Customer Reviews

The Rise of Babylon

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Given the fact that a certain mustachioed megalomaniac has finally been removed from power in Iraq, I thought this book would make an interesting read in light of the events that have transpired since its publication in 1991. The book is not primarily about Saddam Hussein, and it has not been rendered obsolete by Hussein's long-overdue ouster. Babylon has been important Biblically since the earliest days of man, yet I for one have never had an adequate understanding of the extent of its importance. Babylon is where man first rebelled against God, constructing the Tower of Babel in an effort to reach heaven by man's work alone; Babylon is responsible for the destruction of the kingdom of Judah, Solomon's Temple, and Jerusalem itself in 586 BC; and Babylon's utter destruction is prophesized during the End Times. Clearly, the destruction spoken of in the Bible has yet to occur; the ancient city's ruins still stand, with many of its ancient bricks having been used to build many a dwelling place over the centuries; when the prophesized destruction of Babylon takes place, no trace of the city will ever be found again.

Dyer's impetus for writing this book was Saddam Hussein's rebuilding of the ancient city of Babylon, a subject I knew nothing about from news reports over the years. The rebuilding began soon after the start of the Iran-Iraq War, and Dyer argues that this act of reconstruction was meant to serve as a reminder and inspiration to the Iraqi people of their centuries-old antagonism for the Persians who had conquered them. Hussein consciously cast himself in the role of Nebuchadnezzar's successor, implanting an image of himself as not only the man destined to restore the country to greatness but as the man who would unite Arabs against their ancient enemies, the Persians and the Jews. All of this is very interesting, but this book's greatest strength is its presentation of the ancient story that Hussein was consciously trying to manipulate for his own selfish reasons. The Rise of Babylon offers a very readable recounting of the history of both the Babylonians and the Hebrews. The prophecies of both ancient prophets such as Isaiah, Daniel, and Jeremiah as well as those expressed in the New Testament are unchanging, and Babylon's place in Earth's final tribulations is foretold and of great importance, even if Saddam Hussein may not play the direct role in such events suggested in this book. This is not really a book about Hussein; it is a book on Babylon's integral place in Biblical history and prophecy, and for that reason Dyer's very readable text is by no means invalidated by the course of events in the Middle East since the time of its publication.

I was fascinated with the insight into Saddam's rise to power. I started reading this book just before the war began in Iraq. I was convinced that we were right to make sure Saddam was overthrown. The nation of Iraq has been in turmoil since day one of Saddam's reign and too many innocent lives have been lost. As a Christian interested in prophesy, this book also answered many of my questions as to Iraq's role in the events leading up to the Tribulation. As a bonus, Mr. Dyer has included some fascinating photographs of the ancient city of Babylon.

Dyer's book, and original seminary thesis, contends
that the destruction of Babylon described in the Old
and New Testaments has not occured yet. Coming from
a dispensational position, he sets forth his case
clearly and cogently. He *may be wrong, but he
may be right...I believe the weight of evidence falls
to his position.

Aside from argueing the above point, the book is a great
short outline of Histories Babylon and Jerusalem, as
they are woven throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation
in one grand theme. Seeing that alone is worth the price of the
book. So the book is valueable on more than one level.

If you want to see the best presentation of the
"Babylon has yet to be destroyed as described in
scripture" position, I think this is the best book to
get, or at least start with. And contrary to the other
reviewer, I LIKE large type! To many books are designed
with the goal of destroying human eyes!

Some of the other reviewers above need to figure out
why they are even buying the books they buy...the point
seems to have eluded them. The point of The Rise of
Babylon certainly has!

Good book, I recommend it.

This book by Former Dallas Theological Semianry Professor Charles Dyer, is a very interesting treatment about a interesting ascept of possible end times fulfillment. it does seem a bit dated now with Saddam's removal. But to think that this will change the events Dyer has outlines is foolish. Please read for yourself, and do not be misguided by several reviewers who personal axes to grind.

Most Christians I know believe that Babylon was destroyed years ago and will never be rebuilt. And if it were being rebuilt you would think it would be front page news. But no.

The rebuilding of Babylon has been going on for over 20 years. Dyer gives us 16 pages of pictures of rebuilt walls, Palace of Nebuchadnrzzar, Ishtar Gate, the Ninmach Temple, Sadam's guest house located in the center of Babylon, and a model of the Tower of Babel planned by the Iraqi government.

My copy is the 1991 edition. I have not yet seen the new edition.

In view of the escalating tension between Iraq and the rest of the world, this book offers some eye-opening details and insights. About 2500 years ago Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged the kingdom of Judah, conquered the Jews and took away to Babylon all their treasures. This rise and fall of Nebuchadnezzar is narrated in the Bible. Has Saddam Hussein of Iraq taken on the mission of this world conqueror? The author Charles Dyer who has traveled extensively in the Middle East, has some shocking details and insights to offer.

I bought this book to clarify and improve my understanding of Iraq and the history dating back to Biblical times.
IT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING.
For example, why did Sadam H. exterminate the Kurds in 1991? According to the author, because the Kurds allied with Khomeni when Iran opposed Iraq.

If you're looking for Biblical perspective, READ THIS BOOK ! It was originally published in 1991 after several visits to Baghdad in the late '80's and has been revised and published in 2003.

I'll probably finish reading this book in 24 to 48 hours and pass it along to others who need clarification.

I started following all these "prophecies" from Dallas Seminary professors and Moody Bible Institute approved writers years ago even as I was moved by Hal Lindsey's "Late Great Planet Earth". Amazingly, when they all prophecied that while they could not give us the "exact day and time", these prophecy "Bible teachers" sold us all on the idea that "one generation shall not pass before the great rapture comes to pass" and with 1948 United Nations inspired idea of giving Palestine back to not Christians, but to antiChristian Jews, we all were taught to expect Jesus to come back by 1988 at the latest. When nothing happened, I expected many public repentances of the "prophecy" teachers that misled us by the masses, instead, we got a new date by the likes of Dyer trying to sell us the idea that 1953 was the more accurate starting date since that's when the contract was signed for Israel's takeover. So 1993 was now to be the right date of "one generation shall not pass".

John Calvin and the reformers had a much better idea of these prophecies and the Bible believers sola scriptura leaders of the reformation and the Puritans would have never dreamed of such ideas now popular in the 20th century, but we ignored the clear statement of Jesus in Acts 1:8 and went forward with believing and teaching all these prophecies.

Harold Camping warned us so many times that we must be "warn" others of the coming of Christ and jack vanimpe poured out his "prophecy" messages to us through numerous tv appearances and made millions of his "prophetic ministry" on these.

Charles Dyer here told us in this book in 1991: "The day of the Lord described by Isaiah refers to the tribulation period that is still to come. Babylon's destruction will come in the time of the tribulation--a short period of time just before the second coming of Christ."

Now, instead of repenting of false eisegesis (reading into The Bible what is not there), he publishes another "version" of his writing by wanting us to believe that Babylon is supposedly now becoming a military base. What foolishness to add to the Bible what is obviously not there and how sad that a lack of integrity to our Holy Scriptures is being continually promoted by these false prophets as the masses buy into yet another "updated" prophecy book :-(.

The Bible calls for false prophets to repent and stop prophesying as if you are speaking for God. These authors must stop misleading the masses and come back to our ancient Christian understanding from the first centuries rather than write yet another false prophecy book trying to justify their earlier wrong teachings.

As to their premise, what if the original Christian authors were right and Isaiah 13 connection to Revelations 17 refers to a spiritual Babylon and we all stop looking for a made up physical Babylon or what if we wait till the prophecy is fulfilled and Christ returns to understand what Christ meant by His Holy Word rather than try to read into current events what we want to be there and stop "prophesying" such speculative failed eisegesis as "Biblical".

This was a good book but the author came across as feeling his theory about the, 'end-times babylon' was the ONLY theory. His theory was good and fasinating, don't get me wrong but it (i.e. his theory) came across as don't read any other latter-day commentary but mine. Otherwise I liked the book

The book THE RISE OF BABLYON by Charles H. Dyer promises to take readers, "Inside the mind of the Iraqi dictator [Saddam Hussein]." Instead, it mostly rehashes Biblical prophecies regarding Babylon. Maybe ten percent of the book deals with Saddam Hussein's career, so if you're looking to learn a lot about the Iraq's president, Mr. Dyer's work is not for you.

It is interesting to note that THE RISE OF BABLYON refers to the 1991 Gulf War as a "nearly bloodless" affair. Oh, really? Then why did General Norman Schwartzkopf say the war "must have killed 100,000" of Iraq's citizens? Is that a "nearly bloodless" affair?

Nor does THE RISE OF BABLYON mention that in the 1980s Saddam Hussein was an ally of the Reagan/Bush administration. The book also neglects that, in 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait after a Bush administration diplomat said the United States had no position on Iraq's dispute with Kuwait - only to have the U.S. then suddenly decry the invasion.

Fewer than 200 pages in large typeface, THE RISE OF BABYLON is really a magazine article overblown into a book. While I'm against the current (I write this March 15, 2003) war with Iraq threatened by the United States, I bought author Dyer's book hoping to understand the pro-war point of view. But THE RISE OF BABLYON falls far short of convincing the reader that war with Iraq is necessary.