"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." (Revelation 18:2)

Notice carefully that God is saying "Babylon is BECOME ...." "To become" signifies a change of condition. If Babylon of the Book of Revelation were meant to portray the world as a whole at it's destruction, how could it be that at it’s physical destruction it has become something other than non-existent? How could this world be so thoroughly destroyed as II Peter 3:10 so vividly testifies to: "... and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up," and yet the world continue to become a habitation of devils, a hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird? One may argue that this is the condition of the world before its literal destruction at the last day. Revelation 18:2 declares Babylon to have fallen first, and then states that she has become a defilement and such. To spiritually fall would necessitate a "becoming" or "moving" into degradation. Those who say that the fall of Babylon is depicting the destruction of the world at the last day would be hard pressed to explain why she becomes something other than non-existent after her fall.

The spiritual condition of the world in general has not progressed into a fallen state. It was suddenly thrown into a fallen spiritual condition back in the Garden of Eden, at the fall. It is true that the world's spiritual condition has gradually deteriorated over the centuries and has become even more apostate, but again this was the reason why God destroyed the world at the flood. The world has been - since the fall - in a fallen spiritual condition. However, the church of Jesus Christ worldwide has never been declared by God to have fallen. Not until we enter the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21) does scripture teach that the corporate church as a whole will fall into spiritual decay. The corporate church during the great tribulation (Mystery Babylon) will "become" a habitation of devils, and a hold (prison) of every foul (impure; unclean) spirit, and a cage (prison) of every unclean and hateful (detestable) bird. It is no wonder God gives the command to "Come out of her, my people," Revelation 18:4.

Please notice in Revelation 18:2 that God states ... Babylon has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. We emphasize the word "every" because God is telling us that there is nothing that is dirty, unclean or foul that is left out. She is an adulterous, a spiritual harlot that has opened her doors to all foul spirits (every) and to all (every) uncleanness. In other words the corporate church, as a whole, has fallen into the world and as a result her morals and ethics are no holier or God fearing than those of the unsaved world.

"For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men."

"As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich," Jeremiah 5:26-27.

God is clearly speaking of Israel in the above two verses, both national Israel and spiritual Israel. God does not have the general world in view in these verses, and yet the language is very similar to Revelation 18:2. Old Testament Israel, which typifies the New Testament church, i.e. the New Testament spiritual Israel, is compared in Jeremiah 5:27 to a cage of deceitful birds which have waxed great and rich. It is in their own eyes they have become great and rich, much the same way as the early Babylonians had their pride lifted up. By reading Jeremiah chapter five carefully one will discover that it's theme is firmly established around the abominations of Jerusalem, which also can symbolize the New Testament church. This entire chapter is a dramatic picture of the "falling away" of the church at the end of time and during the great tribulation. Yes, this chapter had it's partial fulfillment during the Old Testament era when national Israel (Old Testament church) sinned greatly against God. Is it merely coincidental that God equates the apostate condition of His Old Testament congregations with the same analogy used in describing His end-time corporate church? God likens them to houses full of deceit .... as a "cage is full of birds". Since Jeremiah chapter five is unquestionably making reference to Old Testament Israel's defilement of spiritual truth, how then do we interpret the nearly identical analogy with regard to the end-time Mystery Babylon? Do we assign it to the world in general? Not at all, if we are to interpret biblically by comparing scripture with scripture.

In Mark 9:2 and Revelation 18:2 we see the word foul being used to describe an unclean spirit or spirits. This same Greek word is translated throughout the New Testament as UNCLEAN.

“When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him,“ (Mark 9:25).

When we search the New Testament we read of a foul spirit (other than Revelation chapter eighteen) in only one other verse, that being the above verse in Mark 9:25. Christ rebukes this spirit and charges it as being a dumb and deaf spirit.

Dumb: Please note that the Greek rendering of the word dumb has many variations such as meaning the inability to speak; voluntary refusal to speak; to be calm; figurative unmeaning or insignificant; to be deaf and dumb and so on. The word dumb as used in the New Testament is associated with dumb idols (1 Corinthians 12:2); a lamb dumb before his shearer (Acts 8:32); the ass of 2 Peter 2:16; but the majority of verses using the adjective ‘dumb’ are affiliated strictly with people, however it is indeed associated with SPIRITS as well. When Christ spoke of the foul spirit in Mark 9:25 He referred to it as a “dumb and deaf spirit.”

There is one other New Testament verse that speaks of a spirit as being “dumb,“ and that is in Mark 9:17 where we read:

“And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit.”

Christ refers to the dumb and deaf spirit of (Mark 9:17) as being FOUL in Mark 9:25. It is the same incident! Let us remember that God declares Mystery Babylon to be full of foul spirits. Keep this in mind as we further examine the incident and passages in Mark 9:14-29. This occurrence may carry a close relationship and spiritual parallel to the judgment of God and eternal darkness.

14- And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15- And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

16- And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

17- And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18- And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

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Points to Consider

The beginning of verse 18 states “wheresoever he taketh him.” This word taketh is translated in most Greek interlinears as “seized” and also in Strong’s Concordance. It is speaking of the unclean or foul spirit seizing hold of this possessed man wherever he goes. In today’s society of modern medicine and a so-called enlightenment of knowledge there are sure to be those who would state that this man simply had a medical condition. They would suggest perhaps epilepsy as a diagnosis. They will look to their modern studies for a believable explanation. We who believe in the flawless Word of God must realize that this incident, and many others like it, literally and physically occurred in the Old Testament era before Satan was bound and defeated at the Cross of Christ. Satan is no longer able to torment people in that manner. When he is loosed for a short while at the Great Tribulation (which we may well be in at this writing) he may indeed be manifesting himself in this manner.

Returning to verse 18 we see a father bringing his son to Christ because he is demon possessed. Yes, all who are not worshiping the one true God of creation are in actuality possessed by Satan in many subtle and non-subtle ways. This man, however, displayed a strong outward manifestation of being demon possessed.

Verse 18 continues by stating of this demon - “it teareth him.” The demon or devil first seizes the man wherever he goes and then “teareth” him. The word “teareth” in the Greek literally means “to throw one to the ground” or “to dash down or dash to the ground.” God may be using this occurrence in depicting the spiritual realities of being under the wrath of God. Scripture indicates that to be thrown to the ground or to be thrown down is tantamount to being under God’s judgment. There are many passages throughout scripture that indicate this. The following verses speak of the judgment of God’s outward representation of His Temple - the corporate church worldwide.

Mark 9:18 continues to give us insight in describing the spiritual realities of being under the wrath of God. This verse continues by stating of this man possessed of Satan: “he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth.”

The above word “foameth” is defined as “to foam at the mouth.” Foam is foam whether it be on the mouth or upon the waters or upon the seas. God’s true meaning for foam is found in Hosea 10:7 -

“As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.”

The Hebrew word that is used as “foam” [Strong’s Hebrew; #7110] is also translated over and over again in the Old Testament as wrath, meaning God’s wrath!

Consider how Jude 1:13 relates unbelievers to foam. In addition to them being clouds without water, trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jude 1:13 says they also are:

“Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”

Remember Hosea 10:7 tells us that foam upon the water is a picture of being cut off from God. And what does all of this have in relation to the demon possessed man of Mark and Luke chapters nine? They do indeed seem to show forth spiritual insights pertaining to God’s pictorial or metaphoric portrayal of being under the curse of God. These depictions can be on an individual level or on a broad and corporate level, such as the wrath of Mystery Babylon. The allegorical depictions are the same, whether it is shown for one person or for the entire world. God is no respecter of persons.

Mark 9:18 continues by telling us that this possessed man “gnasheth with his teeth.” Many are aware of the biblical phrase “gnashing of teeth.” It is altogether associated with being under the wrath of God and being assigned to eternal darkness. This phrase is found in the following verses: Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 13:50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; Luke 13:28.

Mark 9:18 continues - “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away ... “

The word "pineth" is also translated in the New Testament so dried, ripe, and withered. In the one verse that renders this word as "ripe" it is spoken in the context of being ripe for God’s judgment, Revelation 14:15. Pineth is translated most of the time as withered. It has everything to do with being spiritually dead and thus withered [pineth] and ripe [pineth]for God’s judgment. Some examples are as follows:

God likens unbelievers to trees that are dried and withered. Christ tells us to let our light so shine before men. Apart from the Word of God we have no light. The light that God speaks of is of course the light of the candle (the Word of God) that we are to proclaim to this world.

The corporate church as Mystery Babylon has withered away; become spiritually dried and ripe for God’s judgment. The true light of Christ shines no more at all in her. The true voice of the Bridegroom and His true bride are heard no more in her. The purity of God’s spoken Word can be found nowhere in the corporate church in these tribulation days. As with the possessed man, Satan had him to the point of withering away. The corporate church has withered away in it’s own lust and pride. Unlike the possessed man of Mark chapter nine, Christ spiritually healed him; Mystery Babylon cannot be healed.

“And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee ... “ (Revelation 18:3)

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Returning to Mark Chapter Nine

19- He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20- And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

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Here in verse 20 we find a very interesting statement. Satan causes this possessed man to fall to the ground while foaming (presumably at the mouth) and wallowing. In the Greek we find that the word “wallowing” comes from “koo-lee-o’-o” [Strong’s Greek #2947]. This word is derived from # 2949 “kuma” which is rendered in the English as waves. Very interesting!

God teaches in many places throughout Scripture that waves are symbolic language representing the works of Satan.

An incident recorded in the gospels tells of a time when Christ was on a ship with His disciples. A great storm arose, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves (Matthew 8:24). The disciples thought that they would surely die (Matthew 8:25). Jesus then awoke and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm (Matthew 8:26). This occurred exactly as scripture describes it to us. It is also an historic parable meant to display God’s power over Satan. God uses a poetic type of language throughout His Word; one of parables, metaphors, allegories, portraits and the like. Scripture many times uses the word ‘waves’ in describing the forces of Satan as it attacks the Word of God. These waves can and are in the form of nice law abiding men and women, grandmothers and grandfathers, children and grandchildren, great men and poor of the world, good people and the law breakers - all and everyone who denounces the Creator’s Gospel of salvation. These who have their own belief of a salvation apart from Christ are in actuality pictured throughout scripture as the waves in the sea. These waves have always been with us since man’s fall in the Garden, however as we press on toward the end of this world and the second coming of Christ these waves will increase in intensity

and strength. As the ship (God portrays His church as a ship) sails on toward the end of the age it will endure the spiritual winter (‘winter’ in Scripture means storm, foul whether, or tempest) of history (Great Tribulation) in which the waves will come up against the church and only the true believers will be able to withstand the storm. The multitudes of unbelievers within the church will be swallowed up by the waves of Satan’s attacks. These attacks are in no way blatant or obvious Satanic attacks against Christ and His Gospel. No, they are cunningly and cleverly disguised false doctrines designed to lead astray those who believe they are following a traditional Christian doctrine. Why will they be deceived? One reason is that they refuse to study the Word of God and would rather accept anything and everything their pastor tells them. God’s true elect will search out the scriptures in order to find truth.

The city of Babylon during Old Testament days was never covered by the waves of the sea. When we consider this verse by comparing scripture with scripture we can see the spiritual ramifications. The Bible has much to say about the spiritual condition of the world near the end of this present age and the second coming of Christ. Scripture teaches that the main battles will be solely spiritual and they will not be fought in the streets and cities of the world but rather they will be fought within the churches of Jesus Christ worldwide. Once Satan has taken his seat in the temple of God - the church - (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) he will begin to wear out the saints of the most high (Daniel 7:25) until Christ Himself - God Incarnate - returns. Thus the many false gospels and false doctrines will increase as spiritual waves upon the worldwide corporate church, transcending her into her just reward as Mystery Babylon ... Mother of Harlots (Revelation 17:5).

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Returning to Mark Chapter Nine

21- And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22- And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

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We wonder why Satan would harass this individual by seizing him; throwing him to the ground, causing him to foam at the mouth and gnash his teeth until he withers away or physically faints. The above verse 22 tells us that Satan often times casts him into fire and into water because he wises to destroy this man. That is the overall purpose of Satan; to destroy. Not physically but to destroy spiritually.

Satan possesses this man and casts him into the fire at will. Why do we suppose God is telling us about this seemingly isolated event? First and foremost might be that this man is overcome by a foul spirit. The corporate church at it’s end will be overtaken by foul spirits. True believers will be forced to flee out of her in obedience to God’s Word. The meaning of being overtaken by a foul spirit can easily and simply be that you have believed in a Christ oriented gospel that seemingly exalts Jesus Christ but in reality does not follow the true Christian doctrines of scripture. Perhaps it cunningly exalts man’s “decision” to accept Christ when God’s Word tells us that we have nothing to do with our own salvation - it is Christ who draws us to Him. We make no decision to accept Him until He first draws us to Him. There are many man glorifying doctrines that appear to be Christian in nature. Beware! The waves of Satan’s attacks within the organized churches worldwide are as sly and deceitful as one could imagine. If it were possible even the elect would be deceived, scripture tells us. It is the winter of our sojourn and we must flee from these harlots to the mountains of our God.

Thus Satan continues to buffet this possessed man by throwing him into the fire. Whether one man or the entire world of unbelievers, all will metaphorically be cast into the fire at Judgment Day. God’s Word is the SAME yesterday, today and forever. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,“ (Hebrews 13:8). I am not giving you some outdated superstitious myth, there is a Judgment Day coming and very soon!

This man of Mark chapter nine might well be an example of the unseen spiritual ramifications of unbelief. By being cast into fire is altogether tied in to God’s final judgment, known as the second death; i.e. the real judgment of spiritual death. The second death is the horror of maintaining an eternal conscience of being outside of Christ for evermore. This is what God calls outer darkness and is likened to being cast into the fires of hell. We do see evidence that this possessed man of Mark chapter nine does reflect all of the spiritual ramifications of receiving God’s judgment. Yes, Satan is responsible for tormenting him just as Satan is responsible for tormenting and spiritually killing most who have ever lived. Man’s original parents brought it all on in the Garden of Eden and that means that all of us are guilty as charged. Only Christ can change that guilt for us. He seemingly changed it for the possessed man in Mark, however there is no repenting for Mystery Babylon.

We also see in this verse of Mark 9:22 that Satan casts this man into waters as well as into the fire. What would this represent in the spiritual realm of God’s Word?

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Returning to Mark Chapter Nine

23- Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24- And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25- When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26- And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27- But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28- And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29- And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Christ did indeed cast out this foul spirit from the possessed man in Mark chapter nine. This surely was done to show forth the power of God and to prove that Christ was of the Father. This and many other miracles were done during Christ’s ministry to demonstrate the power of Christ. The subject of this miracle was a demon possessed man, but did he become saved once Christ removed the unclean spirit? Scripture does not reveal that information in stark confirmation. However, Mark 9:27 does tell us that afterwards Jesus “lifted him up” and he “arose.” To “lift up” and to “arise” are terms that God uses in describing the act of salvation.

Perhaps this man was eternally saved, since Christ lifted him up and he arose. This seems to be salvation language altogether. Before this man was saved, he exhibited many physical characteristics that are parallel to and typical of God’s use of allegorical terms in describing false doctrines and the workings of Satan.

Just as national Israel as a whole never repented and thus God blinded their eyes to their true Messiah, so likewise God blinds the congregations during the Great Tribulation, and they are left to their own vain imaginations.

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The verse we are considering in this chapter is Revelation 18:2

The great whore Mystery Babylon will/has become a habitation of devils. During the great tribulation we must ask the question, what is their purpose? Of course every believer knows that the purpose of Satan and his fallen angels is to lead mankind away from God and into eternal damnation. As we near the Second Coming of Christ we see additional information concerning their purpose. That is, as we just read in the above verse of Revelation 16:14 - “ ... to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” The Greek word for “gather” means to lead; to assemble or to gather together. Satan most definitely has the great multitudes of souls gathered for judgment and has had them this way since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. God, on the other hand, has been calling a remnant out of their hell-bound destinations since this time also, however on a much more rigorous pace since the Day of Pentecost and the going forth of the Gospel of Christ. The word “remnant” means what is left or remains. If you think the scales are tipped you are correct but remember that God Almighty is not obligated to save even one person from this fallen human race. It is His grace alone that He has chosen to save a remnant. Also remember that this remnant is extremely large that no man can number it!

The devils go forth unto the whole earth to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. This is Judgment Day spoken of here and it is indeed a great spiritual battle. It’s prelude - The Great Tribulation - is when Satan musters his greatest and final attack for the souls of men. His assault is not on the unbelievers out there in the unsaved world but rather his target is of course the churches and congregations where his real enemies are. How does he gain entrance to these congregations worldwide? Because of man’s rebellion, God simply lifts His Spirit from the global churches and allows Satan to enter in for his final and finest assault. This is done in accordance with God’s righteous will. The Abomination of Desolation has thus been initiated or “set up” as Scripture shows us in so many places but especially in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Satan then launches (with ease) his attacks on a world of unsuspecting congregations. Churches that have years since been primed and readied to fall through the Great Falling Away, 2 Thessalonians 2:3

The congregations of the world have been sliding into irreversible degradation for decades. Slowly God has allowed the forces of darkness to slip in unaware and gradually dilute the pure waters of the Gospel in every area of Christendom. That is he - Satan - who has changed God’s holy laws (Daniel 7:25) in the congregations of the world to soften them and prepare them for his final assault in the great tribulation. This softening (for lack of a better word) is in fact what scripture calls the Great Falling Away and must precede the Great Tribulation.

True believers will have been spiritually killed and as it were - spiritually cast into the streets of that great city, the corporate church worldwide.

The great city where our Lord was crucified was Jerusalem. This name means peaceful habitation. Jerusalem is also known as the spiritual city of believers and throughout scripture the assemblies or congregations are referenced as Judea or Jerusalem. At the end of time God refers to Jerusalem as Sodom and Egypt. God is not making reference to the heavenly Jerusalem nor is He making reference to the literal and physical city of Jerusalem over in Israel. God is speaking of the spiritual Christ preaching churches and congregations as ... Jerusalem. She is the same great city as the great city of Mystery Babylon. She is now likened in Revelation chapter eleven to Sodom and Egypt - a reference to being unsaved and morally and spiritually unclean. She is inhabited by teachings and doctrines of devils.

Will you assume that these false teachings are so obvious as to be noticed by confessing Christians who never blow off the dust of their bibles in order to read them? Many of these doctrines will be so deceptive that Scripture declares:

These false Christs mentioned in the above verse are indeed the spirits of devils, working miracles (as Revelation 16:14 already showed us), ... which go forth unto the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. They have entered into - and most importantly - been accepted into the once faithful congregations of the world. They have become 1)Mystery Babylon, that great city and 2)Sodom and Egypt - that great city - where also our Lord was crucified.

It is the word hateful that we want to examine here. It’s meaning is hatred; to detest (especially to persecute); by extensions to be loveless or hateful, Strong‘s Greek #3404.

The above is just a partial list of New Testament references. Almost every verse we read where #3404 “mis-eh-o” is used is in reference to persecution or hatred of Christ - the Word of God. It is small wonder why the end-time corporate churches are filled with unclean and hateful birds. These are those people lead by the spirit of Satan to preach lies in the form of half-truths to their congregations. These are the preachers, ministers, church teachers and others who tickle the ears of those in their pews by avoiding the strict accuracy and discipline of God-Inspired Scripture. To successfully build their congregations they need to please their people. They must give them a false feeling of goodness and worthiness while all the time parading it as doctrines and truths of the Christian faith. If they are not striving for large numbers of attendance they will build something else with self-interest as it’s sole purpose. Many cults have began by embracing a particular false but nice appearing doctrine. The root of evil is man’s sin. This basic doctrine is all but totally removed from today’s corporate body. Perhaps not as much in word as in deed, as we see their abominations on display to the entire world. She (the harlot) has fallen to such an extent that she even dares exalt man-made religions that crucify Christ over and over and deny the Christ as the only God of Scripture. People view these masses of congregations as Christian churches!

The hidden truth behind the harlot’s deeds or causes is her corporate HATRED for the core doctrines of the true Gospel of Christ.