After a here-to-come short opening observation, I shall confine all my additional remarks to the last four verses of our Text, our Chapter, Isaiah 13:19-22.
But first I remind you … much Bible prophecy has a “double” fulfillment! Both a “local” (and “sooner”) occurrence is often being predicted … followed (not “sooner,” but “later” and at times “much later”) by a “national” or “international” realization!
Even Isaiah chapter 7 with its glorious prediction of the Virgin Birth of Jesus (an indeed Singular Happening) seems to have such undertones.
The Second Coming of Jesus fits this pattern, too! The Rapture being “sooner” and the Revelation (Jesus’ actually coming back to planet earth, touching the ground, the Mount of Olives) being “later!” We believe, seven years later!
I’ve said all that to say this … the destruction of Babylon (the depiction of which begins here in Isaiah chapter 13) also had a more immediate fulfillment (Babylon was overrun by the Assyrians and then later by the Medes and Persians, that all being history now) … but her judgment yet awaits a more complete fulfillment … outlined in Revelation chapters 17 and 18. (Babylon being a type of world religion and commerce in rebellion against Almighty God! This basic idea goes all the way back to the Tower of Babel in Genesis chapter 11.)
Systemic Babylon is becoming stronger every day! (Think United Nations! Think European Union! Think United Arab Republic! Think of the coming Antichrist! And I almost wanted to say: think the United States Senate!) But she (Babylon) will fall some day … under the judging Hand of God our Saviour! (John 5:22 … “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” Jesus said/taught us that!)
Wow!
Now … to those last four verses: “19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. 21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. 22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.” Isaiah 13:19-22
Three quick points …
1. God seems to have a “paradigm” (a “pattern” a “standard”) for ultimate rebellion and wickedness and depravity. And judgment! “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew SODOM and GOMORRAH.” Yes, those twin cities infamous for their perversion, egregious sinning! (At times God even calls his people, both Israel and/or Judah, such names!) Throughout the Old Testament. Come to think of it, Jesus did this in the New Testament as well!
2. Once God is through with Babylon, she is merely a shell of her former self! (Isaiah 700 years before the Birth of Jesus is predicting/prophesying an event which has not yet occurred) The Lord will decimate that wicked place! “It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.” Amazing! But the “animals” of the desert will enjoy prowling and lurking there! “But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (perhaps some type of goat) shall dance there.” One Preacher says/writes that all that will be heard in formerly noisy Babylon will be “hoots and howls!” God’s Wrath will have finally and totally fallen! What a catchy, quotable phrase, “hoots and howls!”
3. Then last of all … “and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.” Isaiah (as well as other Bible Prophets) often uses the expression “in that day” as he tries to “date” his prophecies. But no longer will he employ that term concerning Babylon! Sounds too “distant!” It’s rather, “near to come,” her downfall! (Do remember: “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8) I grew up hearing these words concerning impending judgment, punishment: “Their day will come!”
Indeed!
God always keeps His Word!
Chapter after chapter of the Bible is dedicated to our Topic at hand … the destruction of Babylon! And in our next Lesson … Isaiah 14 … we shall see even more clearly why this is the case.
Join us Monday morning!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell