Mystery Babylon: Chapter 2

Babylon of Scripture and "Mystery" Babylon

Never in all of scripture do we find the phrase "Mystery Babylon" until we reach Revelation chapter seventeen and verse five:

"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

"Mystery Babylon" is clearly a separate entity and is distinct from all past mentions of Babylon in scripture. "Mystery Babylon" is the consummation and the completion of all church iniquity of which much of Old Testament scripture prophesied. Mystery Babylon seems to be the abomination of desolation spoken of throughout the Old Testament and confirmed by Christ Himself.

The word "Mystery" is translated from the Greek word [5*]musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on) and is defined from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words as follows:

[6*]"Musterion, primarily that which is known to the mustes, "the initiated" (from mueo, "to initiate into the mysteries." In the New Testament it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a "mystery" implies knowledge withheld; its scriptural significance is truth revealed. Hence the terms especially associated with the subject are "made known," "manifested," "revealed," "preached," "understand," "dispensation." The definition given above may best be illustrated by the following passage: "EVEN THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS," (Colossians 1:26)."

"Mystery" is Used in the New Testament of the Following Subjects:

1. "Mystery" is used in disclosing spiritual truth, as revealed in the Gospel.

   "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2)

   "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (1 Timothy 3:9)

   [7*] Among the ancient Greeks "the mysteries" were religious rites and ceremonies practiced by secret societies into which any one who so desired might be received. Those who were initiated into these "mysteries" became possessors of certain knowledge, which was not imparted to the uninitiated, and were called "the perfected," cf. (1 Cor. 2:6-16) where the Apostle has these "mysteries" in mind and presents the Gospel in contrast thereto; here "the perfected" are, of course the believers, who alone can perceive the things revealed.

2. "Mystery" is used in showing Christ, who is God Himself revealed under the conditions of human life.

   "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ." (Colossians 2:2)

   "Withal praying also for us, that God would open us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds." (Colossians 4:3)

   2a. "Mystery" is used in showing Christ submitting unto death:

   "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:7,8)

   2b. "Mystery" is used in showing Christ raised from the dead:

   "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

   2c. "Mystery" is used in showing that the will of God to coordinate the universe in Him, and subject it to Him, might in due time be accomplished:

   "Having made known onto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." (Ephesians 1:9,10)

   2d. "Mystery" is used in declaring the Gospel:

   "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." (Romans 16:25,26)

3. "Mystery" is used in showing Christ's body, i.e., the union of redeemed men with God in Christ:

   "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:6)

   "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

4. "Mystery" is used in showing the rapture into the presence of Christ and those members of the Church which is His Body who shall be alive on the earth at His Parousia:

   "Behold, I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed," (I Corinthians 15:51)

5. "Mystery" is used in showing the operation of those hidden forces that either retard or accelerate the Kingdom of Heaven:

   "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Matthew 13:11)

   "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables." (Mark 4:11)

6. "Mystery" is used in showing the cause of the present condition of national Israel:

   "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25)

7. "Mystery" is used in showing the spirit of disobedience to God:

   "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." (II Thessalonians 2:7)

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

   "And the angel said unto me, Wherefore did thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns." (Revelation 17:7)

The word "mystery" is not found in the Old Testament. From the above New Testament verses we learn that this word is strictly associated with the many secrets and mysteries of God: mystery of the Gospel; mystery of God in Christ; mystery of the crucifixion; mystery of the resurrection; mystery of the created universe; mystery of the preaching of the gospel; mystery of Christ with His Church; mystery of the rapture at the last day; mystery of the kingdom of God; mystery of the blindness of national Israel; mystery of iniquity (within the church); and Mystery Babylon. "Mystery" is therefore accordingly the companion of God and His eternal Word. The only minor exceptions to this rule would be in II Thessalonians chapter two, "the mystery of iniquity" and in Revelation chapter seventeen, "Mystery Babylon." Nonetheless, both of these passages continue to address the spirituality of the things of God.

All of this is being stated in order to point out the clear fact that the word "mystery" is employed in the New Testament to certify and to authenticate the secrets of the mysteries of God. It is simply used as an adjective to describe being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, with regard to the things of God. Again, mystery is not defined as "mysterious" as it is in the English language. Man can only comprehend these great mysteries by being indwelt by God's Holy Spirit.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)

Therefore, when we read the title "MYSTERY" (Rev. 17:5) we should realize immediately that this Babylon of both chapters seventeen and eighteen in all probability could not possibly be in reference to anything that is outside of the church (corporate or otherwise). It certainly looks as though it could not pertain to the unsaved (outside) world. The title alone tells us that Babylon of Revelation is assuredly affiliated (although in the negative sense) with the church of Christ.

Back : Chapter 1 - The Abomination of Desolation: A Brief Synopsis

Next : Chapter 3 - Old Testament Commentary: Babylon is Fallen, Is Fallen! (Is. 21:1-10)

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