Revelation (Part 16)

Sight and Insight

“Blessed is he that watcheth”(Rev 16:15

Copyright ã 2003 Rivkah Ministries By M. Larry Perrino

In the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation we learned about the Biblical concept of hiding something in plain sight.  In the sixteenth chapter we will focus upon the concept of vision!     

Let us begin by reviewing one of the main mathematical concepts that we learned last time concerning the number fifteen.  We discovered that (15) is the fifth triangle number (a number which can be arranged to form a perfect equilateral triangle as seen above ).  We learned that by going up to the next level (the sixth triangle number, see above right) which is twenty-one, it could also be arranged to form the sixth equilateral triangle such that fifteen (indicative of a higher dimension) would represent that which is unseen beyond the internal six (number of man).  We learned that this number represents a mathematical image of the supernatural world, which obviously exists at a higher level than the natural world.   From the image we learn that the supernatural world is very much like the natural world; however, it cannot be observed by using our physical eyes because it is invisible!      

This does not mean that the supernatural world is imperceptible or beyond our discernment!  Indeed, through this lesson we are going to learn that we must first perceive that supernatural world in order to place the events described in the sixteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation in proper perspective.  

We are going to re-examine the Tower of Babel.  We know that Nimrod and the civilization over which he ruled built the tower.  In their strong-willed determination they built a tower as they said, “whose top may reach unto heaven” (Gen 11:4).  This expression was not mere hyperbole; indeed, it was an expression of their pride and was in fact a declaration of their rebellion toward God.   They continued, “let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Gen 11:4).  Let us begin; we have a lot to deal with before we investigate Babylon.

Since we have come to chapter sixteen of the Book of Revelation, let us begin by studying the number sixteen.  In and of itself, it does not give us very many ponderous Biblical concepts.  The first time that we see the number sixteen in Scripture we read, “These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls” (Gen 46:18).  This passage appears to merely bear record of the facts and does not seem on the surface to convey any deeper insight.      

We actually gain superior insight by counting the Biblical occurrences of the number sixteen, which occurs exactly 23 times in the Bible; and, you may recall that twenty-three is unquestionably associated with death!  Let’s review just a few of the Biblical examples associated with the meaning of the number twenty-three: in Genesis 23 we find a description of the death and burial of Sarah; the 23rd time that the name Noah is mentioned it shows up in Gen 7:23 and it says, “And every living substance was destroyed (died) which was upon the face of the ground” (Gen 7:23).  We are all familiar with the 23rd Psalm which describes the, “valley of the shadow of death;” indeed, the 23rd occurrence of the word “death” in the New Testament records, “them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79).  Notice Luke 23:23 “they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified (hung on a cross until death)!”  The word “hell” (abode of the dead) shows up exactly 23 times in the New Testament.  Just because sixteen shows up twenty-three times, it is closely associated with dying and death.  Is it coincidence that the word “war” shows up sixteen times in the New Testament?

We can learn a great deal from the sixteenth Hebrew letter Ayin (U,) the value of which is seventy (see table below).  Seventy is a significant component of all of the turning points that took place with respect to the nation of Israel; for example, Israel was 70 years in Babylonian captivity; 70 souls from the family of Israel went down into Egypt and their journey ultimately ended in captivity; etc.  We are going to learn that the sixteenth chapter of Revelation portrays the great turning point of all history as the corrupt Babylonish system influenced by satan the devil is replaced by the rule of the Messiah. 

Ayin (U) is said to be the letter of “sight and insight.”  To be sure, the Hebrew word “ayin” literally means, “eye.”  Obviously, the human eye is the organ of vision and sight.  Therefore, it should not surprise us when we learn in Revelation sixteen of that the eye of God has turned toward judgment.

The concept of “Divine Providence” draws a parallel to “the eyes of God;” the Sixteenth Letter (Ayin) denotes “the eyes of God.”  One famous rabbi claims, “The relationship between “eye” () in Hebrew and “sheep” () can be understood as the eye of the sheep continuously looking towards its shepherd and the eye of the shepherd always watching over his sheep.”  One of the main themes of Genesis sixteen is the emergence of the divine title “The God Who Sees.”  Notice a connection between “The God Who Sees,” and the date inscribed at the base of the unfinished pyramid on the Great Seal of the US; the “Eye of Providence” carefully watches their undertakings.   Notice the three groupings of three Roman numerals (triplets of numbers MDC CLX XVI which are separated between the doubled letters “CC” and “XX”).  Each number is a multiple of 16, which is the ordinal value of Ayin (Eye).  This means that the date 1776 naturally divides into multiples of powers of Ten when written in Roman numerical letters: 1776 = 16 x 100 + 16 x 10 + 16 x 1 = 16 (Eye) x 111(Aleph)

The number 111 happens to be the value of the name of the first letter (Aleph), which is generally considered to be God’s Initial since it is the first letter of   (Elohim, God).  The Lord (who is a trinity) designed these elements to reflect His triune nature as follows: 1 = A; Aleph = 111.  We can also observe how the number 1776 declares “the Eye of God.” 1776  = 16 (Eye) x 111 (Aleph) the product of which is “The Eye of God.”

Some claim that this interesting sum directly relates to the first Biblical statement of God’s vision or the “the Eye of God” as described in the passage, “And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness” (Gen 1:4).  Now notice an amazing “coincidence;” the sum of the twelve Hebrew words which comprise that passage is exactly 1776! (                                                                                                    ).        

Does the United States of America somehow establish a witness to God’s Light?   Is God’s fingerprint somehow impressed upon the United States?  Is there an association between the “Eye of God” and the Number 16?  Does the number 1776 which has been distributed across the entire planet on the back of every dollar bill have some significance?  If the answer to these questions is somehow, “Yes,” then only the Eyes of God could have integrated the date of our national birth within (u &  a) the “Eye of God ” in the Hebrew!

As we have observed, the reverse side of the Great Seal is described by some as the spiritual side of the seal.  It contains the 13-step pyramid with the year 1776 in Roman numerals inscribed upon its base.   Notice also that the summit of the pyramid displays the “Eye of Providence” in a triangle (you may recall the significance of triangle numbers from page one) surrounded by a Glory (rays of light as seen on each page in the upper right corner).  Along the lower circumference of the design appear the words Novus Ordo Seclorum; these words herald the beginning of the new order. 

When we deeply consider, we naturally conclude that the sun and stars are the only sources in the universe, which ultimately produce the light necessary for physical human eyesight!  It should not surprise us then, that the sixteenth verse of the Bible focuses upon these specific orbs required for human sight, “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also” (Gen 1:16).  In keeping with that concept of eyesight (vision), notice that Nehemiah happens to be the sixteenth book of the Bible; notice the focus of the sixteenth verse in the Book of Nehemiah, “if thy servant have found favour in thy sight” (Neh 2:5).

God said of Adam, “I will make him an help” (Gen 2:18); we are going to discover that Eve actually was intended to enhance Adam’s vision.  Notice that the Hebrew word for “help” forms a “word picture” of this Hebraic concept.  The Hebrew word Ayin (/yu) can be shortened to the single letter by the same name (u) and there is no loss of information; when this letter is combined with “zer” the Hebrew word for “enemy” it forms the word “help;” notice the following: (rz) which means “enemy” + (u) which means “eye” forms the Hebrew word Ezer (rzu) which means “help;” or more significantly, “one who sees the enemy!” 

The word “eyes” initially shows up in the third chapter of Genesis; and immediately, the devil focused Eve’s attention upon human sight, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened” (Gen 3:5).  Mother Eve obviously had her natural eyes open in order to even physically observe the serpent; therefore, the devil must have had the intention of obscuring Eve’s inner sight (the vision in her heart)!  We will get to the concept of “perceiving with the heart;” however, let’s first understand that the natural (flesh controlled) perception (insight) is subject to temptation, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened” (Gen 3:6-7).  Since Eve’s natural eyes were already open and since the Scripture notes the fact that, “the eyes of them both were opened,” the implication is that their eyes were opened to the whole concept of “disobedience toward God.”  In essence, the eyes of their heart became focused upon an evil influence and for that reason their heart’s eyes became closed to righteousness, “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” (Isa 6:10).  This passage clearly teaches that after “conversion” the heart is refreshed with the potential to once again understand (perceive) righteousness.  Moses explained, “the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see” (Deut 29:4).  From the Lord’s perspective, there is far more to vision, “the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). 

Notice how insight (vision of the heart) is thematically linked to both the sixteenth chapter & verse in the Gospel of Matthew, where Simon Peter answered Jesus and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16)!  Notice how Jesus then refers to revelation (insight), “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven!”  Jesus went on to say, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (the (stone) of revelation) I will build my church” (Matt 16:18).  Jesus declared that the church would be built upon the rock of revelation.  We refer to this passage as the “great confession;” notice how Peter’s confession is closely tied with two fundamental Hebrew words associated with revelation (Ayin, Eye)  and  (Ed, Witness).  At the very core of the concept “to witness” is the notion of eyes.  It should not surprise us that later in his Christian experience Peter (whose name is associated with the rock (stone) of revelation) described the insight that is available to the church; “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:4-9). x

In order to grasp the significance of the vision that was lost during the fall of Adam and Eve, we must focus upon the eyes of the heart!  The Bible is replete with events that illustrate that humans have the ability to see things that are beyond mere human eyesight, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).  This obviously means that the Christian somehow obtains the ability to walk by input which originates from the spirit realm.  When we operate by the flesh we rely upon reason and intellect; notice this exact condition with respect to two of Jesus’ disciples as they walked toward Emmaus, “it came to pass, that, while they communed (were involved in conversation) together and reasoned (here we observe the disciples completely relying upon their intellect and reason), Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden (ekratoúnto) that they should not know (perceive) him” (Luke 24:15-16).  Something held their eyes that they could not perceive Jesus!  That same Greek word (ekratoúnto)  which is translated “holden” is used in the following passage, “Herod had laid hold on (ekratoúnto) John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake” (Matt 14:3).  That Greek word literally means to grasp something and forcibly restrain it.  Therefore, the disciples could not see Jesus because something had forcibly restrained their ability to perceive.  Luke gives us a little different explanation of that same incident and hints at what it was that “held” the eyes of the disciples, “After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country” (Mark 16:12).  What we must realize is that Jesus possessed a glorified spiritual body after His resurrection, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).  We will recall that Mary saw Jesus near the tomb and could not recognize him.  We observe this same phenomenon before He went back into heaven, “And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt 28:17-18).  Obviously, there was some room for doubt in the minds of the disciples as they “saw” Jesus!  The Apostle John recorded toward the very end of his gospel, “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord” (John 21:12).  Obviously, the disciples could not openly recognize Jesus after His resurrection because He was spirit, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).  The disciples could only perceive Him by the spirit in their hearts!  The human inability to perceive the spirit realm began at the Garden of Eden; Jesus restored that ability to his disciples; but we must grow in the gift. 

The Hebrew word Ayin (/yu) has two interrelated meanings: (1) eye; and (2) fountain.  Sixteen also is related to the first occurrence of Ayin where it is used in the sense of “fountain,” “the angel of the LORD found her (Hagar) by a fountain (Ayin) Gen 16:7.  Actually, this sixteenth chapter unites the two literal meanings of Ayin.  This chapter contains the first occurrence of both literal meanings of the sixteenth letter.  In this chapter Abram and Sarai were yearning to see the effect of God’s promises; and, they came up with a natural solution, “he went in unto Hagar, (Sarai’s maid) and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes” (Gen 16:4).  Perhaps Sarai did not respond wisely to this situation, “Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee” (Gen 16:5).  In this passage we repeatedly observe the concept of eyes; we cannot get away from the meaning of the sixteenth letter throughout this whole chapter.  And the phenomenon persists; notice Hagar who had fled from Sarai, “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: ('Eel Rª'iy) for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? (Ro'iy)  14 Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; (Bª'eer- Lachay- Ro'iy) behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered” (Gen 16:13-14).  Obviously, the concept of seeing and a fountain are closely associated with the number sixteen.

When Israel was conquering the Promised Land the second city that was supposed to be vanquished was named Ai, (Ayin-yod), which is essentially an abbreviated form of the word Ayin (Ayin-Yod-Nun) (/yu).  Notice that with regard to Ai, the “Nun” is missing from "the eye."  During the conquest of Jericho, Achan coveted (the sin of the eye of the heart) forbidden booty.  Israel’s first defeat at Ai was the tragic result!  Israel experienced defeat in the battle of "the eye."  Coveting is the spiritual sin tied to the eyes of the heart! Only when coveting was atoned for, was Ai (the eye) given unto Israel. 

In much the same fashion as we have just observed with the dropped “Nun” from the name Ai, we find another Hebrew word Megiddo; however, this name receives an added “Nun” in only one passage, “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon” (Zech 12:11).  This segment from Zechariah correlates with a passage from the Book of Revelation, “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (Rev 16:16).  The Book of Zechariah is the only book in the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit inspired the use of the name Megiddon.  In all other references to this location it is always referenced as Megiddo.  These words (shown at left) differ only by the “Nun” suffix.  However, this difference is not without meaning since the “Nun” indicates an ongoing condition or perpetuity.  Zechariah says, “their eyes (Ayin) shall consume away in their holes” (Zech 14:12); obviously this passage corresponds to the meaning of Ayin (Eye). 

Babylon is going to fall!  The concept of Babylon includes the social, political and religious systems of the world.  The devil appropriated these systems, which were ordained by God to serve humanity for his own purposes.  He perverted these systems to the point that they now lead God’s people away from Him.  These systems must be destroyed!

We are going to discover that the sixteenth chapter of Revelation and chapters 12, 13, and 14 of the Book of Zechariah share several linking concepts as identified in the table below:

Since we now have a pretty good grasp of the meaning of sixteen and its relationship with eye, let’s begin to take a look at an outline of the sixteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation.  In this chapter the seven final plagues are described.  We will recall that earlier there were seven trumpet judgments, let’s compare these trumpet judgments with the final bowl judgments of chapter sixteen.

All rivers and fresh waters become blood. 

Everyday we can see yet a little more of the rise of Babylon in our human governments.  For example, we can see the devil at work to pervert and twist the definition of marriage.  This is especially insidious because marriage is clearly the first institution ordained of God.  Therefore, any attempt to twist the definition of marriage as established by God is only an effort on the part of the Babylonish system to poke its finger in the eye of God!

While the seven trumpets were warnings of God’s coming wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth, the seven bowl judgments represent His wrath in its full manifestation. In Revelation sixteen, we have a picture of God finally and completely dealing with man’s rebellious systems (Babylon).

The point is that God must eventually bring man’s rebellion to an end.  God’s judgment will come against those, who by their own choice reject God’s grace.  These rebels turn their backs on Him and instead give their allegiance to the beast who is controlled by satan.

Bowl #1: The Earth Stricken. As this bowl is poured out on the land, a plague of sores will infect the people.  These plagues are similar to the Egyptian experience.  This will be a world-wide punishment. The Greek word “sore” is the same that was used in the Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) to describe the boils that covered the body of Job.  In the New Testament, this same Greek word is used to describe the running sores that covered the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16.

Bowl #2: The Sea is stricken and everything in the sea dies.                          

Bowl#3: The Rivers are Stricken. In this punishment fresh waters, which sustain human life, are turned into blood.

Bowl #4: The Sky is Stricken.  The sun Scorches men!

Bowl #5: Torment. Whatever the force of bowl #5, it launches Babylon into total disarray and confusion.

Bowl #6: The Euphrates river dries up and releases untold horror.  The arrangements are set-up for the final great conflict to take place in a specific location called Armageddon.

Bowl #7: The great earthquake ushers in the end and brings about the total collapse and destruction of the whole satanic structure known as (Babylon)!

The Scripture records that, “the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded” (Gen 11:5).  Why didn’t God just stop the whole rebellion 4,500 years ago?  Why did God allow all of the subsequent horror to even take place?

We can begin to get our answer by looking at the prophet Daniel who was taken captive into Babylon.  Many years later he identified the Medo-Persian Empire as the next great kingdom to follow Babylon.  As a result of the government established by the Medes and the Persians, Daniel nearly lost his life.  Notice how all the counselors got together, “to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not” (Dan 6:7-8).  The point is that once a Medo-Persian king made a law it was irrevocable, “Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not” (Dan 6:12). 

Daniel had a personal relationship with the Medo-Persian king; however, notice that the king had to live in accordance with his own law, “Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him” (Dan 6:13-14).  No matter how much the king desired to help Daniel, he had to follow his own law, “these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Dan 6:15-16).

Notice this same legislative principle at work in the Book of Esther, “If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered” (Est 1:19).  As a result of this decree the king’s wife was dethroned and her property was to be given to another.  The point is that these people strongly believed that a man’s word was his bond!  They believed in this principle so strongly that the king himself could not break his own word once made into law! 

This concept seems rather extreme by the measuring stick of our modern society.  Generally, we believe that a man’s word should be his bond; however, we are far more forgiving than were the ancients.  You may remember that George Bush the first during his first presidential campaign claimed that he would not raise taxes; however, during his term of office he raised taxes; the point is that this action cost him a second term but not his life!  Obviously, he was able to adjust his word based upon changing conditions.

Let’s discuss the following question for just a few minutes, “Should a supreme ruler whether a king, première, prime minister or president be allowed to change his or her mind?” 

Let’s take a look at this whole concept from a Biblical perspective. God’s word is His bond!  “For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass . . . I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezek 12:25).  God’s word clearly accomplishes all of His purposes!  We read as Isaiah recorded, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa 55:11).  Isaiah earlier wrote of the Lord, “the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isa 45:23). 

Because he know that God’s word was his bond, Abraham believed God against all odds, “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken” (Rom 4:18).  God pronounced, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” (Ps 89:34).  Notice what Psalm 103 asserts, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening (listen for and reacting) unto the voice of his word” (Ps 103:20).  The angels in effect are spirit agents who listen for God’s word and perform what He has spoken.

The devil who sat upon God’s Holy Mountain (government) understood that God’s Word was His most treasured possession, “thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Ps 138:2).  God surely must have expressed to the whole angelic realm, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void” (Isa 55:11).  When God speaks it is settled, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps 119:89). 

The devil understood that because of His immutable word, God could not come and take back the authority given to man!  This is why God did not stop the rebellion at the tower of Babel some 4, 500 years ago!  According to God’s word, we “sons of God” have custody of the earth, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men” (Ps 115:16). 

In the very first chapter of the Bible God’s word declares, “let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth” (Gen 1:26).  God’s word kept Him from coming and taking authority back from humanity; He remains restricted by his own word!  Therefore, we Christians must follow Jesus’ words and take dominion over the earth back from the fallen angels, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).  Therefore, we must hold our ground until Jesus returns and Babylon is destroyed!  Jesus left us with the command, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).  This means that the eyes of the bride (Church) are open and she sees the enemy! 

Notice the seal (above), which shows the Egyptian army drowning in the sea as Moses stretches his hands over the waters.  The shekina glory of God is watching over the event.  This seal with the words, “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Almost became the official seal of the United States!  It clearly expresses what we Christians should be doing to wage a war against the Babylonish system, which has been influenced by satan the devil!