Read The Signs, Prepare

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Put your hope in God in time of national troubles (Jer 51:45-50). #Homeland #SignsOfTheTimes

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In this prophecy of the fall of Babylon, the Lord tells the people there will be signs of Babylon’s breaking apart. God says to his people, “Don’t panic or be afraid, but remain confident. Prepare to exit. Save yourselves from God’s fierce judgment.” Read the signs and prepare.

Here are the signs of the coming judgment (America be alert): there will be rumors of approaching enemy forces (year after year, rumors grow). There will be violence in the land. Leaders fight against each other. Judgment has begun on this prideful land of Babylon. You of the remnant, remember the Lord and think of your Homeland.

Are you prepared to exit this earth? Have you settled the question of your eternal destiny? Have you trusted Christ as savior? Is your mind focused on the things of Christ? Father, I am reminded in the face of national troubles to stay focused on you my mission and my eternal Homeland.

Our Avenging God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Seek God for deliverance; trust not your own strength (Jer 51:34-44). #GodOurAvenger

All that is left of Babylon’s temple to her God, Bel

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Judah’s complaint of Babylon’s overwhelming violence against them is taken up by God. He is Judah’s defense, Babylon’s judge; her fate is sealed, Judah is avenged. The cup of God’s judgment will put Babylon into a deep sleep from which she will never awaken. She is finished. Like crashing waves of the sea demolishes sandcastles on the beach (my interp), Babylon is gone.

Babylon’s God Bel is demolished and in her last gasp of life, she will vomit out all the those she has consumed (all the people are freed from her captivity). She will never again be hailed, but only derided. God hears our complaint and takes vengeance on arrogant oppressors in his way, in his time. But God delivers his own. Lord, I take cover in your avenging grace and put no stock in my own strength.

Point Of No Return

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Trust God to carry out his every plan in our lives and for the nations (Jer 51:27-33). #God’sPlan

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah continues God’s call to the nations that will rise up against Babylon. The hammer of judgment God used to discipline his people will itself be hammered and broken. All the nations mentioned here were war-like people. God will use them to lay waste to Babylon, deliver his people.

Jeremiah prophesies that all the mighty warriors of Babylon will retreat for cover; offer no resistance. When God’s people realize that Babylon being trampled, they will then know that God’s harvest of judgment had arrived (the 70 year captivity will be over). Lord, except for repentance, there is no rolling back your plan for our lives nor the nations.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Treat any power giving you by God with humility and respect (Jer 51:20-26). #HumbleAuthority #Hammered

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The great and powerful God described in vv15–19 is Jehovah-God. It is he who will be against Babylon. He will utterly destroy Babylon. Not a single stone will be left standing (see also 50:35–38). Babylon was God’s hammer of judgment against the nations. Now God will shatter Babylon and destroy her.

Babylon’s judgment is due to the wrong they did in Zion, desecrating the Temple (vv 24; 50:28; 51:11). Not even one cornerstone will be left upon which to rebuild the city. When men become drunk with power, they go too far. But the power of God can humble such a person or nation abruptly. Lord, may I always treat any power or authority given me with humility and respect for God and for others.

Worship The One True God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Worship and exalt Jehovah God alone (Jer 51:16-19). #worshipJehovah-God #NoGodLikeJehovah

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah let’s fly a burst of praise to the Lord. This praise informs our understanding of the power, knowledge and creative acts of God. The knowledge of God‘s powerful acts of creation and his preservation of it reaches far back into the ancient world. He is no mere idol.

Men craft idols made up in their own minds. They have no life, no breath and no power. These men are foolish and without understanding. But Jehovah God is the God of all of life and creation. He governs the universe and the affairs of men. Lord, I exalt you as the only one worthy of all of our praise.

Stand In God’s Hope

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Put your hope in God alone for deliverance (Jer 51:5–6 & 10). #HopeInGodAlone

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is one more reminder of God‘s care for Israel and Judah and their vindication. Israel will be free to leave Babylon as God‘s judgment falls. They are instructed to leave quickly. “God‘s people, knowing that [God] has vindicated them, will raise a declarative song of praise in the temple in Zion to recount what he [God] has done.” *

All these words are prophetic and will give God’s remnant of Israel hope to endure their 70 year captivity (the Lord’s discipline) in Babylon. Lord, however, severe my circumstances may be I will put Hope in you for my deliverance.

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* Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, Jeremiah 51:1-10, Pg 1201.

The Thread of Life is Cut

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

May this great nation of America return to God before it is too late (Jer 51:6-14). #ReturnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Any nation, any city, yea, any person who thinks they can commit sacrilege towards God, can commit arrogance towards God, should think again. Before you know it, greatness can become a vapor. America could learn a lesson from Babylon (Isa 26:9). Babylon’s enemies were found, swarming her streets and shouting triumph over her.

America’s greatness is being squandered. Criminals, illegal aliens and terrorist are streaming in and swarming in and through the streets of America. Her systems of law, order, justice and moral sensibilities are being crushed. Only God knows the outcome. Will America’s “thread of life be cut” (v13)?

Lord, may we as a people in America turn to you before it is too late (note v9).

Lean In To God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Lean in to God in times of bitter personal (national) conflict, trials or correction (Jer 50:33,34 – 51:1-5).

There follows here, another declarative statement of God’s intentions to destroy Babylon. She will be blown away like chaff in the wind. Her military will not even draw their first arrow. Their fierce adversary will be swift, mighty, and merciless. It will overwhelm Like a lion’s attack on a lamb.

The king of Babylon will feel great anguish over the approach of the adversary. It will be no vassal state. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will stir a powerful enemy (Psm 35:10–12) and thoroughly vindicate his people. His people had sinned against him. But still, he is their God, the Holy one of Israel.

Lord, I may lean in to you in times of bitter conflict, trial or correction (personal or national).

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Two things are clear to me in this passage:

1. Any enemy of God‘s people stands no chance against our mighty God. Let the nations beware. He is the mighty force behind the rise and fall of nations.

2. Though God may at times discipline us severely, we may trust him to remain steadfast and long suffering with us. We may lean in to the arms of God in times of personal/national discipline and correction.

God Is Not Mocked

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Walk and serve humbly before God (Jer 50:33,34; Mic 6:8). #WsakHumblyBeforeGod #GodIsNotMocked

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is another reminder of who it is that is bringing destruction to Babylon and the deliverance of Israel from exile. It is none other than “the God of Heaven’s Armies.“

Is the mighty arm of the Lord falling on Babylon because he used her to bring judgment on his people? No. It is because Babylon was arrogant, mocked & defied God; she literately enjoyed watching people suffer. Any who are used of God, for any purpose, must be cautious in the use of their power.

God can raise up and God can take down any leader or any nation, and he will (Dan 2:21; Psm 75:7). Lord, may this sentry always walk humbly before you; may my service to you bring you honor and glory.

God’s Hammer, Crushed

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Come quickly seeking grace and forgiveness (Jer 50:21–32).#TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The nations are called up by God to bring judgment on Babylon. Her pride, arrogance, rejection of God and sacrilege to the Temple of God will bring the ire of God and her total destruction.

Two words say it all: “Merathaiam” and “Pekod”, two cities in southern Babylon. In Hebrew, Merathaiam means double rebellion and Pekod means punishment or judgment. The hammer used of God will itself be crushed & shattered (v23).

Because of Babylon’s pride and sacrilege (double rebellion), God will bring judgment and destruction to her. Pride and sacrilege will always lead to a fall. (Pro 16:18). Lord, may I be quick to embrace you and return in humble repentance (1Jn 1:9).

Hope In God’s Promises

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Take joy and peace, knowing God is for you (Jer 50:17–20). #God’sProtection #God’sProvision

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Because of her sin, Israel was scattered and devoured by “lions” (Assyria and Babylon). God will, and did, bring down both empires. God‘s people may take hope in the ultimate provision and protection of his remnant. They will be brought safely home to his fold.

Although there was not a mass return to Israel when Babylon fell, there will be in the last days (Isa 11:11,12). Israel will again be satisfied in their fruit-filled fields. Their sin will be absolved and forgiven. This is a promise of the new, far better, covenant (Heb 8:6) God‘s people may take hope in the words of Jeremiah.

Lord, you are always at work in the world with your eye on your people.

Lights Out on Babylon

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Resolve to act humbly in whatever success given by God (Jer 50:11–16). #WalkHumblyBeforeGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God clarifies his reasons for destroying Babylon. God used Babylon as an instrument to discipline his people (Hab 1:1-11). He is not destroying Babylon for that, but for her prideful hubris over violent attacks on God‘s people. Babylon rejoiced in her wicked and violent ways.

The nations are called to unify and do to Babylon what she had done to others. Proverbs says, “If you gloat over your enemies demise, God will turn his anger on you. God will turn the light of the wicked out“ (Pro 24:17-20). Lord, may I resolve to act humbly in any success that you give me.

Prophecy: Then, Yet Far Away – Explained (Jer 50:1–10).

“Jeremiah‘s prophecy [Chs 50 & 51] looked beyond the destruction of Babylon in 539 BC to an eschatological destruction that will reverse the fortunes of Israel and Judah. Possibly this prophecy represents a blending of the near and the far. That is, the fall of Babylon and the return of the captives under Zerubbabel [Ezra 2:2; Neh. 7:7; 12:1 ] merged in the prophetic picture with the still future destruction of Babylon and the final restoration of Israel and Judah.

“The destruction of Babylon will be the climax of God‘s judgment on the gentile powers that have oppressed his people and will open the way for the fulfilling of God‘s promises to Israel. Other portions of scripture also point to still future rebuilding of Israel and destruction of Babylon (CF. Zec 5:5-11; Rev Chs 17 & 19). The city of Babylon will be rebuilt only to be destroyed at the end of the tribulation before Christ returns to establish his millennial reign.*

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This blog author has researched the rebuilding of Babylon. It is interesting to note that the ancient city of Babylon rests approximately 55 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq. There is an active movement afoot today to rebuild the city of Babylon. It is, in some measure, designed to attract tourists. But there are certainly more spiritual forces at work here than meet the eye.

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* Walvoord & Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament. Victor Books, 1985), 1199.