Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Dan 4:37). Soldiers of the Roman General Titus and Jewish slaves are shown in this ancient stone frieze in the passageway of the Arch of Titus in Rome Soldiers are returning in triumph to Rome with slaves and booty from Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Jewish patriots staged an insurrection against Roman authority in 66 A.D. In four years the sacred Temple in Jerusalem was burned, its stones scattered and a million people lay dead as birds of prey swarmed and fed on the carnage. If only they had read and believed Nebuchadnezzar's conclusion: "those that walk in pride he is able to abase."
Jewish leaders had taken matters into their own hands against God's decree of judgment on the day Jesus was crucified 40 years earlier. The "Times of the Gentiles" began with Nebuchadnezzar and will not end until Jesus comes with his host from heaven and presides over the battle of Armageddon. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Rev 16:16)
That will end Gentile rule of the world at which time the Jewish Christ – Jesus of Nazareth – will begin His reign on the throne of David in Jerusalem. Remember, the Christmas story always includes the angel's message to Mary: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luk 1:31-33)
Yesterday we showed this frieze as one of three pictures of the Arch of Titus. We could have wished that the nation of Israel had learned from their captivity under Nebuchadnezzar that they had to deal with Almighty God. They mistook God's patience with the idea that God had no interest in their country and their attitude toward Him. After 70 years of captivity in Babylon, they didn't get it. I'm afraid that the United States of America is in the same condition as Israel. We don't get it. We do not think there is much of a God out there with whom we have to deal.
We follow in the train of famous Babylon which was founded by Nimrod, the great-grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:8-10). "It became known as one of the most magnificent and luxurious cities in the known world. Superbly constructed, it spread over an area of fifteen square miles, the Euphrates River flowing diagonally across the city. The famous historian Herodotus (HERODOTUS (c. 484-425 BC), Greek historian, called the Father of History,) said the city was surrounded by a wall 350 feet high and 87 feet thick, wide enough for six chariots to drive abreast. Around the wall were 250 watchtowers placed in strategic locations. Outside the huge wall was a large ditch, or moat, which surrounded the city and was kept filled with water from the Euphrates River." (Strauss)
It has been estimated that the defense system cost one billion dollars (1965 dollars) and was mostly built with slave labor. I am not yet settled about the dimensions given above of the wall…350' is a very high wall. I agree with Strauss who suggested that every student should read a good history and a reliable encyclopedia on the city of Babylon. It is a very prominent city in the Bible. Now that we have Google, we can find a lot things, including the city of Babylon.
Memory Verse
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)
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