Iraq In Prophecy: Lesson 1 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Iraq is the second most mentioned nation in the Bible after Israel (Mesopotamia, Babylon, Assyria, Ninevah, Chaldees, etc.).

2. Saddam Hussein called himself Nebuchadnezzar.

3. The name Iraq is a recent name and Baghdad is a modern city.

B. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq (Gen. 2:8-14).

a. The Euphrates “The River” (Gen. 2:14), and Tigris (Hiddekel).

b. Land of Havilah (Gen. 2:11), land of sand.

2. The Sumerians – the oldest known civilization was in Iraq.

a. Mesopotamia, “land between the rivers.”

b. Hammurabi, 1728 – 1686 B.C., library, legal system, plumbing, etc.

3. Noah’s heritage returned to Iraq. Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9).

a. Land of Shinar (Gen. 9:2) is Babylon.

b. Tower of Babel (Ziggurat or pyramid) outside old Babylon.

c. Babel means confusion.

4. Abraham – born in Ur of Iraq (Gen. 11:31).

a. Ur was the capital of the Sumerian City-State.

b. Chaldee was a tribe in Southern Iraq.

c. Father of Jews, Christians.

d. Wife of Isaac and Jacob from Iraq (Gen. 24:4, 28:1-2).

5. Assyria, Northern Iraq.

a. A vicious people.

b. Ninevah the capital city (Tigris River), Jonah – repentance, Nahum, message of judgment.

c. Captured the 10 northern tribes of Israel, 722 B.C.

d. Couldn’t capture Jerusalem, 701, B.C.

e. Ninevah fell to Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar, 612 B.C.

6. Babylon, Southern Iraq.

a. The city Babylon is the second most mentioned city in the Bible

after Jerusalem.

b. City-State of Babylon on Euphrates River, hanging gardens, blue.

c. Nebuchadnezzar, first ruler of the known world.

d. Captured Jerusalem 606 B.C. Daniel, 597 B.C. Ezekiel, 586 B.C., destroyed.

e. Three Hebrew children in firey furnace, brick kilm.

f. Nebuchednezzar’s vision of Great Image, Daniel 2:31-45.

Head Gold Babylon (Iraq) Nebuchadnezzar

Arms Silver Media-Persia Cyrus (Iraq)

Belly Brass Greece Alexander

Legs Iron Rome Ceasar

10 Toes Iron & Clay Revived Rome False Christ

C. BABYLON - THE CENTER OF THE APOSTATE CHURCH, Rev.17

1. Tower of Babel originally a substitute religion.

a. A tower to (unto) heaven, Gen. 11:4.

b. 153’ high and 400’ base of dried brick.

c. Seven levels to correspond to seven known planets (black-Saturn, orange-Jupiter, etc.)

d. Zodiac (astrology) at top.

e. Nimrod (to Rebel) motivator of substitute religion, Gen. 10:8-10.

2. Satan always wanted a substitute religion.

a. "I will be like the most high," Is. 14:14.

b. "The man of sin be revealed, the son of pedition...who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,...so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God," II Thess. 2:3, 4.

c. Substitute Trinity, Satan, antichrist, and false prophet.

3. Future Babylon is the Apostate church.

a. Called, "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH, Rev. 17:5.

b. Babylon associated with the Beast (antichrist) and the Revived Roman Empire of 10 Nations, Rev. 17:3, 12.

c. Merger of Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc.

d. The religious glue is supernatural signs and wonders. (not Roman Catholic, or doctrine) "The beast that was, and is not, and yet is," Rev. 17:8. "His deadly wound was healed and all the world wondered at him," Rev. 13:3. "So that he maketh fire to come down out of heavens," Rev. 13:13 (Satanic Pentecost).

4. Babylon is literally going to be re-built.

a. The City stands for a movement, as a literal Wall Street stands for economic movement.

b. The Euphrates is symbolic separation between Eastern and Western culture. Babylon symbolizes the merger of East and West Religions.

c. Babylon is the head quarters of antichrist, as Jerusalem is center for Christ.

d. Antichrist will attempt to unite China (Orient) with the West, Rev. 16:12.

e. Zechariah’s vision of the Ephah (three peck basket) being carried to Babylon. It predicted a return of wickedness and commerce to Babylon, Zech. 5:5-11.

5. Bible Predictions about Babylon never fulfilled.

a. Isaiah predicted her judgment like Sodom and Gomorrah, Is. 13:19.

b. The judgment predicted against Babylon in Jeremiah 51 is similar to Rev. 17. See words, golden cup waters, nations, (law of double fulfillment).

c. Babylon is destroyed during the Day of the Lord (Tribulation), Is. 13:6.

d. Bricks from Babylon used in other cities, contrary to Jer. 51:26.

e. Israel will enter into her rest (Millennium) after destruction of Babylon, Is. 14:4.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.