The word "Babylon" in the Scriptures refers to both the physical place and spiritual state of places or people, the sinful nature thereof. Such as, the word "Egypt" representing sin and the word "Jerusalem" representing the church of God, the Mother of us all (Acts 7:38-40, Rev. 11:8 and Galatians 4:26-27). The word "Babylon" is used to represent those who opposes God through deceptions, mixing with the true believers, and causing confusion with their many doctrines. In the future, this Mystery Babylon and her protesting daughters will become more distinct in her deeds against God and His people, followers of Christ and the poor and oppressed of this planet. For it said by Christ our King of kings, "I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:9-10 NIV). 

We must look at the context in which words and nouns such as "Babylon" are used to determine its spiritual meaning. Remember God do not use words to just fill space or for no meaning at all. (I have heard some say and even so-called scholars - that these words are in there only for the story sake).

First, let us look at the meaning of the word "Babylon" in the Aramaic / Hebrew and the Greek:

Looking at Strong’s definitions:

1. Strong's Number 894 - Definition: The original word "lbb"; transliterated word from the Aramaic is "Babel"; phonetic spelling "baw-bel". The words Babel and Babylon have the same meaning, which is "confusion (by mixing)". In ancient times, "Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and / or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates."

2. Strong’s Number 897- Definition: The original word "babulon"; transliterated word from the Greek is "Babulon" written in the English as "Babylon" with the phonetic spelling as "bab-oo-lone". As state above, it meaning is the same as Babel, of which comes its origin. "1) A very large and famous city, the residence of the Babylonian kings, situated on both banks of the Euphrates. Cyrus had formerly captured it, but Darius Hystaspis threw down its gates and walls, and Xerxes destroyed the temple of Belis. At length the city was reduced to almost solitude, the population having been drawn off by the neighbouring Seleucia, built on the Tigris by Seleucus Nicanor. 2) of the territory of Babylonia 3) allegorically, of Rome as the most corrupt seat of idolatry and the enemy of Christianity"

The definition for "Babylon" which says, its "the enemy of Christianity" is somewhat misleading (deceptive) because "Mystery Babylon" consist of those who are called by the name Christianity, a man-made religion, the Bible is clear on this. For in Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV), Christ Jesus, Himself says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!" As you can see, these professing Christians "prophesy, drove out demons, and performed many mircales" all in Christ name; yet, they are called evildoers because they did not do the will of the Father in heaven. Remember there is a difference between true followers of Christ and the religion called Christianity. There are true followers of Christ in the churches of this world called Christianity, but not all who attend these churches are followers of Christ. Also, how can Christianity persecute itself? For the Spirit says, Mystery, Babylon the Great, was "drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (Rev. 17:6). Today, the true followers of Christ are the "wheat" mixed among the "tares" who represent "Mystery Babylon the Great".

• Note also the meaning of the word Babylon from Strong's definition number 894 is "confusion, by mixing" which returns us to Genesis 11:
  
  Genesis 11:1-9… The Tower of Babel… "¹ Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. ² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. ³ Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. ⁴ And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." ⁵ But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. ⁶ And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. ⁷ Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." ⁸ So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. ⁹ Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth".

From Genesis 11 above, we see the whole world had one language and speech and under one ruler after the flood. Also, notice what these people said in verse 4, they wanted to build a tower into heaven. Their reasoning behind this was that if God brought another flood upon the earth as He did in Genesis chapters 6-9, then they would be safe. They did not want God to scatter them across "the face of the whole earth". But God knew their evil hearts, and He came down and scattered the people over the face of the earth, and He confused their language because of what they proposed to do. So, God confused their language, and they did not understand each other speech. These were the descendants of Noah and his sons. Today, this society with its many languages is the result of this scattering by God. Because the people showed complete defiance towards God, and His authority over them. Here was the beginning of the word "Babel or Babylon" representing confusion, corruption, idolatry and all that are against God, the enemy of God. Babylon became to represent the established religions and its rulers and leaders of this world who opposes God's authority and rule over them. Today, this Mystery Babylon takes its name from this first mixing of the people by confusing their languages, as the many religions of this world have many doctrines another confusion.

In Acts 7, Stephen under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said that because of the house of Israel sin God would carried them "away beyond Babylon".

The head of the Mystery religion called "Babylon the Great":

Below in 2 Thessalonians 2, the Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul tells us that Christ will not return until there is a "falling away" of "professing Christians" from the religion of Mystery Babylon. And this "man of sin" in verse 3 is also called by the name "false prophet" in the book of Revelation. This "man of sin", the false prophet will head this mystery religion called "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots", he will be revealed just before Christ return. Notice the characteristics of this "man of sin", he is "the lawless one", he "exalts himself above" God, he causes people to worship him as God, he sits in a temple whom the people refers to as representing God on earth, and "son of perdition", which means son of destruction. This "man of sin" is described as a man leading a religious organization, superfluously parading around as if he is himself God. Currently, the "man of sin" is restrained until the time of his revealing. Also, notice the Spirit says in verse 7 that the "mystery of lawlessness is already at work" on this planet, meaning the deception is already at work. Then verses 9-12, more is revealed about this "man of sin", which reveals to us that he is the "false prophet" in Revelation 16 and 19. Therefore, this "man of sin" is the head of Mystery, Babylon the Great religion who comes in "the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders". This "lawless one" will be masquerading as a man of God, using "all unrighteous deception", and with "strong delusion" causing those who are perishing to believe the lies of deception. 

• 2 Thessalonians 2
• The Great Apostasy…(Babylon created) notice this is just prior to Christ’s return.
• Falling Away from Christ
• 1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The leader of the coming one world goverment, spiritually called the "Roman empire":

In Daniel 8 below, this "king", the leader of the people will be caught up in this mystery religion called "Babylon", and he shall rise in the end time. Notice, the characteristics of this "king": "fierce features", he "understands sinister schemes", "he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people". Now, this gives us some more details about "Mystery, Babylon the Great" where her "king" shall persecute the true saints of God. Also, notice this leader also causes deception to prosper under his rule, meaning the people will believe he is working for good and not evil. As the Holy Scriptures tell us, there is a deception on this planet in the Christianity community, not everyone who go to the churches are in the Church of the Living God. For Christ Jesus tells us, "many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ', and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:5, 9-11). Again, this "king" shall "rise against the Prince of princes", both he and the "man of sin" who will be "showing himself that he is God" are against Christ and His holy saints (2 Thess. 2:4). But this "king", also called by the name "scarlet beast" in Revelation 17, and the "false prophet", the "man of sin" shall be destroyed along with Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots at the coming of Christ our Prince of princes, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Amen. Praise God.

Back to the body of this "man of sin", called Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots. In Revelation 17 below, this "Mystery, Babylon the Great" is portrayed as a woman, "the great harlot" arrayed in purple and scarlet with a cup of abominations and fornication, and her name written on her forehead. The Holy Spirit portrays "Babylon the Great" as a woman, and she sits on many waters, which represent many people (verse 15). And "the kings of the earth committed fornication" with this woman, this is spiritual fornication where these kings believed the lie and lying wonders. Also, this tells us that Mystery, Babylon the Great represents a counterfeit religion, masquerading as the Church of the Living God. For it is written, "if he who comes preaches another Jesus" or if you receive a "different spirit", or a "different gospel" that these are "false prophets deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15). Notice, also the Holy Spirit tells us that this "woman" is "drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (verse 6). This "woman" called Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots causes the scarlet beast to make war against the saints of God (verse 14, 18 and Revelation 12). In the end, the scarlet beast and its followers will turn on the "woman", "for God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose" (verse 17).

• Revelation 17
• The Scarlet Woman and the Scarlet Beast
  1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:
• MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
• 6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement… 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."

As I have said before, and I say again, Scripture interprets itself. As we see the prophet speaking by the Spirit in Isaiah 1:18…"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool".

So, we see Scripture telling us that sins are like scarlet and red like crimson. Therefore, this woman Babylon the Great is clothed with sins, like scarlet. And this is the opposite of the Woman Jerusalem, the Mother of us all who is clothed with the righteous acts of the Saints. For it is written, "the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints" (Revelations 19:7-8).

• Galatians 4
  25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children-26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband." (Isaiah 54:1}

This is consistence with all of God’s word where He uses names of cites, places, and people to represent the sinful nature in humans and societies; and for representing things that are holy and set apart. (Remember this when studying God’s word when proper names are used to represent the sinful nature or state of the people).

Below in Revelation 18, the woman called Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots receives her just punishment from God. Babylon "has become the dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit" (verse 2). The kings and people of the earth have committed fornication with Babylon the great, the kings and merchants (corporations) have become "rich through the abundance of her luxury" (verse 3). Then, God calls to His true saints saying, "Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (verse 4). Here God is speaking to those Christians, who actually have the Spirit of Christ worshipping in these churches, but they are caught up in the deception of these counterfeit churches believing these false ministers and prophets represent God. These are the Christians who must go through the Great Tribulation, which God brings upon the earth to test those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:9-10 and 7:9-17). Unless, those true saints who are tried by this Great Tribulation come out of Babylon the Great, they will share in her sins and plagues from God. As you can see in Revelation 18:7, this Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots who are her daughters have "glorified herself", claiming she is God representative on the earth.

• Revelation 18
• The Fall of Babylon the Great
• 1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, "I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.' 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

This Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots has caused the nations and the people to commit spiritual fornication with her (she is a woman who glorified herself). God calls on His people to "come out of her" (think now who is God calling His people?). These are those Christians that’s among (attending one of these human organizations called churches) those who profess to be Christians but are not.

The passages below tell us that, we as true followers of Christ must not be friends of this world. We as true followers of Christ are not to be "yoked together with unbelievers", "for we are the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:14, 16). Then the Holy Spirit says to us as true followers of Christ, "come out from them and be separate, says the Lord" (2 Cor. 6:17). Question, do you think Christ Jesus wants us to come out from the people of this world? Or is He speaking of coming out from the churches of this world with their many doctrines? God is calling for us to come out from these churches masquerading as the Church of God. These churches are spiritual called the "synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9, 24, 3:9). If your hope is in this world, then you "love the world", and not the Father in heaven (1 John 2:15).

• 2 Corinthians 6
  Do Not Be Yoked With Unbelievers
  14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
• 1 John 2
• Do Not Love the World
• 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The punishment of Mystery, Babylon the Great is final. There was a "great earthquake", which divided the "great city" into three parts. Then it is said, "great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath" (Revelations 16:19). Those who "worships the beast and his image" are given the final warning to "fear God and give glory to Him" (Revelations 14:7, 9).

• Revelation 16
• 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
• Revelation 14
• 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 8 And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." 9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

Do you think God is speaking here in Revelation 14 of physical fornication or spiritual? Remember the context gives us the answer since the woman represent the churches of this world and with the false prophet at its head then this word fornication refers to spiritual harlotry. The kings and merchants of the earth who committed spiritual harlotry with Mystery Babylon will "weep and lament for her" (Revelation 18:9). They will be wailing and weeping, in mourning for the great city which is destroyed in one hour. And heaven, the holy apostles, and prophets are told to rejoice over her because "God has avenged" them on her (Revelation 18:20).

In Mystery, Babylon the Great, is "the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth" (Revelation 18:24). Babylon the Great deceived all the nations with her sorcery (Rev. 18:23). This Babylon will cause the killing and persecution of the true saints of God. As it is written, the souls of those previous slain for the word of God and the testimony they held, asked Christ Jesus, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on these who dwell on the earth?" And again it is said, "that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed" (Revelation 6:9-11). Therefore, this Babylon the Great will cause the death of the true followers of Christ Jesus.

• The World Mourns Babylon's Fall
• 9 "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, "Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' 11 "And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore:…13…, and bodies and souls of men. …16 and saying, "Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, "What is like this great city?' 19 "They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, "Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.' 20 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"
• Finality of Babylon's Fall
• 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore... 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."

Since the Holy Scriptures tell us that this Mystery, Babylon the Great, have the "souls of men", and she deceives the people. And this woman is clothed in scarlet having the  "blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth" in her (Rev. 17:1-6 and 18:13, 23-24). We have further identifying proof of this woman called "Mystery Babylon" by looking into the history of this evil and adulteous world. The first state religion came out of Babylon in history, at the tower of Babel and Nimrod, the civil and religious leader of the people. The phrase in Genesis 10:8 saying, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord"; means Nimrod was against the Lord, as leader of the people. Nimrod wanted to be worshipped by the people.

Now, the history of Nimrod as given by the people of Judah and legend. It is said that Nimrod tried to prevent the prophecy of God in Genesis 3:15, to send a Child forth who would be the Savior of the people of this world, and will crush the serpent in Genesis 3. This serpent has now grown into the great dragon of Revelation 12:9. Yes, it is even said Nimrod set himself up as one to be worship by the people, showing himself to be a "savior" of the people. Afterwards Nimrod and his mystery religion spurred on by his evil wife in history. This religion is spiritual called "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots" became the symbol and forerunner of all the religions of this evil and adulteous world with their deceptive teachings called spiritual "Satan's so-called deep secrets" (Rev. 2:24).  

Then we have the history of the state religion having its birth under the Roman empire. So-called "the Church" of this world, the state estalished religion which began with Constantine I, the Roman emperor 324-337 AD. This man-made religion forbid marriage in the 11th century, as it is written:

Back to the Holy Scriptures and this woman who deceives with sorcery (lying wonders, think back to the false prophet in Revelation 19:20…the false prophet who worked signs…by which he deceived those with the mark of the beast). Notice also, this woman has the bodies and souls of men giving us more evidence that this is representing the churches of this world (those attending these human organizations without God’s Spirit - deceiving and being deceived, Revelation 18:13). They will become more evident in the near future as those who are spoken of in:

• 2 Thessalonians 2
  The Great Apostasy
  Falling Away from Christ
  3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God….9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders...

This woman has the blood of God’s apostles, prophets, the saints, and all who are slain on this evil and adulterous planet. But God will repay her and her prophets with His wrath and avenge the blood of the people of God. Therefore, we must conclude that Mystery, Babylon the Great; the Mother of Harlots is a religious organization masquerading as the true Church of God. Christ refers to these churches, the daughters of Babylon as the "synagogue of Satan", where His true followers dwell also (Revelation 2:13). We as true followers of Christ Jesus must continue in the faith to the end, for we are the called, the chosen, and the faithful. God has judged the "great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her" (Revelation 19:2). Amen. Praise God.

• Revelation 19
• 1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her… 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone."