Isaiah 47:1

Virgin daughter. Compare “virgin, the daughter of Zion” (Isa. 37:22), “of Egypt” (Jer. 46:11). In contrast, Babylon was a harlot (cf. Rev. 17:1, 5). The prostitutes connected with ancient Oriental temples were often spoken of as “sacred virgins,” but they were neither virgin nor holy. Babylon boasted of her religion, which outwardly appeared a thing of glory and beauty, but inwardly was an abomination. Compare Rev. 17:4. The prophet here unmasks the “virgin daughter” and reveals her shame. Instead of sitting on a throne she is to take her place where she belongs, in the dust of the earth, a symbol of mourning and desolation (cf. Isa. 3:26).

Careful readers of the book of Revelation have noted the great similarity between much of its symbolism and the language of certain passages in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. It is apparent that John, guided by Inspiration, borrowed extensively from the language of the prophets of old, in order to set forth the future experiences of the church in terms that would be familiar and meaningful to the careful reader of the OT. Oppression by, and the subsequent desolation of, literal Babylon provided John with a pictorial description of the oppression of God’s remnant people by mystical Babylon and of the eventual desolation of the latter. The symbolism and the language of the book of Revelation become more clear and meaningful when studied in the light of what the prophets of old wrote concerning events of their era. Various aspects of the punishment of literal Babylon as set forth in Isa. 47 are thus of value in connection with a study of the punishment of mystical Babylon, presented in Rev. 16 to 19. Note the following: