The Fall of Nations

I. Introduction: In our Old Testament survey class, we have discussed the rise and fall of many nations. God’s prophets made some very precise prophecies about many nations that should not only strengthen our faith but also remind us of the seriousness of the coming judgment.

II. Text:

III. The Old Testament Prophets were inspired

A. Some critics have tried to portray the prophets as wise men who could read the events of the time and make reasonable guesses about the future.

B. The prophets were really analysts instead of messengers of God. There are several problems with this suggestion.

C. Some prophecies were made when the likelihood of its fulfillment was suspect.

D. For example, during Hezekiah’s reign Isaiah prophesied that Babylon would eventually take the treasures of his palace away. During this time Babylon was a very weak power under Assyrian rule. When the prophecy was made, Assyria was very strong. The prophets were often persecuted or killed for their message. If it were a guess, it would be easy to renounce.

E. They would have to be superior analysts for most of the prophets had made many prophecies.

F. Some right, some wrong points to an analyst. However, the Bible prophets were always right.

G. Accuracy is a result of later additions, not prophetic. There are also problems with this suggestion.

H. The prophecies of Isaiah 53, regarding the crucifixion of the Messiah are extremely detailed.

I. Many things, such as the soldiers casting lots for the clothes and the crucifixion with criminals were completely out of the control of the believer’s hands. The accuracy as it relates to the crucifixion of Jesus is incredible. It could not have been added after the death of Jesus because a scroll of Isaiah was found that has been dated back to 125 B.C.—almost 150 years before the death of Jesus. When Isaiah was written, crucifixion was rare, if nonexistent.

J. The Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament, was compiled about 250 B.C.

K. The prophecies of Daniel regarding the rise of the Roman Empire were recorded in the LXX almost 200 years before the empire was born. All prophecies of Jesus were “in stone” before He was born.

IV. Examples of detailed prophecies regarding cities and nations

A. Samaria, the capital of Israel

B. Micah 1:6 – Would be a heap of ruins/stones in the valley Archaeologists have noted that on the hill of Samaria are a few pillars marking the sites of prominent buildings but that the stones of the street and the buildings were thrown into the valley so the area could be cultivated (Evidence that Demands A Verdict, p.294)

C. Nineveh, the capital of Assyria

D. Nahum 1:8; 3:13, 19 – flood, fire, and would not be rebuilt. Zephaniah 2:13-15 – Utter desolation

E. Nineveh was the proud capital of the powerful Assyrian empire until its destruction in 625 B.C. (following in The Standard History of the World, p. 214-215)

F. The Assyrian Empire, weakened by Scythian invasions, was attacked by the Medes. The Assyrian king Assur-emid-elin, divided his forces keeping part of his army under his own control and sent another part of the army under his general Nabopolassar to fight the Medes. Nabopolassar made an alliance with the Medes and attacked Nineveh. An unusually heavy rainy season caused the river to flood and take away almost two miles of the protective wall. Assur-emid-elin burned his palace around himself when it was apparent that he would be defeated. The Babylonians and Medes attacked, plundered, then burned Nineveh. It lay buried under a mound for almost 2,500 years before being discovered by archaeologists.“The great cities [of Assyria]…exist only in the records and memory of their past glory and greatness, and in the ruins on the mounds…only tenanted by the wandering Kurds watching their herds and flocks, and resounding with the jackal’s howl after the sun in its daily course has sunk to rest beneath the western horizon.” (Standard, p.216-217). “[Nineveh] was so completely obliterated…that it became like a myth until its discovery by Sir Austen Layard and others in the 19th century. The site has now been extensively excavated.” (Evidence, p. 311)

G. Babylon

H. Isaiah 13:19-22; 14:23 – Never to be inhabitedA great city of the ancient world, her gardens were one of the seven wonders, and Nebuchadnezzar was a prolific builder. The city was divided by the Euphrates River and protected on the west by a marsh land. It covered about 196 square miles protected by double walls over 300 feet high and 87 feet wide. After the Babylonian empire, it was occupied by Greeks who originally wanted to restore it, but thought that it would be less expensive to build a new city, Seleucia, instead. (Evidences 317) Strabo visited the site of Babylon during the reign of Augustus and said, “The great city has become a desert.” (Evidences 317) Various superstitions and the wild animals keep the Bedouins from pitching their tent there. The soil condition prevents the growth of vegetation suitable for flocks. (Evidences 318) The Encyclopedia Britannica notes that “A large part of the old city buried under a deep bed of silt remains to be found.” It further notes that the Babylon of Hammurabi lies under the water table (Ev. 319)

I. We could go on with specific detailed prophecies of Tyre, Ashkelon, Jerusalem, Petra, and other cities that God punished.

V. We can be sure of God’s promises today.

A. Judgment

B. Just as God promised destruction to the nations we studied, He has promised the destruction of the world. He is longsuffering now but will fulfill His word, 2 Peter 3:4, 8-12. We must be ready for that day; He has proved Himself trustworthy.

C. Forgiveness of sins

D. When God promises that He will forgive you of your sins when you repent, you can be confident that He will.

E. Your forgiveness will not be based on some vague feeling that your sins have been removed or that you are saved, but will rest on the firm promises of God.

F. Romans 10:10 – With the heart we believe, with the mouth we make confession towards salvation. Mark 16:16 – He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. We do not have to ask, did we have a feeling, we can know whether we obeyed God or not. We can have confidence if we are faithful to Him, 1 Jn. 3:18-23