What is the Babylon of the end times according to this passage?
The end-time Babylon described in Jeremiah 51 is the whole worldwide system of economy, politics, and religion. The passage says it will come under the wrath of God and be suddenly and totally destroyed, just as ancient Babylon fell suddenly after the Medes and Persians diverted the Euphrates.
Les explains that Jeremiah 51:8 contains both a near and a far view. In the near fulfillment, the Medes and Persians gained entrance under the walls of ancient Babylon by drying up and diverting the Euphrates; they went in on the dry river bed, and Babylon was destroyed suddenly, falling almost overnight. In the long-term view, the Babylon of the end-time ages is the whole worldwide system of economy, politics, and religion. That system will also come under the wrath of God and be suddenly and totally destroyed. The verse's plea for balm for her pain, if she may be healed, is set against this sudden destruction.
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
How did the Medes and Persians conquer ancient Babylon?
The Medes and Persians gained entrance under the walls of ancient Babylon by drying up the river Euphrates and diverting its flow. They then advanced into the city on the dry river bed, causing Babylon to be suddenly destroyed and to fall almost overnight.
What will happen to the end-time Babylonian world system?
The end-time Babylonian world system—the worldwide system of economy, politics, and religion—will come under the wrath of God and be suddenly and totally destroyed. Just as ancient Babylon fell almost overnight after the Medes and Persians diverted the Euphrates, this end-time system will likewise be suddenly and totally destroyed.
More Questions
What is the near and far fulfillment of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 51:8?
In Jeremiah 51:8, the statement that Babylon has suddenly fallen has both a near fulfillment in ancient Babylon's fall to the Medes and Persians and a far fulfillment in the destruction of end-time Babylon.