Q11 What reason does the Bible give for the overthrow of ancient Babylon?
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Daniel 5:22,23.
NOTE: Belshazzar was the last king of Babylon, the head of gold. He knew the experiences of God’s working and blessing to make Babylon a great nation, in spite of this he lifted himself up in pride and blasphemed the God of heaven and his creator. He used the sacred vessels taken from the temple of the living God and praised the gods of gold and silver and stone in wine at an orgy of feasting for a thousand of his lords. Thje last message of warning to every nation kindred tongue and people in Revelation 14:7 proclaims, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him.’ The conflict now is the same as in 539 BC—God or blasphemy.
Q12 In prophecy what similarities to ancient Babylon are shown in the present developing Holy Roman Empire that will lead to its downfall?
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Revelation 18:4-8
And they worshipped the beast [See Revelation 13:1 for a description of its blasphemy] saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? Rev 13:4
NOTE: By contrast the living God is extolled in these words, ‘Who is like unto thee O Lord among the gods, who is like thee glorious in holiness, fearful in praises and doing wonders.’ Exodus 15:11. These were the words sung at the deliverance of God’s people after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea’
NOTE: The historical sequences of the Great Image reveal all that has been in opposition to God producing the situation that we see around us today. The characteristics of these four powers remain in the world today, but behind these powers another is at work. This is explained in Revelation 13:1-2. The dragon gave the power. In these verses notice the word ‘blasphemy’. These powers have usurped the position of God in the world,
- His Creatorship and His greatness,
- His laws and authority and His invitation to worship Him
- His Truth
- His mission.
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