“Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.” (Isaiah 14:9) Although the king of Babylon had been powerful and had control over the other nations of the earth, he would come to the same end that all rulers come to if they reject God. He would take his place in hell along with those over whom he had wielded his power and influence. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)
Hell would stir up the kings that the king of Babylon had weakened and they would all be there greet him when he came. They would greet him with scorn and criticism. “All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?” (verse ten) No longer would the king of Babylon be ruler over all the nations. No longer would he control other kings. The glory and pleasure of fame and power last but for a season. They do no good in the grave. The chief ones of the earth and the kings of the nations will continue their derision, “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.” (verse eleven)
Many people think that this reference to the king of Babylon is not only to the king in Israel’s day but also makes reference to the anti-Christ. This makes sense because this passage, like the one in Isaiah chapter thirteen, seems to refer not only to the soon coming destruction but also to the final demise of the Babylonian kingdom. Babylon will be the center of commerce and the hub of civilization. From there, the anti-Christ will wield his power over all the earth. There is one thing that stands out about the king of Babylon in Israel’s day and the king of Babylon (anti-Christ) during the tribulation period. Both are but mere men. The Bible very specifically says that the anti-Christ will be a man. The anti-Christ will force all to take the mark of the beast, and the Bible says that the mark of the beast is “the number of a man.” (See Revelation 13:18) Although, on earth, both kings of Babylon would be great and lifted up, full of pomp and fame and power; in the grave, they will be equal to all other men. In life, they will be regally arrayed. In the grave, they will be covered with worms. In hell, they will suffer torment forever.
All this seems a fearful thing, yet it symbolizes the final destruction of evil. Israel will be at peace, Zion will be founded and established; all those who fear God will be at peace, quiet from the fear of harassment and persecution. Evil has an end, but God and His righteousness endures forever.