Ancient Babylon And Modern Iraq

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | May 2003

World attention has been focused on Iraq in recent months, and the political future of the whole region seems likely to be affected. This possibility is of special interest in the light of biblical history about ancient Babylon, and striking prophetic reference to its prominence in the final years of 'the times of the Gentiles' (Luke 21:24). Do present developments in Iraq indicate the ripening of divine purpose towards those terminal years?

It was the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar who destroyed the Judaean Kingdom in 587 BC, and carried many Jews to exile in Chaldea. God used Nebuchadnezzar to punish His people for their backsliding into idolatry, and also to chastise many other nations: but in due course the Babylonians themselves were to be punished by God for their iniquity. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah both foretold in some detail how this would be brought about (e.g. Is.13:1-14:23; Jer.50:1-51:64). They predicted the remarkable strategy by which the Medo-Persian army would penetrate Babylon's defences by diverting the flow of the Euphrates so that troops could enter the city along the river bed (Is.44:27; Jer.51:31-32). Both prophets also foretold the ultimate desolation of the whole area: '"therefore the wild desert beasts shall dwell there ... It shall be inhabited no more forever, nor shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation."' (Jer.50:39 cf. Is.13:20-21) History confirms the gradual decline of ancient Babylon, its site ultimately becoming arid, infertile and without human inhabitant.

Some have concluded from these scriptures that the emergence of a new Babylon as a great commercial, cultural and religious centre in modern times could not be possible. However, it has been pointed out that certain aspects of the prophecies in Isaiah and Jeremiah never featured in ancient Babylon's decline. For example both Isaiah and Jeremiah liken the destruction of Babylon to that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Is.13:19; Jer.50:40). Those cities were overthrown by a sudden overwhelming visitation of divine judgement. Nothing comparable to that can be traced in the history of ancient Babylon. When Darius received the kingdom (Dan.5:31) he did not destroy Babylon; indeed for a time it became like a subsidiary capital of his empire. More than two centuries later Alexander the Great planned to restore the city, but died before his plan could be carried out.

There are striking comparisons between the Old Testament and New Testament predictions about the doom of Babylon. The end of the city is likened to a stone cast into the waters, again depicting sudden and total destruction (Jer.51:63,64; Rev.18:21). '"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,"' (Rev.18:2) seems to echo the words of Isaiah: '"Babylon is fallen, is fallen!"' (21:9), and of Jeremiah: 'Babylon has suddenly fallen' (51:8). Heaven will rejoice over the destruction of Babylon the Great: '"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"' (Rev.18:20). Similarly in Jeremiah 51:48 we read: '"then the heavens and the earth and all that is in them shall sing joyously over Babylon."'

It also seems significant that Isaiah 13:10 associates the destruction of Babylon with the day of the LORD when 'the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine'. This would suggest a link with the future judgements to fall on the earth just prior to the Lord's advent as Son of Man (Mat.24:29). Again, the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14 is described as aspiring to ascend into heaven and to 'be like the Most High' (verses 13,14). Nebuchadnezzar was the very personification of human arrogance and pride; but the language of verse 13 would seem to go beyond worldly ambition and answer more fully to Satanic aspirations which will be so clearly reflected through the coming man of sin who 'opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God' (2 Thes.2:4).

It's true, of course, that from its inception Babylon is representative in Scripture of human self-will in opposition to God, with all its associated corruption, materialism and idolatry. Yet this seems insufficient ground for limiting the Babylon of Revelation chapters 17 and 18 to a spiritual similitude or parable. The immense oil resources of Iraq could clearly provide the needed wealth for the speedy growth of a great new world centre of trade and culture answering to the description of Babylon the great in Revelation 18. Amidst all the present uncertainties, we may well watch with keen interest for any indication of such a development.

PRASHER, G. | May 2003
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