Babylon engraving The Confusion of Tongues by Gustave Doré (1865)

Dubai a Case for Mystery Babylon

Dubai a city in the desert by the sea

Revelation 17, 18, & 19:1-3

by Craig C. White

Rev 17:5   “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

  In Revelation 17:18 we learn that Mystery Babylon the Great is a city that exists at the same time as the final gentile world empire (or the New World Order). Mystery isn’t a Greek word translated into English. It is a Greek word simply said in English. Mustērion means something that was not previously known. However, in its time it will become known or understood. So, Mystery Babylon probably isn’t the original city of Babylon. However, it does have the same characteristics. In Genesis 11 we learn about the founding of the original city of Babylon.

Gen 11:3-9  And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.  4  And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.  5  And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.  6  And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.  7  Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.  8  So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.  9  Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

  In Babylon people sought to exalt themselves as high as heaven by building a tall tower. It was called the tower of Babylon or the tower of Babel. I suspect that Mystery Babylon will also build a tall tower. A certain city has built a modern tower of Babylon! Today the world’s tallest tower is located in Dubai. The height of the Burj Dubai (Arabic for Dubai Tower) is 2,684 feet. The Burj Dubai has recently been renamed the Burj Khalifa after the president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  See photo of the Burj Khalifa below.

  Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is on the south eastern tip of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf. Dubai is a new city that was built to cater to the rich and powerful. Dubai has miraculously risen out of the desert over the last thirty years. So it is a city that was not previously known. Dubai has the world’s tallest building, the first 7 star hotel, the world’s biggest shopping mall, the world’s largest manmade port, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, a Tiger Woods golf course, diamonds, fashion, financial services, a vast slave labor force, and premier sex, drug and human trafficking rings.

Burj Khalifa
World’s tallest building at
2,684 feet
Located in Dubai, U.A.E.
Notice the spiral stair step form resembling the original “Tower of Babylon” concept.
Photo credit: Nicolas Lannuzel

The people of Dubai said “let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name”.  Read an article about the Burj Dubai on the web at blog.luxuryproperty.com.

  Dubai is a major shipping port. It is ranked in the world’s top ten busiest ports. That is amazing considering the city is only thirty years old. Dubai exports oil, natural gas, reexports, fish and some produce. Dubai imports an immense amount of all sorts of building materials and luxury goods. Dubai is a hub for illicit drug shipping. I found the following on the CIA website (www.cia.gov).

The UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE’s position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated.

  Dubai’s slave labor problem is unbelievable. Workers borrow to pay for work permits only to discover that it takes two years wages to pay it back. Promises of pay are not kept. Passports are taken away by employers so workers cannot leave. These workers are held prisoner by their employers. That includes construction laborers, maids and service workers; not to mention the sex trade. Human trafficking is the way of life. If any person in Dubai does not pay their debts they are thrown into prison, and many are. Some 300,000 construction laborers are housed in vast slavery camps in Sonapur. They are packed into minimal housings without electricity, running water, or sanitation. The conditions are unbearably hot, crowded, and insect and disease Infested. These workers are overworked in the hot Saudi desert. Thousands die every year. No one knows exactly how many, because deaths are not reported.

  Prostitution is imbibed into every pore of Dubai society. These women are also enslaved. Prostitutes can be found in bars, hotel lobbies, restaurants, mall gift shops, beaches, gas stations, grocery stores, labor camps, and everywhere else. Sex trafficking rings are sanctioned by the government. Their presence entices the rich and powerful, local citizens, and visitors into Dubai’s opulent net. Top on the client list are Saudis, Emeriti’s, Europeans, and Americans; but there are many others. You may read an article about Dubai prostitution by William Butler of “The Observer” in the British newspaper the Guardian on the web at www.guardian.co.uk.

  Dubai is a city founded on a promise of opulence, built by slave labor, supplied by luxury imports, and perpetuated by prostitution. Read a personal account of Dubai society by reporter Johann Hari in the London newspaper The Independent on the web at www.independent.co.uk.

  Compare Dubai with the city called Mystery Babylon that is spoken of in Revelation.

Rev 17:1-2  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:  2  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

  We are about to witness the judgment of a sexually immoral woman. Whoredom comes in two varieties; Physical and Spiritual. Spiritual whoredom is unfaithfully serving God, or serving other gods. We will soon learn that the “many waters” are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues (Rev 17:15). This whore has corrupted the whole earth.

Rev 17: 3-5  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:  5  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

In Bible prophecy a beast is a gentile political body. Beasts represent world empires, nations, also confederacies of nations. The seven heads represent seven gentile world empires. They are in order: the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Grecian, Roman, and the final one world government on earth during the period called “the Great Tribulation”. Some call this final gentile empire “the New World Order” (perhaps a reconstituted Roman Empire or perhaps a reconstituted Ottoman Empire). The woman has prominence in all these world empires. She fosters sexual sin and rebellion from God. The ten horns are ten Kings that rule over the final world empire. (Dan 7, Rev 13, Rev 17:12). This woman is dressed in costly apparel. The cup holds her deeds; which are filthy. She has spawned many others that are unfaithful to God, Individuals governments and religious systems. Every religion that exists today has been infected by the Babylonian religion. Look out for ritual or liturgy, female deity, rank or hierarchy system, salvation by works, secrets, sexual ceremony, and denial that Jesus Christ is God or the son of God. Righteousness is only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; If we will receive it.

Note: This commentary looks at Revelation chapter 17 as it describes Mystery Babylon and its similarities to the city of Dubai. Please allow me to identify another obvious candidate for being Mystery Babylon. I am sure that you know that that city is Mecca. The strongest argument for Mecca as being Mystery Babylon is that Mecca is the world seat of Islam. Mecca also has the largest building in the world and almost the tallest. Mecca itself isn’t a port city. Mecca is about 45 miles east of the Red Sea port city of Jedda. The name Mecca actually means Mother so maybe we should just stop looking elsewhere for the Mother of Harlots. Mecca also has a large slavery work force although slavery is officially illegal in Saudi Arabia.

Rev 17: 6  And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

  Throughout world history false religions have killed true believers. Today Islam is the primary persecutor. During the period called “the Great Tribulation” the whore or the city called Mystery Babylon may be responsible for the beheading of every person who refuses to receive the “mark of the beast” (Rev 13, 14, 15, 16, 19 & 20).

Rev 17:7-8  And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst 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.  8  The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

   This verse is speaking about the “beast” not the woman. The beast is the final world empire. It will be demonically empowered and be quickly abolished. Satan will give the world leader power.

Rev 17:9-11  And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.  10  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.  11  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 

  At the time of the writing of Revelation (around 95 A.D.), five world empires had past, one was in power (Roman), and the final gentile world empire was yet to come. The eighth head is an individual. He is a king that receives all authority over the world. He rules only a short time and is tossed into hell.

Rev 17:12-14  And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.  13  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.  14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

  Notice that the Ten Kings have not yet received a kingdom. This indicates that their kingdom is a new entity not yet seen in the world.The ten King council will combat Israel, believers in Christ, and Jesus himself.

Rev 17:15-18  And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.  16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.  17  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.  18  And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

  The final world empire, with ten kings is different than the whore. The ten kings will destroy the whore. The whore represents idolatry and sexual immorality. We learn in these verses that she represents a specific city in the end time. Don’t let the final phrase confuse you. The word translated reigneth is not the word that means “to rule over”. The original Greek word is echō. It means to have or hold. The whore and the city have a prurient influence over world leaders. That means that the city holds an appeal of sexual immorality and world dominance to other world leaders!

Rev 18:1-3  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.  2  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.  3  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 

  The city called “Babylon the great” is destroyed. All nations have been punished by God for their participation with her. World leaders have visited her prostitutes and served her idols. This city is known for its opulence and purchasing of luxury goods on the world market.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

There are people in the city that serve God. Here God calls them out of the city before it is destroyed. The UAE has several Christian churches. In Dubai most of the work force is not allowed to leave. Possibly the enslaved and imprisoned will have an opportunity to escape. Rev 18:4 is quoting from Jeremiah 51:6 & 45. Rev 18:5 is referencing Jeremiah 51:53. So Jeremiah 51 could be telling us something about “Mystery Babylon the Great”.

Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 

  Just as they have exalted themselves by building a tower that “reached” to heaven, their sins have stacked so high that they have also reached to heaven and have come to the attention of a righteous God. The Dubai Tower is the tallest in the world at 2,684 feet.

Rev 18:6-9  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.  7  How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.  8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.  9  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 

  World leaders lament the city’s fall.Again, this city prides itself on its affluence.I hate saying this, but world leaders have visited Dubai’s prostitutes and lived in luxury there. That includes US leaders. As a matter of fact many deposed dictators have taken refuge there. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are hated by other Islamic countries because they harbor their ousted leaders and cater to the west. Today Iran is eager to fire missiles into Saudi Arabia for these reasons.

Rev 18:10-13  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.  11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:  12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,  13  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

World markets mourn the city’s fall. This list of merchandise consists all of luxury goods. Please note that the city is purchasing these things on the world market, not selling them. The last two items are saddening; slaves and souls of men. Dubai is built by slaves. Human trafficking is the standard staffing method for all manners of jobs; including construction, maids, and prostitutes.

Rev 18:14  And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

There is no longer any enticement found in the city. There is neither prostitute nor any indulgence.

Rev 18:15-19  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,  16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!  17  For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,  18  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!  19  And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

  World shippers are sad at the city’s fall. This city called “Mystery Babylon the Great” is a major seaport. It is an importer of expensive luxury items. Dubai is counted among the world’s top ten busiest seaports and a major importer of luxury goods.

Rev 18:20-22  Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.  21  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.  22  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 

  Heaven hails the city’s fall.There will be no more musical entertainment nor construction or labor.

Rev 18:23-24  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: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.  24  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

  During “the Great Tribulation” the whore may be responsible for the beheading of every person who refuses to receive the “mark of the beast” (Rev 13, 14, 15, 16, 19 & 20).

Rev 19:1-3  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:  2  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.  3  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

Amen.

Isaiah 21 declares the judgment of Babylon. In Isaiah 21:1 Babylon is referred to as “the desert of the sea”. The original Babylon is nowhere near a sea. Dubai is on the Persian Gulf in the Saudi desert.

Isa 21:1  The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

Remember that Saudi Arabia plans to build a city and a tower in the city of Jeddah. Here is another reason to believe that “Mystery Babylon” is Dubai and not Jeddah. According to Isaiah 21:1, the whirlwinds come from the desert in the south. That is true for Dubai, but not for Jeddah. Southern winds in Jeddah come off of the Red Sea. If this is correct my friends, time is short!

Revelation 18:2 quotes Isaiah 21:9. So Isaiah 21 could be telling us something about “Mystery Babylon the Great”.

Isa 21:9  And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Although Zophar the Naamathite misapplied the next statement to Job, I think it does apply to the wicked in the case of the city called “Mystery Babylon the Great”.

Job 20:5-7  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?  6  Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;  7  Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

By the way Zophar the Naamathite was thought to be from Arabia. He may be prophesying against his own offspring. I’m sure that Zophar will be happy that he finally got the last word.

Read “Dubai: a Case for Mystery Babylon” in my new eBook The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist

For more on Dubai read Mystery Babylon: Party till you Perish

High Time to Awake on YouTube!

Dubai a Case for Mystery Babylon part 1

Dubai a Case for Mystery Babylon part 2

facebook     YouTube