Zion and the Ensign

The raising of the banner initially represents the coming of an invading force raising their ensigns of war. That banner is the beginning of the end for Babylon. Isaiah writes, “Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles…. The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle” (Isaiah 13:2, 4).

Prior to the raising of Zion, Babylon will fall. It is in the chaos and aftermath of the fall of Babylon and the tyrannical reign of the Assyrian where Zion will start to take shape.

“There followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:8). The fall of Babylon will be a devastating blow to the world economy and moral. It will affect every aspect of daily life and will start a domino affect across the globe. Isaiah uses Babylon as a symbol of the world, but also as a symbolic conglomeration of all aspects of worldliness.

In his description of the fall of Babylon in Isaiah 13-23, Isaiah uses various nations to describe the characteristics of different aspects of Babylon. Avraham Gileadi describes this as “Greater Babylon,” a combination of ten nations representing Babylon. Those ten nations include the following:

Babylon (Isaiah 13-14): Babylon was an ancient superpower located in present-day Iraq was known for its beauty. It is said to house the hanging gardens, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency” (Isaiah 13:19). Babylon represents worldliness and symbolizes all other portions of the Babylonian whole (see below).

Moab (Isaiah 15-16): Moab was located east of Judah. These were the descendants of Lot, nephew of Abraham. According to Isaiah, they were a people of abundance (see Isaiah 15:7), and very proud (see Isaiah 16:6). When Babylon and all of its glory and components fall, these people will wail in their high places (see Isaiah 15:2) and will seek their own gods (see Isaiah 16:12) to no avail.

Damascus (Isaiah 17): The city Damascus was an ally to the Northern kingdom (also called Ephraim). Damascus is in Aram (or Syria) and is the capital city. They will fall together. These are a people who glorify themselves and have plenty of “fatness” (see Isaiah 17:4). They were considered a very strong city (see Isaiah 17:9). But they were also a people who forgot or forsook the Lord (see Isaiah 17:10).

“Land Shadowing with Wings” (Isaiah 18): This is a description of a part or portion of Egypt or beyond. כְּנָפָיִם|kε-nä-fä’-ēm can mean wing or edge/extremity, and means beyond Cush in Egypt. These are a people who rely upon the greater power of Egypt and during the fall of Babylon appeal to a stronger power for help (see Isaiah 18:2).

Egypt (Isaiah 19-20): Greater Egypt was a declining global superpower at the time Isaiah wrote his vision. Isaiah describes how production, manufacturing, and economy fail as Babylon falls (see Isaiah 19:4-10). Isaiah says they “err in every work thereof” (see Isaiah 19:14-15).

“Desert of the Sea” (Isaiah 21): This area was west and south of Judah. מִדְבַּר|mēd-bär’ can mean desert or pasture. יָם|yäm can mean sea/large body of water, specifically the Mediterranean, but can also mean locally the west or south. During the fall of Babylon, the Elamites and Medes pass through this area like a whirlwind (see Isaiah 21:1-2).

Dumah (Isaiah 21): Duma was a tribe and region of Arabia between Israel and Egypt. Isaiah writes that those who do not flee Babylon call to a watchman in Dumah. The watchman does reply, but encourages them to obtain their own answers (see Isaiah 21:11-12).

Arabia (Isaiah 21): Arabia was south and east of Judah. It is present-day Jordan and beyond. These are nomadic wanderers of the deserts who will help those fleeing from the war and fall of Babylon (see Isaiah 21:13-15).

“Valley of Vision” (Isaiah 22): This refers to Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah. Avraham Gileadi calls this the “Arena of Spectacles.” Isaiah refers to this city as a tumultuous city who are caught by the enemy in surprise while they lounged in their entertainment (see Isaiah 22:2-3).

Tyre (Isaiah 23): Tyre was west of Judah. This was a city of great trade and economic power. They were a great maritime or shipping power in Isaiah’s day and represented commerce and trade. Isaiah describes them as merchants, traffickers, etc., and shows how all commerce will end at the fall of Babylon for seventy years (see Isaiah 23:8-9, 14).

The fall of Babylon and all its components will reverberate throughout the world. “The merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise anymore” (Revelation 18:11). “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies” (Revelations 18:3).

Yet just prior to the fall of Babylon the Lord declares to the people, “Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans” (Isaiah 48:20). And as she falls, the heavens call out to the covenant people of God, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).