Babylon desolate "forever"? Jer. 25:12

[Anastacia]

The word "forever" is making me wonder if this is literal and historical? If so, wouldn't that take a literal interpretation off the table for Rev 17 and 18?

I had learned (from Andy Woods) that God is literal when it comes to geography. I'm sure there are exceptions to it... so is Jer. 25:12 a literal "forever"?

Thanks for any insight on this!

"I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt," declares the Lord, "and I will make it desolate FOREVER." NIV
Jeremiah 25:12

"an everlasting desolation" NASB
"perpetual desolations" KJV
"everlasting waste" ESV and RSV

Hebrew: olam

1. long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
   1. ancient time, long time (of past)
   2. (of future)
      1. for ever, always
      2. continuous existence, perpetual
      3. everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

 

[Greg]

There is a lot that is written about Babylon that didn't come to pass when it fell overnight to the Medes and Persians during the time of Daniel. Rather than sudden destruction, it kind of did a slow fade, and I believe even Peter was there for a while, or at least referenced it. Because of that, I think more is to come and agree with Dr. Woods that a literal fulfillment of everything is still coming. Fun fact that I think will be relevant: the Kurds of today are basically the same people group as the Medes.

 

[Anastacia]

I wonder if it's possible that its desolation "forever" will be complete after Rev 17 and 18?

 

[Greg]

I wonder if it's possible that it's desolation "forever" will be complete after Rev 17 and 18?

I remember listening to this and just skimmed the transcript again (basis of what I wrote earlier) -- I think you may find it interesting (from Andy Woods): https://slbc.org/sermon/revelation-053-babylon-the-bookends-of-history-part-2/

 

[Batman]

I've been fascinated with the Bible prophecies on Babylon and how a city could be built as we close the pretrib. It hasn't started yet. If the trib happens before it's started, that will be some super fast architectural work. Many do not believe it will be rebuilt and feel it's Rome, or USA, or some other city or nation.

 

[Anastacia]

I've been fascinated with the Bible prophecies on Babylon and how a city could be built as we close the pretrib. It hasn't started yet. If the trib happens before it's started, that will be some super fast architectural work. Many do not believe it will be rebuilt and feel it's Rome, or USA, or some other city or nation.

I'm fascinated with it too! The rebuilding of a literal Babylon city is one of the reasons I've contemplated a gap between the rapture and start of the Trib. I actually havent considered it being the U.S., although at one time years ago, it was common to think it'd be Rome. A few weeks ago, the idea of it being [in] the U.S. came up here on CCF and I'd be curious to study the possibility if all the smart people here would start the discussion!!

I'm reading Jeremiah and last night I came on the verse saying Babylon will be a desolation forever so it started me thinking again.

 

[Everlasting Life]

Here's a couple of articles about a port construction Iraq is engaging in. I was reading in another place that if successful it would greatly enrich Iraq.

Construction Contract Signed for Iraq’s New Deep-Water Port

Iraqs long-delayed effortto develop the Grand Faw region near Basra into a new deep-water port is pr...

maritime-executive.com

Iraq’s Al Faw port to become largest in Middle East - Global Construction Review

The Grand Port of Al Faw, a major project in Iraq originally announced in 2010, has completed its first stage with the construction of five main piers, setting the stage…

www.globalconstructionreview.com

An overland route to rival Suez: the wild ambition of Iraq’s Al Faw port

Multibillion-dollar project envisages a new trade route to rival the canal, but its completion is mired in political rivalry

www.thenationalnews.com