Only in Old Testament times. In the New Testament times, in a Church spread throughout the world, there are prophets throughout the Church. "Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?" (1 Cor. 12.28-30) Given the tri-fold ministry of Bishops, Priests (Presbyters), and Deacons, I can assign Prophets as Bishops, Teachers as Priests, and Workers of Mighty Deeds as Deacons, can I not? Certainly you must admit every Christian prophet has not died in Jerusalem the physical city; or rather, you must admit that every Christian Prophet has died within spiritual Jerusalem, the Church. "Prophets and Saints" in Revelation is shorthand for "teachers of truth" and "doers of truth", for there certainly were Old Testament saints also - Hebrews 11.There were certainly "Old Testament saints" -- I never maintained otherwise. After all, the Predestinarian Church has been around for six thousand years.
But what Great City is adjudged by God, in Scripture, as guilty of the murders of Saints and Prophets? Jerusalem -- always Jerusalem. God Himself says so, in Luke 13:33: "for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem".
Using "Scripture to interpret Scripture" (an exegetical maxim which you have previously endorsed), there is one Great City which is held by God in Scripture as particularly guilty of the murder of Saints and Prophets -- Jerusalem. Always Jerusalem.
Ergo, "Babylon" of Revelation = Jerusalem.
'Nuff Said.
By the way, for the record of all Roman Catholics concerned...Having posted this thread "for discussion" (and I am not some "post-and-run" Disruptor; I have posted the article, and I have discussed it), I think that the discussion of the "Simon Bar-Jonah" Ossuary has very nearly reached a Stalemate.
- Firstly, On the one hand, there is no definitive Patristic record of Peter's martyrdom in Rome which is dated less than 200 years after the Facts of the Case.
- On the other hand, it is clear that the the "Simon Bar Jonah" Burial Cave and Ossuary (which IS acknowledged by all Roman Scholars to be an authentic Burial Cave and Ossuary) in the Jerusalem region cannot be definitively proven to be that of Simon Peter himself (indeed, there is an outside possibility that Simon Peter purchased his Burial Ossuary in Jerusalem... and then went to Rome, and was martyred there.)
- Secondly, On the one hand, it is clear that "Jerusalem = Babylon" in the Johannine Revelation, and I see no intrinsic reason to presume that Peter departed from the Johannine usage. This would be a direct argument for the JERUSALEM authorship of the Petrine Epistles.
- On the other hand, I did challenge "Tantumergo" for evidence that Early Christians also referred to "Rome as Babylon": and he has diligently supplied the testimony of the Sybilline Oracles and Fourth Esdras -- the Sybilline being a pseudo-christian source, and Saint Ambrose quoted frequently from the Fourth Esdras. So that would be an indirect argument for the ROMAN authorship of the Petrine Epistles.
Did Simon Peter write from Jerusalem... or from Rome?
Was Simon Peter buried in Jerusalem... or did he merely purchase his Ossuary therein, only to later be crucified in Rome?
I consider myself stalemated on these questions... but I have enjoyed the thread immensely. At the very least, I have relished the opportunity to prove and buttress my argument for an important dichotomy of the Johannine Revelation:
"The Beast" being Nero and Rome's Caesars; "The Whore Babylon" being Apostate Jerusalem.
I've been meaning to author a thread on this subject for some time; but you Romanists have finally given me an opportunity to develop my arguments in depth.
I am thrilled with the Proofs of Revelation which have developed on this Thread. Be assured, my Romanist "separated brethren" (ye wayward brethren, who have strayed from the Predestinarian Faith) -- when I post my "Commentary on Revelation", there shall be no more Vain and False Imaginings of Roman Catholicism as the "Mother of Harlots".
We shall know you as you are... the "prodigal brethren" of the 6,000-year-old Predestinarian Church -- who shall be greeted with joy, and celebration, and fatted calf, when finally you Romans return to the 6,000 year-old Church of Absolute Predestination. For the Final loosing of Satan yet approaches.... and we must then stand together....
best, OP