Revelation is the judgment of Babylon. The first century Christians knew Babylon was in their geographical location. It would mean nothing to them if America, Russia, China or even Iraq, Iran ect. would be described as Babylon.
There are over 30 passages in the book of Revelation that it's fulfillment was about to happen. Revelation 1:1-3 and 22:6-20. Revelation is NOT about events of the 21st century. The events take place around the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. This is regarding Babylon as we will see in a moment.
Let's review a few passages Revelation 18:10b; 19b, 20, 24; 19:1, 2, 11, 16
The great city Babylon is judged at the coming of the Lord. Where is this taking place. Where are these events to take place? What city is Jesus telling his disciples to flee from and go to the mountains. What city is about to be destroyed? Come on! Jesus tells us this in over 100 passages. Babylon is the old covenant Jerusalem.
In Revelation 11:8 who is the Great City? it's Jerusalem. John tell us it the city were Jesus is was crucified. That Great City Babylon is Jerusalem. It's clearly identified.
In case we need more proof, Jerusalem is the only city referred to symbolically in the Bible as Sodom let's look at Deuteronomy 32:28-33; Isaiah 1:9-10; Jeremiah 23:14, and Ezekiel 16:46-57. In Revelation 18:20, 24 the apostles and prophets rejoiced at the impending judgment of Babylon for her persecution of them. in Luke 13:33 A prophet cannot leave Jerusalem. Jesus said that the blood of all the prophets in history would fall upon Jerusalem in His own generation Matthew 23:29-39; Luke 11:49-53. In Revelation 18:24 Babylon could not refer to any other city in any other time period.
Before I go on, I just want to say to my old friends who believe
Babylon is the Roman Catholics, I disagree with you. I love you
but truth is very important to me.
Babylon is described as being a harlot Revelation
17:1, 15; 19:2.
Every time we read Israel is disloyal to God, Babylon is
referred as Her/ She. She is mentioned as a "harlot" or
"adulterer" See also Ezekiel 16 She played harlot with the
Egyptians and the Assyrians (Ezekiel
16:26, 28).
Both Israel and Judah played the harlot with the idolatrous
nations surrounding them Jeremiah
3:6-9.
She
is described as being arrayed in purple and scarlet (Revelation
17:4). These were the colors of the clothing for the high
priest and the colors that made the Temple more attractive. Exodus
28:5-6; 39:1-2.
Babylon of Revelation is the Old Covenant Jerusalem which was
destroyed in AD 70.