Thus shall Babylon sink

“Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.”

Revelation 18:10

“Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary.”

Jeremiah 51:64, KJV

This verse is part of a prophetic judgment against Babylon, symbolizing its complete and final downfall. It’s found in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 51, verse 64.

Theory of Two Babylons

1. The First Babylon: Poseidi, the Capital of Atlantis

• Atlantis and Poseidi: According to this theory, the first Babylon was actually Poseidi, the capital city of Atlantis. Atlantis, as described by Plato, was a highly advanced civilization with significant technological and cultural achievements. Poseidi, being the main capital, was a city of great power and influence.
• The Cataclysmic Event: Approximately 12,000 years ago, a cataclysmic event, possibly linked to rising sea levels or a massive earthquake, caused the sinking of Atlantis. Poseidi, along with the rest of the island, was lost to the sea. This event is what inspired the later biblical metaphor of Babylon’s “sinking” as seen in Jeremiah 51:64.

2. The Survival and Migration of Atlanteans

• Atlantean Refugees: After the destruction of Atlantis, survivors of this advanced civilization fled to various parts of the world. Key groups of survivors migrated to two major regions: Egypt and Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
• Rebuilding Civilization: In these new lands, the Atlantean survivors began to rebuild their lives and, over time, re-established some of their former knowledge and culture. They brought with them the architectural and technological knowledge that they had developed in Atlantis, laying the groundwork for the advanced civilizations that would later arise in these regions.

3. The Second Babylon: Mesopotamian Babylon

• Foundation of a New Babylon: The survivors in Mesopotamia eventually founded a new city, which they named Babylon, in honor of their lost homeland, Poseidi. This city became a center of power in Mesopotamia and was known for its grandeur and its famous ziggurat, which later inspired the biblical story of the Tower of Babel.
• The Tower of Babel: According to the Bible, the people of Babylon attempted to build a tower that would reach the heavens, symbolizing their desire to regain the power and knowledge of Atlantis. However, the new god of the era, Yahweh, perceived this as an act of defiance. Seeing their efforts as a challenge to divine authority, Yahweh intervened to prevent the completion of this tower, symbolizing the destruction of any attempt to recreate the power of Atlantis.

4. Yahweh’s Intervention and the Final Fall of Babylon

• Divine Judgment: In this theory, Yahweh’s intervention is seen as a continuation of the divine forces that had already brought down Atlantis. The destruction of the Tower of Babel and the scattering of the people can be viewed as Yahweh ensuring that no civilization would ever again reach the heights (both metaphorically and literally) of Atlantis.
• Symbolic Sinking of the Second Babylon: Just as the first Babylon (Poseidi) had sunk into the sea, the second Babylon was “brought down” in a symbolic sense. The scattering of languages and the eventual decline of Mesopotamian Babylon mark the final end of the Atlantean legacy, fulfilling the metaphorical prophecy of Babylon’s ultimate fall.

The Flood and Yahweh’s Intervention

1. The First Destruction: The Flood
   • Genesis 6:17: “For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.”
   • Genesis 7:11-12: “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”
   • Genesis 7:21-23: “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.”
   These verses describe the Great Flood, which can be interpreted as a divine judgment leading to the destruction of a significant civilization, potentially linked to the sinking of Atlantis in the theory.
2. The Second Destruction: Yahweh’s Intervention at Babylon
   • Genesis 11:4-8 (The Tower of Babel):
     • “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, ‘Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.’ So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.”
   • Jeremiah 51:25-26: “Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the Lord.”
   • Revelation 18:2: “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.”
   These verses depict Yahweh’s intervention to prevent the rise of Babylonian power (symbolized by the Tower of Babel) and later judgments against Babylon as a city of corruption, leading to its eventual downfall.

Descriptions of Babylon That Might Fit Plato’s Atlantis

Revelation 18:10: “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.” Babylon is portrayed as a mighty and formidable city, similar to the advanced and well-fortified Atlantis described by Plato.

Atlantis in Plato’s Descriptions:

Atlantis’ Structure and Wealth: Plato describes Atlantis as a powerful empire, with a grand capital city (Poseidi) surrounded by concentric rings of water and land. It was rich in resources, had advanced architecture, and possessed a naval power unmatched by others.

The Fall of Atlantis: According to Plato, Atlantis eventually fell out of favor with the gods due to its people’s hubris and was submerged by the sea as a divine punishment.

Biblical Babylon:

Wealth and Grandeur:

Isaiah 13:19: “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” This verse emphasizes Babylon’s glory and grandeur, similar to Plato’s description of Atlantis as a wealthy and powerful city.

Jeremiah 51:53: “Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord.” This highlights Babylon’s ambition and strength, which parallels the might of Atlantis.

Strategic and Architectural Magnificence:

Revelation 18:10: “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.” Babylon is portrayed as a mighty and formidable city, similar to the advanced and well-fortified Atlantis described by Plato.

Revelation 18

Revelation 18 provides a detailed and vivid description of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the destruction of a great and corrupt city, often interpreted as a representation of a powerful and morally corrupt empire or system. Here is a summary of what Revelation 18 describes about this event:

1. Announcement of Babylon’s Fall (Revelation 18:1-3):

• An Angel’s Proclamation: A mighty angel comes down from heaven, illuminating the earth with his glory, and announces the fall of Babylon the Great. The angel declares that Babylon has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, and a cage for every unclean and detestable bird.
• Reason for the Fall: The angel states that all the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the abundance of her luxury.

2. A Call to Separate from Babylon (Revelation 18:4-5):

• A Voice from Heaven: Another voice from heaven calls God’s people to come out of Babylon to avoid sharing in her sins and receiving her plagues. The voice warns that her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

3. Babylon’s Judgement and Destruction (Revelation 18:6-8):

• Repayment in Kind: Babylon is to be repaid according to her deeds; she is to receive double for her actions, and the cup she mixed should be poured out double to her.
• Her Arrogance: Babylon is described as sitting as a queen, boasting that she is not a widow and will never see mourning. However, her judgment will come in a single day: death, mourning, and famine, and she will be utterly burned with fire, for the Lord God who judges her is strong.

4. Lamentations over Babylon’s Fall (Revelation 18:9-19):

• Lament by Kings of the Earth: The kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, standing far off for fear of her torment.
• Lament by Merchants: The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore. The text lists the luxurious goods that Babylon traded, including gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth, as well as other goods like wood, ivory, and spices.
• The Loss of Wealth: The merchants lament that all their wealth and luxury have been laid waste in a single hour. All shipmasters, sailors, and those who trade by sea also mourn, seeing the smoke of her burning and crying out, “What city was like the great city?”

5. Rejoicing in Heaven over Babylon’s Fall (Revelation 18:20):

• Call to Rejoice: Heaven, along with saints, apostles, and prophets, is called to rejoice over Babylon’s fall, because God has avenged them on her.

6. The Final Destruction of Babylon (Revelation 18:21-24):

• Symbolic Act: A mighty angel takes up a stone like a great millstone and throws it into the sea, declaring that Babylon, the great city, will be thrown down with such violence that it will never be found again.
• The End of Music and Industry: The sound of music, the industry of craftsmen, and the light of lamps will cease in Babylon. The voice of the bridegroom and bride will be heard no more.
• Reasons for Judgment: Babylon’s merchants were the great men of the earth, and by her sorcery, all nations were deceived. In her, the blood of prophets, saints, and all who were slain on the earth was found.

Comparison Between the Downfall of Babylon in Revelation 18 and the Downfall of Atlantis

The downfall of Babylon as described in Revelation 18 and the mythological downfall of Atlantis share several thematic similarities. Both represent the destruction of a powerful, prosperous, and morally corrupt civilization by divine forces. Here’s a comparison, followed by alternative translations of the Revelation verses that align with the narrative of Atlantis:

1. Hubris and Moral Corruption

• Babylon: In Revelation 18, Babylon is portrayed as a city filled with luxury, wealth, and immorality. It is said that “all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality” (Revelation 18:3). Babylon’s arrogance is seen in its claim to sit as a queen, immune to suffering (Revelation 18:7).
• Atlantis: According to Plato, Atlantis was a highly advanced and wealthy civilization, but over time, its people became corrupt, greedy, and morally bankrupt. Their hubris and desire for power led to their downfall.

2. Divine Judgment and Destruction

• Babylon: Babylon’s destruction is depicted as an act of divine judgment. The city is utterly destroyed by fire in a single day (Revelation 18:8), symbolizing the suddenness and completeness of its fall.
• Atlantis: Atlantis, according to the myth, was destroyed by the gods as a punishment for its people’s hubris and moral decline. The city was swallowed by the sea in a catastrophic event, symbolizing divine retribution.

3. Lamentation and Loss

• Babylon: The fall of Babylon leads to widespread lamentation among the kings, merchants, and seafarers who benefited from its wealth (Revelation 18:9-19). They mourn the loss of their wealth and the destruction of the great city.
• Atlantis: While the myth doesn’t emphasize lamentation in the same way, the loss of Atlantis represents the fall of a great civilization, and its memory serves as a warning against the dangers of hubris and moral decay.

4. Symbolic Destruction

• Babylon: An angel throws a great millstone into the sea, symbolizing the complete and irreversible destruction of Babylon (Revelation 18:21).
• Atlantis: The destruction of Atlantis by submersion in the sea serves as a metaphor for its complete obliteration, erasing it from the map of the world.

Below is a full translation of Revelation 18, adapted to align with the narrative of the downfall of Atlantis, while maintaining a literal approach to the original Greek text. The focus is on subtle reinterpretations that emphasize technology, industry, and the advanced nature of the civilization, akin to the myth of Atlantis.

Revelation 18 (Adapted for the Downfall of Atlantis Narrative)

1. After this, I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
2. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is the great city of Babylon! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
4. Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive her plagues;
5. for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
6. Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.
7. To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’
8. For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.
9. And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning,
10. standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Atlantis, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
11. And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more—
12. cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,
13. and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives.
14. The fruit you longed for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and people will never find them again.
15. The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,
16. saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;
17. for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance,
18. and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’
19. And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’
20. Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”
21. Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great monolith and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Atlantis, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;
22. and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, shall no longer be heard in you; and no craftsman of any technology or industry shall be found in you any longer, and the sound of the monolith shall be heard in you no more;
23. and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more; and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more; for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.”

Explanation:

• “Technology or industry”: Incorporates the idea that Atlantis was known for its advanced technologies and industries, which will no longer be found.
• “Monolith”: Replaces “millstone” to evoke the grandeur and technological achievements of Atlantis, reflecting the significant structures or technologies that are now lost.