Winners’ Circle Notes for Sunday, May 9, 2010

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Babylon - first useage in the Bible, geography, culture and history
Facilitator: Bob Hirst bobhirst@twlakes.net

Reading Assignment: Read Daniel chapters 1-3 and pray over them. [Verses in our notes that
are in parentheses and without other designation are always from the book of Revelation].

PREVIEW OF THE USE OF THE WORD “BABYLON” IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

“Civilization developed slowly in different parts of the world. People began to settle in
areas with abundant natural resources. A section of the Middle East is called the Fertile Crescent.
The Fertile Crescent is a rich food-growing area in a part of the world where most of the land is
too dry for farming. The Fertile Crescent is a quarter-moon shaped region that extends from the
eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.

“Some of the best farmland of the Fertile Crescent is on a narrow strip of land between the
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Greeks later called this area Mesopotamia, which means
“between the rivers.” Many different civilizations developed in this small region. First came the
Sumerians, who were replaced in turn by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Today this land is
known as Iraq.” http://www.mrdowling.com/603mesopotamia.html

Much of the country is a sandy plain with the two major rivers dividing the plain - the
Tigris which originates in Turkey and the Euphrates originates in what is today known as the
border with Syria. Click here to see a map and other geographical and topographical details.
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/iq.htm

Iraq has been called the “Cradle of Civilization” because so much of early Biblical history
is tied to this place. It is believed to have been the home of Noah (Genesis 6-11) and Abram
(Genesis 11:26-25:18). To the extreme northern part of Iraq are the Zagros Mountains where
Mount Ararat is located. The Bible says this mountain was the spot where Noah’s ark came to
rest after the Biblical “flood.” http://www.noahsarksearch.com/ At the southern end of Iraq is
the historical site of Ur where the Bible says that Abram, the father of the Hebrews and the
Arabs, was born and lived. The ruins of Babylon lie between Ur and what is modern Baghdad.

The Bible says the founder of Babylon was a great grandson of Noah by the name of
Nimrod (Gen. 10:9-12), an ancient and legendary figure whose name was associated with many
of the ancient cities of Mesopotamia. The words of that text may mean “that he was considered
the originator of the military state based on arbitrary force.” Harper’s Bible Dictionary, article
“Nimrod”, p. 492.

In 1977 my brother Richard and I visited Babylon’s ruins which are about 50 miles south
of present day Baghdad. You can follow Toby Johnson’s 2003 trip from Baghdad to Babylon at
this link: http://www.tobiasly.com/gallery/military/oef/CampKalsu_Iraq/babylon/
 A short history of Babylon can be read here: http://www.atlastours.net/iraq/babylon.html
See the many details in the left hand column.

The word Babel was the name by which the early city was known and may have been
earned it after the building of a tower by Noah’s descendants whose stated purpose was to thwart
God’s command to Noah that his descendants should disperse and “fill the earth” (Gen. 9:1). But
Noah’s descendants chose a different plan - to stay in the plain of Shinar and build cities (Gen.
11:1-2.). At that time, the Bible says mankind all spoke the same language. To stop the tower’s
construction and hasten dispersement, the Bible says that God confused their languages so verbal
communications sounded like babbling - so its name.

Thereafter Babylon continued to be associated with defiance of the Creator God. The
major Old Testament prophets - Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah - and the minor prophets (shorter
books like Daniel) were written before, during or shortly after the captivity and exile of the
Chosen People into Babylon about 600 BC. God’s prophets gave warnings, threats, judgments,
hope and comfort. The Torah or “law of Moses” is a Biblical phrase that refers to the first five
books of the Bible. “The prophets” was a phrase that often refers to what we know as the latter
half of the Old Testament - the books after the Song of Solomon and before the New Testament
in Protestant Bibles.

In spite of their amazing exodus from Egypt and God’s provisions for them in the desert,
God’s people frequently turned to idols and foreign gods. They had so many privileges as God’s
“chosen people.” These included the physical presence of God in the sanctuary (later the temple),
the ten commandments from the hand of God and given through Moses which expressed God’s
divine will, direct communication through the high priest’s ephod breastplate and finally the
prophets divinely inspired words and prophetic statements of promise and warning that came to
pass before their eyes - a living history.

Yet for all the blessings they enjoyed, they departed from the path of right and took up the
customs, demonic religions and habits of the people around them. Under Hezekiah’s kingship,
God miraculously defeated the Assyrians and healed Hezekiah of a deadly illness (Isaiah 38,39)
which was accompanied with supernatural signs in the heavens. Envoys from Babylon journeyed
over the fertile all the way to Jerusalem to learn more about the miraculous healing of Hezekiah.
Foolishly Hezekiah directed the envoy’s attentions to the physical buildings and treasures rather
than using their visit as an opportunity to lead them to a knowledge of the Creator God. As a
result, the envoys returned home and came back later with their armies and defeated Israel in
battle. They carried off the brightest and best of the people into Babylonian captivity together
with the golden objects from the temple.

This is where the book of Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and other minor prophets fit into this
historical review of the “exile”. After the death of Solomon, the ten tribes in the north were
called “Israel” and the two tribes in the south (Benjamin and Judah) were known as Judah. Israel
was carried off into exile earlier than Judah. Judah allied itself with Egypt in a last ditch effort to
defend itself against Babylon but finally in 587 BC it also was carried off by Nebuchadnezzar’s
armies to Babylon. Harper’s Bible Dictionary, article “Exile,” p. 177, 178.
 The Chosen People remained in exile until Babylon was overthrown by the Medes and
Persians, a place now known as Iran. The story of the night of the fall of Babylon and the role
Daniel played in interpreting the mysterious message of judgment on the palace wall is found in
Daniel chapter 5. Thirty-eight years ago my brother and I stood in the spot where the palace
once stood. After the victory over Babylon, it was decreed that God’s “chosen people” could
return to Palestine. A “remnant” of the chosen people did leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem
which is a type of the deliverance God’s people experience at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

“Many, however, preferred to remain in Babylonia, and, together with the Israelites
scattered elsewhere, formed what became known as the Diaspora (see Dispersion) (Acts 2:5-11;
1 Peter 1:1).” Harper’s Bible Dictionary, article “Exile,” p. 178.

COMPLETE THE BLANKS BELOW:

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of an image or statue of a man. It had a head of ________,

chest and arms of ____________, belly and thighs of ______________, legs of _____________,

and toes of ____________ and _____________. Daniel 2:31-35.

Who and what nation was represented by the head? _____________________ Dan. 2:38

The rest of the statue represented other kingdoms which would follow.

Nebuchadnezzar decided he would create his own dream and change the future. So he
made a 90 foot tall image all of gold and commanded everyone to bow down and “___________
the image of gold you have set up.” Dan. 3:12. The statue was probably made in his own
likeness. It is not uncommon for selfish people to want others to worship them and their ideas.

When the three Hebrews were thrown into the furnace of fire, Nebuchadnezzar was
amazed to see a forth figure who looked “like a son of the ________.” Dan. 3:25

When he called them forth from the fire he called them “servants of the ______________
_________ God. Dan. 3:26

Nebuchadnezzar finally went crazy because of his pride and rebellion. When he was able
to acknowledge the God of heaven, his sanity was restored (Dan. 4:1-37). And he said: “...those
who walk in ______________ he is able to humble.” (Dan. 4:37).

“Like father, like son.” Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, held a great feast and drank
wine from the sacred vessels Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. “As they
drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the
lampstand in the royal palace. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees
knocked together and his legs gave way.” Dan. 5:4-6
 Who did he call to interpret the writing? En________________, as__________________
and di__________________. Dan. 5:7. Compare to Rev. 16:12-14.

What did Daniel say the words of God on the wall meant? Dan. 5:26-28

Mene __________________________________________________________________

Tekel __________________________________________________________________

Peres __________________________________________________________________

The night that Babylon fell, the chosen people were delivered by kings from the east.
Dan. 5:30. Compare Rev. 16:12. Medo-Persia (Iran) was to the east of Babylon. The
second coming of Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven will be seen as lightening from the
“east even unto the west.” Matthew 24:27.

See if you can discover how “hearers” in the seven churches in Asia might have applied
these words of to their situation and Jerusalem before 70 AD as they heard Revelation
read in worship. Remember that the words of Daniel would have been very fresh in their
minds since Jesus used the phrase “Son of man” in Daniel 7 to refer to himself.

SUMMARY:

The truths of the Revelation of Jesus Christ often do not become clear to one’s mind
suddenly but rather slowly as you thoughtfully and prayerfully consider them over time. I
recommend that you focus on God’s promises that you do understand and let them settle upon
your mind as morning dew rests on the grass in the dawns first light. Then memorize them.

It is not in struggle or frustration that God’s point of view becomes known to believers
but rather gradually like flowers develop in the spring time and share their beauty and fragrance.
In rest and quietness shall be your strength. Come unto me, Jesus says, and I will give you rest.
Come learn of me. Take my yoke upon you and then you will find rest for your souls.

In our world we face pressures to conform and live by false standards. Can a Christian be a
bright light for God following the life of Daniel? In our world that makes stars and heros of
those who live selfishly, cheat, applaud dishonesty, ignore injustice and despise the poor, does
not Daniel give us an example how we can be true to God and an open witness? God is with us
whenever we are thrown into the fire. Daniel had a habit of unashamedly praying three times a
day with his face toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10). What are your prayer habits? Do you pray
openly before a meal when you go out to a restaurant? What witness does it bear to the world?

My Prayer for You Today:

Still, still with Thee when purple morning breaketh. When the bird waketh and the
shadows flee. Fairer than morning, lovelier than the daylight. Dawns the sweet consciousness. I
am with Thee. Amen.
LOOKING AHEAD

Background Study for next Sunday’s topic / May 16, 2010.

The Fall of Man and the Fall of Babylon - How did Adam and Babylon sin?
Read Gen. 2:6-3:24 and compare with Rev. 18:1-24. Note words about the demonic...
What do you feel is the relationship between selfishness, blindness and rebellion?
What similarity do you see between Lucifer’s fall and the fall of man?
Compare Genesis 3:1-24 with Isaiah 14:12-15 (A message for the “me” generation)
What are similarities between Nebuchadnezzar’s delusion and Satan’s delusion?
Read Daniel 4:30, 31. Compare to Ezekiel 28:14-17 and Proverbs 16:18
What similarity do you see between the Devil and the “Man of Lawlessness?”
Compare Revelation 12:7-9 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (aspired to take God’s place)
Why do people believe false prophecies and Satanic delusions?
Read 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 16:12-15; 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Who, When and Why has God called his people out of spiritual “Babylon?”
Consider these historical examples as possibilities:
Noah was called out of the world into the ark when facing the flood
Abram was called out of the plain of Shinar to a “promised land”
Israel was called out of Egypt (Exodus) into a “promised land” by God
Israel was called out of Babylon to go to Jerusalem at the fall of physical Babylon
The early church was called out of Judaism before Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD

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UPCOMING STUDIES

The Mystery of Salvation in Genesis and Revelation

How Do People Choose to Be Captives of “Babylon” or Citizens of the New Jerusalem?

If the Lord wills, I will see you next Sunday morning.