UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

This article is from last year, but I just heard of this now, quite interesting, although Im not convinced the Babylon in Revelation will be the city in modern day Iraq, at the moment other cities would fit that description more.
I guess time will tell.

Today the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is pumping millions of dollars into Babylon and several other historical sites in Iraq. With the help of private donors the UN is hoping to turn Babylon in to a thriving center of tourism and commerce. If everything goes according to plan, Babylon will be a cultural center complete with shopping malls, hotels, and maybe even a theme park.

Don't be misled by confusing the Fall of Babylon in history with the Destruction of Babylon, as prophesied in the Bible. Many Bible handbooks, dictionaries, and commentaries give you the impression that Babylon was "destroyed" in 539 BC. But it is important to realize that when Cyrus the Great captured Babylon he was able to take it over without a battle. In fact, this feat is celebrated in the famed Cylinder of Cyrus that is featured in the British Museum in London. Babylon served as a secondary capital of the Persian Empire for two centuries until Alexander the Great conquered the Persians in 325 BC. He made it his capital; in fact, he died there. Four of his generals then divided up the empire, and subsequently Babylon gradually atrophied over the centuries.

full story:http://www.khouse.org/enews_article/2007/1193

[Christian Soldier]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

I saw Joel Rosenberg appear on Glenn Beck's show last evening and Joel was convinced that present day Iraq will be Babylon the Great in Revelation 18. Joel travelled within Iraq recently and he felt very safe. The American military has done a splendid job of securing Iraq. The ancient city of Babylon will be restored to its once magnificent glory days. Iraq's oil and its security will invite the merchants of the world to make this city the center of commerce and the Antichrist will make Babylon his power base. The U.S.'s new embassy in Iraq is the most expensive and most elaborate embassy in the world.

[Irvine]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

Still, it would be years before 'Babylon' could become a major economic center, the likes of say NY or LA, London etc.
Iraq doesnt currently even have a major seaport, does it?
Maybe in a couple of decades or so Iraq could be referred to as 'Babylon the Great' but not anytime soon, I believe, but I may be wrong.

[N1095A]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

Still, it would be years before 'Babylon' could become a major economic center, the likes of say NY or LA, London etc.

Centuries. Are we to believe this? If so, then the End Times is centuries away.

After all the Jewish year is only at 5768.

[Humble]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

I don't believe that the Babylon that the Bible speaks of, is in present day Iraq.

Iraq has very few exports that would cause the world to "weep" and throw ashes on its head/mourn.

Iraq has an annual GDP of 100 billion dollars (about 1/2 the annual sales of Walmart)

Iraq is a dirt-poor country, even with the oil revenues.

[N1095A]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

I don't either. Daniel clearly shows that last days kingdom is partly iron and partly clay. Well know who the iron represents. If Chaldean Babylon were involved, it would be partly gold and partly clay.

[Andy]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

Centuries. Are we to believe this? If so, then the End Times is centuries away.

After all the Jewish year is only at 5768.

Are we limiting the power of God, here? Did we not see the breakdown of the Soviet Union in a day? Are there not many examples in scripture of God raising up or tearing down an Empire in a moment's time? Why would we doubt scripture just based on our 5 senses and not accept by faith that God is still the same omnipotent God He always was?

[N1095A]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

I don't think it fits, Biblically, for the reason I gave. Babylon was the first power destroyed, and Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon, arguably Nebuchadnezzar himself was the head of gold ("thou art the head of gold).

Gold never reappears in the statue. But Iron appears *twice*. And Iron is what is destroyed at the Second Coming of Christ (the "rock" that smashes the statue into dust).

And of course, in another vein related, the Woman on the Beast is "Mystery Babylon". This seems an indication that it's a new and different kind of Babylon.

What has Iraq got? Oil, sand, and a whole host of infighting. It's Afghanistan with fewer mountains and a lot of oil.

If it were to become the trade capital of the world, it will be centuries, IMHO. It would have to outstrip London, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Rome, Tokyo, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Haifa etc.

Further, "the merchants of the sea" cannot weep over her because she is land-locked except on the Persian Gulf side.

[N1095A]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

A couple of references to ships here. And which "city" is it they are weeping over? Certainly can't be Baghdad. Too far inland.

[Humble]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!


N1095A,

I was going to make reference to the passage that you quoted.
Glad that you posted a map (I don't know how)

Babylon is only about 50 miles South of Baghdad, and there's no way that a ship would be able to see the smoke of its demise.

Babylon clearly seems to be a port city (imho)

[Lay it to Heart]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

The word "mystery" in the name "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" would indicate the usage of the name is not normal, straight forward or clear. If the Babylon in Revelation 17:5 were the actual ruins in the desert it could simply say "Bablyon". Instead "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" would indicate it is the center of spiritual debauchery. Where is that located?

[Christian Soldier]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

The majority of Bible prophecy authors speculated that Babylon the Great will be either Rome or New York City. Joel Rosenberg and a person or two here at WeDG think a rebuilt Babylon (Nimrod's city) in Iraq will be Babylon the Great.

[N1095A]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

The word "mystery" in the name "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" would indicate the usage of the name is not normal, straight forward or clear. If the Babylon in Revelation 17:5 were the actual ruins in the desert it could simply say "Bablyon". Instead "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" would indicate it is the center of spiritual debauchery. Where is that located?

Agreed. I'd call it Rome. It is true that Jerusalem is "the great city" in Revelation 11, but this title does not fit Jerusalem, which is earthly law.

[Andy]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!


N1095A,

I was going to make reference to the passage that you quoted.
Glad that you posted a map (I don't know how)

Babylon is only about 50 miles South of Baghdad, and there's no way that a ship would be able to see the smoke of its demise.

Babylon clearly seems to be a port city (imho)

I'm confused - the Babylon in Iraq that I'm familar with sits right on the Euphrates - unless I really have my geography wrong. Either that or the Tigris - maybe both.

BTW, I still highly recommend, "Rise of Babylon" by Dr. Dyer. He is eye-witness (with lots of pictures) of what Saddam did in Babylon during his years of reign. Saddam was obsessed with the city...and resurrecting it, at whatever cost.

[Andy]

Re: UNESCO is Rebuilding Babylon

Daniel's statue were all Empires - the Babylon of Revelation is a thriving city (note I am not saying that's what Mystery Babylon is).