The Fall of Babylon
Historic fall in 539 BC; final fall in Revelation 18.
Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold the desolation of Babylon — fulfilled when the city fell to Cyrus in 539 BC. Revelation 18 reuses the imagery for the final fall of a worldwide system of pride opposed to God.
The Prophecy
"And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms...shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah."
"Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain..."
"...Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit..."
A historic fulfillment
Babylon's literal fall to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC fulfilled the prophets' words with extraordinary precision.
A final fulfillment
Revelation reaches forward, applying Babylon's name to the final world-system of pride and pleasure that God will overthrow at the end.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fall of Babylon already fulfilled?
Historically yes; symbolically the final fall in Revelation 18 still awaits.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Day of the Lord
A great and dreadful day of divine judgment and salvation.
The Great White Throne Judgment
The dead, small and great, judged from the books that are opened.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
Christ's prophecy fulfilled when Rome destroyed the temple.
The Destruction of Tyre
Ezekiel foretold Tyre's stones cast into the sea — fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander.
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