Jer 50.1-46 is a prophecy about the conquest of Babylon by the Medo-Persians around 539 BC, but not all aspects of this happened at that time or apply to Babylon. For example, Babylon was not the “last of the nations” (50.12). This chapter will have a future fulfillment in the day of the Lord. This prophecy has elements of a violent overthrow, but this was not evident when Darius and Cyrus conquered Babylon. This is the first of two chapters (50-51) that Jeremiah devotes to this destruction. We believe this prophecy alludes to the destruction of the United States about seven days after the Natzal (rapture) on Tishri 1, year 6001 from creation. We will try and point out the historical and the eschatological meanings as we move through these two chapters. In prophecy, when it talks about the “land of Babylon” we believe it refers to the USA in many cases. When it talks about the “armies of Babylon” it may refer to the “kings of the east.” Some Bible teachers have said that “Babylon” is Iraq, but there are several reasons why these prophecies do not apply to Iraq. First, there are no Jews in Iraq; it is not an economic giant, not a military giant, not a land of “mingled peoples” and the nations do not “stream into it.” It does not sit on many waters nor does it have massive defenses. Babylon went on to be populated for hundreds of years after it fell, and it is mentioned in the New Testament. We believe the description being presented alludes to the USA. If you desire more information on this concept, we refer you to our teaching called, “Is America Babylon” on this site.
v 1…The word which the Lord (Yehovah) spoke concerning Babylon (confusion, mixed from “bab el” meaning “gate of God), the land of the Chaldeans, through Jeremiah the prophet:
v 2…”Declare and proclaim among the nations (this is the commission). Proclaim it and lift up a standard (for all to see-Isa 21.8-10, 48.20-22). Do not conceal it but say, ‘Babylon has been captured, Bel has been put to shame, Marduk has been shattered (a god of war; they were a warlike people like the USA); her images have been put to shame, her idols have been shattered (the defeat of Babylon also meant the defeat of her gods as well; Babylon did not defeat Judah because their gods were more powerful than Yehovah. Jeremiah did not side with the Babylonians, and God’s judgment has now gotten around to them. Yehovah used them to accomplish his will and now he is going to use another nation to judge Babylon, and Jeremiah agreed with this).’
v 3…For a nation has come up against her out of the north (Medo-Persia, but eschatologically Russia will come from the north to hit the USA), it will make her land an object of horror (desolate), and there will be no inhabitant in it (eventually this would be true of Babylon historically, but not at that time). Both man and beast have wandered off, they have gone away (it became a wilderness).
v 4…In those days (“B’yamim” and it is an eschatological term for when the Messiah comes, so this is giving us a time reference for when this prophecy will have a future fulfillment-Jer 23.5-6, 33.15-16; Joel 3.1; Hos 5.15 to 6.3, 3.4-5) and at that time, declares the Lord, the sons of Israel will come, they and the sons of Judah as well (to their own land again); they will go away weeping as they go (Psa 126; Psa 137), and it will be the Lord their God they will seek (Jews will leave “Babylon” before the destruction and return back to the land).
v 5…They will ask for the way to Zion (no place in Babylon, or the USA eschatologically), turning their faces in its direction; they will come that they may join themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten (the second redemption).
v 6…My people have become lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray (this not only applied to the Jews in Babylon, but it also applies over the last two thousand years). They have made them turn aside on the mountains (where idols were worshiped); they have gone along from mountain to hill (one idol or religion to another; this is the state of the Jewish people in the USA today) and they have forgotten their resting place (Israel, Messiah, and Yehovah himself).
v 7…All (nations) who have come upon them have devoured them (through Jewish hatred); and their adversaries have said, ‘We are not guilty because they have sinned against the Lord who is the habitation of righteousness (this is what Babylon thought when Judah was defeated, but this is also the basis for Jewish persecution because the people said “they rejected Jesus and the gospel” and they deserve it. This resulted in various persecutions like the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, pogroms and such. Martin Luther wanted to kill Jews and burn their synagogues. Hitler said he was finishing what Luther started. This is also the basis for Replacement Theology), even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.
v 8…Wander away (leave) from the midst of Babylon (when Cyrus lets them go, but also the USA), and go forth from the land of the Chaldeans (prophetically the Americans); be also like male goats at the head of a flock (like rams who lead a flock; this may allude to the first fruits saved at the beginning of the Day of the Lord, or the 144,000-Rev 7.3, 14.4, Isa 18.3, 66.8; Micah 4.10, 5.3).
v 9…For behold (take note of), I am going to arouse (cause) and bring up against Babylon a horde of great nations from the land of the north (Medo-Persia/Russia) and they shall draw up their battle lines against her (all the equipment they will need for a war); from there they shall be taken captive, their arrows (or missiles) will be like an expert warrior (they will hit their targets) who does not return empty handed (no return fire; none shall return in vain).
v 10…And Chaldea (“Kasdim”) will become a plunder; all who plunder her will have enough” declares the Lord (Rev 18.17).
v 11…”Because (now comes the reason Babylon/USA is destroyed) you were glad, because you were jubilant, O you who pillage my heritage (Babylon did this when they took Judah, but this also applies to the USA; there is a book called “While Six Million Died” that tells us the story of how America could have stopped the Holocaust but didn’t. But this also alludes to the Scriptures and how Americans pervert and misinterpret the Scriptures to show that the “church” has replaced Israel to their advantage), because you skip about like a threshing heifer and neigh like bulls (they grew fat and wealthy when destroying Judah, and America exploits Israel today).
v 12…Your mother (the country of Chaldea) will be greatly ashamed, she who gave you birth will be humiliated. Behold, the last (acharit) of the nations (non-Jewish nations; Jewish interpreters said this verse reads, “the last of the great nations in the latter days.” So, literally, Babylon was the first nation in Genesis, and Babylon/America will be the last among the nations), a wilderness, a parched land and a desert (or habitation of demons, which the wilderness was seen as-Matt 12.43; Luke 11.24; Jer 50.3, 50.39, 51.37, 51.62).
v 13…Because of the indignation of the Lord she (Babylon/USA/religious Babylon) will not be inhabited, but she will be completely desolate; everyone who passes by Babylon will be horrified and hiss because of all her wounds (plagues-astonished at the destruction; “wounds” is symbolic of devastation-Isa 1.5-9).
v 14…Draw up your battle lines against Babylon (or the USA) on every side. All you who bend the bow (to shoot arrows or missiles); shoot at her, do not be sparing with your arrows (missiles in an all-out attack), for she has sinned against the Lord (which brought his wrath).
v 15…Raise your battle cry against her on every side! She has given herself up, her pillars (foundations) have fallen (this is happening in the USA when political parties and different groups try to destroy the nation’s founding fathers, documents, statues, and history), her walls (defenses) have been torn down (alludes to what happened at Jericho; she is helpless before the enemy; eschatologically you can take any issue and it is out of control in the USA. Crime, false elections, violence, abortion, death, gangs and immigration are just a few of the issues). For this is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance on her; as she has done to others, so do to her (retaliation shall be permitted).
v 16…Cut off the sower from Babylon and the one who wields the sickle at the time of harvest (no harvesting in the country due to the destruction); from before the oppressor they will each turn back to his own people, and they will each flee to his own land (prophetically, the sower of the word will leave the USA before total destruction comes; this may also happen right after the natzal, or rapture, and return to Israel).
v 17…Israel is a scattered flock, the lions have driven them away (judgment is coming because Babylon oppressed and scattered the people). The first one who devoured him was the king of Assyria (eschatologically Russia), and the last one who has broken his bones is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (took the life out of Israel).”
v 18…Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold I am going to punish the king of Babylon (by the Medes and Persians) and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria (the last Assyrian king was Chynilidarius who was killed in Ninevah; and the last Russian Czar NIcholas was assassinated in Russia, and he hated the Jewish people and was very anti-Semitic).
v 19…And I shall bring Israel back to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan (two fruitful heights), and his desire will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead.
v 20…In those days (gives us a time reference for when the Messiah comes) and at that time,” declares the Lord, “search will be made for the iniquity of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found, for (the reason why) I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant (saved and believe in Yeshua -Jer 51.10).
v 21…Against the land of Merathaim (“double rebellion”-against the Lord and his Torah and a name for Babylon or the USA), go up against it and against the inhabitants of Pekod (“visit”-with punishment and another name for Babylon or the USA). Slay and utterly destroy them (put them under the ban or have nothing to do with them-1 Cor 5.11; 2 Thes 3.14), ” declares the Lord, “and do according to all I have commanded you (referring to Cyrus and Persians, but Russia will be given the same instruction by God to destroy the USA).
v 22…The noise of battle is in the land (Chaldea/USA) and great destruction (following the command just given in v 21).
v 23…How the hammer of the whole earth (a club was the symbol of the god of confusion in paganism, and Babylon/USA were used to smash other nations and kingdoms; the USA is called the “policeman of the world”) has been cut off and broken! How Babylon has become an object of horror among the nations (Jer 51.41; Rev 18.15).
v 24…I set a snare for you and you were caught, O Babylon (unexpectedly, they did not perceive), while you yourself were not aware (eschatologically Russia will trick the USA somehow; the USA is falling asleep through their corrupt leaders and trusted in Russia that they were no longer a threat and the “cold war” was over; the snare is being set today); you have been found and also seized because you have engaged in conflict with the Lord (Babylon refused to let the Jewish people go back as seen in v 33, and the USA has been caught up in pride and many policies are anti-Israel).
v 25…The Lord has opened his armory and has brought forth the weapons of his indignation (wrath), for it is a work of the Lord of hosts (of the armies under his command) in the land of the Chaldeans.
v 26…Come to her from the farthest border (“from the end”- in a Russian attack with land based missiles they would come over the polar ice cap); open up her barns (granaries), pile her up like heaps and utterly destroy her, let nothing be left to her (put her under the ban because it is devoted to destruction).
v 27…Put all her young bulls (the symbol of Babylon and denotes the general population) to the sword; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe upon them for their day has come (the day of judgment), the time of their punishment.
v 28…There is a sound of fugitives and refugees from the land of Babylon (escaping to Zion-Jer 50.8, 51.6, 51.10; Mic 4.10, 5.3) to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, vengeance for his temple (to proclaim that Babylon fell- this may be an allusion to the 144,000 and other Jews who flee the USA for Israel before Russia attacks; the “temple” is physical and spiritual, the Jewish people, the kahal-51.11; 1 Cor 6.19).
v 29…Summon the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow: encamp against her on every side (surrounded), let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; according to all that she has done, so do to her; for she has become arrogant against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel (this charge fits because they burned the Temple and took Judah captive; this attitude deserved punishment; the USA has this attitude in their dealings with Israel today).
v 30…Therefore her young men will fall in the streets, and all her men of war will be silenced (cut off) in that day (the day of the Lord and a time reference),” declares the Lord (repeats 49.26).
v 31…”Behold (take note), I am against you, O arrogant (proud) one,” declares the Lord (Adonai) God (Yehovah) of hosts (armies); for your day has come, the time when I will punish you (with justice and wrath).
v 32…And the arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to raise him up; and I shall set fire to his cities, and it will devour all his environs (suburbs, government, their jurisdiction, etc).”
v 33…Thus says the Lord of hosts (Yehovah Tzavaot or the armies), “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well (the whole body of Israel); and all who took them captive have held them fast (like Pharaoh), they have refused to let them go (things will be getting worse and worse in the USA, with less freedom and anti-Semitism in politics will worsen-Jer 50.7, 11, 17 ,21, 51.49; Isa 47.1; Rev 17.6).
v 34…Their redeemer (Israel’s) is strong, the Lord of hosts is his name (Yehovah Tzavaot); he will vigorously plead their case, so that he may bring rest to the earth (Babylon and the USA have kept the earth in fear and unrest), but turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.
v 35…A sword (used five times in v 34-37, meaning it is certain) against the Chaldeans,” declares the Lord, “and against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against her officials (rulers) and her wise men!
v 36…A sword against the oracle (babbler) priests (false prophets, etc) and they will become fools (not knowing what is happening and cannot give direction)! A sword against her mighty men (warriors), and they will be shattered (broken).
v 37…A sword against their horses and against their chariots (their main military strength), and against all the foreigners (mixed multitude) who are in the midst of her; and they will become women (faint, timid, can’t defend themselves); a sword against her treasuries (finances) and they will be plundered.
v 38…A drought on her waters, and they will be dried up (her fertility depended on this-God is destroying the land)! for it is a land of idols (and the people were fooled by them and deprived of Biblical truth, just like the USA today), and they are mad over fearsome idols (not only in Babylon, but the USA is full of idols, crucifixes, madonnas, saints, icons, nativity scenes and statues are everywhere).
v 39…Therefore, the desert creatures will live there along with the jackals; the ostriches also will live in it, and it will never again be inhabited or dwelt in from generation to generation (a wilderness, a waste and unclean animals are a picture of the habitation of demons-Lev 11 list of unclean animals gives us a picture of the domain of Satan; Isa 13.6, 23.13, 24.10; Jer 50.3, 12; Matt 12.43; Luke 11.24; this cannot be talking about the Iraq area because the borders of Israel will extend to the Euphrates in the Messianic Kingdom).
v 40… As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah with its neighbors (Admah and Zeboim),’ declares the Lord, “no man (ish) will live there, nor will any son of man (ben adam) reside there (Isa 13.19; Jer 49.18).
v 41…Behold, a people is coming from the north (the Medo-Persians; the “north” is also an idiom for judgment; eschatologically this alludes to Russia who will come from the furthest border-Jer 50.9, 50.26, 51.27)), and a great nation and many kings will be aroused from the remotest parts of the earth.
v 42…They seize their bow and javelin (may allude to missiles); they are cruel and have no mercy (the character of the Medo-Persians and the Russians), their voice roars like the sea (by reason of their numbers), and they ride on horses (a mobile army), marshalled like a man for battle against you, O daughter of Babylon (the inhabitants).
v 43…The king of Babylon (Belshazzar/President of the USA) has heard the report about them (their approach) and his hands hang limp (feeble-Dan 5.6); distress has gripped him, agony like a woman in child-birth (this is an idiom which also gives us a time context of the birth-pains and the day of the Lord).
v 44…Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thicket of the Jordan (an idiom for a great army-Jer 12.5) to the pasture of the strong (Babylon/USA), for in an instant I shall make them run away from it, and whoever is chosen I shall appoint over it (the army; Cyrus or the Russian ruler). For who is like me and who will summon me into court (to litigate in court or contend in war with me)? And who then is the shepherd (king or president) who can stand before me (to hinder what Yehovah wants to do)?”
v 45…”Therefore hear the plan of the Lord which he has planned against Babylon, and his purposes which he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: surely they will drag them off, the little ones of the flock (the weakest of them); surely he will make their pasture desolate because of them.
v 46…At the shout (voice), “Babylon has been seized!” the earth is shaken (moved), and an outcry is heard among the nations (the results of the fall of Babylon and the USA will be heard around the world-Rev 18.1-24; the leaders of Europe will meet and out of this meeting the False Messiah will arise-Rev 17.12-13. So, what do we have so far? Eschatologically there is a country named “Babylon” which is the last of the great Gentile nations, with many Jews living there because they are told to flee before the destructions comes. This alludes to the 144,000. Judgment does come at the beginning of the day of the Lord-Jer 50.9, 50.43, and the 144,000 are called the first fruits in Rev 14.4. They will go back to Israel, along with non-Jews who see the danger coming, too. They will say they are redeemed to declare that judgment is coming on “the temple.” They are commissioned to go to Israel for the first three and a half years of the birth-pains. They will return with singing, leading a remnant out of Babylon. Obviously, believers are commissioned to declare what is coming. We believe the 144,000, or most of them, will be living in the USA and will see the Natzal, or rapture, happen on Tishri 1 Rosh Ha Shannah, the first day of the day of the Lord. They will be like Elisha who saw Elijah depart, or Paul who saw Yeshua and believed. They will have the seal of God on their forehead, and they will also lead a mixed people out-Jer 50.16, 51.9. After the mid-point of the birth-pains in Nisan 10, year 6004, they will declare to the whole earth that the Messiah is coming and to resist the False Messiah-Mic 5.7-9).”
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