Yesterday I discussed how I wondered whether the prophecies of Nineveh and the Book of Nahum were completely fulfilled yet. I referenced an End Times-related prophecy in Zephaniah 2 where Nineveh is mentioned to suggest that we may not have seen the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning Nineveh yet. Today I want to focus on the prophecies concerning Babylon because I have heard some people state that all the prophecies concerning Babylon have been fulfilled.
I do not believe that we have yet to see the complete fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning Babylon for a couple of reasons:
1. Daniel 7:12 mentions that three beasts: the Babylonian Empire, the Persian Empire, and the Greek Empire would be permitted to live even though they may not be powerful empires anymore for a limited period of time (most likely until the destruction of the fourth beast).
- Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
This suggests that Babylon cannot be written off yet as a player during the End Times.
2. Isaiah 13 indicates that the actual destruction of Babylon will take place during the Day of the Lord, which a time period that takes place in the future.
- Isa 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
- Isa 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
- Isa 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
- Isa 13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
- Isa 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
- Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
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- Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
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- Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Isa 13:20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
- Isa 13:21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
- Isa 13:22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
The final destruction of Babylon taking place during the Day of the Lord has major implications about the relevancy of other prophetic chapters of the Bible. For instance, Jeremiah 50 and Jeremiah 51, which concern the destruction of Babylon, transform from chapters concerning the past destruction of Ancient Babylon into chapters that also have some relevance to the future destruction of Babylon. As an example, you can see the parallel between Babylon’s destruction in Isaiah 13 and Babylon’s destruction in Jeremiah 50:38-40:
- Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Jer 50:38 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.
- Jer 50:39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.
- Jer 50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
However, this does not mean that every prophecy concerning Babylon will be fulfilled during the End Times. Many of the prophecies about Babylon concern its destruction in biblical times. Here is a short list of chapters concerning Babylon that may have relevancy to End Times prophecy (it is important to note that this is not a complete list of chapters)
- Isaiah 11
- Isaiah 13
- Isaiah 14
- Isaiah 21
- Isaiah 47
- Isaiah 48
- Jeremiah 46 (pay attention to verse 10)
- Jeremiah 50
- Jeremiah 51
- Zechariah 5:6-11
- Micah 4
