special ministry. When 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes are chosen, they will need to present their genealogies. Each must prove his tribal ancestry. Therefore, it is written, this man was born there, … A prophetic reference seemingly is made to the choosing of the 144,000 as the sons of Korah wrote, The LORD shall count. The definition of the number 87 meaning ‘refined gold, purified, a epithet (metaphor) of gold, it is distinguished from common gold. Separate and purify by fire, leaping for joy and dancing. This ancient rendering, however, seems to have almost fallen into disuse among the Hebrews. This meaning may be important when considering the future Jewish remnant (144,000) who will be separated and sealed in their foreheads, as opposed to the ‘mark of the beast’ in the foreheads of wicked mean representing the ordinary gold of Mystery Babylon. The Jewish remnant will be tried in the fires of the Tribulation Period. When they restore Temple worship, they will leap for joy, but when the abomination of desolation occurs, they will flee as a gazelle. Some say the melting point of gold is 1948 degree Fahrenheit! Some say 1945.4 is the exact melting point. Adolph Hitler committed suicide int eh fourth month of 1945! Perhaps as that point the gold of G-d’s Chosen People was melted. Their hearts were thus prepared to return to their Promise Land. [7] As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee. At least we can say it was a token fulfillment of the future MYSTERY BABYLON. The processional for bringing the Ark of the Covenant must include the singers and players of instruments. Just when the Ark will be returned or taken to the Temple Mount is not known, but the general feeling is that the momentum is building for that predicted event. The sons of Korah were members of the Kohathites who carried the Ark. Ps. 73-89 are positioned in such a way as to present the processional. It may be the duty of the 144,000 to return the Ark to the Temple site, set up the Tabernacle of David and restore the Priesthood at or near the beginning of the Tribulation.