Pieces of the Puzzle: Convergence of End Time Prophecies

   Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isaiah 46:10  

   In my humble opinion, man likes to rush God, in order to 'adjust God's time clock' and 'move things along.' Impatience is a human character flaw, contrasting with the fruit of the spirit: Galatians 5:22. But, in the end, our God, who is infinite, beyond the constraints of time and space, is the one in control, and all things are done according to His will.  

   His timing is not our timing, for his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are higher than our understanding. For as the heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts: Isaiah 55:9. 

   Delays can be seen as preparations, preparing for events that will soon transpire and come to pass. Some delays are things that affect us personally, while others are part of a bigger picture, pointing to future prophetic events. 

   One of these future events is the convergence of prophecies found in Revelation 13, 17 and 18, which lay out a series of events that transpire at the end of days, the final few years of world history before the second coming - the return of Christ Jesus. Revelation 13 presents an overview of the Antichrist kingdom, the beast of ten horns (iron) who rises from the sea R 13:1-4, with its religious system - a beast of two horns who rises from the earth (clay). These two systems rise to seize world power, in the latter days: 

Revelation 17:7 - Mystery of the Woman and the Beast that Carries Her

 Revelation 17:7

   And the angel said unto me, wherefore did thou marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 

   This verse can be broken down into 4 characters: John, the angel, the woman and the beast. The verse reflects a mystery which surrounds the woman, followed by another mystery which surrounds the beast of ten horns. The mystery of the woman is fairly simple, the woman is a commercially corrupt trader, a great city which rules over the kings of the earth in the latter days. The mystery of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns is a bit more complex. 

   The angel: the angel is one of the seven angels with one of the seven vials. His mission was to carry John into the wilderness and show him the judgement of the great (English: prostitute / harlot: - Greek: πόρνης ..... commercially corrupt one) who sits on many waters, fornicating with the kings of the earth: 17:1. 

Daniel 7: Order of Events - The Final King

Daniel 7: Order of events Part 1: Four Beast Kingdoms: 

   Daniel had a dream, a night vision in the first year of Belshazzar. Belshazzar was regent king who ruled in place of his Father, King Nabonidus who ruled the Babylon kingdom  from: 556-539 B.C.. King Nabonidus spent most of his time traveling to Arabia to worship the crescent moon god, whose origins can be traced to the ancient city of UR. He spent more time in Arabia, then he did in Babylon worshiping Marduk, the god of Babylon. 

   As Daniel's night vision unfolds, he sees the four winds of heaven stir the great sea with such force, that four beast rose from the churning depths. Beast is translated from the Aramaic חֵיוְתָא which means - animal. An animal can be a beast of the field such as oxen: Daniel 4.32 or, a beast that prowls the wilderness in search of prey, a lion, bear, leopard or, beast of ten horns: Daniel 7. Daniel tells us that each beast represents a kingdom. 

   The four beast are four kingdoms which parallel four metals in Nebuchadnezzars dream image; gold, silver, brass and the iron - which is mixed with the shard clay. Three kingdoms ruled the middle east with kings who lived in Babylon. The Chaldeans ruled the middle east from Babylon, King Darius took the kingdom the night of the writing on the wall: Daniel 5; 5:31; 6:28, and, the prophesized fall of Babylon began. Alexander the Great ruled the middle east from his home-base in Babylon, where he later died. Alexander was the last ruling king connected to the dream image in Daniel 2, which provides the historical timeline of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom and, the future role of Babylon in the latter days. 

  Three kings have come and gone... the fourth kingdom provides the final king. 

Code Words in Bible Prophecy

 The Use of Code Words? Are They Scriptural?: 

     ...  Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath: Revelation 16:19b.... And the woman whom you saw is that great city, which has kingship over the kings of the earth.

   In the end of days, there is a destruction of Babylon, the great city who sits on many waters, ruling over the kings of the earth. In order for a destruction to occur, there needs to be a great city - Rev 17, which is also a merchant port - Rev 18. 

   Babylon aka: Babel, the land of Nimrod, is located in the land of Shinar, the land between the rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris. In Zechariah 5:5-11 a woman named Wickedness is sealed inside an ephah (measuring basket for commerce) and transported to the land of Shinar where a temple is built for her. Inside the temple, the woman and the ephah are  placed upon a pedestal: for worship. It is easy to see where the woman and the ephah are going by reading scripture as written - the land of Shinar, the region of Babylonia. 

   The Bible is consistent with the location of Babylon, man, not so much. In scripture, Babylon is always Babylon. But when we get to the prophetic significance of Babylon found in Revelation 14:8; 16:19b; 17:1-18; 18:1-24, something changes; Babylon is no longer  Babylon. The prophetic significance of Babylon in the last days has been removed, and Babylon becomes a 'code word', indicating that Babylon is somewhere other than Babylon.

Expecting the Little Horn aka: Antichrist? Not so fast!

 The Fourth Kingdom - the Kingdom of Antichrist, the King's Image and the Beast:  

   Before the Antichrist can waltz out on the world stage and fill the role of global dictator, several things must be in place; Daniel's fourth kingdom, the beast of ten horns, must be in position of global dominance and, ten kings must rise out of this kingdom. 

   There are two prophetic portrayals of the fourth kingdom found in Daniel; the fourth beast of ten horns: Daniel 7:7-25 and, the feet and toes of iron and shard clay: Daniel 2:40--45. The fourth beast, is the kingdom from where ten horns or ten kings will rise, followed by a little horn aka: antichrist - making the fourth kingdom, the tribulation-antichrist kingdom. This is the kingdom which rises from the sea before the second coming of Christ Jesus: Revelation 13:1-4. 

   Daniel 2:44 tells us that in the days of these kings, the God of heaven shall set up his kingdom which will never be destroyed. By scriptural reference, the feet and toes are the fourth kingdom, paralleling the beast of ten horns, which will rise in the end of days as the tribulation - antichrist kingdom. After the prophetic time period of of Babylon's decline and desolation - the fall of Babylon has been fulfilled; the fourth kingdom will rise to seize world power. God decides when this will be. 

   Nebuchadnezzar, ruled the entire middle east from Babylon. This kingdom was given to him by the God of heaven and, he became God's servant: Daniel 2:37-38, also Jeremiah 27:6-7; 43:10. The King was plagued by a dream that haunted his waking hours and he tossed and turned in his bed. Nebuchadnezzar, the prideful king: Daniel 4:20, dreamt about the future of his kingdom and what would become of it in the last days: Daniel 2:28,29. The dream image reveals the answers while, Rev 13:1-4 is the prophetic fulfillment of the fourth kingdom; the tribulation - antichrist kingdom, which rises in the latter days.  

Babylon the Great: Rome or Babylon?

   The prophecy of Revelation 17 details a great city, metaphorically depicted as a woman, who sits in the wilderness with her companion; a beast with seven heads and ten horns. The woman, dressed in scarlet and purple is a bastion of spiritual depravity, who has kingship over the kings of the earth in the last days. She is economically corrupt, a habitation of foul spirits, regulating a religious merchant system of buying and selling. 

   During the time period of great tribulation, those who wonder after the beast: R 13:3b; 17:8b, will bow in submission before its image, its name, or the number of the name of it, and receive a mark. The mark is worn on the right hand or the forehead, granting special privileges to buy and sell: 13:15-17. Those who refuse this global ordinance will be killed. 

   The woman, that great city who rules over the kings of the earth, is an economic powerhouse, regulating the flow of merchandise tied to the spiritual harlotry of buying and selling.... in the last days: 17:1; 18:3,11-19. And, for this harlotry, she faces judgement.

   ...  Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath: Revelation 16:19b

    John is in the midst of great tribulation, serving as a witness, watching it unfold, when an Angel appears. The Angel arrives to explain why Babylon has been singled out for  judgement. The Angel shows John the judgement of the woman arrayed in scarlet and purple, adorned with the riches of the world. The name written upon her forehead: Babylon the Great indicates a middle eastern location, in the heart of the ancient Babylonian kingdom. In order for a judgement to occur, there needs to be a merchant city in the land of Shinar, the land between the rivers, home of the ancient Babylonian kingdom. 

   Revelation 17 - 18 details a great city which will exist in the future. But over the course of history,  Babylon has been removed from prophecy, and exchanged with Rome. Not only has Babylon been replaced by Rome, but, the prophetic significance of the entire middle east in the end of days, has been replaced by Europe. 

   Somewhere down the line, Rome replaced Babylon; removing the prophetic significance of Babylon in the last days.  

Revelation 18: Babylon the Great, The Merchant Port City

   Babylon the Great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His  fierce wrath...  

   Revelation 17 begins with an interlude; a pause from the events of the great tribulation. One of the seven angels with one of the seven bowls took John by the spirit, into the wilderness, a barren and desolate desert to show John why Babylon was singled out for judgement: 17:1-3. Here John sees a woman dressed in scarlet and purple, adorned with the riches of the world carried upon the seven heads (seven kingdoms) of a scarlet beast, which has ten horns (ten kings). The beast kingdom is full of blasphemy - blasphemous men and women who mock the God of heaven, blaspheming his name, his tabernacle and those in heaven: 13:6, while worshiping a false and malicious god: 13:4a. 

   The woman sits upon many waters - seven world kingdoms, that belong to the beast, demonstrating her ruling power over the kings of the earth, and many peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. She is drunk on power and the golden cup in her hands is full of vile and abominable things. The name written on her forehead is one of mystery; Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth; indicating a middle east location. 

   John also witnessed a plot of vengeance, a conspiracy, against the woman, organized by ten horns / ten kings who rise from the head of the beast; placing Daniel's fourth beast into the tribulation period: Daniel 7. The fourth beast is an amalgamation of three previous beast kingdoms which ruled the middle east: the lion, the bear and the leopard: Daniel 7:7,19; Revelation 13:2a. The angel identifies the woman, Babylon the Great, as that great city, who rules over the kings of the earth in verse 18. 

   After John is shown all these things, a second angel comes down from heaven having great power and, lightens the earth with his glory:18:1. John isn't taken in the spirit, when the second angel arrives, indicating that John and the first angel are still in the wilderness, where the beast, and the woman are located: 17:3. 

The Image and the Mark: Revelation 13:11-17

   Which comes first, the baby or the birth pains? Any mother will tell you, that birth pains arrive before the baby does. What we are witnessing, is the rise of global birth pains; wars and threats of wars, famines and earthquakes, the beginning of sorrows - the birth pains that precede the baby's arrival. The baby represents the birth of a new era; the second coming of Christ Jesus. 

   The same logic applies to the image and the mark. You can not have the mark without the image. The image must be in existence before the mark is enforced. Just as the birth pains come before the baby, the image comes before the mark. 

   So, where is it? 

   We often hear about how this or that is the 'mark of the beast.' It's a barcode, a jab, A.I., a microchip, digital I.D., Sunday law, a fingerprint, an eye scan, our cell phones, a brain implant, an electronic pill.... If 'this and that' is the 'mark of the beast', then, where is the image? What is it and, when was submission to an image required to make everyday purchases? 

Idols of Gold and Silver: Revelation 9:20-21

   And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

 

   These two verses sum up the events following the sixth trumpet judgement, focusing on the unrepentant state of a godless population. The two-thirds 2/3 who are still alive after one-third 1/3 of the population is killed: (Rev 9:13-19), flock to the altar of self-indulgence to worship the Babylon gods of gold, silver, brass, wood and stone. 

   Mankind has turned primal; driven to madness by the demons they worship. They commit mass murders, and are addicted to potions of mind-altering drugs. They remain unrepentant of their evil works: murders, wicked acts of fornication, thefts and sorceries. Sorceries is a translation from the Greek word; pharmakōn - drugs: toxins and poisons used with spirit channeling, demon summoning and spell-binding. Wickedness rules a world where lawlessness abounds.  

Revelation 13 Rise of the False Prophet

Beast Out of the Earth: The False Prophet: 

   The beast out of the earth represents the religion or, religious system of the first beast; the beast out of the sea.  

   The beast out of the sea is a kingdom, specifically recognized by ten his kings, and the eleventh king; the little horn or, antichrist. The beast out of the earth is the religion or religious system of the first beast, recognized by its 'king'; the false prophet. The beast out of the earth (clay) has the same power of the first beast: the beast out of the sea.

   During the tribulation period, the beast kingdom (iron) is regulated by its religious system (clay). This religious system  is governed by the sorcerer, the false prophet. This is the religious system that is filled with enmity, attacking Israel and those who have the testimony of Christ Jesus: R 12:17. 

   False prophet is from the Greek 5578: ψευδοπροφητης - pseudoprophétés, to prophesize falsely, a medium. This should come as no surprise, as the beast out of the earth, speaks the words of the red dragon: the murderer, the father of lies: Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:11; John 8:44. The false prophet works as a religious cheerleader, promoting the authority of the first beast; the kingdom which rises from the depths of the abyss, and its king; the little horn. 

   The false prophet is a high priest, a sorcerer, the master magician who rules in the kings court, performing great signs and wonders, deceiving those who dwell upon the earth. These signs and wonders are nothing new, as they have been practiced by sorcerers and magicians, throughout the post-flood Mesopotamia, for thousands of years. The courts of the Kings, along with the palaces of the Pharaohs, were filled with false prophets: magicians, sorcerers, seers, diviners, enchanters and necromancers; working in service to their kings. 

   This is what the false prophet represents; a master magician working in service to the king and, his kingdom. 

Hermeneutics - Bible Interpretation 101

Bible Interpretation 101:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

   I recently watched an outstanding teaching by Mondo Gonzales from Prophecy Watchers entitled "Walking into the Antichrist's Trap." While I listened, I noticed a consistent pattern of Hermeneutics concerning Israel, the future covenant and the role of antichrist in the end days. He flawlessly weaved prophecy together in harmony with scripture; intertwining Daniel with Revelation in unity. This is how interpretive scripture works.

   I had done an independent study on the 'principles of Hermeneutics' eons ago, so I dug out those old notes, and walked down memory lane. These principles had guided my studies of prophecy, which has been ongoing for nearly four decades. I investigate, analyze and scrutinize prophetic scripture, always have, always will. The most amazing thing with this method of interpretation is, the more you analyze and scrutinize, the more the Bible reveals. 

   When studying prophecy, “I think" or, "I believe" is a great way to begin a brainstorming session or, in-depth study in a group setting, but, they are not proper biblical hermeneutical principles.

  Hermeneutics is a big word for a simple principle; it is the theory and methodology of interpretation; the 'how' of interpretation. It is based upon scripture and methodical interpretation; not assumptions or, general beliefs that lack proof or scriptural support - scripture interprets scripture. 

Seed of the Serpent Genesis 3:15

And, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it (the seed) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15.

   Year's ago, Pentecostal minister, William Branham took this verse and added to it, falsely teaching that Satan had impregnated Eve with the seed of Cain. Though it has no biblical basis, it began a series of Bible awareness surrounding the seed of Satan. 

   The mention of the serpents seed is in Genesis 3:15, suggests that there are two seeds; a good seed, and a bad seed. Enmity is placed between the woman's seed and the bad seed, purposely causing a divide. Enmity is a deep seated hatred or hostility, between individuals or people groups, centered around the sovereignty of God, and the light of Christ Jesus. This represents an age old conflict between good and evil; a spiritual battle of sin and rebellion, and obedience to God. 

   In the Bible we find a stark contrast between two kingdoms; the kingdom of God (light) and the kingdom of Satan (darkness)  This spiritual division wrestles for the soul of man.  The seed of man is the soul; and every seed has its own body. The seed defines the division between the two kingdoms.

Simplified Overview Revelation 13 - Rise of the Beast Kingdom

    Revelation 13 can be broken down into four distinct characters, the red dragon, the beast kingdom, the little horn (antichrist), the beast out of the earth, aka: the false prophet: the  magician or sorcerer.

    Mesopotamian kingdoms had a slew of false prophets: magicians, sorcerers, star gazers,  necromancers, mediums with familiar spirits, wise men, and dream interpreters in the kings court. This is what the false prophet represents, a master magician who rules in the kings court, in service to the king and his kingdom. 

The Simplified Overview:  

Rise of the beast kingdom. Revelation 13:1-4

Rise of the little horn or antichrist: Revelation 13:5 - 10 

Rise of the false prophet: Revelation 13:11-16 

Rise of the dragons power: Revelation 13:2b, 5b 

   Of the four, the rise of the beast is the most complicated as it is the most complex. What makes it so complex is the amount of detail involved in his genetic makeup. The beast has many parts and pieces, which work together as a collective whole. There are three previous beast kingdoms, ten horns with crowns, and seven heads; and, one of his heads was slain and mortally wounded. But, when John saw the beast rise from the sea, the mortal wound was healed. There is also a bit of Biblical and historical knowledge needed to navigate the rise of previous 'beast' kingdoms and, their geographical locations. 

   Middle eastern kingdoms simply absorbed the conquered ones, expanding their territorial boundaries. These ancient territorial markers set the boundaries for the antichrist kingdom. 

That Great City: Revelation 17:18

   But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days: 2 Timothy 3:1.

   Revelation: Greek  ἀποκάλυψις - Apokalypsis - to uncover or unveil.  

   Revelation presents a series of events which occur before the second coming of Christ Jesus. This time period is most often referred to as: the 7-year tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble, the 70th week, the last days, the latter days, the end of days or the end times. 

   The end of days will be a time of great tribulation, unlike anything the world has ever seen: a conversion of war, famine, pestilence, natural catastrophes, cosmic disturbances, plagues and divine judgements. The end of days also includes the construction of the third temple, making Jerusalem a cup of drunken trembling for the nations: Zechariah 12:2-3, and, two  witnesses will rise to prophesize for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. But, these are only a few of the things, that mark the time of the end. 

   Knowledge of these future events, help to identify these end time markers as they become visible. The most compelling future event is the prophecy found in Revelation 13  - the rise of the beast out of the sea - the tribulation kingdom of antichrist. The beast out of the sea is a vicious and brutal kingdom which has seven heads (seven kingdoms) and ten horns (ten kings): R 13:1-4. There is also a second beast which rises from the earth: R 13:11, which has two horns 'like a lamb' and speaks the words of the red dragon. This Beast out of the earth (clay) is the religious system of the first beast - the beast out of the sea (iron). 

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:3

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those words. Some of the English translations were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account, detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used gives us a clearer picture of what John was witnessing while in the spirit. 

   In verse 7 the angel tells John that he will tell him the mystery of the woman and the beast that carries her. The angel begins to explain a succession of events surrounding the beast who carries the woman upon his seven heads. The angel begins with the beast in verse 8, but does not give John much more information concerning the woman  until the very last verse,  Here, the angel tells John that the woman which he saw was that great (μεγας) city (πολις) which reigns over the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:18. This verse transitions chapter 17 into chapter 18.

   In the Greek, μεγας, mega translates into English as great, huge, enormous by volume, overtly large by physical size. 

   πολις or, polis for city is defined in the Greek as a walled city, mother city, magistrate city of many, that dominates well defined territory: Babylon the Great.

   So now we know that the woman is a metaphor for a extremely large city. 

Seven Heads of the Beast Revelation 13

   1) "And I stood on the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (kingdom) rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2) And the beast that I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat (throne) and great authority. 3) And I saw one of his heads as it were (slain) wounded to death,(εσφαγμενην), and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." 

   John is instructed to document and record a series of events: the things which he had seen, the things that are, and the things which shall be hereafter. (Revelation 1:19). After the seven letters to the seven churches, John is shown a door in heaven and is taken in the spirit. The large majority of the things recorded in Revelation consists of futuristic events, that extended far beyond John's world, to the end of the age. These events transpire during the last seven years of human history and move the reader forward, into the the time of the end. 

  We are told that Revelation is full of prophetic symbolic imagery and it's hard to understand so, we expect to be confounded and confused. We were told how scripture should be interpreted and now, we hold onto centuries-old interpretations for dear life and pass them on, conditioning future generations. One of these ancient interpretations is the theory, that the seven heads of the beast, are the seven hills of Rome, moving the beast back in time. 

   The majority of Revelation consists of the witness statement written by John; the  documented account of the events he viewed 'which shall be hereafter,' These events were witnessed and recorded while John was in the spirit on the Lords day. Much of his witness statement is contested by bible students and scholars who don't quite agree with the timing or, the imagery that John saw and documented. Most of the symbology and imagery is found in the prophetic books of the old testament and, Revelation can be viewed from a biblical perspective based upon these ancient writings. 

   Many religious sects add more to scripture then what is detailed by John. It's important to read scripture as written and avoid the additional inflections that may add or, take away from the words that John had written: Revelation 22:18-19. 

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:1

   And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great whore πόρνης that sits upon many waters. Revelation 17:1

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those words. Some of the English translations (in my opinion) were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used offers a clearer picture of what John was witnessing, while in the spirit. 

   For example the Greek word translated into the English as great (megas) 'prostitute' is  πόρνης which means commercially corrupt one, to export or sell products or commodities immorally for profit or gain. This is generally defined or translated into English by its root πόρνη which is simply pornēs, prostitute or prostitution. This is where the term harlot, wh0re or, prostitute originated from, the root of πόρνης. 

Revelation 13:3 King or Kingdom?

    I was a little late to the Revelation 13:3 social media party and almost missed it completely. After the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald J Trump, social media lit up with Revelation 13:3 quotes. This was mostly from those who don't study scripture but, are quick to use it to serve their purposes or, fit a specific narrative which has become common practice. Most comments were quite misguided, even delusional, misquoting scripture. 

   "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" 

   The bullet grazed former President Trump's ear, whereas, the alleged shooter received a deadly head wound which ended his life and no, he will not rise again. But, the scriptural reference was directed at former President Trump and his wounded ear. Heads represent kingdoms, horns represent kings, Is Trump a kingdom? Is he a kingdom that belongs to the beast that rises from the sea, mid-tribulation? Is he even a sitting President right now? Is he a leader (king) of a middle eastern world kingdom? No, of course not. 

   Why doesn't scripture say one of the horns was wounded as to death if this verse represents a deadly head wound upon a man; a king? Because it's not a man, it's a kingdom. 

   Let me explain: 

   Revelation 13:1-4 details the rise of the antichrist-tribulation kingdom aka: the beast of ten horns, who parallels the feet and toes of iron and clay.  

Dreams of a King Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar's Prophetic Dream

   Upon claiming the throne (605 BC) after the death of his father, King Nabopolassar, King Nebuchadnezzar II inherited a bunch of mystic advisors that had once served his father. These wise men were collaborators of the dark arts who worked in service to the King. The mystic advisors were the best the kingdom had to offer, Egyptian magicians, Canaanite fortunetellers, Aramaic astrologers, and Chaldean dream interpreters. There were also soothsayers, diviners,  sorcerers, enchanters, conjurers, and illusionist available to provide counsel unto the new king.  

   But none would come close to doing what the king requested.

   King Nebuchadnezzar II was haunted by a dream that mesmerized his soul. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, the details of his dream evaporating as soon as he woke. It intrigued  him so deeply that he called upon his court of dream translators, sorcerers, astrologers, and magicians to reveal his dream, and the meaning of it.   

   He was desperate to know the interpretation of the mysterious dream that evaded his waking moments. 

Hislop and the Mother Child Religion

   The argument used by Alexander Hislop to explain the mystery religion or, the mother - child worship predominant in the Catholic church is that every false religion in the world is connected to the worship of a woman named Semiramis and her child, Tammuz, the reincarnation of Nimrod. His argument is that the mother-child religion flooded the entire world after the fall of Babel to honor or replicate the worship of Semiramis and Tammuz. He claims that these are the same beings with different names since the languages had changed. 

    His argument is that Mary and Jesus are simply imitations of Semiramis and Tammuz reintroduced into religion, and the birth of Christ Jesus, was a replacement for this ancient Babylonian mystery religion. He ignores any reference to the rise of fertility cults consisting of a variety of deities that dominated the Mesopotamia. 

   History shows that the Mesopotamia was filled with a mixed combination of occult  rituals, idol worshipers and a saturation of fertility religions post-flood. History has no mention of a woman named Semiramis until the 8th century BC, long after the tower of Babel fell and, Nimrod no longer walked the earth. Her memory was expounded upon, and included in the writings of many Greek historians, beginning with Greek physician and historian, Ctesias (5-4th C BC) who connected her to a mythological character, King Ninus. 

   According to Greek mythology, King Ninus ruled Assyria in 3000 BC. These myths and legends are what many historians, including Alexander Hislop, based their research on.