Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 148:591 (Jul 1991)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

---

BSac 148:591 (Jul 91) p. 363

Book Reviews

The Rise of Babylon. By Charles H. Dyer with Angela Elwell Hunt. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1991. 236 pp. Paper, $8.95.

Charles Dyer has made the study of Babylon a personal specialty. His master’s thesis came to the conclusion that the Babylon of Revelation 17 is a literal city and is to be identified with the Babylon of Revelation 18. He has made two trips to Iraq to investigate the ancient site of Babylon and to study the rebuilding of that city by the present regime.

The proposition of this popular work is clear and also controversial: The prophecies of the destruction of Babylon in the Old Testament have not been fulfilled literally; therefore the city must be rebuilt in order for those prophecies to come to pass. Some students of prophecy would say that these predictions belong to a sort of “destruction genre” and are not meant to be taken literally in every detail. Perhaps one of the most telling evidences used by Dyer to support his thesis is the postexilic prophecy of Zechariah that in the last days wickedness will be centered in Shinar, or Babylon (Zech 5:5–11).

In the early chapters the author discusses the modern effort to rebuild Babylon. Then Dyer skillfully traces the history of Babylon from Genesis 9 to the deportation of Judah to Babylon in 586 B.C. At this point he discusses the prophecies of Daniel, the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, and the fall of Babylon to Cyrus. Then a brief survey of history brings the reader to the modern period. Dyer presents his reasons for believing the Old Testament prophecies regarding the destruction and desolation of Babylon have never been fulfilled. He goes on to assert that Babylon will become a world power and will be destroyed in the great tribulation in fulfillment of the Old Testament and also Revelation 17–18. All through the book Dyer shows how Saddam Hussein aspires to be the modern-day Nebuchadnezzar.

This book, though written in a popular style, bears the imprint of careful study. Fifteen photographs of Babylon taken by the author help illuminate the contemporary scene. Although not all will agree with Dyer’s thesis, this is essential reading for all students of prophecy.

Stanley D. Toussaint

BSac 148:591 (Jul 91) p. 364

Transformed by His Glory. By Charles R. Ryrie. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990. 144 pp. $12.95.

Based on its use in the Old and New Testaments, Ryrie defines “glory” as “God displayed....

visitor : : uid: ()