16. What are the “waters” on which modern Babylon sits, and what parallel is there in this with ancient Babylon?

¹⁶ Another similarity exists between ancient and modern Babylon, one having to do with the manner of their destruction. Ancient Babylon sat on waters, the literal waters of the Euphrates River. Modern Babylon also “sits on many waters,” says Revelation 17:1. What are these waters? God’s Word answers: “The waters that you saw, where the harlot is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.” (Rev. 17:15) Note that the overthrow of ancient Babylon was immediately preceded by the dropping of the literal waters of the Euphrates River. Is there a similar dropping of the symbolic waters (humans) from underneath modern Babylon? Yes, there is, and it is taking place right before our very eyes!​—Rev. 16:1, 12.

HOW THE “MANY WATERS” ARE DROPPING

17. In what way are the symbolic “waters” under the harlot dropping?

¹⁷ In what way are the symbolic “many waters” under modern Babylon dropping, diminishing? In that millions of persons, including tens of thousands of religious clergy and workers, have abandoned the support that they used to give their religions, seriously weakening them. This is particularly true in Christendom, which has greater guilt since she claims to serve both God and Christ.

[Pictures on page 21]

The dropping of the waters of the Euphrates River paved the way for enemy troops to enter Babylon and overthrow her

The dropping of the symbolic waters (people) from under Babylon the Great precedes her destruction