Lloyd - I’m flattered that you borrowed my summary of the texts associating Babylon in Revelation with Jerusalem in your rejoinder to Andrew! But the credit really goes to Virgil - from whose little summary paper on Covenantal Eschatology (Preterism) I took the information. Are you both inhabitants of planetpreterism.com?

I’m not 100% sure how your scheme works out - as I would personally be unable to make a final and definitive identification of Revelation’s Babylon with Jerusalem; I wouldn’t want to paint myself into a corner in quite that way. I think the imagery lends itself to Rome as well as Jerusalem, but also to world economic/political systems in general - so I see a futurist dimension to the imagery as well.  One day the whole system will come crashing down - to resounding angelic choirs singing the hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Tickets available through lastminute.com

The  wonderful thing about Revelation is how it lends itself to so many scenarios - throughout time. It’s an encouragement to believers under the pressure of persecution in all ages. I also like the view that it’s John’s version of the synoptic apocalypses - that seems to work very well. Like those, it can be anchored in the 1st century, and broadened out for all time. But I’m digressing. Thanks for your interesting contributions. When are you going to give us the full version of ‘the kingdom’ - as seen from your interpretive standpoint?

 P.S. Rome was built on ‘seven hills’, but so is Jerusalem, Constantinople - and Sheffield in the UK. (Guildford also - where I live). Could these be identified with the allusions to the "seven heads (that) are seven hills on which the woman sits" Revelation 19:9. A fairly flexible metaphor, I’d say!