Isaiah, Cyrus, and Christians Today

The 44th chapter of Isaiah magnifies Jehovah as the one true God and the Deliverer of his ancient people. Moreover, the prophecy has deep meaning for all of us today.  Cyrus' decree to rebuild Jerusalem's  temple, given in 538/537 B.C.E., set in motion events that culminated in the fulfillment of another remarkable prophecy.  Cyrus' decree was followed by that of a later ruler, Artaxerxes, who decreed that the city of Jerusalem should be rebuilt.  The book of Daniel revealed that "from the going forth of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem  [in 455 B.C.E.] until Messiah the Leader," there would be 69  " weeks"  of 7 years each.  (Daniel 9:24, 25) This prophecy also came true. Right on schedule in the year 29 C.E.,  483 years after Artaxerxes"  decree went into effect in the Promised Land, Jesus was baptized and began his earthly ministry.

The release of loyal Jews from exile, made possible by the fall of Babylon, foreshadowed the release in 1919 of anointed Christians from spiritual exile.  That release was evidence that another Babylon, described  as a harlot, Babylon the Great-a symbol of all the world's false religions viewed collectively-had experienced a fall. As recorded in the book of Revelation, the apostle John foresaw her fall.  (Revelation 14:8)   He also foresaw her sudden destruction.  John's description of the destruction of that idol-laden world empire resembles in some ways Isaiah's description of Cyrus' successful conquest of the ancient city of Babylon.  Just as Babylon's protective waterways failed to save her from Cyrus, so the 'waters' of mankind that support and protect Babylon the Great will be "dried up" before she is justly destroyed. -Revelation 16:12.

From out perspective, more than two-and -a-half millenniums after Isaiah delivered his prophecy, we can see that God indeed "carries out completely the counsel of his own messengers."  (Isaiah 44:26)  The fulfillment of Isaiah 's prophecy is therefore an outstanding example of the  trustworthiness  of all the prophecies in the Holy Scriptures.

Next time: Jehovah -"A Righteous God and a Savior," Chapter Six

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001