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Lessons From Babylon: God's Still in Charge By Jay Turner The ancient city of Babylon provides a reminder that men's flawed systems and governments will give way to God's mastery of world events.
he ruins of the ancient city of Babylon are located inside the borders of the modern nation of Iraq. They are an enduring testament to God's ultimate mastery of world events, and of the inexorable unfolding of His plan for mankind. And it was in Babylon that God revealed Himself to the ancient world as the Most High God. More than 500 years before the birth of Christ, God sent the armies of Babylon to punish the nation of Judah. Daniel and his three friends were taken as captives to serve in the royal court of Babylon. God was at work in all of this. He orchestrated events to reveal Himself and show how He works in history. An impressive dream God gave King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon an impressive dream, and imbued him with a deep suspicion of his advisors; such that the king demanded that his advisors tell him both what he had dreamed and what it meant. King Nebuchadnezzar knew that anyone could spin a pretty story out of a dream -- but only someone in touch with genuine supernatural power could reveal what he had dreamed and its true meaning.
King Nebuchadnezzar quickly forgot this object lesson, and continued on his path of turning into an egotistical tyrant (Daniel 5:18-21). God gave him another vision to urge him to repentance (Daniel 4:27) and to drive home the point that it is the Most High God who rules over the kingdoms of men (Daniel 4:17). Nebuchadnezzar's successor held the God of Abraham in contempt, and so God handed down judgment and overthrew the kingdom of Babylon (Daniel 5:22-31).
In this present evil age (Galatians 1:4), "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). Satan sways almost everyone in this age by virtue of having deceived the whole world into following him. Thankfully, God is in charge and limits what Satan can do (Job chapters 1 and 2). Peace will fill the world We live in a world of satanically deceived nations. It simply isn't in our power to establish lasting peace and justice. God promises that He will take care of it -- and only He can do it. The day is coming when God will send an angel to drag Satan off to prison and turn rulership of the world over to Christ and the saints (Revelation 20:1-6). That is when the kingdoms of this world will come under the rule of the Kingdom of God (Revelation 11:15), and justice and peace will fill the world. For now, it is our part to prepare to be part of God's government, and to comfort the victims of the injustice in this world. And we ought to be praying, "Thy kingdom come!" Recommended Reading: The book of Revelation expands on some of the themes introduced in Daniel, and describes an end-time Babylon to be replaced by the returning Jesus Christ. The booklet The Book of Revelation Unveiled explores the symbolism and meaning of this fascinating book. Read or download a copy of or request a free copy through the mail. Copyright 2003 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: Babylon Nebuchadnezzar Daniel Satan's rulership
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