NOTES for Ис 13:1-14:27
On the pages of the Bible, Babylon appears not simply as one of the pagan civilizations, but also as a stronghold and symbol of paganism ruling on earth. And now it is to fall, collapsing under the weight of its sins, which were the consequence of the demonic foundations of its spiritual life. It is no accident that precisely in relation to Babylon the prophet speaks the words that the Son of Man will repeat when speaking of the fallen angel, calling him the morning star, son of the dawn.
It is striking that the prophecy that Babylon would never be inhabited again was fulfilled not only figuratively, but in the most direct sense. While many ancient cities were rebuilt again and again after countless wars, the ruins of Babylon today belong to archaeologists. The Bible speaks to us in parables about many things, but as we see, many of its words should be understood quite directly and literally.
The prophecy was also fulfilled concerning the land of the Philistines, which later generations know only from the Bible. Many pagan civilizations have disappeared, but the heritage of the brightest among them, Egypt or Greece, for example, is alive even today. But what is left of the Philistines except the almost vanished memory of their military successes? Their heroes and commanders are forgotten, and in the same way any bare swagger will leave no good memory of itself.
Pagan and godless power seemed strong, but now it has collapsed. What wanted to get by not simply without God, but in defiance of Him, could not help but collapse.