by Texe Marrs
Observe that this Fourth Kingdom has ten horns; that is, it is made up of ten nations or countries, and from among them comes up yet another little horn. But this little horn is not a country. Instead it has the “eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things.” This is a picture of the dreaded Antichrist, also called the beast of Revelation 13.
The apostle John also had a vision from God in which he likewise saw this beast. The beast similarly had ten horns, which were described in Revelation 17:12 as representing ten kings who will rule with the beast. In the next verse (Revelation 17:13), we see that “these have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”
Then, significantly, we read that the great religious and political system which will be set up by these ten kings (today we might can them presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, premiers, secretary-generals, etc.) will emanate—that is, have its source from—Babylon, “that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18).
Moreover, we find in the 17th chapter of Revelation that at the very time John was given this prophecy, this Mystery Babylon empire had a king who was in John’s day then in power (see Revelation 17:10), but the final ruler of this great universal empire, John was told, “has not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.” So we are still today awaiting this final, last days world leader.
It should be noted that this great ruler, though he may dominate and subdue most of the earth, will not escape the judgment of God. In the very next verse (verse 11) we see that this beast “goeth into perdition.” Just as Judas was the Son of Perdition, this man, too, will be the Son of Perdition (see II Thessalonians 2), and his final destination is the fires of everlasting hell.
When we view the incredible world drama occurring today, with earth-shattering events going on in Germany, Europe, the Soviet Union, the United States, China, and the Middle East, we come to this striking conclusion: the era in which the Bible prophesies that this final evil empire will arise to be led by the occultic Son of Perdition is here, now.
Germany’s Four Reichs and Bible Prophecy
As we see the two Germanys merging and becoming one, our minds veer back to almost a half century ago, when this same united Germany marched across much of Europe and Africa with its storm troopers and its terrible armed weaponry, slaughtering and savaging multitudes as it went. It is important to realize that Bible prophecy gives us many of the keys to today’s world events. For example, we see in Ezekiel 38:6 that there is a nation, or a territory, called Gomer which, in the last days, will ally itself militarily with Russia (called the land of Gog, Meshech, and Tubal in Ezekiel), as well as Iran and Iraq (identified as Persia in Ezekiel), and Ethiopia, Libya, and Turkey/Syria (identified as Togarmah in the Bible).
Historians tell us that Gomer is Germany. Evidently then, we will soon be presented with a spectacle in which both the Soviet Union and a strong united Germany take matters into their own hands by invading Israel and the Middle East with a combined military task force. Their objective no doubt will be to take the oil-rich lands of that region. This, they will reason, will put The Order in total control of the world’s economies, since it is in the Middle East that is found the bulk of the earth’s precious oil reserves.
The First Reich of Otto the Great
It is fitting that historic Gomer, or Germany, play this prophetic role. Adolf Hitler proclaimed that his was the Third Reich (imperial regime) of the revived Holy Roman Empire. The First Reich is regarded as that led by Germany’s Otto the Great. He and the Catholic pope ruled the Holy Roman Empire in a spiritual and temporal sense in the tenth century AD. The New Rome now being set up will also have both a political and religious leadership: church and state will be in one accord.
The Second Reich of Bismarck
Then there was the Second Reich, from 1871 to 1917. Otto Von Bismarck, greatly admired in today’s Germany as a supreme warrior and leader, was the dictator of Germany during this period. It was Bismarck whose German infantry conquered France in 1871. With this great victory, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned the first Kaiser. This should startle us when we realize that the word Kaiser literally means Caesar!
Emperor Wilhelm II, Wilhelm I’s successor, you will recall, is the man who plunged the world into World War I. Like Hitler after him, he was a Jew-hater; once being quoted as saying, “A Jew cannot be a true patriot. He is something different, like a bad insect. He must be kept apart, out of a place where he can do mischief—even by pogroms if necessary.” 11
The first World War of Kaiser Wilhelm II was hideous in its bloodshed and ruination. This was the war where tanks were first used and in which tens of thousands suffered casualties as a result of heinous chemical warfare.
The Third Reich of the Nazis
Then along came Adolf Hitler, an occultic follower of Satan who established the Third Reich. Hitler claimed it would last for a thousand years or longer. Not true; it lasted a mere twelve. But during that short era, Hitler made his mark on the whole world. His sins and his transgressions may not be remembered by today’s youth, but they should be.
What is shocking is that Adolf Hitler came to power in a democratic nation through the popular vote of the people. Today, there are those who are working hard to bring into being a One World Democratic Order. They say that such a political and economic Order will ensure freedom, justice, and sharing for all Their contention is that a One World Democratic Order will guarantee against a mad dictator like Hitler ever again holding the reigns to such terrible power.
The truth, however, is that it is not a democratic framework of government that restrains men from committing atrocities and abominations; left to their own devices, without the loving nature of God within that comes from a born again experience (John 3:3), man will do evil no matter what the form of government. Hitler was astonishing proof of this very fact.
A Supernatural Rumbling in the Earth
Today, there is a supernatural rumbling in the earth, and it comes first from the direction of Europe, where the Fourth Reich is rising from the ashes of a war torn, post-war Europe. We may therefore well ask, have the ghosts of Marx, Lenin, and Stalin been resurrected? Will the ascension of a new Germany-united, powerful, determined, and assertive-result in a Fourth Reich, this time of bloody Communist ideology? If so, a supreme World Leader is sure to follow.
Interestingly, there is still another astonishing event taking place that is highly significant as an indicator of Bible prophecy being fulfilled. I refer to the incredible restoration of ancient Babylon, the great city where Satan’s hideous worldwide religion first began. As we will see in the following chapter, Babylon and Germany alike are destined to play key roles in the momentous days just ahead.
Chapter 13
Babylon Comes Alive!—Lighting Up the Fiery Furnaces Once Again
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 17:5)
The air was indeed filled with the burning of incense. The music was so mythological in nature that you could actually feel there was an evil presence in the air... I heard them say that Ishtar (the goddess) is returned again to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. They actually had a figure of the goddess Ishtar in the ceremony as they worshipped. The entire ceremony was New Age and occultic, filled with Babylonian pageantry and attire. (Joseph Chambers, Babylon is Rising)
Modern-day Iraq shocked the whole world in the summer of 1990 by invading tiny, oil-rich Kuwait, its next door neighbor in the Persian Gulf. Thus began the strange spectacle of the world standing by in dread and awe as the United States of America, allied with other forces and with the moral support of the United Nations, began to send in tens of thousands of military troops to counter the huge armies that Iraq dictator, Saddam Hussein, had put together over the previous decades.
Almost to a person, veteran political and military commentators were caught by surprise when Hussein’s
forces invaded Kuwait and threatened to take over Saudi Arabia as well as possibly other nations in the Middle East. At the time I began work on this book, conflict had not yet broken out in the Persian Gulf and peace seemed to be breaking out all over. Yet, I well knew that the dogs of war would soon awaken, fiercely violent after their brief nap. Bible prophecy must be fulfilled.
Another man who was not surprised was my good friend Joseph Chambers, pastor of a wonderful church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and editor of a fascinating prophetic newspaper, End Times and Victorious Living. In May, 1990 Dr. Chambers’ lead article in his newspaper was entitled “Babylon Rises Again.” I believe that the prophetic information reported in this article—an article written before Iraq and its dictator Hussein astonished the world and made headlines with their military invasion-should be looked at once again.
The article declared that Babylon the Great was on the rise. And that the secret of its future could be found only by reference to Bible prophecy and especially the books of Revelation and Isaiah. Dr. Chambers observed that “The rebuilding of Babylon has caught the church leaders of our day by surprise and the ones I know are still denying that there is any significance. Very soon there will be no doubt.” 1
Words Of Prophecy Fulfilled
Again, I want to emphasize that these words were written and published before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and their conclusions are based on the author’s knowledge of the strength of Bible prophecy. Now let’s examine another spectacular comment that Dr. Chambers made in that same article. He told his readers “Here are some things you can watch for that will help strengthen this powerful Biblical Truth:”
Iraq will be increasingly in the world news.
This small nation will become a sore spot in the Middle East and will gain political dominance.
The rhetoric between Iraq and Israel will intensify.
Watch for a peace initiative between Iraqi leaders and Israeli moderates. This will eventually lead to a covenant of peace.
Don’t put a timetable on what is happening. Leaders could well come and go before the ultimate events in this nation of destiny. 2
The Revival of Mystery Babylon—and the New Rome
Not too long ago I had the opportunity to meet with Joseph Chambers, and we turned our attention to the momentous events breaking forth in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. We noted that Babylon is geographically today’s Iraq. Joseph and I recalled the prophecy in Zechariah 5:11 about the two angels who, in the last days, return the Mystery Woman—weighted down in all her wickedness—to Babylon. This prophecy is now being fulfilled. Dictator Hussein calls himself “the light of this world” and promotes the ancient Babylonian mysteries, and it is startling that he has chosen to restore the ruins of Babylon to their former glory. This is a great, ominous forewarning of horrible things to come.
If you will remember, Babylon and Sumeria were part and parcel of the Roman Empire of the Caesars. Therefore, the newly revived Holy Roman Empire, being farmed today out of the United States of Europe, will consist not only of the numerous nations of Europe, especially the unified Germany, Italy, Belgium, England, etc., but will also take in many of the nations of the Middle East, including Babylon (Iraq), Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and others. All of these nations were once under the heel of the legions of the vast Roman Empire.
In a booklet, Babylon Rises Again, that he is now developing into a full-length book, Dr. Joseph Chambers emphasizes the study of Revelation, Daniel, and other books of the Bible. These prophesy that the literal city of Babylon will be rebuilt in the last days and will then be destroyed a final time, never to be heard from again.
In a fascinating guidebook published by the Iraqi government, From Nebuchadnezzar to Saddam Hussein: Babylon Rises Again, the Iraqi mania to restore Babylon to world dominance once again is made evident. Just look at the opening statement from this book:
In a glorious time, she is a lady of reviving centuries, rising dignified and holy, showing the great history of Iraq. Added to its magnificence and emphasizing its originality, the Phoenix of the new time rising alive from the ashes of the past, the face of bright present that places it on a golden throne and bringing back to it its charming youth and unique glory...
Babylon survived the ages, defied all times, and overcame... It won the battle by virtue of its great heritage and the formidable men who carried that heritage... That produced unique heroes... so history can start with us so that it remains accomplished throughout the ages... Saddam Hussein who merges from Mesopotamia as the Hammurabi and as a Nebuchadnezzar. He has emerged at a time to shake the centuries old dust off its face.
Pageantry and Evil Reborn in Babylon
To fully gain perspective on this mind-boggling restoration of Babylon, it would be instructive for us to take a look at how Joseph Chambers described a massive celebration held in that city two years ago to commemorate the rebuilding of Babylon, now underway as a major construction project. Here is Dr. Chambers’ eye witness description; he was there at the invitation of the Iraqi government and saw what can only be described as a ghost-like resurrection of the most wicked civilization that ever existed:
The mystic-sounding event begins. Background music with a mythological ring hails the drama of a returning monarch. King Nebuchadnezzar enters with great fanfare. Paganistic incense stills the air as the worshippers of this god-like king march to his tune. The ceremonial dress is the ancient Babylonian attire. Other than the amplification, strobe lights, and fireworks, it is very authentic. The air is poignant with excitement (or evil, depending on your perspective).
Clearly, Saddam Hussein is believed by the Iraqis to be the new Arabic Messiah ready to lead the Arab people to unparalleled greatness. The riches of this nation, with the world’s second largest production of oil, has the wealth and the means to effect the entire world’s economy. Will they be part of the Antichrist world government and help produce unparalleled-prosperity for a short period? I have no doubt they will. 3
Dr. Chambers continues his description of the gala event:
The air was indeed filled with the burning of incense. The music was so mythological in nature that you could actually feel there was an evil presence in the air... I heard them say that Ishtar (the goddess) is returned again to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. They actually had a figure of the goddess Ishtar in the ceremony as they worshipped. The entire ceremony was New Age and occultic, filled with Babylonian pageantry and attire. It was breathtaking and beautiful in a way... The devil can present moving and stirring ceremonies, and from the study of the New Age movement and the music, we know that people can be possessed literally by demons when listening to New Age mystical music.
Babylon the Great is at the very epicenter of Bible prophecy. This is the place where goddess worship began and was most prominent. Later, the worship of the goddess spread throughout the known world. It is prophesied to return to world prominence in the last days (Revelation 17). The authoritative book, New Age Lies to Women, by my wife Wanda Marrs, chronicles the amazing resurgence of the goddess in the 1990s not only in the New Age Movement but even among some “Christian” congregations.
The Berlin-Babylon-Rome Connection: Will The Furnaces be Reignited?
The Bible establishes that in the last days, Babylon will come back to life and there will be a Berlin-Babylon-Rome connection. Hitler and his jew-hating colleagues established concentration camps in which they installed ovens to incinerate the bodies of their Jewish victims. But the Germans were not the first to commit such heinous crimes. We read in Jeremiah and Daniel that because of their transgressions the Lord gave the Israel nation into captivity in Babylon. And not only that, but it is recorded in Jeremiah 29:22, “that the Lord make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the King of Babylon roasted in the fires.”
Amazingly then, Hitler was not the first demonic-led monster whose hateful and evil nature consumed the Jews in fiery furnaces. Today, Babylon’s Saddam Hussein likewise has made threaten
ing overtures against the Israelis. Indeed he longs to wipe them off the face of the map and give their lands back to the Arabs. Whether he will in fact be the leader of Iraq and the new Babylon at the time of the final shaking of the Middle East and of the days leading to Armageddon (See Joel 3:16) we cannot say for sure. But certainly the actions of Hussein give us cause to reflect on what prophecy tells us about the amazing events that are now occurring in the Middle East as well as in Germany and Europe.
Is The Order Behind the Resurgence of Babylon?
Something very evil has been loosed in the Middle East, and the financial cartel may be behind a good part of it While Saddam Hussein spent most of the 1980s pressing a bloody war against his neighbor Iran, benefactors in the West opened their money bags and their armories pouring out gifts to the dictator. France alone supplied an estimated $12 billion worth of military hardware between 1981 and 1988. Iraq was also able to buy sophisticated technology for its missile development program from firms in Britain, Italy, Germany, and the United States. To finance his war, develop hideous new chemical weapons, and build up a huge war machine, Saddam needed a friendly banker, and he found the international banking conspiracy more than glad to bankroll him. 4
Thus, both the aggression of Iraq and its rebuilding of Babylon were made possible by Western financial interests. This can best be understood in light of the fact there are definite, evil connections between Germany and Iraq, Berlin and Babylon. The rise of Babylon signals the emergence of the New World Order.