John the Revelator connecting the dots

This post needs some background. I have previously observed similarities and textual connections leading me to conclude that the great and spacious building and the great and abominable church are the same thing, just with different labels (see here and here). I also noticed that except for in Nephi's vision, where the term "great and abominable church" was introduced, this expression is only used in conjunction with Isaiah commentaries. I also posted about a common theme in Isaiah's writings about Babylon and Nephi's writings about the great and abominable Church, implying that these might also in essence be the same. 

I should have realized sooner, but the Book of Revelation is connecting the dots in unmistakeable terms. First, let's look at 1 Nephi 22:13

And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.

Nephi comments on what he has just read in Isaiah 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Isaiah talks about "them that oppress thee" without any other particular label in this instance. But we know that he often uses the Babylon metaphor when describing they who oppress the Lord's covenant people.

In Revelation 17:1, we read

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

So John is talking about "the great whore" who Nephi equated with the great and abominable church. In verse 5, we learn more about this "great whore":

And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.

Indeed, she has many names! Babylon and "abomination" are among those. The language with "whore" and "harlot" may seem a bit harsh. But it's part of common Old Testament imagery, where Jehovah's covenant is like a marriage and covenant breakers thus become fornicators.

In the next chapter, we learn what will happen to her. Observe how the descriptions in Revelation 18 compare with Nephi's writings on this subject

Babylon the great is fallen (Revelation 18:2)

the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. (1 Nephi 11:36)

that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it. (1 Nephi 22:14)

Then we see a description that fits right in with the pattern of exalting oneself and being abased.

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.

In verses 12-18, we see more links to Nephi's and Isaiah's writings

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!

Compare with Isaiah 3:18-23 / 2 Nephi 13:18-23, describing the "daughters of Zion" who have strayed from the covenant:

18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,

19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,

20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,

21 The rings, and nose jewels,

22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the veils.

and 1 Nephi 13:6-7, describing the great and abominable church:

6 And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it.

7 And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots.

Identifying these common themes and connections, I think there are lessons here to be learned and understood. I'm not sure if I have yet. But I feel that a couple of overarching lessons might be

• Be humble. If you want to be exalted, you cannot exalt yourself in any way, because it will ultimately have the opposite outcome.
• Do not let gold, silver, silk, linen, ornaments, etc. (these could probably translate into different things today) take the slightest presedence over making and keeping covenants.