At the height of his reign between 606 and 536 BC. C., the Babylonian Empire included Iraq, Syria, Iran (Persia) and the Lebanon. The city of Babylon was the main religious and commercial center of the early world. In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, countless references are made to a place called Babylon, including a profound description of how it will be completely destroyed.

But how can it be destroyed when ancient Babylon is no more? Babylon (Babel) is first mentioned in Genesis 10:10 as the place where the Tower of Babel was built on the plains of Shinar. Revelation chapter 18 reveals that Babylon would be destroyed by fire, never to be inhabited again, and many would mourn and mourn over its destruction. There is no historical record of such an event occurring in the past. Is it possible for the Babylonian empire to rise again? Of course! Don’t forget that on May 14, 1948, the state of Israel was reborn in one day.

The United States is currently locked in a major standoff between Iran (Persia) and Syria. The Bush administration is determined to topple the regime of President Bashar Assad in Syria and has been the leading voice for Syria to be sanctioned by the recent UN Resolution for the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005. Iran, Syria’s closest ally, has made its position very clear for the destruction of Israel and the United States of America. The president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, openly said on November 1, 2005, before his country, that “the state of Israel is a shameful stain that must be erased from the map.”

No country, with the exception of the United States, expressed disapproval of Iran’s comments; international condemnation was silent. This is surprising considering that Iran has boldly denounced repeated international pressure to abandon its nuclear program. Indeed, Russia, which supplies nuclear materials to Iran, said nothing had changed between their relations in light of Iran’s confrontational threat to Israel. Determined that the Holocaust will not be repeated, the Nation of Israel will not stand idly by and watch as its number one enemy gains nuclear power. What will happen if Israel attacks Iran in a pre-emptive strike?

Well, let’s take a look at what the Bible says… in Ezekiel chapters 38-39, the prophet predicted a massive “Gog-Magog” attack on Israel. Many biblical scholars believe that “Gog-Magog” is the country of Russia. Reading Ezekiel’s prophecy, Gog leads an alliance with Persia (present-day Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya (all Islamic countries) in an unprecedented attack on Israel. Surprisingly, Israel’s aggressors will all be defeated due to a miraculous intervention of God.

What does this future war have to do with the resurrection of the Babylonian empire? All! The fact that four countries that were once within the borders of the Babylonian Empire are now on the brink of collapse or have already collapsed is no coincidence. I believe that with the breakdown of each country they will come together to become one. There will be a geographic shift in the Middle East for the following reasons:

1. Iraq is very unstable.

2. Lebanon is still in recovery mode from the assassination of its respected democratic leader.

3. Persia will be defeated in the war. (Ezekiel Chapter 38-39)

4. Damascus, Syria will cease to be a city. (Isaiah 17:1-3)

Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the annihilation of Iran (Persia), a serious vacuum will be felt in the Islamic world. A coming leader will resurrect these broken countries and bring dramatic change to the ancient region once known as Babylon. This is no coincidence because history always repeats itself. The territory of Babylon is slowly but surely coming back to life.

A couple of years ago, Saddam Hussein made headlines when it was discovered that he was taking steps to rebuild Babylon so he could follow in the footsteps of King Nebuchadnezzar. According to the Bible, there will be a literal place called Babylon and it will be a prominent superpower during the Last Days. There are six facts mentioned regarding the resurrection of ancient Babylon recorded in the Dakes Annotated Reference Bible:

1) Babylon as a literal city is mentioned in the fulfillment of many things that MUST BE after the rapture (Rev. 14:8, 16:19; 18:1-24)

2) Zechariah predicted the rebuilding of Babylon (Zechariah 5:5-11)

3) Babylon must return to being a great trade, religion and political center (Rev. 18:1-24)

4) Babylon’s sorceries will deceive all nations after the rapture (Rev. 18:23, 2nd Thess. 2:10)

5) Orders will go out from Babylon for the martyrdom of the saints (Rev. 18:24)

6) Babylon will be destroyed at the end of this age (Rev. 16:19; 18:1-24; Isa. 13:19; Jer. 50:40)

Read the scriptures for yourself. Point to read Revelation 20:4, “I saw thrones on which sat those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God.” .They had not worshiped the beast or his image, nor had they received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” What prominent religion makes it a practice/law to behead people who break the law?

The Qur’an dictates that God revealed His will to the angels, saying, “I will be with you. Give courage to the believers. I will strike terror into the hearts of the infidels. Cut off their heads, cut off the very tips of their fingers.” (Sura 8, verse 12) and “When you meet disbelievers on the battlefield, cut off their heads.” (Sura 47, verse 4). In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John explains what will happen during the last days of the earth. I believe that a powerful Muslim leader will restore the Babylonian Empire through an Arab coalition of the countries of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran (Persia).

The Book of Genesis tells the story of the beginning of the world and the Book of Revelation explains how the world will end, and Babylon (Babel) is mentioned in both books. In fact, the city of Babylon is mentioned 234 times in the Bible, only the city of Jerusalem is mentioned more. How amazing is it that the Bible, a Book written thousands of years ago, predicted these events? There is no other book like it, no matter how many fakes you try to compare. If you need a good read, I highly recommend checking it out.

recommended viewing

Babylon Back from the Dead by Perry Stone Ministries