In chapters 17,18 - judgment of the two Babylons. First the apostate church in the Great Tribulation in chapter 17, and then commercial Babylon in chapter 18.

The questions are: "Are there two Babylons, and are they in two different geographical locations? Are they representative of two systems? Are they two literal cities, or are they the same?" The answers to these questions will become more apparent as our redemption draws near. It appears at the present time, in my judgment, that two distinct cities are in view.

Chapter 17 is mystery Babylon, the apostate church. It will attain the goal of the present‑day apostates of all the great systems of the world: Romanism, Protestantism, pagan religions, cults, etc. The Bible calls it a harlot. This is an ecumenical one‑world church. The location of this system could be in Rome (the city built on seven hills).

It is called mystery Babylon because of its origin. At the Tower of Babel man attempted to rally against God. Under Nimrod, Babylon became the origin of all false religion. Now the dream of Nimrod will be realized in the first half of the Great Tribulation period. This church is guilty of spiritual fornication, selling herself to the world for hire. This is the church that says, "I am rich and increased with goods, and I have need of nothing."

The true church will not go through the Great Tribulation; it will be raptured before the Tribulation begins. Let's be specific: who will be raptured? Not denominations, not just individual churches, but His church, a collective term meaning all true believers, those who are in Christ.

As Dr. George Gill used to say, Asome churches will meet the Sunday after the Rapture and will not miss a member.@ J. Dwight Pentecost in his book, Things To Come (p. 368), gives this comment concerning the harlot system:

AThe Beast, who was dominated by the harlot system (Rev. 17:3), rises against her and destroys her and her system completely. Without doubt the harlot system was in competition with the religious worship of the Beast, promoted by the False Prophet, and her destruction is brought about so that the Beast may be the sole object of false worship as he claims to be God.@

Babylon is to be rebuilt, as we have seen in Isaiah and Jeremiah, and here in chapters 17 ‑‑ 18 we see it destroyed. Ecclesiastical Babylon will be destroyed by the wild Beast.

Ecclesiastical Babylon is destroyed by the wild Beast.

Commercial Babylon is destroyed by the return of Christ.

Ecclesiastical Babylon is hated by the Beast.

Commercial Babylon is loved by the world.

Ecclesiastical Babylon is destroyed at the beginning of the last three and one‑half years of the Great Tribulation.