Isaiah 13-14:23

Begin “Book of burdens”, here thru chp 23.  Prophecies against various world rulers AND satanic powers behind.  Next 2 chps focuses Babylon.  Predicts >century ahead to collapse of Belshazzar’s gvt…even further to destruction of final world gvt and even satan.  Very unexpected prophecy to Jews who hadn’t given 2 thoughts to Babyl.  Everyone afraid Assyria, but God knew a powerful demonic spirit rising in Babyl.  Remember Dan 10:12-13…20-21  Except intervention God, Satan rule every gvt thru evil men.  This why 1Tim 2:2 supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.…2 Th 2:7-8.  And in fact, this 1^st chp of “Burdens” speaks directly to antichrist as well as Satan.  Dual:  1^st Israel’s future next 200 yrs and then world’s future 2k years later.    

 

13:9     1^st the near future.  Impregnable city (300’ wall, 35’ deep, 250 100’ towers, 2^nd moat, 80’ thick walls, 50’ thick walls strategically placed…).  Belshazzar threw party (Dan 5).  Diverted river, went under, took days for citizens to know.  But, obviously something more.  Whole land, sinners destroyed? 

 

“Babylon”:  Mentioned 260x by name.  >any city except Jer.  A literal city on a literal river w/ dark history.  Post-flood center of civilization, but also rebellion and false religion (Gen 11:1-10).  Nimrod, built in Shinar…God brought confusion to squelch evil (Babel).  From Dave Hunt’s material: Pagan rituals didn’t stop, and eventually formed occultic religion that moved Pergamos and later under Constantine to Rome.  Many “strange” rituals brought into Christianity.  Easter…Yule, titles…3K years after Nimrod, Babyl became capitol of empire who destroys city of God.  To the Jews, epitome evil (read Habakkuk).  Throughout OT, equaled “idolatry, blasphemy and persecution”.  But, if we leap forward a millennia, it’s alive and well (1 Pt 5:13 She who is in Babylon greets you) and by time John aged, he forsees Babyl as world government and false religion when Lord comes, mentioning 6x between Ch 14-18.

 

“Day of Lord” >539 BC attack.  Phrase used 30x, 1^st-Isa 2:12.  Last-2 Pt 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  Time of judgment so great Mt 24:22 unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.  JC said, men's hearts [will] fail them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth (Lk 21:26)…Amos describes (5:18-20) similar to running lion and eaten bear, or hide in house and bit by snake.  Can’t get away.   

 

13:10   Or as JC went on to say, the powers of heaven shall be shaken…(Lk 21:26)  Again, far beyond Cyrus conquering Belshazzar.  Joel 2:10 The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness, Rev 6:12-17, Isa 34:4.  JC tells us it all comes at end Trib Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Mt 24:29   Residents of Babylon may felt like whole world coming apart, it will be… 

 

13:19   So specifically worded that kills skeptics.  Must be more Isa’s.  Decades before Babylon even defeats Assyria…But God rules.  In chptr 45 (108 years before Cyrus), God calls by NAME!  October 12, 539 BC God proved who the Lord is! 

 

13:22   Wikipedia: “All that remains of the original ancient famed city of Babylon today is a mound, of broken mud-brick buildings and debris in the fertile Mesopotamian plain between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in Iraq.”  But, I again believe more!  Even though archaeologists record while excavating, Arabians refused tent in area.  It’s the phrase as S&G?  Cyrus didn’t devestate city, walls stood another 50 yrs and after Alexander conquered, he made it capital before died (323 BC).  Then slowly degraded to nothing just prior Christ.  What about Jer’s prophecy Babylon fall suddenly and be destroyed (Jer. 51:8).  Nearly identical prophecy in Rv 18:10.    

 

14:11  Speak directly to the power ruling the person/gvt.  Don't think it strange most capitals most immoral and corrupt place in each country. 

 

14:12   According Ez 28:12, 14: the anointed cherub in charge.  Very good chance, God's number one being, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  And yet there came time when despite beauty and glory, wanted more.  What say to JC?  Worship!  All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.  Perhaps it was man (Gen 1:26), whom have to serve (Heb 1:14) and would be above  (1 Cor 6:3).  When he fell it brought war, Rev 12:3-4, 7 & 9…  

Here are the 5 "I wills"…

 

14:15   Understand danger of power?  1 Tim 3:6...This flavors so many religions (Mormonism, New Age, Word Faith), now know who is behind it.   Isa 44:6-7

Tried grab greatest and most, and ended up lowest and least.  There is satanic influence in world Eph 6:12.  But, God clearly reveals 1 Jn 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.             

 

14:23   2 Pt 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;