Mazra

Hi Isa, Beautifully written post. AMEN to all you said. Thank you for your words, they are a blessing. Shalom, Mazra

Hi Everyone, If history is our guide, I believe we have a good idea from where the beast (anti-christ) will come from. The beast or anti-christ has come in many forms throughout time. Let's see what Good Book says: Revelation 17:9"This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. (NIV) The first thing we need to understand is that these verse are widely viewed as being the hills of Rome, because Rome is known for sitting on seven hills. The problem with this idea is what the scriptures teach us. It says that the hills are also kings and five have fallen. The hills of Rome are not kings and they have not fallen. So this can not be Rome alone. The King James Version uses the term mountains. It is interesting to note that the Greek used by the Apostle John did not have a word we use today, and that is the word "Empire." The Greek word John uses is "Oros", which means mountains, but also means something stupendous, vast and incredible. I believe that the Apostle John was referring to Empires in Rev. 17:9. And Empires unlike hills do fall. It is interesting to note that by the time of the Apostle John, five empires that had come against Israel since its founding had fallen into historical record and ceased to exist as Empires. They are the following: Egyptians Assyrians Babylonians Persians Greeks During the time of the Apostle John one empire was ruling over Israel, the Roman Empire, the "one is." All we need to do is look at who replaced the Roman Empire's rule over the Holy Land to find the one that has "not yet come." In the seventh century Muslim followers of Muhammad took Jerusalem and the Holy Land. When you read from the scriptures above it is easy to get the idea that the seventh empire will "remain for a little while." The Muslims have been ruling some or all of this region for over 1300 years. They have indeed remained a little while. I beleive the eighth king will come from the seventh and final Empire of the beast. I believe he will be a Muslim. In light of current world events, what people stand firmly against Israel and all those who support her? The answer, of course, is the Muslims. They make more sense that any other, and they fit into the prophecy. Could Barack Obama be this eighth king? I seriously doubt it. It is more likely he will come from the land of Muhammad, Saudi Arabia, or at least some other predominantly Muslim nation. He will be seen by many in the Muslim world as their king. A problem with Barack Obama is that his back ground will likely allow unchecked any efforts of this eighth king. It states in scripture that G-d will Bless those that Bless Israel and Curse those that Curse Israel. As long as we continue to Bless Israel, G-d will Bless us. As soon as this Blessing stops, then we can expect Curses. Will Obama Bless Israel? Shalom, Mazra

Hi Old Timer, I do! Not only in my original post to this thread, but elsewhere in other writings, I do encourage believers both Jew and Christian to flee from New York City. 911 may be just the beginning of a series of plagues that will befall the city. Rev. 18:4 is just another point that this is a place and not a religion. Plagues are not the kind of thing to come upon a religion. But plagues will effect a city. And even if Rome was destroyed utterly, that would not put an end to the Roman Catholic Church. It would become headquartered in some other predominantly Roman Catholic city like Madrid or Sao Paulo. And to what purpose? The RCC with all its faults still holds to one essential truth, and that is that Jesus is Lord. That is more than the Jehovah Witness can claim. I for one will not attack the body of Messiah. Not only does it not fulfill the prophecy, it is just plain wrong. In reality I do not write this for your benefit. It is very clear that there is nothing I could write to sway you; but I write this to those whose minds are not certain in this area. Some of them may live in the environs of New York City and will have to pray and ask G-d to discern if what I write is Biblical and makes sense. I am just a messenger. Many will ignore this, and like in your case, will already have their minds made up. I can only put the message out there. It is up to each individual to do as they wish with this information. I encourage everone to test what is said in light of scripture for both your theories as well as mine Shalom, Mazra As an editional edit you mentioned the bride groom verse from Rev. 18 23The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's great men. These verses are concerning the city after it has been destroyed by the great mill stone thrown in to the sea. The voice of bridegroom and bride in nothing more than a real bridegroom and bride. The happy event of marriage will not be heard in the city again, just like the harpist and other musicians will not be heard. But I added one more verse concerning the merchants being the world's great men. Since when did the Roman Catholic Church have merchants that the world would consider great men? New York City could claim many great merchants from Alexander Hamilton to Rockefeller to Trump. But name one great Roman Catholic Church merchant? The RCC just does not fit the prophecy.

Hi Old Timer, Then who do you think is her King? Anything you would say would be conjecture though since the only reference to kings is in the heads of the beast, and the scripture clearly indicates that the beast is against the harlot (Rev 17:16), and not the harlot's husband. Since when does harlots have husbands anyway. As a minor point, is the Queen of England married? Is her husband King? I believe the verse means the harlot does not know loss or suffering and has not been conquered. But then that is only conjecture on my part, since I really do not know the Apostle John's intention with this verse and neither do you. I would rather look to the clear verses or clues about a city, the merchants, the sailors, the many waters, and the city's ruling over the kings of the earth to the identity of Mystery Babylon. Shalom, Mazra

Hi Cobalt1959, The same could be said to you, in that you are focusing on the wrong thing. This issue is a CITY. How many times does the scriptures has to call Mystery Babylon a city before people will see it is just a city? It is not a corrupt spiritual system. It is not a false religion. It is not an aberrant Christian denomination. It is a city that rules the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:18). And in all the history of mankind only one such city has contained a government that did this, New York City and the United Nations. Shalom, Mazra

Hi Old Timer, Since when does a Queen have to have a King? There have been plenty of examples in our history of Queens that had no King. Who is the present King of England? Again you read way too much into these verses that simply are not there. A harlot is seen as a woman. A female ruler is known as a Queen. I see the verse you quoted as simply meaning that the city has not been conquered and is prideful in its roll as a great world capital. New York City has not been conquered. When it fell to the British during the American revolution, many of its citizens were British loyalist. Before 911 there was an air of invulnerability. 911 has shattered this. Listen Old Timer, we are not going to agree. You are so entrenched in your point of view that you will not see mine; and quite frankly I am the same way. I am convinced that New York City is the harlot of Babylon, and I am equally convinced it is not a false religion or the Roman Catholic Church. Thank you for your time. Shalom, Mazra

Hello Everyone, The idea that the Roman Catholic Church is the harlot of Babylon dates back to the 1500

Hi Cobalt1959, You are right! There is one more event to come. Rev 18:21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. I beleive 911 was the manifestation of the hatred by the beast. It is not the beast that will destroy the city for its ultimate destruction will come from G-d. Revelation 17 is a prophecy about the attack by the beast, and Revelation 18 is more about this coming destruction by G-d. That is why this is so very important! Rev 18:4Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; None of the clues found in Revelation 18 point away from New York City. It talks of the city being a center of commerce and shipping. New York City truly fits this. It has a vast seaport and it is the largest city in the wealthiest nation the world has ever known. I appreciate your input. It provides for an opportunity to respond. Shalom, Mazra

Hi nebula, We may have to agree to disagree. Though many cities in history could claim elements of the harlot, New York City was the birth place of some terrilbe things. As I mentioned before the first abortion clinic was in this city. Ironically it formed to cater to the large number of pregnant prostitutes in the city. This abomination alone is enough to give the city the title "Mother of Harlots and the abominations of the Earth." Abortion is the great killer of the innocent. We must know that G-d is very sad about this tremendous loss of life, and would be angry at any location that would begin such a foul act. But there is so much more. As previously mentioned the first motion picture studios started in the suburbs of New York. The first television transmissions originated there. New York City is the home of nine of the ten largest publishing companies in the world. It is the world's media capital. Sure! This city has given birth to many horrible offsprings of which Hollywood would be one. But that is what a mother does, she gives birth. The prophecy says the harlot is a city, and New York City is the mother of harlots. She fulfills the prophecy and fulfills it unlike any other city in the history of the world. First, I beleive the blood of the saints and those who bore testimony to Jesus part of the prophecy is nothing more than an indication that the harlot city will have many believers within it, and not some great martydom as some English translations would indicate. Rev. 18:4Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues G-d's people are within this city. New York City is a predominantly Christian city. It also has the second largest Jewish population of any city in the world. Finally, I beleive the beast is a representation of earthly empires that have risen against Israel. The harlot riding the beast is not unlike a rider riding a horse. Does a horse wish to be ridden? Most likely not. When the Apostle John saw this vision, he was astonished: Rev 17:6....When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. Before this point, it is all imagery, a vision. After this point in the prophecy the angel explains the meaning, and it is from this point that the clues are provided. The angel later explains the relationship between the harlot and the beast. Rev17:16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. The beast hates the harlot. I believe this beast's present manifestation is Islam and the peoples that are devoted to it. Osama Bin Laden is seen by many in the Muslim world as their king. I believe he fulfills the prophecy of the eighth king. Rev 17:11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. Osama Bin Laden's hatred was manifested on 911. What a large loss of innocent life on a single day. There is much still to be fulfilled. But the beast has long ago risen from the sea. Six heads have already come and gone. We are at the seventh head and the eighth king. I know that there will be many that will reject what I write. But the time is near. Prophecy has been fulfilled. Shalom, Mazra

Hi Pearl_Butterfly, First of all I agree with you. The vast bulk of Bible prophecy is centered around Israel. The interesting thing is that the vision the Apostle John received refers to the harlot city as Mystery Babylon. The words Mystery Babylon refers to something to be discovered; and something like the Babylon of old but different, something possibly new; possibly something that did not even exist during his time. I sincerely beleive the beast will be a Muslim and come from a muslim country. Revelation 17:16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. (NIV) If the beast is a Muslim then it will not hate itself. It will hate something different that is getting in its way, like the power and wealth of the United States. New York City is the largest city in the wealthiest country the world has EVER known. The World Trade Center towers were a very visible edifice of this tremendous wealth and influence. The key verse in the prophecy is the following: Revelation 17:18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth." This is a bold idea, a city that rules over the kings of the earth. How could this be so? Until the United Nations it could not be so. But the UN "is so" and makes rulings over all the nations of the earth. Where is the UN located? NYC of course! I know that I will not convince everybody or even one. But I feel the need to put this out there again. I believe the pieces to the mystery points to New York City. It is up to each individual to read for themselves and say, "That makes sense" or "What a bunch of baloney." Many have already made up their minds one way or another, and anything I write will likely not change their mind. I have made up my mind! I believe New York City is Mystery Babylon and I letting you and all who take their precious time to read the post see why I believe as I do. Shalom, Mazra

Hi nebula, I appreciate your input. It is important to test things in light of G-d's word. This is good! New York City long before Las Vegas was sin city. In the book Gotham, a history of New York City, the city was known for its prostitution dating back to the early 1800's and before. Back in the mid-1800's there was even an abortion clinic in the city, the first of its kind. It was closed down, but this was the starting place, the "mother" of it. I could go on and on about such beginnings as the porn industry that started in and around New York City. The motion picture industry started there. The city fits the term "Mother of Harlots" better than any other on earth, for so much of the world's mass media and the ills that come with it, owes its birth place to New York City. Rev. 17:6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. (NIV) The "drunk with the blood of the saints and those who bore testimony" simply could mean that the city contains many saints and bearers of the testimony of Jesus. This is a Christian city, so there are many saints and bearer of G-d's word there. I am sure many of them died of on 911. Some versions refer to the word "martyrs, which comes from the Greek word Martus." The word has two meanings, the bearer of testimonies like in a witness, and those that die violently for their belief. The NIV chose the former meaning. Your version chose the latter meaning. Unfortunately neither of us knows which one the Apostle John intended. When there are these kinds of uncertainties it is best to stick to the clearer verses of which there are many that point to New York City as noted in my original posting. And finally the destruction of the city by a mill stone has not yet occurred. Revelation 18:21 is an unfulfilled prophecy, something of which must be understood for its ultimate destruction maybe near. The call to leave her is an important call. I beleive the mystery was intended to be solved prior to this event as a warning to the believers within her. Shalom, Mazra

Hi stan4257. You know something far more valuable than understanding any element of prophecy, and that is to love your neighbor as yourself. This is far more imporatant than any words posted on this message board. Because words are nice; but action is better and providing for your neighbor's need is doing unto G-d. May G-d Bless You for that. The one thing I try very hard to stay away from is predicting a time. The events of 911 have already occurred, and I beieve they are a fulfillment of Bible Prophecy. This is not the return of our Messiah though. Of that, I have no idea of the day or hour. However, I do believe we are in the season. And that we are to know. Shalom, Mazra

You wrote this??? I have read it several times in different places on the internet. Do you use other names? Hi glory2000, Yes! I originally wrote about Mystery Babylon being New York City back in 1992, and started putting out articles on the web around 1994. It is with no surprise that many have come to the same conclusions that I have in my Bible study. This is only a confirmation to me that New York City is indeed Mystery Babylon. This is great news since it is important that we understand the fulfillment of this prophecy. It is both a clear indication of the fact we are in the days predicted in Revelaiton and elsewhere in the Bible and more importantly in the sovereignty and glory of the living G-d. Shalom, Mazra