When the Bible says Babylon will never be rebuilt, is it just symbolic?

Babylon was a enemy of the Israelites. Isaiah gives us insight into this nation when he explains how the literal city would be destroyed by the Medes. “It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there. But wild beasts of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will caper there” (Isaiah 13:20, 21).

Babylon became a symbol in Revelation for apostate religious organizations that oppose Christ and His people, especially at the close of time. In Revelation 14, we read about the fall of Babylon in the second angel’s message. Revelation 18 expands on her destruction with a final “loud cry” to “come out of her” so that people do not share in her final destruction.

Whereas Revelation 17 describes Babylon as a “mother of harlots” (v. 5) and a prostitute who is executed, Revelation 18 uses a metaphor of a wealthy city being sacked. Though the term “Babylon” has been used over the centuries to describe different organizations that oppose God, modern Babylon stands for apostate Christian churches that have departed from the “everlasting gospel,” including the Roman apostasy of the early centuries and the more recent departure of mainstream Protestantism.

One of the modern rulers of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, wanted to rebuild this city with the purpose of overthrowing this biblical prophecy. His efforts were interrupted by war. He now is dead, and the tourist site is once again being reclaimed by the desert.

Those who take up the call and separate from spiritual Babylon in the last days, who become messengers of this final warning, will be like lights that “illuminate” the earth with glory (Revelation 18:1). These servants of God will proclaim heaven’s last call to the world.

Key Bible Texts

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. (Revelation 18:2 KJV)