Verses:
1, 2:
The future character of "Babylon" foretold.
[2]
3-11:
This was not known to those who made common cause with "Babylon."
[2]
12, 13:
They were blinded,
[2]
14-30:
but it was disclosed by revelation from the Lord to those who were of the church.
[2]
31-35:
The progress of the Babylonish religion follows: first the rulers would learn and teach the goods and truths of heaven and the church; and afterwards they would backslide, until nothing remained except what was adulterated, thus what was merely false and evil, and then the Lord would come.
[2]
36-38:
First the Word will be taught there according to truths of doctrine drawn from it.
[2]
39:
Afterwards the church will prevail, not from spiritual good, but from natural good.
[2]
40-43:
Finally all good and truth will be changed by adulterations into evil and falsity, prevailing only through civil diabolic power.
[3]
44, 45:
Then the Lord will come, and destroy that religion, and will institute a church that will be in Divine truth from Him.
[1, 3, 11]
46-49:
This was the beginning of "Babylon," when it worshipped the God of heaven, and magnified doctrine from the Word.
[2]