"Picture a cloudless, late-summer night along the banks of the gently flowing Euphrates River. Thousands of guests and dignitaries walk by torch light to the Procession Street leading into Babylon. They line the street– flanked by massive walls–watching row after row of soldiers with swords, spears, shields, and helmets march past on the Procession Street toward the Ishtar Gate. Interspersed among the soldiers are groups of musicians playing harps, horns, and drums; children carrying palm branches; runners bearing bowls of smoking incense. The crowd follows the last of the soldiers through the Ishtar Gate and into the city for the concluding ceremony–a tribute to Ishtar, the mother goddess of Babylon." [Charles Dyer, The Rise of Babylon: Sign of the End Times, p. 2]

    A scene of pagan worship in Daniel’s time? No–a scene witnessed by Charles Dyer, a Dallas Seminary professor, in September 1988 at the 2^nd International Babylon Festival, under patronage of Saddam Hussein!

The New York Times International edition carried the following report on October 11, 1990:

"Under President Saddam Hussein, one of the ancient world’s great legendary cities has begun to rise again. More than an archaeological venture, the new Babylon is self-consciously dedicated to the idea that Nebuchadnezzar has a successor in Saddam Hussein, whose military prowess and vision will restore to Iraquis the glory their ancestors knew when all of what is now Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Israel was under Babylonian control."

    That’s Hussein’s dream! Will he succeed? The dream has suffered some setbacks. The gulf war interrupted it’s progress. But it’s still Hussein’s dream! In recent years we’ve heard a lot about Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. What does God’s Word say about Iraq’s place in God’s plan?

    Secular history doesn’t tell us much about the origins of the cities of Mesopotamia. They explained their existence by mythological stories, which are strangely similar to biblical flood stories! The main difference from the biblical account has to do with the motives of the gods. Their gods were pagan deities that were seeking their own pleasure.

Gen. 10:8-10–IRAQ: BIRTHPLACE OF FIRST SELF-MADE STRONG MAN

    The Bible traces the founding of the major cities in the plain of Shinar to Nimrod, a hunter descended from Ham, son of Noah. His name means: "we shall rebel." The statement that he "became mighty warrior" indicates that he established himself and made a name for himself by naked aggression. He’s a strong man–a tyrant.

    The New Living Translation of verse 9 informs us that "His name became proverbial and people would speak of someone as being like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in the Lord’s sight." Nimrod is known as a mighty hunter. Pagan kings prided themselves in their hunting prowess. Being a great hunter is the epitomy of what the flesh does–the very picture of "macho man!"

    The image of a hunter stalking his prey–man or beast–depicts what strong men are good at! Even in God’s sight, Nimrod is known as a strong man, a mighty fighter–everyone (even God) knew he was a man to be reckoned with! His culture and attitudes are the fruit of the society described in Genesis 11. His description as "a mighty one" focuses our attention on his self-sufficiency, strength, independence, and possibly even violence.

TO COME OUT OF IRAQ AND FOLLOW HIM. Gen. 11:31-12:2; Acts 7:2-4; Josh. 24:2-3

    As a member of a patriarchal society, how did Abraham convince his father they should leave their beautiful, modern city to go to rural, undeveloped, unknown, far off Canaan? It is apparent from the historical events of their day that God controls the circumstances in Ur (Iraq) to move Israel out of Ur.

    Abraham was born in Ur (2166 B.C.), shortly after fall of Akkadian dynasty (2180 B.C.). Ur wasn’t a primitive town. It was a major urban cultural center. Abraham’s family lived in turbulent times of war. Their society was in turmoil because their govt. was overthrown–their entire world was turned upside down. Local culture was totally changed. As a result Terah leaves Ur and goes to Haran–a satellite city where the old culture is preserved. Terah is comfortable there–so they settle down in Haran. God controls the circumstances in Canaan as well, to make the land available there when Abraham moves on.

IRAQ’SROLEINBIBLICALHISTORY

    The major dispersion of Israel prior to the captivity period, in both the northern and the southern kingdoms of Israel was led by Iraq's forerunners: Assyria and Babylonia. No wonder Iraq isn’t pleased with Israel's return to the land! It undoes what they did to diminish Israel’s influence in the world!

    God promises to judge Assyria and Babylon for their treatment of His people. He promised total destruction (Is. 13:17-22; Jer. 50:26; 51:1-4). God’s judgment has never been literally fulfilled as promised! The people gladly received Cyrus in a bloodless conquest in 539 B.C. Cyrus took over the Babylonian Empire and brought it into the Persian Empire (Iran). The fact that Babylon was never totally defeated as promised argues for a second fulfillment, which hasn’t yet occurred in a revived Babylon at a future time, when the full promise will be totally fulfilled (Rev. 17-18)

    The prophet’s name, "Zechariah" means "Yahweh remembers!" His very presence in Israel serves to remind the people of God that He hasn’t forgotten His people! The message of the first six chapters reveals that God is establishing a plan to restore them and establish His kingdom among them. He reveals that plan for Israel’s future by means of eight visions.

    One of those eight visions reveals this woman in an ephah. This vision reveals the fact that the world’s false religious system will be removed. It will be transported by commercial interests to Shinar–back to where it all began.

    The woman in the ephah represents wickedness (5:8). She sits content in the ephah. An angel casts her back into the ephah, and seals it with a talent. Then two women appear, with wings like storks. The stork is well known in Israel. It has strong wings. Their mission is to carry the ephah to Shinar, which is Babylon. In other words she is carried back to Iraq where man-centered religion began. When they arrive there, the women build a place of protection–a temple–for it. Thus wicked, man-centered religion is carried back to Babylon where it faces God’s judgment.

    Revelation 17 introduces a woman also who is identified with wickedness and with Babylon. The parallels between these two passages could indicate that they both represent a future removal of apostasy from Israel, and the establishment of a final form of man-centered religion in Babylon, back where it all started! She is captured by a commercial captor. Babylon becomes a commercial center. After Israel’s restoration, in both Zechariah and Revelation, Babylon is depicted as a great commercial center.

    Man-centered religion eventually goes back to its birthplace. In Genesis 10-11, man-centered religion was born on the plain of Shinar (Iraq). Zechariah 5 describes a future time when man-centered religion returns to its roots; it goes back to Shinar.

    The judgment of a harlot referred to as "Babylon" is described in Revelation 17. This judgment parallels other passages that point to Babylon or Shinar as the object of God's judgment. The parallel with Zechariah 5 is especially obvious. Babylon is significant because it was the point of origin of the first religion opposed to God's plan. Throughout history its role has been significant. Revelation 18 presents "Babylon" as a great commercial center of the last days. The world religious system voluntarily moves to this commercial center where it is supported until the commercial system turns on it and destroys it.

    Years ago I remember hearing, a prophecy conference speaker named Dr. Barry. He was a converted Roman Catholic priest, with past contacts in high places in Rome. He informed us of a visit by the Pope years ago to Babylon to investigate the possibility of moving their headquarters there. This projected move was a result of Italy's take over of the central area of Italy, which belonged to the church until 1870. Dr. Barry contends that the church has never adjusted to living in Italian territory, under Italian control. The establishment of the Vatican City and a large sum of money never recompensed them adequately. They wanted their power back and control of the region.

    According to some archaeologists, the restoration taking place today is located where ancient Babylon was. Until recently, the Arab world was accumulating incredible wealth from its oil business, with nowhere to invest it. This could give them a worthy cause, if the present conflict is resolved. A modern commercial city could be quickly built. Brasilia is a modern city built from nothing in the jungles of Brazil–in 2 years. What might Arab capital accomplish, if they get their act together.

    Charles Dyer’s book includes pictures of Hussein’s project to reconstruct Babylon. He has drawings and dreams! Hussein has made numerous attempts to identify himself with the Neo-Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar II. This rebirth of Babylon is likely to happen, whether or not "Babylon" in Revelation 17-18 refers to a restored city in Iraq.

    This "prostitute" seems to refer to a religious system, composed of an ecumenical, syncretistic union in the last days. The specific components of this union are not clear to us today. It could include movements such as the New age movement, the ecumenical movement, modern cults, Eastern religions mixed with "Christian" religions, and perhaps other new movements not yet known to us.

    This "prostitute is supported by a political system of nations descended from Rome (17:7-8). In later messages we will consider more carefully the composition of the political system in those days. Again seven heads of the political system are introduced (17:9-11). These seven are depicted as "hills," and related to the Gentile nations that have ruled Israel. Five of these have already fallen: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. One is in power during John's time: Rome. The seventh is yet to come and refers to a confederation of nations descended from Rome who are presented as contemporaries at the time of fulfillment. An eighth nation descends from the seventh and establishes its own independent rule. The ten horns represent the nations that will form a future confederacy which will give its power to beast (17:12-14). Three of these ten will disappear, either by unification or destruction. This confederation will eventually unite together in opposition to the Lamb, but won’t be successful in their attempt to defeat Him. They’ll be destroyed. But before that happens, God will use them to destroy the religious system (17:15-18).

God’s judgment destroys the commercial center

   Chapter 18 described the judgment of "Babylon the Great," the political and commercial center. A totally different description is given of the destruction of the city, from that of the religious system. This "Babylon" is described as a great commercial city. God’s judgment comes against the city where the prostitute functioned, because it is identified with her and because of Babylon’s (Iraq's) treatment of Israel. This prophecy could refer to a literal, restored Babylon, or to a figurative "Babylon" that assumes the role of historic Babylon. It seems to me that a literal fulfillment to a restored Babylon best fits the passage itself, and the Old Testament prophecies. However, many students of Scripture respond that either Rome or Jerusalem are candidates for a figurative fulfillment in light of contemporary history.

    Isaiah is describing God’s future work in restoring Israel at the time of the millennial kingdom. Many nations come together to worship God at Jerusalem. Due to the judgment of God against them, which totally destroys them, Babylon is not specifically named as being present among these nations that come to God there (cp. 13:20-22).

    God’s people ought to be aware of Iraq's role in history so that we can understand their role in current events. They have always been an instrument in God's hands to drive Israel to their knees, so they’ll turn back to God. God judges them because they perform that function "with gusto." They get caught up in a satanic desire to destroy God's people.

    While there is no specific end time promise that says they’ll do it then, it is their role historically. It shouldn’t surprise us to see them act the same way they always have! This aggressive attack against God’s people serves as adequate motivation to provoke God’s judgment, as described in Jeremiah 50-51 and Isaiah 13. It could also create the troubling conditions that prepare the way for Antichrist to make a protective treaty with Israel (Dan. 9:25-27).

    Our culture continually pressures God’s people toward ecumenism, syncretism, and post- modern tolerance. People think that all religious people should unite and make common cause to better the world in which we live. This syncretistic attitude seeks to unite all kinds of religions and movements.

    From the very beginning. the nature of man-centered religion and worship has focused on making a name for ourselves! God wasn’t impressed in Genesis 11. God isn’t impressed in Revelation 17. Man-centered religion has never impressed God! He isn’t impressed with religion that focuses on us today either! Our man-centered attempts won’t impress God! He continually warns us about man-centered religion that focuses on us and results in glory for us! That kind of religion won’t cut it with God. It results in God’s judgment (2 Peter 3:3-15)! The only religion God is interested in is that which acknowledges total dependence on Him!

    What Nimrod started, Nebuchadnezzar continued. All the kings of Assyria and Babylonia modeled the same self-centered, strongman approach to life! It shows up again in Belshazzar. It shows up yet again in Saddam Hussein! It may show up in other future generations of leaders of Iraq! Furthermore. that same self-centered, independent, strongman, "macho-man" spirit–that "make a name for MYSELF" spirit!–that "build a mighty kingdom for ME" spirit! will show up in US–unless we acknowledge our dependence on GOD!

    God has offered us a free gift–the gift of eternal life–if we will stop trying to "do it ourselves" and trust what Christ has already accomplished for us. He died on the cross to provide a way for us to satisfy God’s perfect standard. If we will trust Him, He wants to give us that gift today. Which path will you take? The path of Nimrod, of Nebuchadnezzar, of Saddam Hussein? Or the path that Christ died to provide for us–the path that leads to eternal life (1 John 5:11-13)?

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