https://www.worldslastchance.com/bible-prophecy/jerusalems-many-names-in-revelation.html
Question: If revelation was written before 70AD and Babylon is Jerusalem. Then why would the revelation be addressed to 7 churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) warning them to come out of Babylon? Shouldn't the letter be addressed to the Jerusalem Church if Babylon was Jerusalem and the intent was to warn them about the destruction of Jerusalem?
Also the whore in revelation is described as riding on the beast. This represents that the whore is controlling the beast (roman empire/ NERO). The Sanhedrin didn't control Rome or Nero, but were themselves subjugated by Rome. So how does claiming that the Sanhedrin is the whore make sense?
Answer: The revelation through John was written in coded language - smuggled from Patmos where he was in exile, like a last warning follow up to what Yahushua said to the whole Nation in Matthew 24. The warnings are to the 7 Churches [the complete Church - including Jerusalem?]. Each location had varying instructions and rewards. His warning to His/'My people' - 'Get out of her = Babylon/corrupt Jerusalem - was literally/specifically heeded by believers who fled during the brief break in the siege prior to the destruction in A.D.70. Not one believer was known to have perished there.
'Riding' the beast does not necessarily in every sense mean 'controlling' it - but also 'being buoyed/riding high/depending' on its strength - the Chief Priests / Sanhedrin's response to Pilate was -