Andrew,

We probably have enough differences for a year’s worth of discussion. I do not think either one of us has the time or inclination for that. Let me just make a comment or two. You wrote:

“This is unsubstantiated and depends on the assumption that Revelation 18-19 speaks of judgment on Jerusalem rather than Rome. That cannot be addressed in detail here, but I pointed out in The Coming of the Son of Man that the visions of seven bowls all draw on Old Testament texts that speak of judgment on the pagan enemy of the people of God. To be honest, I really don’t understand how people reach the conclusion that ‘Babylon the great’ is a symbol of Jerusalem rather than of the current pagan oppressor of the people of God. Why shouldn’t John have foreseen judgment on Rome as well as on Jerusalem, fully in keeping with the pattern of Old Testament prophecy?”

First, Jerusalem (referred to as “the great city,” just like Babylon is), Rev. 11:8; Rev. 17:18) has already been equated with a pagan enemy of the people of God (i.e. Sodom and Egypt) Revelation 11:8. As Wright has stated, Jerusalem had become like Babylon. She was the destroyer of God’s Temple (i.e. Jesus) and the pagan oppressor of God’s true people (true Israel).

I think John did see the judgment on Rome. Not pagan Rome, however, but the demonic kings behind the pre AD 70 Roman Empire. Notice that the eighth king was about to come out of the abyss when John wrote (Rev. 17:8; cf. Rev. 11:7) that is no more pagan Rome than the kings in Daniel 10:13 are talking about pagan Persia. Furthermore, if this is Pagan Rome why are just 8 kings mentioned? Pagan Rome had well over a hundred kings.

The narrative of Rev. 17-19 is that the beast from the abyss destroys the harlot (Revelation 17-18; this is based on Ezekiel 16). After the beast destroys the harlot he is then destroyed by the parousia of our Lord and is thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:11-21); again, this is not talking about pagan Rome being thrown in the lake of fire. This was the time of the wedding of the bride (Rev. 19:1-7). The harlot is destroyed and then the bride becomes married (cf. Gal. 4:21-31). If the harlot is pagan Rome when do you think the wedding happened? In the fourth century when Rome split up? Later? Are you still waiting for it to happen? If you do not think the wedding of God to His people (Rev. 21:1-2; cf. Matt. 22:1-10) speaks of AD 70, what time do you think it speaks of?

Related to this, the plagues that come on the harlot (pestilence, mourning, famine and being burned up, Rev. 18:8 NASB) are plagues that result from a prolonged siege of a city, they are exactly what happened to Jerusalem at AD 70. When do you think these were fulfilled on Rome? Do you think that was the time of God marrying His people?