The Rise of Babylon: Sign of the End Times (Paperback)

~ Charles Dyer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Charlie Dyer documents the history of Iraq over the last several decades and Saddam Hussein’s three goals for Iraq; territory, economic power and the elimination of the nation of Israel. The Rise of Babylon documents the similarities of the ancient empire of Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar and the new Babylon being rebuilt by Saddam Hussein.

Rows and rows of soldiers parade in, dressed in Babylonian tunics and carrying swords, spears, and shields. Interspersed among the ranks of soldiers are groups of musicians playing harps, horns, and drums. Clusters of children carry palm branches and runners bear bowls of incense. Then come soldiers and still more soldiers in a seemingly endless line of men and weapons. After the procession, the guests attend a ceremony paying tribute to Ishtar, the mother goddess of Babylon.

Is this a scene of pagan worship from the time of Daniel? No, this is a scene I witnessed when I returned to Babylon in 1988 for the second International Babylon Festival held under the patronage of Saddam Hussein!

- excerpt from The Rise of Babylon

About the Author

Dr. Charles Dyer (B.A., Washington Bible College, Th.M., Th.D. Dallas Theological Seminary) has traveled extensively in the Middle East and is a licensed guide in Israel. He has authored, co-authored, and co-edited many books including The Rise of Babylon, World News and Bible Prophecy, and A Christian Traveler's Guide to the Holy Land. He and his wife, Kathy, live in Shererville, Indiana and the parents of two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; Updated edition (January 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802409059
• ISBN-13: 978-0802409058
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #775,360 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A book that has not been invalidated by Hussein's ouster, December 13, 2003

By	Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down., April 21, 2003

By	S. Freeman (Montgomery, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read..., April 13, 2003

By	Kevin M. Newby (Goleta, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.