A little enlightenment for the mentally challenged
Many Biblical scholars [ 1 ] [ 2 ] believe that "Babylon" is an allegory of Rome; perhaps specifically at the time to some aspect of Rome's rule (brutality, greed, paganism), or even a servant people that does the bidding of Rome [citation needed] .
In 4 Ezra, [ 3 ] 2 Baruch [ 4 ] and the Sibylline oracles, [ 5 ] "Babylon" is a cryptic name for Rome. [ 6 ] Elsewhere in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 5:13; some [ 7 ] speculate that "Babylon" is used to refer to Rome. In Revelation 17:9 it is said that she sits on "seven mountains" (the King James Version Bible-the New International Version Bible uses the words "seven hills"), typically understood as the seven hills of Rome. [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] A Roman coin minted under the Emperor Vespasian(ca. 70 CE) depicts Rome as a woman sitting on seven hills. [ 21 ]
According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "The characteristics ascribed to this Babylon apply to Rome rather than to any other city of that age: (a) as ruling over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:18); (b) as sitting on seven mountains (Revelation 17:9); (c) as the center of the world's merchandise (Revelation 18:3,11-13); (d) as the corrupter of the nations (Revelation 17:2; 18:3; 19:2); (e) as the persecutor of the saints (Revelation 17:6)." [ 22 ]
Because Spiritual Babylon would have worldwide influence, affecting "all nations", Ellen G. White have been led to believe that Imperial Rome could not meet such a specification, as she said it only had influence in the Old World. [ 23 ]
