ancient Babylon: "A
drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up," (Jer. 50:38); and
"I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry," Jer. 51:36. Ancient
Babylon was situated on the river Euphrates, which contributed to the
wealth and greatness of the city, and was a means of its defence. The
kings of Media and Persia, from the east of Babylon, subjugated it by
diverting from the city the waters of the river, and entering by its
unprotected bed. The turning of the waters into other channels, fulfilled
the prediction that it should be dried up.

Waters, when used as a symbol, are explained to be "peoples, nations,"
&c., Rev. 17:15. In the 17th chapter of the Apocalypse, the angel informs
the revelator that he will show him "the judgment of the great harlot who
sitteth on many waters," (17:1); which implies that he had already seen a
vision to that effect. He is then shown a woman on a scarlet-colored beast
(v. 3), who is spoken of as sitting "on many waters" (v. 1), and on seven
mountains (v. 10), and who is affirmed to be the "great city, which
reigneth over the kings of the earth," v. 18. Under the seventh vial, the
"great city," which is "great Babylon," is divided into three parts
(16:19); and the inference is, that the harlot and ancient Babylon are
analogous symbols of the same organized agency; and, that the city was
here exhibited on the great river Euphrates.

As a woman clothed with sunbeams and crowned with stars (Rev. 12:1), and a
city illuminated with the glory of God (Rev. 21:10), are each symbols of
the true church, corresponding symbols of opposite moral characteristics
are appropriate representatives of a corrupt and apostate church. As
Jerusalem was the seat of the ancient church, so was Babylon the seat of
her oppressors. The former is addressed as a woman, and told to put on her
"beautiful garments," (Isa. 52:1); and Babylon is called the "daughter of
the Chaldeans," and "the lady of kingdoms," (Isa. 47:5): so that a woman,
and a city of corresponding character, may, interchangeably, symbolize the
same object. Consequently, the "Babylon," and the "harlot" of the
Apocalypse, both symbolize the corrupt Roman hierarchy.

Ancient Babylon is described as a harlot, and is addressed as one who
"dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures," (Jer. 51:13); whose
end was to come by her waters being dried up, 51:36. That city sustained a
relation to the waters on which it was situated, analogous