It is amazing how much of the Bible God devoted to talking about the destruction of Babylon. In this portion of Isaiah chapter fourteen, God refers to both the king of Babylon and Lucifer. Perhaps this is because Babylon seems to represent everything evil that is in the world – ungodliness, uncleanness, pleasure (wrong pleasures and pleasure just for the sake of pleasure) and wantonness, evil doings, false teachings, persecution of the saints, trafficking of human souls and much more. It was fully controlled by Satan, the god of this world who was appearing bright and pretty as an angel of light, an evil angel we know as Lucifer. There would be a temporary overthrow of Babylon's kingdom in these days of Israel’s captivity, and there is coming a day when there will be a final destruction of it.
Isaiah chapter fourteen is a rather complicated chapter, but let us take a look at Israel’s proverb against the king of Babylon.
God tells Jacob His chosen that He will have mercy on them in the time of their deliverance, “3) And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, 4) That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!” (Isaiah 14:3,4)
Babylon, the kingdom that oppressed Israel, was called the golden city. It represented everything that the world had to offer. It was rich and prosperous and powerful. Yet, it ceased. The pleasures of sin that had filled it up for a season were brought to an end.
The king and rulers of Babylon were the most powerful in the world. Yet, God said of them, “5) The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. 6) He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.” (verses 5,6)
What was the result of this overthrow? “7) The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. 8) Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.” (verses 7,8) Not only are the saints at rest, but the whole earth will be at rest. It is not being troubled and destroyed to supply the wants of sinful people.
This overthrow of Babylon represents the time when “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:15b-18) There is a great day coming, and what a day it will be!