“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.
The Prayer Sentry 