The destruction of Babylon

“Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’” Revelation 18:10
At the climax of the Great Tribulation, we see the destruction of a city called Babylon. This city will be the headquarters of the Antichrist’s one-world government. It will also be home to the one-world religion, led by the false prophet, Antichrist’s right hand man (see Rev. 17:5). Many theories have been put forward as to the identity of this city. Some have suggested Rome, others New York (because of Rev. 18:17-18), or another European city (because they believe the Antichrist will arise out of the European Union).
However, I personally believe – and you are welcome to disagree with me! – that the city here called Babylon is actually the literal city of Babylon, in Iraq. There are several reasons for this.
Most importantly, Jeremiah and other prophets prophesied about the complete and utter destruction of Babylon: no-one would inhabit her any more (Jer. 50:39, 51:37, 51:43), she would be destroyed by fire (Jer. 50:32), the waters dried up (Jer. 50:38, see Rev. 16:12), she would be overthrown by God like He did to Sodom and Gomorrah (Jer. 50:40), it would happen in the time of the Lord’s vengeance – a term frequently used of the Tribulation (Jer. 51:6), no-one would rebuild her (Jer. 51:26). It’s safe to say that none of these things have happened yet. Babylon still exists today, and people live there. Although Babylon was captured several times, it was never destroyed in the way that the Bible tells us it will be.
Secondly, Babylon was the original city of sin, built by Nimrod in defiance to God (Gen. 10:8-10). The Tribulation period is when God will judge the sin of the world, and God’s justice will not allow this city to go unpunished.
Thirdly, it is not that hard to imagine the Antichrist establishing Babylon as his headquarters. He will rise up appearing to be a man of peace, most likely he will be the person who solves the Middle East peace problems. It could be a sentiment of looking back to ancient times, that he chooses to establish Babylon as his capital – a city with no recent history and less politically-charged ties to a nation or people group than cities such as Baghdad or Jerusalem: a sort of ‘neutral ground’, if you will.
Anyway, this is my view on the subject.