Sorry for the delay in responses, busy time of year.
Not sure, Amo, why you think it’s necessary to split hairs about Jesus’s death “AT Jerusalem” being different than His being crucified “outside the gate” of Jerusalem. It’s the same thing. The “place of the skull” actually IS the head of the Mount of Olives on the eastern side of Jerusalem. Tradition can be and often is mistaken regarding landmarks. Tour guides of Jerusalem’s sites are not infallible.
The main access road coming from “Ros” or the “head” of the Mount of Olives led from the crest of the Mount of Olives downhill to an eastern gate into the city. The Romans crucified Jesus at a point where all travelers into the city would likely pass and view His punishment taking place. Helped to instill fear and submission in the populace.
Do you remember when King David had to flee Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion? II Samuel 15:30 says that “David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up...”. “And it came to pass that when David was come to the top of the Mount, where he worshipped God, behold Hushai the Archite came to meet him...” (v. 32). Then in the next chapter 16:1, it says that “when David was a little past the top of the hill behold Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him...”(it’s “past Ros” in the LXX - which means “past the head” or “chief part” in Greek).
The place of Christ’s crucifixion is important to our conversation because you identify the great city of Rev 11:8 as Jerusalem, even though the verse itself specifically applies a spiritual application to it. If the verse is meant to be taken literally, then it would have simply stated it was Jerusalem. Or to be more literally accurate, it would have stated as other scripture does, that Christ was crucified outside the gates of the city.
The true identity of the great city mentioned no doubt lies within the definition of a city that is spiritually akin to Sodom or Egypt. It’s identification then, can no doubt be found in scriptural references to these infamous cities, and their connection to either old covenant Israel and or Jerusalem, or new covenant Israel and or Jerusalem which is all in Christ Jesus. Christ’s church is now the Israel of God, as the NT scriptures specify, therefore has she been given all the attributes of the same.
Exod 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
1 Pet 2:5 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.
1 Pet 2:9 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:
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.Israel was said to be a peculiar people of God, a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. The Church of Christ is given all the same attributes.
Hosea 1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.Though many of Israel would not be God’s people, yet the number of the children of Israel would be as the sand of the sea. This would be accomplished when those who were not called God’s people, should be called the sons of the living God. The Church is composed of those who were not the people of God, who became the people of God. They are the children of promise that are counted for the seed, which are the children of God. They are no longer strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the very household of God.
Deut 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.As Israel was called to be a holy people unto God, so the Church is called to be a holy people unto God.
Deut 4:20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,AS Israel were a people of inheritance to God, so the Church are a people of inheritance to God.
Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.As the Lord was the shepherd of Israel, so the Lord is the shepherd of the Church.
Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.As Israel was saved with everlasting salvation, so the Church is saved with eternal salvation.
Lev 26:11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
Exod 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary;that I may dwell among them.
Exod 29:44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.
45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.As God placed His temple in the midst of Israel, that He might dwell among them, so Christ became the living temple and dwelt among us. God became one of us, and therefore the living temple of God in human flesh. Christ’s church is now both corporately and individually the temple of God and body of Christ
(1 Cor 3:16&17, 6:19, Eph 2: 19-22, 1Cor 12:12-31). Now all who are in Christ are truly literal flesh and blood children of God.
Isa 54: 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Hosea 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
Jer 6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
2 Cor 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.As God was an husband to the nation of Israel, so now is the Church married to God in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a man and a woman become one flesh in marriage, so humanity and God became one flesh in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who literally became one with our human flesh in order to live the life we could not live, and die the death we could not die.
Thus all who are in Christ are the literal flesh and blood children of God. These things the old covenant nation of Israel only pointed to, have been accomplished upon us, the new covenant Israel of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. PRAISE GOD’S PURE, RIGHTEOUS, HOLY, UNDEFILED, AND AWESOME NAME IN AND THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR UNDESERVED SALVATION AND EXALTATION AS THE LITERAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD. Now all who are in Christ are the Israel of God, whether Jew or Gentile.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.Those who do not understand, or will not accept this biblical truth, will not ever properly understand biblical prophecy or the book of Revelation written for the new covenant Israel of God in Christ Jesus.
Now back to the topic of that great city, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. The scriptures have many references to Sodom and Egypt in connection with Israel and Jerusalem in the old testament. Even referring to Israel as Sodom during times of national apostasy
(Isa 1:9&10, 3:9, Jer 23:14), and a great deal about their whoredoms and harlotry in committing the abominations of Egypt during such times as well
(Jer. Chap. 42, 44, & Eze 20, & 23). Their sins and apostasy were practicing the abominations of Sodom and Egypt in the worship of their false gods, and turning back to and depending upon Egypt during times of crisis or war instead of God. Shall we not bring the same accusation against them in rejecting and crucifying Jesus Christ their Messiah, who is King of kings and Lord of lords? Did they not forsake God once again, and turn to the powers that be of this earth in His place, to destroy Him from their midst? Yes, they chose the power of the Roman empire over their own Messiah to remove His rebuking witness and testimony against their own pride and selfishness. Choosing the powers that be of this world and the evil one who claims it in defiance of God, they finally filled their cup of rejection and lost the kingdom of God forever.
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.Nevertheless, the remnant of Israel accepted their Messiah and established the new covenant Israel of God in Christ Jesus. The book of Revelation was written for God’s servants of the new covenant era, the churches of Christ Jesus our Lord, not Jerusalem or Israel of old who rejected their Messiah and lost the Kingdom of God to those alone who could ever produce the fruits thereof of by faith in Christ Jesus
(Rom 7:4-6, Gal 5:22-25, Eph 5:9&10). Thus does the book begin in addressing Christ’s servants and the seven churches. Its prophecies are not concerning Israel or Jerusalem of the old covenant, but rather spiritual Israel or Jerusalem of the new covenant, consisting of all in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who now compose the spiritual temple of God through whom the the Holy Spirit of God works unto reconciliation between God and humanity through the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.
The reference therefore to the great city in Rev 11:8 is not concerning literal Jerusalem of old where our Lord was crucified, but rather the apostasy of new covenant spiritual Israel, who crucified our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ afresh in committing the same sins and rebellion as old covenant Israel or Jerusalem before them. Who still to this day do as apostate Israel of old in adopting and practicing the abominations of Sodom and Egypt, while leaning upon the powers that be of this world above and over the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Not to mention the crucifixion of Christ over and again at every mass, claiming to create the literal flesh and blood of our Savior at each one, to be consumed unto salvation by the deceived. I speak of course of that great city of the book of Revelation, Babylon. Identified throughout history by authentic Christianity as the Roman Catholic church, which is verily an amalgamation of ancient pagan religion and apostate “Christianity” dependent upon the power of the state for sustenance and establishment.
Therefore is she also the main instrument in adopting and amalgamating all the religions, politics, philosophies, sciences, trades, crafts, arts, merchants, and entertainers of this world into one unified front in rebellion against God under her ancient banner. Being herself the manifestation of the body and temple of the evil one, as apposed to Christ’s church, the body and temple of God. These two peoples, temples, bodies, cities, kingdoms, harvests, or what have you, will continue the battle which started in heaven under the rebellion of Lucifer until the end. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return as King of kings and Lord of lord’s unto judgment upon and for all. The harvests are almost ready to be reaped and the rebellion ended once and for all
(Rev 14:6-20).
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
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18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
No 3Resurrections, all of the above testimony is not regarding literal Israel or Jerusalem of old. It is not the history of the destruction of literal Jerusalem which was already foretold by our Lord when here among us in the flesh, and which likely happened before the book of Revelation was written. It was written to and for the church of Christ during this new covenant era. God always provides prophetic testimony for His people to guide them through the events of history as they unfold, that they might know where they stand and what their duty is for any particular time in relation to the same. He has not left His people without prophetic guidance for the last two thousand years. And the battle for the souls of humanity between God and Satan is not and has not been over for the past two thousand years either. As the evil one himself would have all believe. The NT scriptures conclusively refute this deception authored by the evil one himself.
Literal Israel or Jerusalem never fulfilled the details of global influence, confederacy, and conformity the great city described in the book of Revelation accomplishes. She never even came in contact with all the kings of the earth during her existence, let alone committed fornication with all of them. Not to mention all the merchants, tradesman, craftsman, entertainers and what have you, of the world either. None of this was even possible before God set up and determined the universal nature of the kingdoms of God and man in this world in this new covenant era. Which itself was instituted in order to allow for all decisions to be made in a single generation, that an end might be accomplished through the same. Therefore is the gospel commission unto all the world until the end, and BABYLON THE GREAT’S endeavors are of a global nature of forced submission until the end. So be it according to God’s design and revealed prophetic will.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.