Post by Nephi –
Hopefully you will take the time to find Isaiah’s writings and study them word for word. As I continue to do so myself, I am moved by his understanding of his near future as well as the far distant future of the latter-days. As Isaiah prophesied about Babylon, his vision, consisting of a prophecy against the kingdom of Babylon, included foretelling the reasons for its future destruction and the means by which it would be accomplished. Again, the prophecy has a direct reference to the latter-days as well.
During Isaiah’s lifetime Babylon was a center of culture, learning and literature in the ancient Near East. It was also the center of apostate religion, corruption and sin. By the time our family left Jerusalem, Babylon had displaced Assyria as the dominant empire. Consequently Babylon became a symbol or type for the world and its wickedness.
Accordingly, Isaiah’s description of the fall of Babylon applies perfectly to the destruction of the worldly and wicked at the Second Coming.
Isaiah describes a call to arms by the Lord of Hosts. The Lord will assemble an awesome army to punish the wicked. Extensive fear, anguish and destruction will accompany the punishment the Lord will mete out. Suffering will not only be caused by war but by natural calamities and disasters which will leave Babylon and the wickedness of the world wasted and desolate.
Isaiah describes this desolation as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. Pride, arrogance, haughtiness, and cruelty are specifically among the sins responsible for this great destruction. Since Isaiah delivered this prophecy nearly 200 years ago, we have seen the rise of Babylon and its actual fall as prophesied is most certainly beginning to take place. Although we live here in the promised land, I know all of God’s promises are are will be fulfilled. We know the land and people of Jerusalem have fallen. Babylon most certainly will as well.
When the Lord says He will destroy wickedness speedily; He is quick to add “For I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish.”
