Babylon in Prophecy
Babylon has always signified an evil way of living. In the old testament days, Babylon was a city full of wicked people who lived their lives in worship of idols and money. This is the city that Daniel was carried away to when the Jews were captured. This is where he had his visions in the book of Daniel, and King Nebuchadnezzar had his dreams, and Daniel interpreted them for him. Babylon was a place that held one of the seven wonders of the world, the hanging gardens. God has never been happy with this city. In the old testament days it was located in the southern part of Mesopotamia, which is now in Iraq. In many of the old testament books there are prophecies concerning Babylon, but in Jeremiah, Chapter 51, Verse 6, it tells something of God's anger toward Babylon. It says: "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence." Verse 62 says: "Then shalt thou say, O Lord, thou has 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."
It is necessary for us to view Babylon in it's current state to understand these prophecies. In 1984, Sadam Hussein started the rennovation and restoration of Babylon. To date, he has spent over $800 million rebuilding this city. He has re-created the Istar gate, as well as many other parts of the city. In the stones lining the city, he has carved his name above the name of King Nebuchadnezzar. He has re-created the throne room of King Nebuchadnezzar in the exact same place it stood before. He has built his palace in the exact same place the king's palace was in.
Babylon plays a role in the end time prophecies. Revelation chapters 17 and 18 discuss Babylon in her state and destruction. God is not only talking about Babylon the city literally, but he is talking to people who are a symbol of Babylon. Revelation 18: 11-14 say:
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more; 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 of vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 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."
This represents a time of hardship for those that lust after money and all kinds of material things. Eventually, God's wrath will pour out on these people, and the city that they represent.
So we understand the significance of the rebuilding of Babylon. You can find a complete article on the rebuilding of Babylon on a website listed below. Keep your eyes on that region of the world, as it will play a vital role in the end times. Sadam Hussein is playing out the role that Satan has given him. It's not uncommon knowledge that Sadam Hussein would like to rule the world, and believes he can do it from this region. What other mysteries will the walls of Babylon hold? |
