Isaiah prophesied of Babylon’s glory and eventual destruction more than 100 years before its rise to world power. “To predict the total devastation and desolation of such a city was remarkable, for some ancient cities, such as Jerusalem … , have continued through the centuries and still exist today. But after its conquest by Cyrus, Babylon steadily declined. … [Its] silent ruins stand as an eloquent witness that Isaiah spoke with divine accuracy.
“Spiritual Babylon shall likewise become a waste and desolation when God comes upon the world in judgment and ushers in the millennial reign of Christ. (See Revelation 18.)” (Old Testament Student Manual, 154).