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THE IMPORTANCE OF [rebuilding] BABYLON [socialism began thr; bk critique R We Living N END TIMES?]
BK: Are We Living in the END TIMES? | 1999, 30 APR 2007 | Tim LaHaye, Jerry B Jenkins, Quix critique

Posted on 04/30/2007 9:00:21 PM PDT by Quix

Quix: I've been undecided about whether the Bible clearly indicated Babylon was to be rebuilt in these END TIMES until reading as far as I have in this book. I believe this excerpt is an important one to prayerfully consider and that it is indicative of a wealth of well researched info in the book. I consider it well worth getting and reading all of—for anyone seriously interested in the END TIMES and Bible prophecy.

Pp132-143
Babylon is mentioned 280 times in the Bible—more than any city except Jerusalem. It is easily the most important pagan city that ever existed, for there is hardly any city in the world that it has not in some way influenced—whether religiously, governmentally, or commercially. Her influence spread not only west to Rome, where it shaped all the developing nation states and most cities during the next two and a half millennia, but also to the east and south. Long before the word for it had been coined, socialism had been a Babylonian philosophy for the conduct of government, commerce, and religion. Most of the governments that followed it adoped many of its policies—a form of organized living independent of God.

Babylon is where Satan located his headquarters and began his centuries-old battle against God for the conquest of the souls of men. It was there that the seeds were planted for all the major religions of the world. There, government had its earliest beginnings, eventually producing Nebuchadnezzar, considered by some to have been the most autocratic dictator in history. According to both Daniel the prophet and secular history, all world governments from that time on have been inferior to Babylon. [Qx: I wonder, in terms of what—efficiency? Not the best measure of the quality of life under a government, I’d say]

Since the demise of Rome fifteen hundred years ago, no other world government has arisen—just as the prophet foretold (Daniel 2,7). Not that many haven’t tried! But they all failed, for God revealed that there would be only four world governments. Then at the “time of the end,” the world would unite once more under ten kings who would loan their authority to one man—a Nebuchadnezzar –type, if you will—who would do as he pleased, even “changing the times and seasons” . . . for a very short time.

And in the days of these kinds 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. (Daniel 2:44)

These great events will occur when God puts an end to the conflict that has been raging for millennia between Him and Satan for the allegiance of human hearts. God woos us through His Word and His Spirit to walk by faith; Satan woos us through government, commerce, and religious idolatry to walk by sight.

When Christ comes to set up His kingdom, He will destroy the city of Babylon, as well as Babylonian religion, commerce, and government. Then He will rule the world forever (Revelation 17-18). But first . . .

THE CITY OF BABYLON MUST BE REBUILT!

Once Satan moved his religious, commercial, and governmental capital to the city of Rome (in the first century before Christ), he lost interest in the original site of Babylon, located in the present country of Iraq. The city was abandoned many years later and was gradually covered by the winds and sands of time.

Around the turn of the twentieth century, some Bible teachers began to popularize the idea that the abandoned ruins of the city fulfilled prophecy. To support their position they quoted some of the prophecies relating to the eventual destruction of the city, particularly those that predict that it will never again be built. It made for colorful preaching. But as we shall see, Babylon was never destroyed as the Bible says it would be, in a single day as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

The failure to take literally these prophecies about Babylon has led otherwise good men to make some fanciful attempts to identify the Babylonian cities of Revelation 17 and 18. I well recall hearing a noted prophecy teacher expound on those texts, predicting that New York City was the new Babylon of the twentieth century [Qx once believed that] and would soon be destroyed. Again, it made for colorful preaching . . . but it was wrong.

Many of us who take a literal approach to Bible prophecy have felt for years that the city ofBabylon must be restored before the Second Coming. In fact, when I wrote my commentary on the book of Revelation thirty years ago, I predicted that Babylon would be rebuilt. Little did I realize that Saddam Hussein, one of the cruelest dictators of our time, was launching such an undertaking as a monument to himself!

WHY MUST BABYLON BE REBUILT?

The main reason for believing that Babylon must be rebuilt depends on some unfulfilled prophecies concerning the city’s destruction. Let’s briefly consider five sets of these prophecies.

1. Isaiah 13 and 14 and Jeremiah 50 and 51 describe the destruction of Babylon at “the day of the Lord.”

A careful reading of these four chapters will reveal that the prophecies concerning the destruction of Babylon use the law of double reference; that is, they refer to two overthrows of Babylon. The first occurred in the seventieth year of Israel’s captivity. The second will occur on the day of Yahweh, that is, the seven-year Tribulation. At that time Babylon will be the headquarters of the world’s governmental, commercial, and religious systems—in opposition to the will of God. And at that time it will be utterly destroyed, never to rise again.

2. The ruins of Babylon have been used to build other cities, contrary to Jeremiah 51:26.

Jeremiah predicted of Babylon, “They shall not take from you a stone for a corner nor a stone for a foundation, but you shall be desolate forever.” It is reliably reported that at least six cities bear the marks of ancient Babylon in their buildings: Seleucia, . . . Kufa, by the Caliphs; Hillah, just a twenty-minute walk from ancient Babylon, built almost entirely from Babylon’s ruins; and Baghdad, fifty miles north of Babylon, also used materials from the ancient city.

These facts alone demand the rebuilding of Babylon, because when God destroys it as recorded in Revelation 18, no part of it will ever be used to build another city.”

3. The prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah indicate that Babylon will be suddenly and totally obliterated.

“Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed” says the prophet in Jeremiah 51:8 (KJV). And Isaiah 13:19 states, “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (KJV).

A look at history reveals the city was never destroyed in the way these Hebrew prophets predicted it would be, which guarantees it must be rebuilt. Babylon declined gradually, over hundreds of years, and never was devastated in anything like the sudden conflagration that consumed Sodom and Gomorrah. . . .

An interesting aspect to Isaiah’s prophecy is that, like the city of Sodom, Babylon is built over vast supplies of bituminous asphalt and pitch. When my friend, prophecy preacher Dr. Charls Pa, led a tour of Babylon in 1975, he was told that the asphalt is only ten feet below the surface of the earth throughout the whole city. And while that may indicate there is oil underground, it is also an ideal condition to produce its ultimate destruction by fire and brimstone. A volcanic eruption could easily fulfill the destruction of the city as described in Revelation 18. . . .

4. Isaiah 13:20 states that the ruins of Babylon are never to be inhabited.

The prophet declared of the devastated Babylon, “It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.”

But as we just saw, Babylon was inhabited for much of ancient history even after the Medes and Persians conquered the Babylonian Empire. In fact, one writer records that about A.D. 1100, under the name of Hillah, Babylon was enlarged and fortified; in 1898 Hillah boasted ten thousand inhabitants.

And certainly it has never been true that ‘Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.” Both still occur to this day. Neither can it be said of Babylon, “Her cities are a desolation, a dry land and a wilderness, a land where no one dwells, through which no son of man passes” (Jeremiah 51:43) . . .

No, in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, Babylon must be rebuilt, then destroyed in a mighty display of God’s righteous power.

5. An ancient rabbinic rule of interpretation says that when the Bible mentions an event twice, it means the event will happen twice.

If this rabinnic guideline is correct, then we can be assured that Babylon will be rebuilt, for both Isaiah and the apostle John use the same double verbs to describe its destruction:

Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground! (Isaiah 21:9)

Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8)

Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! (Revelation 18:2)

Since the word “fallen” is used twice in each of these passages, the rabbinic rule demands that the city fall twice. But if it is to fall again, it must first be rebuilt.

BABYLON ALREADY LIVES

During the early eighties I began hearing stories of rebuilding in Babylon. Several times I tried to inquire how to make a visit there so I could see for myself. My friend Dr Joe Chambers was invited in 1989 to make an official visit to the rebuilt city as a guest of the Iraqi government. When he returned, he wrote a book titled A Palace for the Antichrist, complete with pictures of the walls, the magnificent gate of Ishtar (the female goddess whose history dates to themother of Nimrod, the worship of whom is growing in the Western world), the palace of Nebuchadnezzar and three pagan temples.

On June 28, 1990, Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson took the nation to this incredible city of Babylon via their television program Prime Time Live. They pointed out that Saddam Hussein had spent over a billion dollars of his oil wealth rebuilding the city as a monument to himself.

Now, Saddam Hussein dreams of rebuilding the grandeur, reclaiming the vision . . . In fact, right over here there are bricks that bear an ancient stamp. It says, “I am King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, king of everything from sea to far sea.” But there are new bricks here too, . . . . This one says . . . “I am Saddam Hussein, president of the Republic of Iraq.”1

. . .

SADDAM, THE SERVANT OF SATAN

It is difficult to explain the bizarre behavior of Saddam Hussein without thinking him quite possibly demon possessed. Before he ever declared the eight-year-long war on his closest neighbor, Iran—a conflict that cost both countries over a million men and crippled countless thousands of others for life—he already had earned the title of “butcher of Baghdad” for killing his own people. Even today [1999], if it were not for the United Nations and U.S. presence in northern Iraq, he would exterminate the Kurds living in his country.

Many Westerners still don’t understand what Hussein wasdoing when he invaded Kuwait and triggered the Gulf War. He had his eyes set not on little Kuwait alone but on the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Jordan—all the enemies of Israel and the very countries who own 70 percent of the world’s oil. . . .

Religiously, Saddam may give lip service to Muhammad and act like a devoted Muslim, but there is strong indication that he is actually a Satanist. A key is found in Dr. Charles Pak’s report of his 1975 visit to Babylon to witness firsthand the rebuilding of that ancient city. There, for the first time in his life, Dr. Pak witnessed the worship of the devil at a reconstructed temple to the sun. When you recall that Hussein is known to micromanage everything in his country, including that entire rebuilding project, you can be sure that a temple to Satan would not be there without his approval.

Certainly Hussein is not reported to be “normal.” What normal man would take his revolver and blow the brains out of one of his own generals merely for asking to be excused from a staff meeting (where Hussein was rambling on and on) because his wife had just called to say she had to go to the hospital to deliver their child? . . .

P143
You can be sure that any city mentioned seven times in two chapters as is Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18, will be a literal city. And since it is seen there as an enormously influential city, perhaps even the capital of government, commerce, and religion, it must yet be rebuilt. . . .

Add to the above, various reports I’ve read in the last year or three about the globalist’s plans to build their world government headquarters in rebuilt Babylon . . . and it definitely begins to be more than a little interesting.

I believe that LaHaye and Jenkins’ research is accurate and conclusive. I no longer believe that Biblically predicted Babylon of the END TIMES is New York or London or Hong Kong or Tokyo. Babylon is the only one that fits the prophecies so accurately. And that’s without considering the global government’s plans to place their headquarters there.

I also believe that the above facts demonstrate the validity of taking prophecies mostly—certainly overwhelmingly—literally where at all workable. We are seeing END TIMES prophecies come alive right before our eyes on CNN month after month.

The book has many other examples of literal fulfillment of END TIMES prophecies either in the last 60 years or on the brink of being fulfilled. I consider it one of the better prophecy focused books that I’ve read in the last 35 years.

I think that the above paragraphs are indicative of the writing style and flow of the writing. It is very readable and fast paced, imho.

There are ample footnotes for each chapter but put annoyingly at the end instead of the bottom of each page. Cost considerations, I guess—or editorial stupidity.

I realize that many believers love to mock and dismiss LaHaye and Jenkins because of their fiction series. I was not a great fan of the series though I enjoyed the concluding one where Christ returned.

However, this is a pleasure to read and is full of meaty information, well documented. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the END TIMES—including those who have decided on their own wisdom that we are not in the END TIMES because all such prophecies happened long ago. This book proves otherwise in abundance.


TOPICS: Charismatic Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Theology
KEYWORDS: babylon; endtimes; prophecy; timlahaye
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I hope we can discuss the book and related issues peacably. I will post some more interesting points from the book later in the thread, Lord willing and the Creek don't rise up.
1 posted on 04/30/2007 9:00:27 PM PDT by Quix
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To: Quix; Alamo-Girl; airborne; American in Israel; AnimalLover; auggy; backhoe; backslacker; ...

PING TO END TIMES PING LIST.

Please let me know if you want on or off this ping list.

May you be strengthened in The Lord by this discussion.


2 posted on 04/30/2007 9:02:48 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

It’s amazing how creative folks get. Remember the USSR-era end-of-times theories?

The fact is, we’ve been living in the “end times” for about 2000 years, ever since that day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles.

Now let’s all take to heart Matthew 24:36, live as Jesus directed in Matthew 24:44, and obey His commandment in Matthew 28:19-20.


6 posted on 04/30/2007 9:20:02 PM PDT by pjr12345 (What is it about "The Terrorists want to kill us!" don't you people understand?)
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To: pjr12345

Of course we are to be ready at all times as He’s coming when we think it less likely. Mat 24:44.

Been doing Mat 28:19-20 most of my life here and abroad as a tentmaker Good News sharer.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Perhaps you’d be so kind as to point out when in the last 2,000 years there have been more than a few somewhat similar to the END TIMES Prophetic signs true in the same era—say compared to this era where there are 100’s of data points including the great one of Israel becoming a nation again in a day in 1948 as predicted.


7 posted on 04/30/2007 9:27:55 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: pjr12345

Russia still has a part to play in Biblical prophecies. And their courting Iran fits well within those prophecies.

Of course, some prefer to look the other way and pretend that such prophecies have no modern relevance.


8 posted on 04/30/2007 9:29:14 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix
I have no clue if Babylon is a literal city, or a spiritual condition. What I do feel fairly confident in saying is I believe this is the last generation of fallen humans to inhabit the planet, and we are soon going to have an infinitely greater understanding of all the events of the end times, as they unfold. I also think many Christians are going to be just as shocked as the world is at what transpires, especially in regards to what the true meaning of being “caught up” is, and the second coming of Christ to His temple, “the church which is his body”.

The other thing I know is I don’t argue with people about politics and religion, so I never respond to posts. I state my position, and “let the reader” decide. I believe I am the king of nonresponse on FR.

9 posted on 04/30/2007 9:34:28 PM PDT by HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath (Christ's Kingdom on Earth is the answer. What is your question?)
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To: Quix

I read through your post and think you are a nut. Glad to see the nuts in conservative disguise are protected. Conservatism is not dependent upon religion. Please don’t ruin it for the rest of the conservatives by being “jihadist” about what you believe and causing another Pelosi. My comments being pulled as they were smell of Iran. Thanks Mulla.


10 posted on 04/30/2007 9:34:46 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools.)
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To: Quix

The nation that calls itself Israel is not the Israel of the Bible. Not one Israeli can demonstrate his genealogy. That nation is gone forever.

But don’t let me hijack your thread. I’ve been beaten up for that a couple of times recently already. Please, continue...


11 posted on 04/30/2007 9:35:57 PM PDT by pjr12345 (What is it about "The Terrorists want to kill us!" don't you people understand?)
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To: HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath

I certainly am eager to see THE RETURN OF THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.


12 posted on 04/30/2007 9:40:19 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget

Your additional personal assault is noted. Interestingly, I did not press the abuse button . . . yet. I suspect the moderator will get around to it soon enough.

The forum rules are there for a reason. If you don’t like them, you might begin your own forum.

The vast majority here tend to like this one the way it is.


13 posted on 04/30/2007 9:42:27 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: pjr12345

1. No other nation in history has been reconstituted after being conquered and dispersed.

2. No other dead language has been reconstituted as a National language.

3. God Promised HIS BUDDY Abraham many literal promises. GOD ALMIGHTY FULFILLS HIS PROMISES. He’s a point about which HE’S VERY PICKY.

4. The priestly genetics have been confirmed by DNA. They are now confident of being able to pick pure descendants of Aaron.

5. Stay tuned. God is going to make sport of lots of assumptions.


14 posted on 04/30/2007 9:45:23 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

You seem to want to hurry the process. Gods work is Gods work. Ours is to do our best at being what he wants and certainly not to guess when he comes. It is sheer arrogance to assume you can know his ways... as in when and where. You are blasphemous if you think you can decipher his exact intent and methods. If you do you are either a prophet or a heretic. You are no prophet. You can spread the word. Get back to it and quit the false prophecy.


15 posted on 04/30/2007 9:45:28 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools.)
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget

I rebuke in the Name of Jesus any hint that I’m engaging in false prophecy.

When you have a book or commentary accepted by The Body of Christ as part of Canonized Scripture, perhaps I’ll consider the perspective presented.

Please take your venom elsewhere. This thread is not a fitting place for it.


16 posted on 04/30/2007 9:47:51 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget

- “If you do”


17 posted on 04/30/2007 9:50:07 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools.)
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
Discuss the issues all you want, but do NOT make it personal!

For guidelines pertaining to the Religion Forum, click on my profile page.

18 posted on 04/30/2007 9:51:30 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Quix
4. The priestly genetics have been confirmed by DNA. They are now confident of being able to pick pure descendants of Aaron.

How on earth could they possibly confirm DNA? They have to have a known, valid accurate standard to measure against. They don't. Not one living Jew can authentic his heritage.

Also, I know for a fact that many of those living in Israel, claiming to be Jews, Aren't. Many of these "Jews" found their religion when this new nation offered to welcome any Jew to the new homeland. I have met more than one of these folks, and they confirm this reality.

I am certain God has a plan and will carry it out. However, assigning any sort of "special" status to this country in the middle east based upon its name and language will simply disappoint.

19 posted on 04/30/2007 9:52:28 PM PDT by pjr12345 (What is it about "The Terrorists want to kill us!" don't you people understand?)
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