Daily Devotional – October 15

Biblical Accuracy

Babylon was both an empire and one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. The Bible proclaims more than 100 prophecies concerning this city. One prophecy states that she will never be rebuilt. Today, Babylon is still in ruins, a mound of rubble haunted by jackals, vipers and scorpions. But let’s consider two specific prophecies about Babylon that are seemingly contradictory. Jeremiah 51:42 states, “The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof” while Jeremiah 51:43 states that Babylon will become, “a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness.” How could Babylon be both covered with water and be a dry desolate desert?

In 1811, an archeologist named Claudius James Rich wrote a book titled Narrative of a Journey to the Site of Babylon, in which he made the following observation, “For the space of two months throughout the year the ruins of Babylon are inundated by the annual overflowing of the Euphrates so as to render many parts inaccessible by converting the valleys into morasses.” After the water subsides, the site becomes a dry, parched desert. Both prophecies are true! Babylon is both covered with waves and a dry desolate ruin that has never been rebuilt. God gave us more than 2,000 prophecies in order that we may believe His promises. His one great future promise is “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16b), and “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36b). God’s word is true, and it will come to pass.

Thy word is true from the beginning:

~ Psalm 119:160

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.