Any thoughts on why Babylon is missing from the list ?shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach AdonaiDo you think the war will occur before we withdraw from Iraq?
If one believes Bible prophecy should be taken literally, the area now called Iraq is mentioned prominently as having a role to play in history yet to unfold.
Although Saddam Hussein began rebuilding a city on the site of ancient Babylon, it is at this time many, many years away from even having a chance of again becoming a great world commercial and/or religious center. It is scarcely more than a tiny, token symbol of the magnificence that once occupied that area.
The war that removed Hussein perhaps disrupted any rebuilding effort. But some prophecy watchers suggest that with Saddam removed, the world community might think to come together and make the present effort to rebuild Babylon into a true symbol for world unity and world peace. A major city with towering skyscrapers could, with today’s technologies, be erected in mere months. Some believe that even the United Nations might be moved to a rebuilt Babylon as a gesture of world community and harmony.
So, based on the fact that the city of Babylon has yet to become a viable entity, and the fact that the location of Babylon is in Iraq, and the Scriptures don't indicate that Iraq will be involved in Ezekiel's prophecy, I don't think that Babylon will be among the hordes that attempt to invade Israel.
Do you think the war will occur before we withdraw from Iraq?
I really don't think so. Ezekiel's prophecy indicates that the nations that will march to Israel do so to attack an Israel that is "dwelling safely" and a nation of "unwalled villages". This seems to indicate that Israel feels secure enough to not have walls around it like it does now which leads some to believe that this war will occur after the Antichrist signs the seven year peace treaty with Israel which leads them to feel safe and secure.