Here's a Key: If we can find what the Bible teaches WHO killed the apostles, the prophets, and saints/martyrs of Jesus and is therefore guilty of the blood of all that have been slain on the earth- THEN we will know WHO Mystery Babylon the Great really is- because these are the key factors that God has put in the book of Revelation as to why He destroyed 'Babylon the Great'.

There are some crucial factors when discussing the Book of Revelation and today that is frankly so much nonsense that is based on pure speculation and just plain wrong interpretation. Therefore factors such as the Date and Historical setting of Revelation must be considered- there are 2 views:

The Early Date: It was written very shortly before AD70 when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed so the early date traces to to around AD64-68 during the time of Nero's severe persecution of the Christians. The late date argues that Revelation was written during the reign of Domitian in AD95-96. So the date and the historical setting is important.

It is clear that Revelation is not Chronological but rather a Parallellism can be observed and this is seen in the 7 Trumpet Judgments and the 7 Bowl Judgments and how they correlate- important.

Another key point for interpretion is the book of Revelation's use of the rest of the Scriptures because it is full of Old Testament imagery and symbolism. For example it is full of Images drawn from the Exodus: It is full of echoes of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. The evil power that persecutes God's people is spiritually called Egypt (the great city where our Lord was crucified- a massive clue in Revelation 11v8)

The plagues of darkness, hail, locusts, boils, frogs, water turning to blood etc all recall similar plagues sent against Egypt prior to the Exodus.

Christians are said to be 'freed' by the blood of Christ (1v5) just as the Hebrews experienced freedom from Egypt only after the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb. The Dragon that persecutes the woman (12v3 and following) recalls Egypt, which is called a dragon in Ezekiel 29v3 and Psalm 74v13.

Another factor to consider in interpreting Revelation: There are historically 4 views of interpreting Revelation and this is largely unspoken of today, for there is much ignorance in terms of objective consideration of all 4 views: Historicist; Idealist; Preterist (both Full and Partial) and Futurist. All 4 ilnterpret Revelation different- which one is the most accurate and true to the historical and cultural context and the message to the original audience?

Which one of the 4 views compares Scripture with Scripture? Which one is most Christ centred? See Revelation 4 Views revised and updated by Steve Gregg

Other Interpretive considerations are the geographical scope of the visions; the meaning of the 'coming' of Christ in Revelation and the meaning of the 'Thousand years' meaning the Millennium in Revelation 20v1-6.

In addtion to the 4 historical views there are different Millenial positions in regard to the Millennium: Premillennialism; Postmillennialism; Amillennialism (see The Bible and the Future by Anthony Hoekema)
So WHO is Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots? Only by digging into the Scriptures will we find out. If a Police Detective finds blood at the scene of a crime it is likely that the DNA will reveal the perpetrator of the crime.

It is the same with the blood that was on the hands of those who were guilty of all the blood shed upon the earth and killed God's true prophets, apostles and disciples.......The ball is in your court.