The significance of the fall of Babylon is multifactorial. The fall of Babylon is predicted in Isaiah 47:11. Babylon fell at the hands of the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. While this event happened a great deal of time ago, there is still significance behind this event in history. Moreover, the Bible hints at the fall of the new Babylon in the Book Revelation.
The Fall of Babylon
Babylon has been mentioned throughout the Bible on numerous occasions. The earliest mention of Babylon is when it was called "Babel." Over the course of time, it became known as Babylon. Babylon was a mighty empire, and it was known that Babylon placed heavy burdens on the Israelites.
False worship of non-existing gods and unethical practices drenched the streets of Babylon. While most look at Rome as being the most powerful nation, Babylon also was mighty in its day. For the fall of Babylon to happen, there had to be divine intervention.
Babylon was known to be a city that went against God with its evil practices. There are many prophecies of Babylon's doom, yet the Babylonians chose to ignore these warnings and continued to live in rebellion.
The fall of Babylon was credited to the work of Cyrus the Great, yet one cannot be dogmatic to give applause to him alone. Rather, it was through God that Babylon fell.
God can use people to bring about His purposes; however, all of the credit belongs to God. It is through His mighty arm and strength that Babylon fell at the hand of Persia.
Prior to Cyrus the Great being king, King Nebuchadnezzar’s descendant was the king ruling over Babylon. While Nebuchadnezzar was humbled under God's mighty hand, Nebuchadnezzar's descendants didn't choose to follow God.
Instead, they rebelled, and there was much hate, anger, and violence involved. At the hand of the Babylonians, the Israelites were greatly oppressed.
Similar to the Israelites' time in Egypt, their time under the oppression of Babylon was miserable. Since the Lord loves His chosen people, He brought them relief through the coming of Cyrus the Great.
After Babylon was destroyed, the Israelites were restored and redeemed from the oppression of Babylon. They were no longer in captivity. While Babylon is still destroyed to this day, there is mention of a new Babylon in Revelation.
Just like the original Babylon, God will also destroy this new Babylon. There have been many predictions by scholars as to where this new Babylon will be, yet we cannot be certain as to where the new Babylon will be.
Within eschatology, we are told many things, yet some things are not given to us. For the things that are not told to us, all we can do is wait and watch history play out.
In Revelation 17 and 18, we are told a bit about Babylon, as mentioned in eschatology. While reformed theology is the prominent view today, it is also important to read the Bible literally. Reformed theologians read the Book of Revelation as an allegory.
Due to this viewpoint, many covenant theology scholars view the new Babylon to be just an allegory and not a real empire. From a literal dispensational perspective, we tend to see otherwise.
Babylon in the Bible
Through the mention of Babylon in the Book of Revelation, it is safe to say that from a literal interpretation of the text that this will be a literal empire in the future.
While many discourage dispensational teachings in the modern day, it is important to see this perspective as it is more accurate to the biblical text and how the disciples understood the text.
It is unhealthy to view everything from an allegorical perspective because it can lead a person far from the truth of the Word.
While there are allegories in the Bible, the Book of Revelation is not a giant allegory of the future or events gone by. It is important to understand it literally, including the newly restored empire of Babylon.
The newly restored empire of Babylon will occur during the days of the Tribulation. Similar to the original Babylon, God will also destroy this empire. Even though this empire will be powerful and strong, God will destroy it because the only everlasting kingdom is His own.
In the same way, the original had a grand fall, the new Babylon will also have a monumental fall that will bring destruction to this empire.
Yet again, just as the Israelites were set free from the oppression of the Babylonians, God's people during the time of the Tribulation, who became believers during this time, will be restored from this oppression and be taken safely to the arms of the Lord.
This new Babylon, as described in Revelation, will be known as Babylon the Great (Revelation 18:1-24). It is given this name because it will be even larger and more powerful than the previous Babylon.
While it can be frightening to think about, as present-day believers, we will not be harmed by the oppressive rule of Babylon the Great.
It is also reassuring to know that God will destroy Babylon just as quickly as the original Babylon. In fact, in one hour Babylon the Great will be in ruins, and God's people will rejoice (Revelation 18:17).
Thus, the significance of the fall of Babylon is that it shows God's mighty power and it shows His great never-ending love for His people. As was the case for the original Babylon, God did not allow His people to suffer forever.
He brought forth Cyrus the Great to destroy Babylon and bring it to ruins. Through this, the Babylonian captivity was over, and the Israelites were set free. This shows God's great love and His desire for freedom for His people.
In the same way, with the prophecy of the future new Babylon, known as Babylon the Great, we can also see the significance of God's great strength and His great love. As stated, this will happen in the future, and it will bring about the destruction of Babylon the Great.
It will no longer be called "the Great'' because God will bring it to ruins. During the time of the Tribulation, Babylon the Great will be seen as a mighty force, yet God will destroy it within an hour. This reflects to us God's power and His future restoration for the world.
The fall of Babylon was a major event in biblical history as well as it will play a major role in the future. We need to remember as believers that even though Babylon has been connected with being mighty, strong, and powerful, that God is more powerful than it.
Why Does This Matter?
The Lord is more powerful than anything because He is the creator of everything. Huge empires have come and gone, yet the Lord's Word still stands strong. We can have complete trust in the future because He has never failed us, and He never will.
Just as the Lord restored the Israelites under the hand of Babylon, He will restore the people who accept Him during the Tribulation. God is full of mercy and love. Nothing can separate us from His unconditional love.
Babylon was strong, large, and powerful, yet as we are shown in history, God brought it down to ruins in no time at all. This shows us just how powerful God is and how fast He can work. Nothing is more powerful than God, including the past Babylon or the future Babylon the Great.
For further reading:
What Is the Timeline of Revelation?
Who Are the Tribulation Saints in Revelation?
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