[Bohemund]

Well other than a place name I think it's safe to assume that it always means confusion. The very name itself derives from Baal, and its sins against God are legendary. Everytime it is used in the bible its confused spirituality is to be considered, whether its actual or spiritual Babylon, don't you think?

Sorry to be so blockheaded, but you haven't answered my question: where else in the Bible does "Babylon" explicitly mean confusion?

Also, "Babylon" is not derived from "Baal." It is derived from "bab"--"gate" and "ili"--gods.

Whether Peter was in Rome, in Jerusalem or wherever, I think he was making a comment on the state of the inhabitants.

So Peter might have been in Rome after all!

We are even now in spiritual Babylon, here in this world. It never goes away. You have to be in God's presence for that to happen. However, I don't think Peter was making the comment lightly, and he was in God's presence, and we should reflect on what he did mean and pray for enlightenment, because I think it matters.

Well, I'm all for praying for enlightenment.

[zeeba neighba]

Personally, I believe that he was in Jerusalem, right where the bible places him. Sorry, it comes from Baal, as that place was where the Chaldeans lived and worshipped their god. Ba-bel. The Chaldeans were very confused, worshipping the created thing, the sun and the stars, not the Creator.

If Peter was in Rome, as you like to think, well then, consider Rome and all its institutions as spiritual Babylon, nothing is stopping you.