Chapters Sixteen contains the FIFTH VERTICAL THREAD in the Book of Revelation. The vertical threads are periods, in the last days of the Old World Order.
This chapter gives the same order of the seven religions, each with a vial being poured out. The vials are explained as the spiritual deficiencies causing the 'wrath of God'; these have occurred throughout the years, bringing about the ultimate climax of a catastrophe. It is interesting that although each individual religion has a vial, 'Abdu'l-Baha in His explanation is blaming all of the deficiencies to the Islamic hierarchy. This is stressed again as it is mentioned in Rev 21:9. All through the Book the leaders of the world have chosen not to follow the laws of God, which would have brought peace.
In an address in California in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha gave a warning that Armageddon was to begin with the first World war in 1914, later to culminate in the Catastrophic Battle.
"We are on the eve of the Battle of Armageddon referred to in the 16th Chapter of Revelation. The time is two years hence, when only a spark will set aflame the whole of Europe. The world is at the threshold of a most tragic struggle. The slightest friction will bring them into a terrific crash, and there will be a conflagration, the like of which is not recorded in the past history of mankind."Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p.2
The concept here is that Armageddon began with the First World War on July 28th, 1914 and that the hundred year conflict is about to culminate in the Last Great Battle of Armageddon.
Ere long shall the clamor of the multitude throughout Africa, throughout America, the cry of the European and of the Turk, the groaning of India and China, be heard from far and near. One and all, they shall arise with all their power to resist His Cause. Then shall the knights of the Lord, assisted by His grace from on high, strengthened by faith, aided by the power of understanding, and reinforced by the legions of the Covenant, arise and make manifest the truth of the verse: "Qur'an 38: 11 'Behold the confusion that hath befallen the tribes of the defeated!'"Shoghi Effendi, Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 212
Say: There is no place of refuge for you, no asylum to which ye can flee, no one to defend or to protect you in this Day from the fury of the wrath of God and from His vehement power, unless and until ye seek the shadow of His Revelation. This, indeed, is His Revelation which hath been manifested unto you in the person of this Youth. Glorified, then, be God for so effulgent, so precious, so wondrous a vision.Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 257
Governments and peoples of both the developed and developing nations, and other human institutions, secular and religious, finding themselves helpless to reverse the trend of the catastrophic events of the day, stand bewildered and overpowered by the magnitude and complexity of the problems facing them.The Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of Justice1968-1973, p. 33-34
In this chapter interpretations of the verses of Revelation Chapter 16 are all attributed to 'Abdu'l-Baha from pilgrims notes (known as unauthorized text) of Isabella Brittingham in an April 1909 letter which had been translated at 'Akka by Monever Khanum. The source used here is from "Understanding the Revelation to Saint John" (pages 287 to 291) by Dr. Alan D. Clark.
In the AFTERWORD of this chapter we analyze "The Burden of Babylon" and "Babylon the Great, Mystery Babylon, The United States". In the appendix to this chapter we analyze each of the verses of Isaiah Chapter Forty-seven, and see how they uniquely apply to the United States and Russia.
[1] And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
V.1 This is the beginning of the fifth of SIX threads about the seven Angels, or seven churches or religions in the world to which Jesus sends His Message. Each of the six threads addresses all seven religions in the same order - and the following is the first addressed in this thread.
A world, dimmed by the steadily dying-out light of religion, heaving with the explosive forces of a blind and triumphant nationalism; scorched with the fires of pitiless persecution, whether racial or religious; deluded by the false theories and doctrines that threaten to supplant the worship of God and the sanctification of His laws; enervated by a rampant and brutal materialism; disintegrating through the corrosive influence of moral and spiritual decadence; and enmeshed in the coils of economic anarchy and strife -- such is the spectacle presented to men's eyes, as a result of the sweeping changes which this revolutionizing Force, as yet in the initial stage of its operation, is now producing in the life of the entire planet.Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 46
The opportunities which the turmoil of the present age presents, with all the sorrows which it evokes, the fears which it excites, the disillusionment which it produces, the perplexities which it creates, the indignation which it arouses, the revolt which it provokes, the grievances it engenders, the spirit of restless search which it awakens, must, in like manner, be exploited for the purpose of spreading far and wide the knowledge of the redemptive power of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, and for enlisting fresh recruits in the ever-swelling army of His followersShoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 47
From the Baha'i perspective, the "Great Voice" out of the Temple, is Baha'u'llah. (See verse 15).
[2] And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
V.2 We identify the First Angel with the Sabean Faith and Native religions, the first of the Seven Religions throughout the world, caring for the earth.
The first vial poured upon the earth is the influence of the tyrannical sociopathic leaders that hold sway over humankind. All those who seek the materialism and immorality of the present day, are grievously affected regarding the happiness and contentment of their souls.
"The first angel is a power who will give forth wonderful signs. The first vial really means influence. Through that influence some who were apparently good, but inwardly bad, were destroyed; they were deprived of the light. These people in their characters were really like animals; the 'mark' here signifies character."
The travails of this time will be grievous enough that we do not need to describe them in gory detail, but we all know about the potential of such things as radioactive fallout and what it can cause. Unfortunately, it will fall upon the good and the evil alike.
[3] And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
V.3 The second angel, associated with the Jewish religion, poured the second vial upon the sea who represent the 'learned' who changed the Teachings of the Prophets such that they became without vitality - like the blood of a dead man - and killed the souls of all who swam in their sea, that is to say all those who were influenced by their false teachings. As we see elsewhere these are really the followers of the 'false prophet' - who believe science without religion.
While the second vial is associated with the Second Angel, which is identified with the Jewish Religion, it is an archetype for all the religions and here 'Abdu'l-Baha shows how it applied to the Faith of Islam.
"The second angel, or power, poured out his cup upon the sea; the sea here symbolizes the Ulama, the great and learned people like, for instance, Caiaphas. The second angel poured upon them the wrath of God, and they as well as those under their authority and guidance, were deprived."The Ulama is the Islamic hierarchy and Caiaphas refers to the Jewish hierarchy, as he was the person who was responsible for Christ's crucifixion.
[4] And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
V.4 The third vial (associated with the Hindu Faith) was the broad spreading (like on the rivers and fountains) of the rules of human law, rather than God's Principles of Justice. This by the officials, bureaucrats and managers who were deprived of spiritual knowledge. All the vials are associated with each of the religions and in the following, 'Abdu'l-Baha shows the relationship to Islam.
"In the 4th verse, the rivers and fountains of water signify less influential men than the Ulama, who were likewise affected, because the knowledge of the people which should be, like water, the cause of life, becomes like blood; it becomes the cause of misleading the people (and so the cause of death), for they changed the teaching of God,"This appears to be particularly relevant to the present day.
[5] And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
V.5 The Third Angel is always associated with the Hindu Faith, which is always associated with 'rivers' and 'waters' which is a curiosity in that the Ganges pays such a prominent part in the Hindu religion.
"In the 5th verse the angel of the waters (i.e. the power of knowledge) is addressing God. He says: Thou art just and righteous, for these people deserved that their knowledge should be changed into blood."
[6] For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
V.6 The saints and Prophets had their blood shed in bringing God's message to us. Those who are responsible for shedding the blood of Prophets become dark in their spirits.
"For as they have changed the teachings of the Prophets, God has changed their knowledge into the blood of darkness, that they may drink it because of their deserts (sic)."
[7] And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
V.7 This "another out of the alter" may be attributed to one of the two Angels that appear after the seven angels of the seven religions, because it is interjected between the Third Angel in verse 4 above and the Fourth Angel in verse 8 below.
As will be seen, when they appear, the 8th and 9th Angels are associated with the Bab and Baha'u'llah and the Babi and Baha'i religions.
"In the 7th verse another angel of power speaking confirms this, that God is just and righteous to have judged the people"
[8] And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
V.8 The fourth angel is associated with the Zoroastrian Faith. The vial poured upon the 'sun' deals with fire; the rule of tyrannical leaders that sear the very souls of men.
"The fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun. The sun here means an Eastern potentate or king, because we call the sun the Eastern Planet. The heat of the sun signifies his rule and authority and the people will be scorched or burnt through the fierceness of his rule."
[9] And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
V.9 Future times may also see application of these verses in Iran (the descendants of the Zoroastrian culture) and events surrounding nuclear weapons which use the very energy of the sun.
"This Eastern king was the Sultan Mahmoud who ruled the Turkish people, and he was very unjust. Once he slew many thousands of soldiers in one day. But, in spite of these events and trials, the people did not repent, and did not come to themselves."
Sultan Mahmoud, reigned from 1808-1839, and the 'Reign of Terror' began between the Greeks and the Turks in 1820. Iran and Turkey have in past history ruled the same lands and parts of modern day Turkey were at one time a part of Iran and parts of modern day Iran were at one time a part of Turkey.
[10] And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
V.10
"In the tenth verse, the 'seat of the beast' means the king of Persia, seated on his throne, upon whom the cup of the fifth angel was poured."
The Fifth Angel is associated with the Buddhist Faith and the Far East. 'Abdu'l-Baha says the seat of the beast is in Persia - now Iran (once the Zoroastrian country). We certainly see the area in darkness and pain, but most significant is the Islamic/Zoroastrian relationship discussed in Rev.14:15.
[11] And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
V.11
"But the people were not admonished by all the calamities which occurred."
That is to say they were completely immersed instead in their rebellion against the true principles of religion and so were not awakened by the calamities. The same applies today, in that people are completely immersed in today's materialism and immorality and in effect curse God for not having organized the world to their liking.
[12] And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
V.12 The sixth angel is identified with Christianity and the Christian nations, such as the United States and Britain, and it is indicative that they may bring their destruction to the area of the Euphrates river which is in Iraq (centering around Baghdad) and what was Assyria (Rev:9:18). In a spiritual sense, this sixth vial is the lack of education poured into that area by extreme Islamic fundamentalism.
"In the 12th verse, the sixth angel poured his vial upon the river Euphrates, which signifies the Turkish and Persian kingdoms. The drying up of the water means all learning and science was abolished and that ignorance prevailed. This made the way easy for the kings of the East to become powerful and arbitrary."
This lack of education in the archetype is symbolic of the lack of education in the whole world and especially of the lack of spiritual education that permits the masses of the world to be blind to the shortcomings of its leaders. Instead the ignorant masses are completely preoccupied with frivolous pursuits of entertainments, sports, fads and such.
[13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
V.13 This is a very significant verse upon which it would be possible to write a book in regards to there coming from the Red Dragon the seemingly marvelous technology of the False Prophet (Science disconnected from religion) that in accordance with the next verse Rev.16:14 leads the world leaders and all the peoples of the world into the Last Great Battle of Armageddon. The False Prophet is mentioned again in: Rev. 19:20 and Rev. 20:10.
Spiritual and realistic meanings such as this should have much more meaning to people than their speculations and imaginings about a False Prophet anti-Christ (not even mentioned in the Book of Revelation).
[14] For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
V.14
"These three people tried their utmost to turn all the people against the Cause of God so that they might oppose it, and so make war against God. The spirits like frogs signify their words which were spread throughout Persia."
The three people are also archetypes of great powers (rulers, kings, governments) but whose spirits are deceptive that show what appear to be wondrous accomplishments, to the kings of the whole world, and gathering them to the final battle in the day of God Almighty.
"This Sun will be resplendent, this Light will shine, My grace will surround the world, and all My enemies will be brought low." And as He said, so it was; for all the kings of the earth have not been able to withstand Him. Nay, all their standards have been overthrown, while the banner of that Oppressed One has been raised to the zenith."Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 17
[15] Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
V.15
"In the 15th verse, the words 'behold I come as a thief, etc.' are spoken by the Proclaimer of all this, the "Great Voice" as He is called at the beginning of the chapter. He says He will come suddenly like a thief, as Christ said He would come, so that no one will know it, for the thief is in the house without the inhabitants being aware of it. Therefore blessed is the one who is awake when a Manifestation comes; you will know Him. It is also said 'he keepeth his garments'. These garments signify the good qualities which the man possessed, such as love, sincerity, etc.. He (that watcheth') must keep that good character, which is like adorning him."
Baha'u'llah, The Glory of God is the 'The Great Voice' the one that fulfills the prophecies of all the religions of the past.
[16] And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
V.16
"In the 16th verse, Armageddon signifies Roumelia and Macedonia, for often the kings have gathered together on subjects concerning these places."
Both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha foretold of a period of great social upheaval, conflict and calamity, as a result of the irreligion and prejudices, the ignorance and superstition, prevalent throughout the world. In an address in California in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha gave a warning; that Armageddon began with the first World war in 1914.
Wars and rumors of wars have gone on ever since.
See:
Jer.4: 22,27,29
Matt 24: 7,8,21,22
Luke 21: 19,20,25,28
Matt.13: 49,50
[17] And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
V.17 The Seventh Angel, identified with the Islamic Religion, is the last in order and when He acts the Great Voice (identified with Baha'u'llah) says that "It is done". This may well be the precipitating event to the Great War that is to come. That is to say the Great Final Battle of Armageddon.
[18] And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
V.18
"And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail," meaning that after the appearance of the Book of the Testament there will be a great storm, and the lightnings of the anger and the wrath of God will flash, the noise of the thunder of the violation of the Covenant will resound, the earthquake of doubts will take place, the hail of torments will beat upon the violators of the Covenant, and even those who profess belief will fall into trials and temptations."Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 60
regarding Rev 11:19
A great earthquake to come is told about in Isaiah 13:13; 24:20; 29:5; 38:7-8 This is a major upheaval, as it affects the whole world. Some see it as even the earth shifting on its axis.
ISAIAH 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
ISAIAH 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir
ISAIAH 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
ISAIAH 24:20 "The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard.
ISAIAH 29:5"Yea, it shall be at an instant, suddenly,"
ISAIAH 38:7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
ISAIAH 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
[19] And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
V.19
"The city which was cut in three pieces means that the kingdom of Babylonia, which is under three kings, those of England, Persia and Turkey"
(Palestine was under English law at the time)...Babylon, a symbol of the great city, also was given the cup of wine of the fierceness of God's wrath. It is now in remembrance. The kingdom of Babylonia in Bible times was in the area of Iraq, Iran, Palestine and Turkey.
Shoghi Effendi in 'Citadel of Faith p.124-128' is warning America.
"The steady and alarming deterioration in the standard of morality as exemplified by the appalling increase of crime, by political corruption in ever widening and higher circles, by the loosening of the sacred ties of marriage, by the inordinate craving for pleasure and diversion, and by the marked progressive slackening of parental control, is no doubt the most arresting and distressing aspect of the decline that has set in...if not remedied, is bound to involve the American nation in a catastrophe of undreamed of dimensions."
It is an interesting note, in the various applications of the archetype, that "the great city divided into three parts" applies to New York City, in that it is spread over three islands, (Manhattan, Long, and Staten). This also has reference to the next verse.
[20] And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
V.20
"The island and the mountains of verse 20 mean people of influence, and also small kingdoms, which will be destroyed and annihilated at that time."
"The mountains have passed away, and the heavens have been folded together, and the whole earth is held within His grasp, could ye but understand it. Who is it that can protect you? None, by Him Who is the All-Merciful! None, except God, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Beneficent."Baha'u'llah, XVIII Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah
[21] And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
V.21
"In verse 21, the 'great hail' means both bombs, shells, instruments of destruction and the calamities and hardships which will cause people to blaspheme."
warning America
"The steady and alarming deterioration in the standard of morality as exemplified by the appalling increase of crime, by political corruption in ever widening and higher circles, by the loosening of the sacred ties of marriage, by the inordinate craving for pleasure and diversion, and by the marked progressive slackening of parental control, is no doubt the most arresting and distressing aspect of the decline that has set in...if not remedied, is bound to involve the American nation in a catastrophe of undreamed of dimensions."Shoghi Effendi 'Citadel of Faith p.124-128
Then the "Resurrection" appeared, the "Day of Judgment" became manifest, the "earth" heaved and shook, the "mountains" were leveled, the "seas" boiled, the "sun" was eclipsed, the "luminaries" were darkened, the "stars" scattered, the "signs" became known, the "bridge" expanded, the "conditions" were fulfilled, the "balance" was set up, the "fire" burned fiercely and the "paradise" became begemmed!Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 396
"...and except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened".Mat. 24:22
The sustaining grace is that 'Abdu'l-Baha assures us that, in spite of the trials and tribulations through which humanity must pass, this century of light will bring about the unity of mankind, and a glorious new day.
The spiritual brotherhood which is enkindled and established through the breaths of the Holy Spirit unites nations and removes the cause of warfare and strife. It transforms mankind into one great family and establishes the foundations of the oneness of humanity. It promulgates the spirit of international agreement and insures Universal Peace. Therefore we must investigate the foundation reality of this heavenly fraternity. We must forsake all imitations and promote the reality of the divine teachings. In accordance with these principles and actions and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, both material and spiritual happiness shall become realized. Until all nations and peoples become united by the bonds of the Holy Spirit in this real fraternity, until national and international prejudices are effaced in the reality of this spiritual brotherhood, true progress, prosperity and lasting happiness will not be attained by man. This is the century of new and universal nationhood. Sciences have advanced, industries have progressed, politics have been reformed, liberty has been proclaimed, justice is awakening. This is the century of motion, divine stimulus and accomplishment; the century of human solidarity and altruistic service; the century of Universal Peace and the reality of the divine kingdom.Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 227
Let us first briefly examine some verses in:
Isaiah Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen:
Isaiah 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
At the time the prophecy was given, it was of course about a future time, but time passes and now that time has come, so the prophecy is about THIS Time "the End Times" when Israel had been / is being restored.
When we talk about Babylon, we are NOT talking about that ancient city that existed in the time of Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and the other ancient prophets. Instead we are talking about "Babylon The Great" of this day which is what the prophecies were about and so couldn't really be understood until this time.
The term "Babylon" is an archetype. (See the footnote at the bottom of this page about archetypes, if you do not understand them, because it is absolutely essential that you do - in order to understand the prophecies.)
In these verses of Isaiah we see:
13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
Never before and until now in the world's long history have the "Kingdoms of nations gathered together" as they have now gathered at the UN in New York City the archetype city of Babylon the Great, and some have the weapons of indignation, not ordinary weapons, but weapons of mass destruction that show their particular wrath and anger.
13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
The intervening verses describe how amazingly terrible that destruction shall be - because this is a punishment of the WHOLE of the world:
13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Today, most people don't believe in "The Judgment" or God when He says:
13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
and they will scoff at the speculation about the earth removing out of place being "The Great Catastrophe", the greatest earthquake ever, and what will "shorten the days" of the Last Great Battle of Armageddon.
13:14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
Military personnel, travelers, refugees, especially those overseas, will have a difficult time in returning to their homes. The details of what shall happen to people, survivors, in those days, are horrendous.
13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.Elsewhere in the Bible, it says it shall be worse for Babylon, and for much the same reasons. [Mark 6:11 ... Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (see also: Matthew 10:15, Luke 10:12)]
14:26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
This judgment, the judgment of Babylon The Great, Mystery Babylon, The Great Whore, The Burden of Babylon, shall fall upon all the nations of the earth, a time of trouble mentioned throughout the whole of the Bible.
in the time of trouble. (Isaiah 32:2)
the time of trouble (Psalms 27:5)
As has been discussed previously, many references in the Bible are "archetypes". An archetype is a literary device that in these cases means that the thing mentioned is an example or model of the subject, and is not the subject itself.
Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17:5) is an archetype for the United States, and its archetypical city New York City, patterned after the known great ancient city of Babylon, but the Babylon here is a mystery because so much about it, such as the location, the very part of the world, where it was to arise, was unknown and unknowable to the people at the time the prophet was writing.
Likewise, Chaldea is an archetype for Russia. It is mentioned equally above in Chapter Thirteen of Isaiah, and throughout this Chapter Forty-seven of Isaiah. There is a relationship between archetypes, similes, metaphores, tropes, and other figures of speech that are not to be taken literally but are often literary and prophetic devices for communicating that which cannot be communicated in a literal sense.
If we were to glimpse the distant future or heavenly kingdoms beyond this one, we would be at an equal loss to understand or of words to communicate that which is incomprehensible to us now.
Consider the problem then at the time these prophecies were written, of describing technologies that were unknowable and non-understandable at the time. There is the story of a Prophet that was asked long ago, how that could be when He said people could keep records without pens and parchment. He declined to say, but could you imagine Him replying: "Well, they use zeroes and ones and the direction of spin of an electron."
So when the prophets in their visions mention: "Though Babylon should mount up to heaven" (Jeremiah 51:53) this can be reasonably seen as metaphor referring to aircraft; and ascending "above the heights of the clouds" (Isaiah 14:14) could refer to space travel. Context is important, and one must grasp the overall subject of the text in which they are embedded.
The "End of Times" event, while not at all what most imagine, is the singular most important event in the life and development of humanity. It is no wonder that it is a theme returned to time and again throughout Scripture, and it is no coincidence that many of the metaphors refer to the United States - Mystery Babylon.
Mystery Babylon being an "End Times" nation gives meaning to references about air and space travel, and conversely references to that nation would be meaningless without mention of such momentous technological wonders and current geopolitical involvements. Consequently, there is great detail of this sort to be found in the Book of Revelation, and the Writings of such prophets as Jeremiah and Isaiah, as well as in many other famous passages throughout the Bible, (see especially in Chapters One, Three, Ten and elsewhere in Ezekiel).
There is so much that is specific in the descriptions and characterization that one can hardly miss that it is THESE "end times", TODAY, that is the subject. With the archetypes of Babylon and Chaldea firmly in mind, and seeing the inter-relatedness of the many Scriptures, one can then read through Chapter Forty-seven of Isaiah and Chapters Fifty and Fifty-one of Jeremiah as well as many chapters of the Book of Revelation and see that it is the United States and Russia that are being talked about. In the appendix to this chapter we analyze each of the verses of Isaiah Chapter Forty-seven, and see how they uniquely apply to the United States and Russia.