Bible Prophecy
IRAQ
(BABYLON)
The Bible is somewhat a tale of two cities:
Jerusalem and Babylon
Babylon is described as being the fountain of rebellion against God and God’s Word which has spread throughout the whole world. Babylon also represents the global World system today that despises, rejects, and mocks God’s Word. God warns of a coming judgment upon Babylon (modern Iraq). From the Bible, it appears Iraq (Babylon) may rise again as a global economic and religious center … and then will be utterly destroyed and left uninhabitable.
Great prophecies against Iraq (Babylon) are found in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and also in Zechariah (where Babylon is called by its ancient name “Shinar.”) In the New Testament we find a fearful prophecy against “Mystery Babylon” in the book of Revelation chapters 17-18 (in the Bible a “mystery” is something that had not yet been revealed in Scripture).
These prophecies concerning Babylon (Iraq) are not easy to interpret or present in a linear or chronological form. Please seek wisdom, a discerning spirit, and search the Scriptures concerning these prophecies.
It appears the prophecies against Iraq (Babylon)
will be fulfilled in 3 Phases …
PHASE 1: Iraq (Babylon) would be invaded and conquered by a coalition of many nations led by a nation and leader from “a far country”… from “the end of heaven” (the opposite side of the Earth). This Bible prophecy does not describe the Persian (and Medes) invasion of Babylon when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC. At that time the Persians diverted the Euphrates river and entered Babylon through the river bed gates on the night of October 12 without damaging the city. Many of the citizens of Babylon did not even know they had been conquered for several days.
This first phase of the Babylon prophecies may represent a yet future invasion of Iraq, or they could be describing the Gulf War I + Gulf War II “coalition” invasions of Iraq (Babylon). Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, even described himself as the new Nebuchadnezzar (the ruler of ancient Babylon).
The section of the prophecy where the Medes (modern-day Kurds) from the northern part of Iraq will invade and attack the south in a very brutal war does not appear to have yet been fulfilled. It is hard to tell if this attack by a cruel army from the northern part of Iraq will take place during the “Phase 1″ or “Phase 3″ portion of the prophecies against Iraq (Babylon), or if the brutalities and massacres in Northern Iraq by the enigmatic ISIS, or the recent move of Iranian-controlled forces (both ISIS and the Iranian forces are very likely under Russian control) into the recently declared oil-rich state of Kurdistan, may have some future bearing upon these prophecies.
PHASE 2: Iraq (Babylon) will then someday rise to become a great economic and religious center of the world … filled with evil and wickedness. This is reflected by The “Woman” of Revelation 17:1-18 and Zechariah 5:1-11 … “The Woman who rides the Beast”… “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
This “Woman” will be a coming global all-in-one religious system which will rise along with a global political and monetary system under the leadership of the coming Antichrist. This man will be a very popular and powerful world leader who will soon rise. He will be the Satanic empowered counterfeit Messiah. The Bible warns around the time of the coming Antichrist and just before Armageddon, Iraq (Babylon) will become an economic and religious power in the world. The coming Antichrist (who will first rise in power over 10 nations which were all once part of the ancient Roman Empire) will possibly shift the center of a coming global economic system and the center of a coming global religious system to Iraq (Babylon) under his control and under the control of his powerful religious partner whom the Bible calls “the Second Beast” (Revelation 13:11-12).
PHASE 3: Southern Iraq (Babylon) will be utterly destroyed and left uninhabitable … forever! The Bible warns Southern Iraq (Babylon), “Shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” … “it shall never be inhabited” … “neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation” … “Babylon will become a heap of rubble” … “haunted by jackals” … “it will be an object of horror and contempt” … “without a single person living there.” Iran now exerts control over this area.
Prophecies from the book of Isaiah
The Burden Against Babylon (Iraq) …
This prophecy was written by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC, over 2,700 years ago. A complete scroll of the book of Isaiah was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (over 2,100 years old) and is now in a glass case on full public display in its entirety in Israel for all to see (including these passages).
Also, for those of you who may have any doubts about Babylon (ancient name) and Iraq (modern name) being synonymous, the official international news-site of Iraq which was run by Saddam Hussein’s son, Uday Hussein, was named “Babylon News.”
Although Babylon (southern Iraq) was conquered by the Medes and the Persians in ancient times, it was conquered in such a way it was never destroyed. In fact, in the past the great city of Babylon was spared and then inhabited by its conquerors, including both Persia and Greece. Saddam Hussein (and now others) have spent hundreds of millions of dollars restoring the ancient city of Babylon, including the palace where the prophet Daniel served and interpreted the “handwriting on the wall” the night before the Persians conquered the city (by sneaking in quietly under the river gates).
So, the total destruction of Iraq (Babylon) as clearly prophesied in the Bible, is still future!
This prophecy against Iraq is fascinating and timely. Scoffers and skeptics should take note, for God says He uses prophecy to prove He is who He says He is. The details in this series of prophecies are both remarkable and hard to ignore. Interestingly, as a note, much of this Bible Prophecy study was first written before the fall of Saddam Hussein, which seems to show these Bible prophecies concerning Iraq are now in process and on schedule.
What does God say concerning “The burden against Babylon (Iraq)?”
God first sends a warning …
“The burden of Babylon (Iraq),
which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see
(meaning this is prophetic)
Lift ye up a banner
upon the high mountain,
exalt the voice unto them,
shake the hand,
that they may go into
the gates of the nobles.
(Warn them judgment is coming)
I have commanded My sanctified ones,
(Sanctified means ‘set aside’ for God)
I have also called My mighty ones
for Mine anger, (a prophetic war)
even them that rejoice
in My Highness.”
(God is raising this army)
(Isaiah 13:1-3)
God warned He would first gather MANY nations against Iraq (Gulf War I + Gulf War II?)
“The noise of a multitude in the mountains,
like as of a great people;
a tumultuous noise of the
kingdoms of nations
gathered together: (39 nations assembled against Iraq in Gulf War I)
the LORD of Armies (hosts)
musters the armies (host) of the battle.”
(Isaiah 13:4) (God gathers these armies)
Study your history books and the Bible. Ancient Babylon was conquered by just two nations, the Medes and the Persians (led by Cyrus the Persian), without firing a shot! Now, find and study news videos of the Iraq (Gulf) Wars I & II … the combined “coalition” of 39 separate nations surrounding and invading Iraq was massive!
Armies from “a far country”…”the end of heaven”
“They come from a FAR country,
from the end of heaven,
even the LORD,
and the weapons of His indignation,
to destroy the whole land.”
(Isaiah 13:5)
Look at a globe to see where the US is compared to Iraq (Babylon) … then study your history books.
God links Iraq (Babylon) to the coming Apocalypse …
“Howl ye;
for the Day of the LORD (the coming ‘Apocalypse’)
is at hand;
it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”
(Isaiah 13:6)
Fear would grip the Iraqi soldiers and armies …
Watch the videos of the Iraqi soldiers trying to surrender during Iraq-Gulf War I
“Therefore shall all hands be faint,
and every man’s heart shall melt:
And they shall be afraid:
pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them;
they shall be in pain
as a woman that travaileth:
they shall be amazed one at another;
their faces shall be as flames.”
(Isaiah 13:7-8)
The Persians took Babylon without a major battle. They first lowered the river by diverting it, and then snuck in at night to capture the Palace. The Babylonian army didn’t even know the Palace had fallen and they had been conquered until after it was all over.
The Bible warns there is still MUCH to come in Iraq (Babylon)
The judgment against Iraq is shown as a pre-cursor to the coming Apocalypse and Armageddon. The “Day of the Lord” is the term used in the Old Testament (Tanakh) and the New Testament for what many call the Apocalypse or the Great Tribulation. Apparently this coming destruction of Iraq will somehow be linked to the coming Apocalypse and Armageddon when God will judge ALL the nations and people of the world …
“Behold,
the Day of the LORD cometh, (the Apocalypse)
cruel both with wrath and fierce anger,
to lay the land desolate:
and He shall destroy the sinners
thereof out of it.
For the stars of heaven
and the constellations
thereof shall not give their light:
the Sun shall be darkened
in his going forth,
and the Moon shall not
cause her light to shine.
And I (God)
will punish the world for their evil,
and the wicked for their iniquity;
and I will cause the arrogance
of the proud to cease,
(this means all nations and people)
and will lay low
the arrogance (haughtiness) of the terrible.
I will make a man more precious
than fine gold; (very few will survive)
even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Therefore I (God)
will shake the heavens,
and the Earth shall remove
out of her place,
in the wrath of the LORD of Armies (hosts),
and in the Day
of His fierce anger.” (the Apocalypse)
(Isaiah 13:9-13) (Also see Zephaniah chapters 1-2)
God will stir up the Kurds (the ancient Medes) who now live in Northern Iraq (and Iran, and Turkey.) It is interesting that it was the Medes (the Kurds in northern Iraq) who Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons on and killed an estimated 50,000. These same Kurds (Medes) just recently declared themselves an independent nation.
This army from the north will have no compassion on the men, women, or children, of Southern Iraq, and will not be interested or swayed by money, silver, or gold to stop their deadly march and slaughter …
“Behold, I will stir up
the Medes against them,
which shall not regard silver;
and as for gold,
they shall not delight in it.
Their bows also shall dash
the young men to pieces;
and they shall have no pity
on the fruit of the womb;
their eye shall not spare children.”
(Isaiah 13:17-18)
Southern Iraq (Babylon) will one day be utterly destroyed in such a way
that it will never, ever, be inhabited by man again …
“And Babylon,
the glory of kingdoms,
the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency,
shall be as when God
overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Sudden and complete)
It shall NEVER be inhabited,
neither shall it be dwelt in
from generation to generation”
(This judgment still lies in the future)
(Isaiah 13:19-22)
Prophecies from the book of Jeremiah
God warned He would one day raise up foreigners from every side to rise against Iraq (Babylon) …
“This is what the LORD says:
‘I will stir up a destroyer against Babylon
and the people of Babylonia (Iraq).
Foreigners will come and winnow her,
blowing her away as chaff.
They will come from every side
to rise against her in her day of trouble.'”
(Jeremiah 51:1-2) (Study Gulf Wars I & II)
God’s judgment against Iraq (Babylon) is not yet complete. Iraq (Babylon) will once again become a powerful enemy against Israel. God explains He will execute this judgment against Iraq (Babylon) because He has NOT forsaken Israel (even though their sin was great) …
“Don’t let the archers
put on their armor or draw their bows.
No one will be spared!
Young and old alike
will be completely destroyed.
They will fall dead
in the land of the Babylonians,
slashed to death in her streets.
For the LORD Almighty
has not forsaken Israel and Judah.
He is still their God,
even though their land
was filled with sin
against the Holy One (Messiah)
of Israel.” (Rejection of their Messiah)
(Jeremiah 51:3-5)
God is calling on ALL who will hear His voice to flee from Iraq …
As a note: The atrocities which Islamic ISIS committed against the men, women, and children living in Northern Iraq were inhuman and unspeakable. Islamic ISIS also recruited its soldiers from many nations around the world.
“Flee from Iraq (Babylon)!
Save yourselves!
Don’t get trapped in her punishment!
It is the LORD’s time for vengeance;
He (God) will fully repay her.”
(Jeremiah 51:6)
“And I heard another
voice from Heaven saying,
“Come out of her, My people,
lest you share in her sins,
and lest you receive
of her plagues.
For her sins
have reached to Heaven,
and God has remembered
her iniquities.” (This may include all who reject God’s Word)
(Revelation 18:4)
God will destroy all who desecrated His Temple in Jerusalem …
“This is His vengeance against those
who desecrated His Temple.
(God calls Christians a “living Temple.” This happens again with the Antichrist!)
Raise the battle flag against Babylon!
Reinforce the guard
and station the watchmen.
Prepare an ambush,
for the LORD will fulfill
ALL His plans against Babylon (Iraq).”
(Jeremiah 51:12-14)
Southern Iraq (currently controlled by Iranian Shiites)
will NEVER again be inhabited after God’s judgment is completed against her …
“The LORD says to Jerusalem,
‘I will be your lawyer
to plead your case,
and I will avenge you.
I will dry up her river (Euphrates),
her water supply,
(see prophecies of the Apocalypse)
and Babylon will become
a heap of rubble,
haunted by jackals.
It will be an object
of horror and contempt,
without a single person living there.”
(Jeremiah 51:36-37)
This portion may project out even further (see “Mystery Babylon” in Revelation 17:1 – 18) to the final judgment and destruction of all the nations and people of the world who have turned their backs on God and rejected His offer of shelter and protection through His Messiah, Jesus Christ …
“In their drunken feasts,
(Iraq must not be under Iranian control at this time)
the people of Babylon
roar like lions.
And while they lie inflamed
with all their wine,
I will prepare a different
kind of feast for them.
I will make them drink
until they fall asleep,
never again to waken,” says the LORD.
(May be during the Antichrist’s one-world religion)
“I will bring them
like lambs to the slaughter,
like rams and goats
to be sacrificed.
“How Babylon is fallen–great Babylon,
praised throughout the Earth!
The world can scarcely believe
its eyes at her fall!
The sea has risen over Babylon;
she is covered by its waves.
Her cities now lie in ruins;
she is a dry wilderness
where no one lives
or even passes by.”
(This has never yet happened )
(Jeremiah 51:38-44)
God again pleads with all of His lost sheep to return to Him humbly and in faith, through His Son, Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha’Mashiach in Hebrew).
He warns all those living in Iraq (and anywhere in the world) who will hear and believe His Word while there is still time …
“Listen, My people (Jews and Christians),
flee from Babylon.
Save yourselves!
Run from the LORD’s fierce anger.”
(Jeremiah 51:45)
Interesting prophetic insight and details are given here …
“But do not panic when you hear
the first rumor of approaching forces.
For rumors will keep coming
year by year.
Then there will be a time of violence
as the leaders fight against each other.”
(Carefully watch the events in Iraq)
(Jeremiah 51:46)
“For the time is surely coming
when I (God) will punish
this great city and all her idols.
Her whole land will be disgraced,
and her dead will lie in the streets.
The heavens and Earth will rejoice,
for out of the north
will come destroying armies
against Babylon,” (southern Iraq)
says the LORD.
“Just as Babylon
killed the people of Israel
and others throughout the world,
so must her people be killed.”
(Jeremiah 51:47-49)
Prophecies from the book of Revelation
“After these things
(after the rise of the Antichrist)
I saw another angel
coming down from Heaven,
having great authority,
and the Earth was illuminated with his glory.
And he cried mightily
with a loud voice, saying,
“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!
For all the nations have drunk
of the wine of the wrath
of her fornication,
the kings of the Earth
have committed fornication with her,
and the merchants of the Earth
have become rich
through the abundance of her luxury.”
(Revelation 18:1-3)
“Therefore her plagues
will come in one day —
death and mourning and famine.
And she will be
utterly burned with fire,
for strong is the Lord God
who judges her.
The kings of the Earth
who committed fornication
and lived luxuriously with her
will weep and lament for her,
when they see
the smoke of her burning,
standing at a distance
for fear of her torment, saying,
‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon,
that mighty city!
For in one hour
your judgment has come.’
And the merchants of the Earth
will weep and mourn over her,
for no one buys
their merchandise anymore:
merchandise of gold and silver,
precious stones and pearls,
fine linen and purple,
silk and scarlet …” (Some believe this represents New York)
(Revelation 18:8-12)
God promises a future BLESSING for Assyria (Northern Iraq)
In Isaiah 19:24 there is also a prophecy (in fact a prophetic blessing) concerning “Assyria” (yes, you read it right, Assyria, not Syria.) Nineveh, the ancient capital of Assyria (see the book of Jonah), is located in northern Iraq not far from the modern city of Mosul. Much of Iraq’s Christian population is now located in this area (and has been decimated by Islamic ISIS). The people who will be living in the northern Iraq area and who will believe in the Messiah (Jesus Christ) while enduring in faith through the troublesome times and persecutions that lie ahead will be blessed by God and will receive a portion of land that has been set aside with Israel. We are told this blessing will come after Armageddon and the return of Messiah, Jesus Christ.
“IN THAT DAY
(The coming “Apocalypse” when Jesus Christ returns)
Israel will be one of three
WITH Egypt and Assyria —
a blessing in the midst of the land,
whom the LORD of Armies (hosts)
shall bless, saying,
“Blessed is Egypt My people,
and Assyria the work of My hands,
and Israel My inheritance.”
(Isaiah 19:24-25) (A blessing is also promised for Egypt)
Bible prophecies tell us that believing Christians in northern Iraq (and in Egypt) who are now suffering will one day be blessed in a mighty and wonderful way!