In the book of Revelation, John has a vision of a woman sitting on a hideous beast: “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.” On her forehead was written “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints” (17:4–6). Babylon was a code word for the Roman Empire, which was persecuting believers. But Babylon also symbolized any evil power opposing God’s people.
