Mystery, Babylon The Great (2005) - Escape Babylon's Demons

CHAPTER 1
The Woman: A great city or a great nation?
The first question to be answered in this study of the mystery of Babylon the Great
concerns the intended meaning of the words “great city” as used in Revelation
17:18:
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
Is the great city mentioned here literally intended to mean a city, or is it intended
to mean a great nation?
In answer to this question first consider that the word great (megas) can be used to
describe those of eminent, superior rank. An example of this is Jesus Christ being
described as a “great Priest” in Hebrews 10:21.
The plural “great ones” signify those who hold positions of authority in Gentile
nations. This is seen in Matthew 20:25 and Mark 10:42.
Secondly, consider that the word city (polis) is literally “a town enclosed with a wall“.
Originally to the Greeks, polis meant a fortified settlement. With political
development, polis began to signify a state or ruling center and the area ruled by it.
Basically, polis is a protectively fortified dwelling place. This word is by no means
limited in meaning to the contemporary concept of a city.
In scripture the words country and city are used interchangeably depending on the
context. For example, both city (polis) and country (patris - one’s own native land) are used
to describe the heavenly Jerusalem in Hebrews 11:10-16.
For he looked for a city (polis) which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through
faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she
was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of
one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which
is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they
seek a country (patris). And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came
out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, th at is,
an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a
city (polis).