Babylon is used as a symbol of worldly power

Babylon was an ancient city located in Mesopotamia, in what is now Iraq. It was founded in the 23rd century BC and grew to become one of the most powerful cities in the ancient world. The Babylonian Empire, which was founded by King Hammurabi in the 18th century BC, was one of the first and most influential empires in human history, with its capital city of Babylon serving as a center of culture, science, and trade.

Babylon is perhaps best known for its impressive and monumental structures, including the famous Hanging Gardens, which were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city was also home to the Ishtar Gate, a stunning blue gate decorated with reliefs of dragons and bulls.

Babylon is mentioned frequently in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. The city is associated with the story of the Tower of Babel, in which God confounds the language of the people who are building a tower to the heavens, causing them to scatter and form different nations.

In the New Testament, Babylon is used as a symbol of worldly power and evil, particularly in the book of Revelation, where it is described as a “great prostitute” who seduces the nations and leads them astray from God. Some biblical scholars interpret this symbolism as referring to the Roman Empire, while others see it as a metaphor for any human power that seeks to supplant God.

Today, the ancient city of Babylon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Middle East. However, the site has suffered significant damage over the centuries, particularly during the Gulf War and subsequent conflicts in Iraq.