Rebuilding Babylon.

Author: John Malone

Date: 20th November, 2006 @ 12:54:29 PM

The Great 70 7’s Prophecy outlined in Daniel Chapter 9 [1] is perhaps one of the most sweeping and marvelous statements of God concerning the fabric of time which he has woven [2] around the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It offers such a remarkably precise chronology leading to the first coming of the Lord Jesus that mockers and scoffers say the book must have been written much later, because no prophecy can be so accurate!

Those of us who have a reading knowledge of our English Bibles, and have known the Great Prophecy may yet underestimate its controversy and power in the minds of men. Nevertheless, the precision of the prophecies of the Lord’s First Coming pale (to us) in comparison to those remaining.

At the forefront of those prophecies these days may be the condition of the cities of Babylon and Jerusalem.

First, the Biblically obvious. God is NOT building either one of those cities today. There is only ONE building by God today, and it is His church, built upon the revelation of God the Father [3] to those who place their faith [4] in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit [5]. This work God has been doing since the ministry of the Lord Jesus on earth, and it continues on.

Second, the competition over these two cities has marked the history of the world. God has informed the world He will establish Jerusalem - specifically Mount Zion - under His Son. He has equally informed the world that He will not accept man’s establishment of Babylon, whether ante-diluvian or post-Jewish-captivity.

There are two relevant historical periods of Babylon that lead us to the yet future third Biblical epoch of that city.

The first history of Babylon occurs just after [6] the Noahic deluge (AM 1656), and seems to be especially honored in Western Europe these days. This appreciation by European powers signals an imminent Japhethite rebellion, as that branch of the human family departs from the “tent of Shem,” contemporarily known to be faith in Jesus Christ. This rebellion is prophesied, [7] though the time frame is yet puzzling.

That rebellion, initially headed by the fellow whose name means “we will rebel” - Nimrod - was focused against God’s promised plan for the earth, founded in the Noahic covenant, with the added codicil [8] ordering the responsibilities of Japheth, Ham and Shem wherein Ham became servant to his brothers. (see pamphlet)

Europe itself can trace its heritage back to ancient Babylon. The tribal spread after the confusion of tongues no doubt accounts for all the European people. In fact, Europe is probably more rooted in the “land of Shinar” than America is rooted in Europe! The only influence that has deterred Europe from embracing its pagan past has been Bible influence. With that now ebbing, Europe’s return to paganism is headlong.

Indeed, “Europe” itself is named after the pagan (Greek) mythological creature Europa which eerily correlates to symbolism found the the book of Revelation [9].

The second prominent epoch of Babylon featured God actually handing world-rule [10] to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar at the commencement of Judah’s captivity (497-498 BC). This world-rule has continued in Gentile hands ever since. Importantly, Nebuchadnezzar spent seven years as a “beast” [11] for his high-minded presumptuous boasting against God.

That 7-year “beast career” of Nebuchadnezzar prefigures the 7-year career of the “beast” who is yet to come - the Man of Sin [12] - which marks the time immediately preceding the full venting of the wrath of God, and which is connected to the rebuilding of Babylon, and its prominence in the world.

So we know the end of the affairs of men and their culmination point. As much as our current affairs run on vectors leading to that end, we can see some directions emerging.

First, we see the world’s attention once again on the “land of Shinar” and Babylon. That land is presently being ruled by America and Britain, whatever others may claim. The condition of that land is very fluid. With the change of course indicated by recent US elections, it is possible to see the EU and the therefore the UN taking a primary role in that territory.

Second, with the business ambitions of oil-rich Arab states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia so apparent, it’s conceivable that a large-scale global project might well get underway to rebuild the metropolis of Babylon. The “global economy” needs a large scale project to absorb the enormous cash reserves piling up from windfall profits in oil, and the consumer-debt-based trade imbalances in China and India.

These cash reserves are so enormous, they present a challenge for any endeavor to have massive enough scale, short of a global war. The building of an opulent city/trade center as pictured in the Scriptures - Babylon the Great [13]} - may be just the thing to fulfill the need, and bring to pass a new financial and monetary system to replace the one established in the early 70’s that is obviously now unsatisfactory, if not completely bankrupt.

Flamboyant Arab ambitions readily visible in areas such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE) could find a more suitable target in the rebuilding of Babylon, and European West financial interests would jump at the chance to make a new financial capitol which is neither dollar nor pound based.

Bible students look for the rebuilding of this city which has ever tended to rebel against God. The confluence of human ambition, rejection of God’s plan for the nations in their divisions, and the “peace and safety” movement all could find their focus in the establishment of a new world capital that is free from Christian influence, national identity, and the moralities that attend those establishments.

Third, we would anticipate a role for the Roman Catholic Organization, Islam, Hinduism, and wayward Protestantism in this endeavor. Indeed, the Vatican, which is the center of the ancient Babylonian priesthood, could contribute some of its considerable fortune to a project like this one, and even move its capitol into this newly built city, as a good citizen in the Global Chamber of Commerce.

We look for radical changes centered in the economics of our day as part of the falling away from the faith of our fathers. We know Babylon will rise again to dominate the world landscape financially, politically, and religiously.

We also know that it will fall in a single day when it is judged as certainly as Nebuchadnezzar was judged.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

[1] Daniel 9:24-27Daniel 9:24 - Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Daniel 9:25 - Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.Daniel 9:26 - And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.Daniel 9:27 - And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

[2] Hebrews 1:2Hebrews 1:2 - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

[3] Matthew 16:15-18Matthew 16:15 - He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?Matthew 16:16 - And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.Matthew 16:17 - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

[4] Acts 16:30-31Acts 16:30 - And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

[5] 1st Corinthians 12:31st Corinthians 12:3 - Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

[6] Genesis 10:8-11; Genesis 11:1-9Genesis 10:8 - And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.Genesis 10:9 - He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.Genesis 10:10 - And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.Genesis 10:11 - Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,Genesis 11:1 - And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.Genesis 11:2 - And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.Genesis 11:3 - And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.Genesis 11:4 - And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.Genesis 11:5 - And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.Genesis 11:6 - And the LORD said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.Genesis 11:7 - Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another"s speech.Genesis 11:8 - So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.Genesis 11:9 - Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

[7] Ezekiel 38:1-7Ezekiel 38:1 - And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 38:2 - Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,Ezekiel 38:3 - And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:Ezekiel 38:4 - And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:Ezekiel 38:5 - Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:Ezekiel 38:6 - Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee.Ezekiel 38:7 - Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

[8] Genesis 9:24-27Genesis 9:24 - And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.Genesis 9:25 - And he said, Cursed [be] Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.Genesis 9:26 - And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.Genesis 9:27 - God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

[9] Revelation 17:3Revelation 17:3 - So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[10] Daniel 2:37-44Daniel 2:37 - Thou, O king, [art] a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.Daniel 2:38 - And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.Daniel 2:39 - And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.Daniel 2:40 - And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all [things:] and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.Daniel 2:41 - And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters" clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.Daniel 2:42 - And [as] the toes of the feet [were] part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.Daniel 2:43 - And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

[11] Daniel 4:23-25Daniel 4:23 - And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;Daniel 4:24 - This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:Daniel 4:25 - That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

[12] 2nd Thessalonians 2:32nd Thessalonians 2:3 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come,] except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

[13] Revelation 18:1-3Revelation 18:1 - And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.Revelation 18:2 - And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.Revelation 18:3 - For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.