Traditional theology has always interpreted prophecy by saying that Babylon the great will be part of the antichrist’s world system, explaining that Babylon’s destruction will take place at the end of the tribulation. However, God’s time sequence of events—what we find in His Word—does not say this. This Scriptural evidence will be the foundation on which we will build our premise in discovering America’s role in Bible prophecy. To verify our position, we will drill down into the Word of God and show you our findings and clarify our interpretations. 

THE FIRST TIME-SEQUENCE HINT:

In Revelation 16:19, the angel makes a reference to Babylon: “and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” The Greek word for remembrance in this verse is mimneskomai, meaning, “to recall information from memory” or to “recollect” or “remind oneself.” In other words, this “remembrance” is referring to a “past tense” event.1 Additionally, the phrase “give unto her” is the Greek word didomi, translated “to make her drink.”2 

The English Standard Version Bible translation gives us a further insight, interpreting the passage in this way: “God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.” The wine in this verse is oinos and is translated “punishment that God inflicts on the wicked.”3 From this narrative we now realize that the seventh vial of judgment being poured out is not the beginning of Babylon’s judgment but is the final and ‘last drop’ of God’s fury. This last drop is judging all the world who have followed the Babylonian spirits. 

But if the seventh vial contains God’s last drop of fury, where is the first drop? 

To further explain this time sequence, God sent John an angel.

THE SECOND TIME-SEQUENCE HINT: 

Revelation 17:1 says, “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters.” 

Notice in this verse the angel taking John away is not the seventh angel that had the seventh vial, but instead, it is one of the seven angels who had already poured out its vial. John is being taken away from the original time sequence, in which the seventh vial of destruction has just been poured out, to view a previous event in the time sequence, the destruction of Babylon the great. 

From this point on (Rev. 17:1–11), this angel describes Babylon as a mystery. The word for mystery—mysterion—means “mysteries, reli- gious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to be communicated by them to ordinary mortals.”4 Furthermore, Babylon is described as a rich, proud, powerful woman riding on the back of the seven-headed beast with ten horns (Rev. 17:1–11). 

THIRD TIME-SEQUENCE HINT: THE FIRST CONFIRMATION 

Revelation 17:12 says: 

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. In this passage, we see that the angel confirms the first two time-sequence hints by showing us the relationship between the ten horns and the beast. 

Next, Revelation 17:13–15 tells us: 

These have one mind and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 

Neither the antichrist (the beast) nor his kingdom have come into power, but they are waging war with the Lamb (and His bride), and the Lamb is overcoming them, because when you touch God’s people, you are touching God. The woman (Babylon the great) is sitting (ruling over, policing) “multitudes, nations, and peoples” throughout the earth, and the beast, who has not yet received authority to rule, is attempting to overcome, but the woman is thwarting his agenda. 

As we saw in the first verse of Revelation 17, everything described here takes place before the tribulation begins. The beast and the ten horns hate the woman who is holding him down. Why? Because he has not yet deposed the seventh providential nation that is opposing his efforts for a New World Order. However, this pre-tribulation time sequence dramatically changes at God’s appointed time.