Babylon (also known as Babel, Chaldea, Shinar)

Transcription

1 Babylon (also known as Babel, Chaldea, Shinar) Isaiah 13-14; Revelation 13:11-18; 14:18; 16:12-19:3; Jeremiah The re-emergence of the city of Babylon will impact the entire world. It will become the commercial capital of the world, people from all nations will flock to it. The Middle East will return to its ancient position as the center of world activities. All other nations will become satellite countries. So, I consider the most astounding happening before the rapture to be the rebuilding of Babylon. Today s favored interpretation of Babylon is to present it as a financial system. Without question, wealth is associated with Babylon. Alongside that, the end-time Babylon will be a grand city as it was in ancient times. I know that because Revelation makes a statement to that effect. The face of the Middle East will not resemble what we see today. New countries will spring up, old ones will be reorganized, and Israel will be a favored country. Babylon will be rebuilt, not only as a city but also as a country. The city will be the most fabulous, influential one ever built the center of world commerce, power and religion. Its importance can be determined by the amount of space given to it in Revelation: 16.5% when calculated by the number of verses. That equates to 1/6 th of the entire book. The end-time city of Babylon will be located on its original site and will be the most glorious of the three major cities 1 in the Middle East. It is described as the glory of kingdoms, meaning it could be the most magnificent city ever built on the earth. This city will be the seat of a worldwide, religious system that will be led by the False Prophet. Many other false religions will be anchored there also. There are many scriptures regarding the end-time Babylon, but the main ones in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation are listed above. Be aware that some history is sprinkled throughout their prophesies to lay a foundation for Babylon s ultimate destruction. Revelation 17:5, 18 5 And upon her [the woman s] forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH 18 And the woman which you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. Revelation 13:11-18; 16:12-19:3 Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city of Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. Timing Timing is the most important aspect of any prophecy. If we apply a prophecy to a time frame that it does not belong in, we must either alter the prophecy or history in order to make it fit. When a prophet states plainly when his prophecy will be fulfilled, we must take his word for it. Isaiah and Jeremiah stated clearly that their prophecies regarding Babylon would be fulfilled in the end time. Jeremiah 51:6 Flee from the midst of Babylon this is the time of the Lord s vengeance; Isaiah 13:1, 13 1 The burden of Babylon 13 Therefore I will shake the heavens and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. 1 The end-time cities of Babylon, Jerusalem, and Tyre will be the three major cities in the Middle East. 2014, 2015 Eleanor Schultz Page 1 of 6

2 The Apostle John specifically dated his prophecy by revealing that the last angel, the seventh, was about to pour out the contents of his vial upon the earth. That places the destruction of Babylon just before the Battle of Armageddon. Babylon s Rise to Power The prophet Daniel placed the Babylonian Empire in the end time. King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon had a dream of an image that was in the likeness of a man. It represented four empires: Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman. The prophet Daniel told the king that his dream was for the latter days. These are historical empires that have been conquered already, but they will exist again as a unit. When Daniel had completed his explanation to the king, he added that these four empires would be destroyed at the same time. If they are to be broken to pieces together, then they must all exist in the end time. Ancient Babylonia encompassed the area of the Chaldean people. Jeremiah indicated that Babylon may again claim that territory. Since Babylon and the Chaldeans are spoken of together in the end time, we can assume they will exist as a country again; although, we do not know what its name will be. Jeremiah mentioned the cities of Babylon. We can look for some major changes in the Middle East. Chaldea is another name for Babylonia, the country. They are spoken of as one and the same. Habakkuk called the people that he saw in his vision the Chaldeans. Their leader, the Antichrist, will not come from Chaldea, but he ends up there; hence, a Chaldean. The new Babylon will be the Antichrist s most glorious achievement. Revelation 16: And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; 19 and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Daniel 2:28, 34, But there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and makes known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. 34 You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, [Roman] the brass, [Grecian] the silver, [Medo-Persian] and the gold [Babylon] broken to pieces together Jeremiah 51:24 And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 50: Call together the archers against Babylon 32 And I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him. Habakkuk 1:6 Lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, Babylon s Glory and Worldwide Influence Isaiah 14:4 The scriptural descriptions of the future city of Babylon are so magnificent that they are almost unbelievable. We must remind ourselves that Bible prophets did not exaggerate, they did not make things up, and their prophecies were always understated. Babylon is called the golden city. In our usage of the word golden we would mean the city is especially good, successful, highly favored, and popular. That will be the case, but also there will be an abundance of gold, for the city will be adorned with gold, precious stones, pearls, and more. It will be over-the-top gorgeous. The world has never seen such a spectacle. I wonder whether it will have any resemblance to the heavenly city. Of course, I don t know, but Satan has seen heaven. He may try to outdo what God has done. There are some similarities: the city sits as royalty, is the lady of kingdoms, and she presents herself to be eternal. That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased! Revelation 17:4; 18:16 18:16 great city that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! Revelation 17:18; 18:7 (NIV) 17:18 The woman you saw is the great city 18:7 in her heart she boasts, I sit enthroned as queen, I am not a widow; I will never mourn. Isaiah 47:5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. 2014, 2015 Eleanor Schultz Page 2 of 6

3 Revelation states that Babylon will exercise control over the leaders of the world. It will lead the world into idol worship and deceive many, some who are church leaders. As the center of commerce, Babylon will enable many in the world to become rich. Merchants from all over the world will display and sell their wares. It will take a while for the city to be built and to establish itself as the world commercial site. Read the list of fabulous merchandise that will be available in the city. Among these things is the shocking statement that human beings will be sold as slaves. There is a slave market even today that is underground. Pimps own unwilling women and children as their slave prostitutes. They own them. We call it human trafficking. The world will spiral into such a sinful state before the rapture that these things may be looked upon as normal. God must allow sin to go as far as it can go the grapes must be fully ripe, to the point of rotten before He will harvest them. He is patient, but we are not. The population of the future Babylon will be made up of people from all over the world. Mingled people, Jeremiah calls them. That will require a great change in the Middle East, for the majority are Arabs today. That means there will be a great migration of people to that area. Revelation 17:18; 18:23 (NIV) The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. 23 Your merchants were the world s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. Jeremiah 51:7, 25 Following is a list of merchandise found in Revelation 18:12-15: Cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood; articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour and wheat; cattle, sheep; horses, carriages; human beings sold as slaves. Revelation 14:18 And another angel came saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. Jeremiah 50:37 A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her Babylon s Association with Satan and the Antichrist Many false religions can trace their origins to Babylon for that is where Satan first tried to form one world religion. Nebuchadnezzar made his image of gold and required everyone to worship it. Revelation tells us that everyone will be required to worship the image of the Antichrist after the rapture. The penalty for not worshipping in both cases: death. The Babylon of the end time will be a land of graven images, idols, and shrines. All things there will magnify Satan and the Antichrist as it will be the home of the False Prophet. Daniel 3:1, 6 1 Nebuchadnezzar, the king made an image of gold 6 whoso falls not down and worships shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Revelation 13:15 And he [False Prophet] had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Jeremiah 50:38 it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [about] their idols. Revelation 13:11-18 Idol worship will become a major issue as we get closer to the rapture. Jeremiah 51: , 2015 Eleanor Schultz Page 3 of 6

4 The influence of Babylon s idols will reach into Israel. Isaiah wrote that the land of Israel will be overrun with them. We must wonder how the nation, with the Ark of the Covenant in their possession 2 by that time, could plunge so deeply into idol worship. It appears that Israel will be the greatest offender. I suppose that is the pattern though. Moses encountered their strong tendency to turn from God even as he led them through the wilderness. Babylon is the only end-time city that God calls His people out of to prevent their contamination. Because the city will be the hub of false doctrine and idol worship, the probability of turning from God will be overwhelming. Babylon will be a completely immersed, idol-worshipping society. Deception would be almost impossible to avoid under those circumstances. Isaiah chapter 14 details the fate of Satan and the Antichrist, Babylon s leaders. Satan, the Antichrist, and Babylon will be connected intricately. Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her. Isaiah 2:8 Their land [house of Jacob] also is full of idols, Revelation 18:4 Come out of her my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. Jeremiah 51:6 (NIV) Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the Lord s vengeance; he will repay her what she deserves. Isaiah Ezekiel 28:12-15 Destruction of Country and City Somewhere in the Euphrates River there is a scroll written by Jeremiah that details the final destruction of Babylon. The prophet wrote it all down and sent it to the ancient city of Babylon. He instructed Seraiah to read it when he got there; then, throw it into the Euphrates River. It has probably disintegrated by now, but wouldn t it be fun if God has miraculously preserved it and it was found? To date, I can find no record that it has been recovered. COUNTRY Babylon the city will not be destroyed at the same time as the country. The country will be destroyed first and the city afterwards. Notice that the Euphrates River is in focus during the time of the sixth angel, while the city is destroyed during the time of the seventh angel. The outcome for the country is different from that of the city. Eventually, the country will be restored, whereas the city will be desolate forever. Jeremiah 51: Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon. 61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When you come to Babylon, and shall see, and shall read all these words; 62 Then shall you say, O Lord, you have spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate forever. 63 And it shall be, when you have made an end of reading this book, that you shall bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: 64 And you shall say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Revelation 16:12-17 (COUNTRY) 12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (CITY) 17 the seventh angel poured out his vial great Babylon came into remembrance The Euphrates River will be dried up as a result of the plagues from Jeremiah 50:38 2 Isaiah 18:7; Amos 9:11-12; Obadiah 1: , 2015 Eleanor Schultz Page 4 of 6

5 heaven. This action will assist in the victory over the country of Babylon. In combination with that, a number of nations will challenge and defeat the country. Specifically mentioned are the ten horns, the Medes, and an assembly of great nations from the north. Babylon will be wiped out as a nation accompanied by the drying up of the Euphrates. The ten horns represent the nations of the Divided Roman Empire which still exists today. They would be some of the countries of Europe. Ten is an approximate, changeable number and is rarely exact. These nations will play a role in the destruction of the country of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of an image that portrayed four empires (see page 2 above under Babylon s Rise to Power). Daniel later had a vision that added details to the king s dream where the four empires of the image were turned into animals. Daniel recognized three of them; however, the fourth one he had never seen so he called it a beast or an animal. Horns are nations. That symbol is based on the concept that a king was anointed with oil poured from the horn of an animal. Samuel used the horn of oil to anoint both Saul and David as kings. Isaiah wrote of the Medes coming against the country. Jeremiah added the detail that it is the spirit of the Medes, so we are not sure who these warriors are. The Medes were known for their laws that could not be changed. Their spirit is one of determination, focus, and drive. Their goal is to win. Nothing else matters. It seems that they may lead the attack, because Jeremiah said the nations will come with the Medes. Furthermore, Jeremiah wrote that a nation from the north would come against the country. Then he added an assembly of nations from the north. That they enter from the north does not indicate the location of the country; rather, north identifies the direction from which they attack. All the countries would not be northern nations, but all will enter Palestine from the north. Ancient Babylon was not defeated in this manner. Remember the timing of this event. The nations of the world will be gathering for the Battle of Armageddon. These nations will be obsessed with the spirit of the Medes. A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore thus saith the Lord, and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry. Revelation 17:16 The ten horns which you saw upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. Daniel 7:7 (NIV) before me was a fourth beast, terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. Isaiah 13:17 I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple. Jeremiah 51:28 28 Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. 29 And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant. Jeremiah 50:3, 9, 46 3 For out of the north there comes up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast. 9 For I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. 2014, 2015 Eleanor Schultz Page 5 of 6

6 46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations. CITY After the fall of the country during the sixth plague, the city will be destroyed as a part of the seventh plague. The destruction of Babylon, the city, will come swiftly: in one hour. It is the only city said to be destroyed by something akin to a bomb. At least that is the indication by the action of the angel who demonstrated its demise. He took a large stone and cast it into the sea. Spectators will stay far away from the city fear of the fallout. The city will be so sinful and its destruction so complete, that God has declared no human will ever live there or even feed their flocks there throughout eternity. People will not reuse the materials of Babylon. No one will go in to salvage any of its valuables. Closing Thought We as Christians tend to think that the rapture is imminent, or at least soon to come. Soon is relevant, of course. We want to be with our heavenly Father and leave the cares and challenges of this life behind. The subject of Babylon and the changes that must occur in the Middle East should give us pause to reconsider our opinions about when the rapture could occur. These changes will not take place overnight. This process will take much longer than most of us are prepared to allocate to it. We must also factor in the return of the Jews to their homeland for the second time. The Jews could be in Egypt for years. After all, five cities will speak the language of Canaan before they can return. Their situation will become so severe that it will seem as though the Jews are doomed to become extinct. God is in no hurry. He has eternity to work all these things out. He will take however long it takes to do it right. My main concern is that I am hearing people say that the rapture is sooner than we think. That is in violation of the Word of God. Jesus specifically told us not to follow anyone who claims that the time is near. So, what has the church done? Run as hard as we can after these people. Sure, there will be a time when the rapture will be imminent, but it is not now. People tend to be disheartened after awhile. Let s allow God all the time He needs to complete His plan of redemption. See also subject: Chaldean; Transportation Revelation 18: 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 judges her 9 And the kings of the earth 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is your judgment come. Jeremiah 51:8 Jeremiah 51:37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, and astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant Jeremiah 51:26 And they shall not take of thee [Babylon] a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but you shall be desolate forever, says the Lord Jeremiah 50:12-13, 39 Isaiah 13:20-22 Luke 21:8 (NIV) He [Jesus] replied: Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, I am he, and The time is near. Do not follow them. 2014, 2015 Eleanor Schultz Page 6 of 6