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Babylon Reconstructed
I recently came across photographs of an area of Iraq.  The point that struck me was that it mentioned ‘Babylon reconstructed’ .  You see, Babylon is one of those ‘lost empires’ that I have been aware of through my understanding of the Bible.  About 2600 years ago, this Babylonian Empire was the dominant power in the civilised world.  Despite this, its demise in less than 70 years was predicted.  Along with that prediction, or to be more precise, prophecy was further detail that applies with remarkable detail right up to our own day.  In this issue, we have a look at the record.

The Prophetic Word


Daniel was a young man when his nation was taken captive to Babylon. He was chosen by his captors to learn their language and customs. One day when King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, he called his astrologers to tell him its meaning. There was one catch: they had to tell him what the dream was first, or be killed. When Daniel heard about it, he prayed to God who showed him the dream and its meaning.
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,

"The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.”But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:…
Daniel 2:27-28 (NKJV)

The King dreamt of a fearsome statue made of different metals. This represented the Kingdoms of Men, of which Babylon was head. See the list below for each metal and the empire it represents.

Head of gold
Babylonian Empire 621-539BC
The fertile river basins of Mesopotamia have been home to many civilizations, but no city was as grand as Babylon in Daniel's time. Famed for its golden idols, Babylon remains synonymous with false religion and paganism.
Chest and arms of silver
Medo-Persian Empire 539-331BC
Cooperating kingdoms of Medes and Persians formed the two arms of the empire that destroyed Babylon. The monarch's power was no longer absolute. Noted for its advanced economy based on silver.
Belly and thighs of brass
Grecian Empire 331-30BC
The brazen Greeks lightning conquest of the Persian empire was due to the superior leadership and tactics of Alexander the Great, who was cut down in his prime at only 33 years old. His kingdom was divided between his four generals, forming rival monarchies. See also Daniel 7 v 6, Daniel 11.
Legs of iron
Roman Empire 30BC-1806AD
The iron legions of Rome formed the fearsome war machine that conquered the Greek Empire. Rome was ruled by the Senate, a weaker form of government than the empires preceding it.
Feet of iron and clay
Divided Europe 1806AD-Present
From the eastern and western legs of the Roman empire sprang the barbarian kingdoms that we now know as Europe. As iron and clay do not mix, so these nations come together but do not "adhere" or "stick" to one another.
The Kingdom of God
Finally, the King saw a rock cut out without hands, symbolising the work of God through His son Jesus Christ separating a special people for Himself. The rock strikes the image on the feet, destroying the image completely, filling the whole world.

"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold-the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. ..." Daniel 2:44-45 (NKJV)

Look at Matthew 21:42-44 for a Bible echo linking this stone with Jesus.

Epilogue
Saddam Hussein’s recent attempts to reconstruct the city of Babylon were cut short.  In contrast, what God foretold would happen, is happening.  When man’s empires are finally destroyed (by ‘the stone’), will you be on God’s side or part of the destroyed kingdoms?

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