Various information and topics that help the reader of the Bible understand the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ s teachings.

Transcription

1 Welcome to: - Bible House Of Grace. God, through His Son Jesus, provides eternal grace for our failures and human limitations Various information and topics that help the reader of the Bible understand the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ s teachings Jeremiah 50. (2010) For information of: - Towns, Cities Villages and Details of the People. Select: - Map Locations and People of the Bible (ON WEBSITE MENU). For meanings of Words. Select: - Bible Dictionary (ON WEBSITE MENU) Teach it, don t demand it Although I believe my aim is pure and God s will perfect this document is still the product of a human man. As to such I neither claim special knowledge or perfect understanding. If you think items presented on this site to be in error, please let me know and I will gladly reconsider the content

2 Jeremiah The following is an overview of the main topics. Thankyou for visiting; Bible House Of Grace Introduction the History of Babylon, Judah and Jerusalem. Babylon invaded Jerusalem and took its inhabitants (the Two Tribes of Judah) into captivity later Babylon conquered Assyria who had previously taken Israel (the Ten Tribes in the land of Samaria) captive. Israel and Judah were under Babylonian rule for 70 years. They went into captivity to Babylon as two rebellious nations who had turned from God to idols and who were even sacrificing their own children to pagan gods. The Word of the LORD concerning BABYLON (CHALDEANS). Jeremiah 50: The word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet: 2 "Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up a banner and proclaim, conceal it not, and say: 'Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed.' Chaldeans; the country of which Babylon was the capital, and which conquered Judah and carried its inhabitants into captivity, it is sometimes translated Babylon or Babylonians. They eventually established the Babylonian dynasty in the country (called Iraq today). Bel; was the Baal of the Babylonians, the Babylonian Hymn to Bel translated from the cuneiform script, reveals him as the supreme ruler, the life-giver, the god of justice, he who holds society together, controller of the elements, particularly fire. Merodach; Man of Marduk, this is a theophorous name, Marduk being the chief god of Babylon. This entire chapter is God s word toward Babylon. The LORD tells Jeremiah to declare to all nations: - Babylon is destroyed. Bel Babylon s god is put to shame. Merodach king of Babylon has lost courage, confidence, and feeling hopeless. The images and idols of Babylon are filled with alarm and distress. Present and Past Tense; even though these events are spoken in the present tense, they are future events still to take place. This is because Jeremiah is seeing into the future what will happen to Babylon he is speaking in the present moment as the future events unfold to him through the word of the LORD. Another reason a prophet can speak of future events in the present tense is because it is the word of the LORD they are speaking and therefore the events are guaranteed to come to pass. Out of the North a Nation has come up against Babylon. Jeremiah 50: "For out of the north a nation has come up against her (Babylon) which shall make her land a desolation, and none shall dwell in it; both man and beast shall flee away. 4 "In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the LORD their God. 5 They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, 'Come, let us join ourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.' 2

3 THE NORTH COUNTRY. Jeremiah says, Out of the NORTH a nation has come up against Babylon. The Country that arose out of the NORTH was MEDIA-PERSIA. The original Persia was a small area NORTH of the Persian Gulf, known as Persis; it was a rugged area with desert on its maritime borders, its chief town known to the Greeks as Perspolis. The Medes lay to the NORTH; Elam was on the West, and Carmania to East. This small province was the original home of the Iranian tribe who finally dominated the whole country, and founded the vast Persian Empire. This was the imperial Persia of the OT which rose on the ruins of Babylon. The Persians emerged to dominate the whole complex of the Iranian tribes A ninth century Assyrian inscription mentions Parsua (Persia) as a NORTHERN country adjoining Media. This may be the first historical reference to the Persians before their movement South into Anshan and Parsa (the Persis mentioned above). The Persians were at first subject to the power of their NORTHERN neighbours, the Medes, although Elam, encroaching from the W, tended to form a buffer state between them. Cyrus was related to Astyages, king of Medea. Rising against his relative, Cyrus threw off the Median leadership and established the Persians as the dominate tribe in 549 B.C. Some form of governmental partnership appears to have been established, for Medes held privileged posts in the new administration. Cyrus then moved W to defeat Babylon in 538 B.C. The overthrow of Babylon made Cyrus master of the Euphrates River plain, Assyria, Syria, and Palestine, thus arose the greatest West Asian Empire of ancient times. The following verses show that the LORD used Cyrus King of Persia to defeat Babylon. The LORD calls Cyrus His Anointed Shepherd. Isaiah 45: Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: God calls Cyrus (the secular king of Persia) His anointed shepherd and Isaiah pictures the LORD holding Cyrus s right hand while he opens all doors that no man can shut while Cyrus subdues all nations (Isaiah 45:1, 28). The LORD calls Cyrus by Name. Isaiah 45: "I (the LORD) will go before you (Cyrus king of Persia) and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you (Cyrus king of Persia) by your name. 4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you (Cyrus king of Persia) by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. The LORD says, even though Cyrus (a secular king) does not know Him, He calls Cyrus by name and will go before Him (Isaiah 45:2-3). The LORD will equip Cyrus. Isaiah 45: I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you (Cyrus king of Persia) though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. God is in Cyrus. Isaiah 45: Thus says the LORD: "The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you (Cyrus) and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you (Cyrus). They will plead with you, saying: 'Surely God is in you (Cyrus), and there is no other, no god besides him.' 3

4 Isaiah is speaking to Israel who is held captive in Babylon. The focus is Cyrus King of Persia. God used Cyrus His anointed shepherd to set His people free, Cyrus after Conquering Babylon gave Israel written permission to return to their beloved city and rebuild the Temple of God. The country that arises out of the North (Persia) will; make the land of Babylon such a waste and ruin that no-one will want to stay there; the destruction will be so great that even the animals will flee from the city. When these events happen, the people of Israel and of Judah will (v4-5): - Come together united as one nation. Seek the LORD their God with weeping. Ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it. Say, let us join ourselves to the LORD. Make an everlasting covenant that they will never forget. The Master Potter. While in captivity God moulded Judah and Israel like a master potter moulds a beautiful clay jar. They went into Babylon as two unfaithful nations that had turned away from the LORD to idols and other gods. Seventy years later, Cyrus (King of Persia) who the LORD called His Shepherd (Isaiah 44:28) conquered Babylon and gave written permission to Israel to return to return to their beloved homeland and re-build their homes, their cities, Jerusalem and the Temple of God. The people of Judah and Israel now united as one nation led by Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah triumphantly marched amongst much rejoicing and singing back to their beloved city Jerusalem as one nation faithful to only one God, the LORD their God, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob (Israel never turned to pagan gods again). A Future Anointed Shepherd of the LORD. Though the focus of these verses is Cyrus the LORD S anointed shepherd. they may also carry with them an echo of another Anointed Shepherd whose name is not Cyrus, but the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus returns the second time as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS he will set God s people free and establish his kingly throne in God s Holy City Jerusalem (on Mount Zion God s Holy Mountain). During his millennial reign Christ will establish God s Kingdom on earth. Steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, peace and the glory of God will cover the earth. Jesus will do justice to the poor and oppressed, he will be a faithful and compassionate King forever, and will not allow anyone to strike terror in the earth, or use lies and deception to enlarge their own wealth and power. The land will abundantly produce and even the deserts will flourish. The animals will not feed on each other and even the lamb will be able to lie down with the lion and everyone will eat of their own hands because all that they plant will produce. All nations the LORD has made will come and worship before the Lord Jesus Christ. They will glorify God s Name, proclaiming the LORD is great and does wondrous things and that He alone is God. For further information see the title: - New World Order Established on Earth. In, Various Topics (ON WEBSITE MENU). Israel and Judah s Shepherds Led the People Astray. Jeremiah 50: "My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold. 7 All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, 'We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their habitation of righteousness, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.' 4

5 Turning them away on the mountains; refers to the altars Israel s religious leaders set up on hills and under trees that gave shade. They have forgotten their fold; means the religious leaders of Israel and Judah cared more about themselves than they did about those who they were leading. Notice; the nations who defeated Israel and Judah were saying that Israel s defeat was a result of their own sin against their God, therefore they cannot be held guilty. Even those who worshipped idols and Baal s knew that if Israel had done what was right before their God, He would have given them the victory (v7). Flee from the Midst of Babylon. Jeremiah 50: "Flee from the midst of Babylon, and go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as male goats before the flock. 9 For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country. And they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed. 10 Chaldea (Babylon) shall be plundered; all who plunder her shall be sated, declares the LORD. The NORTH country refers to MEDIA-PERSIA. See the notes; following (Jer 50:3-5) and the title, THE NORTH COUNTRY. The destruction and devastation that the warriors of the North Country are about to bring upon Babylon will be so fierce and devastating the LORD warns the people to flee from the city. The Pride of Babylon. Jeremiah 50: "Though you (Babylon) (v16) rejoice, though you exult, O plunderers of my heritage, though you frolic like a heifer in the pasture, and neigh like stallions, 12 your mother shall be utterly shamed, and she who bore you shall be disgraced. Behold, she shall be the last of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. 13 Because of the wrath of the LORD she shall not be inhabited but shall be an utter desolation; everyone who passes by Babylon shall be appalled, and hiss because of all her wounds. 14 Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD. 15 Raise a shout against her all around; she (Babylon) has surrendered; her bulwarks have fallen; her walls are thrown down. For this is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done. 16 Cut off from Babylon the sower, and the one who handles the sickle in time of harvest; because of the sword of the oppressor, every one shall turn to his own people, and every one shall flee to his own land. Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon. Nebuchadrezzar was the great king of the Babylonian Empire who destroyed Jerusalem and took Judah into 70-years captivity to Babylon. With the passing of the brilliant Nebuchadnezzar, however the Neo-Babylonian Empire soon crumbled and fell an easy prey to the Persians under Cyrus. Assyria in the Days of Isaiah and Jeremiah. Assyria conquered Babylonia and took Israel (the 10½ tribes) into Assyrian exile. After many conflicts the Babylonians destroyed the empire of Assyria and eventually defeated Judah (2½ tribes) and took them into Babylonian captivity this group joined the other previously enslaved peoples of Israel (the 10½ tribes), but in spite of Isaiah and Jeremiah s warnings many of the inhabitants of Jerusalem rebelled against the Word of the LORD and fled to Egypt for refuge, but it was futile because Egypt was later conquered by the Babylonian s. God s master plan was complete all the divisions of Israel and Judah were once again brought together and the LORD now had 70 years to mould them once again into a united nation faithful to only one God. 5

6 Israel is pictured as Sheep being Hunted and Driven away by Lions. Jeremiah 50: "Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones. The first group of lions; refers to Assyria the second group of lions refers to Babylon. Assyria destroyed the Ten Tribes of Israel in the land of Samaria and took them captive and Babylon attacked the Two Tribes of Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and took the people captive to Babylon. Babylon is pictured as a lion gnawing at the bones of Israel because Judah was only Two Tribes. Babylon the great city; is full of self-exaltation and self-praise, because of its temples, Baals and gods, its success, riches, wealth architecture, magnificent buildings, and the power it has over the nations. But Babylon: - Has extreme pride, self-exaltation and self-glory. Worship Baal s, idols and false gods. Oppress the LORD S people while under their authority and in their captivity. Reaping what we Sow; the LORD tells the nations surrounding Babylon to do to Babylon, what Babylon has done to other Nations (v15). The LORD will make Babylon: - A shame and disgraced to all the surrounding nations. The tail and not the head of the nations. A wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. An utter desolation. A scorn to all nations because of all their devastating destruction. Surrender their weapons of war and their defences. Poor, by cutting off the sower and the labour who harvests. The sword of the oppressor (v16) refers to Cyrus king of Persia (the country from the North). Everyone will return to their own people and their own land (v16) primarily refers to the Two Tribes of Judah, the Ten Tribes of Israel and all God s people who were scattered throughout various nations returning as one nation to their own land and Jerusalem their beloved city. The LORD Will Restore Israel. Jeremiah 50: Therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. 19 I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and his desire shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead. Carmel; (means garden), it refers to the prominent mountainous point of land that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea, it is west of the Sea of Galilee and forms the best natural harbor south of Beirut. South of Carmel lies the fruitful Plain of Sharon and NE of it flows the river Kishon through the Plain of Esdraelon. Carmel is often used as a symbol of beauty and fruitfulness. 6

7 Bashan; the broad, fertile region E of the Sea of Galilee in Samaria, extending roughly from Gilead on the S to Mt Hermon on the North it was celebrated for its cattle, its breed of sheep and for its Oak Trees, the entire district was assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh. Ephraim; means double fruit it is north of the Dead Sea in Samaria and includes Bethel and Shiloh. Gilead; means rugged, it extended from the lower end of the Sea of Galilee to the northern end of the Dead Sea, and from the Jordan Eastward to the desert, a plateau of some 2,000 feet elevation. It included Mount Gilead and was a lush region with goodly forests rich grazing, lands, and abundant moisture. A scenic gorge of the noted brook called Jabbok, running into the Jordan, divided it. The land of Gilead joins Samaria, on the East Side of the Jordan River between the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee (Jerusalem is on the West-Side) (Gilead is Jordan today). The LORD will Punish Babylon as He Punished Assyria. Babylon conquered Assyria thus, God used Babylon to punish Assyria and He will use Cyrus King of Persia to punish Babylon and at the same time use Cyrus to restore Israel in their own land. Regarding Cyrus, the LORD said He would: - Call Cyrus His Anointed Shepherd. Hold Cyrus right hand while he subdues all nations and their kings. Be with Cyrus while he opens doors that no man can shut. Call Cyrus by Name. Go before Cyrus and break in pieces gates of iron and level the exalted places. Give Cyrus the treasures of darkness and the hordes hidden in secret places. Call Cyrus by his name even though Cyrus does not know God. Equip Cyrus and give him power. People will say, The LORD is in Cyrus. (Isaiah 45:1-3) (Isaiah 45:5-6) (Isaiah 45:14, 28). Cyrus defeated the entire empire of Babylon and its allied nations and gave the people of Israel written permission to return to their beloved city Jerusalem and rebuild the LORD S Temple. History evidences the truth contained in the following verses: - Job 12: He (the LORD) makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. Psalm 10: The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. Psalm 22: For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. Psalm 33: The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. Psalm 47: God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 66: the LORD rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations 7

8 The LORD will Forgive Israel of all Sin. Jeremiah 50: In those days (the days the LORD brings punishment on the king of Babylon and restores Israel) (v18-19) and in that time, declares the LORD, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none. And sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant. 21 "Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill, and devote them to destruction, declares the LORD, and do all that I have commanded you. Merathaim; means, repeated rebellion, it is a symbolic name for Babylon, used by Jeremiah in his doom of Babylon in chapters 50 and 51. Pekod; means visitation, it is a name applied to an Aramaean tribe living to the E and near the mouth of the Tigris River and forming part of the Chaldean Empire in Ezekiel s day (Jer 50:21) (Ezek 23:23). In the days the LORD restores Israel; he will completely forgive all their sin, there will be no-one held or accounted guilty amongst all the survivors in Jerusalem and the land of Israel who have returned from Babylon and from the all the nations they were scattered amongst. Merathaim and Pekod; the country God is raising up in the North (Cyrus king of Persia) to destroy Merathaim and Pekod (the Babylonian Empire) is told to kill their armies and destroy the city. The Hammer of the Whole Earth is Cut Down and Broken. Jeremiah 50: The noise of battle is in the land (of Babylon), and great destruction! 23 How the hammer of the whole earth is cut down and broken! How Babylon has become a horror among the nations! 24 I set a snare for you and you were taken, O Babylon, and you did not know it; you were found and caught, because you opposed the LORD. 25 The LORD has opened his armory and brought out the weapons of his wrath, for the Lord GOD of hosts has a work to do in the land of the Chaldeans. 26 Come against her from every quarter; open her granaries; pile her up like heaps of grain, and devote her to destruction; let nothing be left of her. 27 Kill all her bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come, the time of their punishment. Babylon is given the title the Hammer of the Whole Earth; because of their dominant authority and power over the world at that time and the oppression its kings, officials and those in authority brought the people under. Babylon Punished for what she did to Jerusalem and God s Temple. Jeremiah 50: "A voice! They flee and escape from the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion (Jerusalem) the vengeance of the LORD our God, vengeance for his temple. 29 "Summon archers against Bab-ylon, all those who bend the bow. En-camp around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has proudly defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. 30 Therefore her young men shall fall in her squares, and all her soldiers shall be destroyed on that day, declares the LORD. They flee and escape from Babylon to declare in Jerusalem the LORD is taking vengeance for His Temple. Those that have returned to Jerusalem from their 70 years in captivity to Babylon are proclaiming that God is taking vengeance for His Temple, because Babylon pillaged the Temple of God and took all the sacred furniture and holy items back to Babylon when they destroyed the city of Jerusalem. The LORD will Punish Babylon. Jeremiah 50: "Behold, I am against you (Babylon), O proud one, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. 32 The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up, and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all that is 8

9 around him. 33 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. 34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon. 35 "A sword against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, and against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against her officials and her wise men! 36 A sword against the diviners, that they may become fools! A sword against her warriors, that they may be destroyed! 37 A sword against her horses and against her chariots, and against all the foreign troops in her midst, that they may become women! A sword against all her treasures, that they may be plundered! 38 A drought against her waters, that they may be dried up! For it is a land of images, and they are mad over idols. 39 "Therefore wild beasts shall dwell with hyenas in Babylon, and ostriches shall dwell in her. She shall never again have people, nor be inhabited for all generations. 40 As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities, declares the LORD, so no man shall dwell there, and no son of man shall sojourn in her. The LORD will punish Babylon because: - The nation is full of Pride and self-exaltation. They have oppressed the people of Israel and Judah. The people of Israel and Judah have not been allowed to go free. Their land is full of images and idols. The LORD is bringing destruction to Babylon s inhabitants, officials, wise men, diviners, warriors, horses, chariots, all the foreign troops in her armies, their water supplies and all their treasures. Notice; the people of Israel and the people of Judah are together (v33). The Plan and Purposes that the LORD has made against Babylon. Jeremiah 50: "Behold, a people comes from the north; a mighty nation and many kings are stirring from the farthest parts of the earth. 42 They lay hold of bow and spear; they are cruel and have no mercy. The sound of them is like the roaring of the sea; they ride on horses, arrayed as a man for battle against you, O daughter of Babylon! 43 "The king of Babylon heard the report of them, and his hands fell helpless; anguish seized him, pain as of a woman in labor. 44 "Behold, like a lion coming up from the thicket of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make them run away from her, and I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? 45 Therefore hear the plan that the LORD has made against Babylon, and the purposes that he has formed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the little ones of their flock shall be dragged away; surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate. 46 At the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth shall tremble, and her cry shall be heard among the nations." Jeremiah says, A People comes from the North (v41) the north Country refers to MEDIA-PERSIA (see; the notes following (Jer 50:3-5) and the title, THE NORTH COUNTRY). Notice; when Babylon falls, the earth trembles, and Babylon s cry is heard among the nations Cyrus and Babylon foreshadow the World System and Christ King Cyrus, who the LORD called, His anointed shepherd set the people of Israel free from the captivity and oppression of BABYLON and established a time on earth in which God s people could build their homes, farm their own land and practise their faith in safety, it was a time of joy, laughter, prosperity and peace for the people of God (Cyrus the LORD S anointed shepherd) (Isaiah 45:1). 9

10 Bible prophecy proclaims; there is a future day when another King will come who the LORD also calls His Anointed Shepherd, but his name is not Cyrus, but the Lord Jesus Christ. The fall of BABYLON to Cyrus is a faint echo of a future age when the Apostle John in the final Book of the Bible hears an Angel crying out: - "FALLEN, FALLEN IS BABYLON THE GREAT. The fall of BABYLON in the time of Jeremiah can be viewed as a faint echo of another day in a future age when once again God will bring judgment on BABYLON, but this time the name BABYLON is not a single city in the Middle East, but a title given to the entire world s system of Government, Trade and Money. BABYLON is Symbolic of the World System. The following verses show that BABYLON is used symbolically in the book of Revelation to portray the collapse of the Global World System of Government, Trade and Money. Rev. 14: Another angel, a second, followed, saying, "FALLEN, FALLEN IS BABYLON THE GREAT, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality." (cited from Isaiah 21:9). After the first Resurrection Judgment comes on the World. After the first resurrection (Rev 20:5) the LORD S judgment comes and an Angel cries out "FALLEN, FALLEN IS BABYLON the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality," then Christ rules as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS and a New Age begins with the eternal gospel being spread throughout the earth (Rev 14:6-8). After Jesus returns, the kings of the earth assembled at Armageddon, and God s wrath is poured out, a voice cries out from the throne of heaven, It is Done. There is lightning, thunder, great earthquake and severe hailstones and THE GREAT CITY OF BABYLON and the cities of the nations are destroyed. Rev. 16: The great city (Babylon) was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered BABYLON THE GREAT, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. BABYLON THE GREAT, Mother of Prostitutes and of Earth's Abominations. Rev. 17: And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: "BABYLON THE GREAT, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations." God is about to judge BABYLON who turned the kings of the earth, the nations and those who dwell on earth away from the laws of God and even against God Himself (Rev 17:1-3). Rev. 18: They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, "Alas! Alas! YOU GREAT CITY, you MIGHTY CITY, BABYLON! For in a single hour your judgment has come." Rev. 18: Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will BABYLON THE GREAT CITY be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more. Rev. 18: And he (the angel) called out with a mighty voice, "FALLEN, FALLEN IS BABYLON THE GREAT! BABYLON is pictured as being a dwelling place for everything, wicked, detestable and an abode of excessive drinking and sexual immorality. The world s business men are spoken of as growing extremely rich from the money they earned from those who lived in excessive luxury and who spent money on materialistic merchandise far beyond what is considered needed (or what they could afford) (Rev 18:2-3). 10

11 Rev. 18: As she (Babylon the great) glorified herself and lived in luxury, 9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, "Alas! Alas! You great city, you MIGHTY CITY, BABYLON! For in a single hour your judgment has come." Kings, businessmen, governments and even some churches and religious organisations who have used the system of the world to obtain excessive riches will weep when the system collapses (Rev 18:11-19). Babylon (the World System) will Collapse. Rev. 18: And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, "Alas, alas, for the great city (Babylon) where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste. Rev. 18: Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will BABYLON THE GREAT CITY be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more. Everything that is offensive to God and destructive to humans will be destroyed (Rev 18:22-24), but the apostles, prophets and those who belong to God are told to rejoice (Rev 18:20). Notice; businessmen are spoken of as being the great ones of the earth (Revelation 18:23) Babylon and the World System of Money The Babylonians were money-lenders not only out of dedicated policy but with fervour, zest, and relish. One of their proverbs expresses this outlook clearly: - The giving of a loan is like making love; The returning of a loan is like having a son born. They were thus a breed of happy, proud, heartless and ruthless moneylenders. Their whole world of business moved in terms of credit financing, and their whole concept of social control and of imperialism rested on usury. It is not surprising that BABYLON THE GREAT, the harlot, is the type in Revelation of the One-World Order which shall seduce all nations. For biblical economy, loans are not the basis of normal operation as with BABYLON, but of abnormal circumstances. As such, and definitely as such, they have their place, but they operate in terms of absolute understanding as well as clear, definite' and obvious restrictions. Two kinds of loans in the Bible were recognized: - To the believer without usury, but with security. To the unbeliever, with usury and security. But; in both instances the security is the something real, it is a tangible asset, in goods or in money that is transferred and involves only the two parties involved to the contract. Modern banking however, is radically different. Banks create money by an official authorization and by one party simply recording a loan and a deposit on their books. The consequence is, not the personal and limited action of a biblical loan, but inflation, the decreasing of the prior relationship of money value to total goods and services. As a result there is a decreasing of all money, and such loans mean an element of robbery in that they reduce the value of all other money previously in existence. Modern central banking (i.e. the Federal Reserve System) are modern applications of the old Babylonian principles and are equally seductive in helping to bring about the lure of the Dream of Empire. 11

12 Federal Reserve System. Prior to the introduction of central banking, the ability to create money by an official authorization was relatively limited, and it depended in large measure on the confidence of the individuals in the local bank. Today, the instrument of control has passed to the Federal Reserve System, its directors and stockholders, the Treasury Department, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and other agencies who are engaged in manipulating the money supply. Biblical law is hostile to a money system that is based on credit, because it creates an abnormal and oppressive lifestyle of debt for a country or individual who lives by it. The Babylonian system of economics today is anti-biblical And as such will incur the wrath of God. God s advance judgment through prophetic Scripture proclaims that the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of BABYLON S luxurious living (Revelations 18:3) BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN IS FALLEN (Rev. 18:2) the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her BABYLON since no one buys her gold, silver, jewels, pearls and fine linen anymore (Rev. 18:11-12) End. 12