A City Is Destroyed

An example of God's counsel is found at Isaiah 25:2, where we read: "You have made  a city a pile of stones, a fortified town a crumbling ruin, a dwelling tower of strangers to be not city, which will not be rebuilt even to times indefinite."   What is this city?  Isaiah was likely speaking prophetically of Babylon.  Indeed, the time did come when Babylon became a mere pile of stones.

Does the city mentioned by Isaiah have  a counterpart today?  Yes, the book of Revelation speaks of "the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth."  (Revelation 17:18) That great city is "Babylon the Great," the worldwide empire of false religion.  (Revelation 17:5) Today, the principal  part of Babylon the Great is Christendom, whose clergy take the lead in opposing the Kingdom preaching work of Jehovah's people.  (Matthew 24:14) Like ancient Babylon, however, Babylon the Great will soon be destroyed, never to rise again.

What else does Isaiah prophesy about the "fortified town"?  Addressing  Jehovah, Isaiah says: "Those who are strong people will glorify you; the town of the tyrannical nations, they will fear you."  (Isaiah 25:3)  How would this hostile city, "the town of the tyrannical nations," glorify Jehovah?  Well, remember  what happened to Babylon's mightiest king. Nebuchadnezzar.  After a sobering experience demonstrating his own weaknesses, he was forced to confess the greatness of Jehovah and His almighty power.  (Daniel  4:34, 35)  When Jehovah exercises his power, even his enemies are forced to acknowledge, albeit reluctantly, his powerful works.

Was Babylon the Great ever forced to acknowledge Jehovah's powerful works?  Yes.  During the first world war, Jehovah's anointed servants preached under tribulation.  In 1918 they went into spiritual captivity when leading officers of the Watchtower Society were imprisoned.  The organized preaching work virtually ceased.  Then, in 1919, Jehovah restored them and invigorated them with his spirit, whereupon they set out to fulfill the commission to preach the good news in all the inhabited earth.  (Mark 13:10)  All of this was prophesied in the book of Revelation, as was the effect upon their opponents.  These "became frightened and gave glory to the God of heaven."  (Revelation 11:3, 7, 11-13) Not that they were all converted, but they were forced to recognize the powerful work of Jehovah on this occasion, just as Isaiah had foretold. 

Next time: "A Stronghold to the Lowly One"

The Watchtower, 2001