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By Rodrigo Silva
It was one of the world's first, greatest cities — a place where astronomers mapped the stars millennia ago and kings created an early code of law and planted what became known as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Yet little remains of the ancient capital, as seen by The Associated Press during a trip to Babylon last month on one of the few permits issued by Iraq's government since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Now, for the first time, global institutions led by the U.N. are thoroughly documenting the damage and how to fix it.
The U.S. also says it will help rehabilitate Babylon, funding an effort by the World Monuments Fund and Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, but has yet to release precise funding figures.
Our Prophetic Perspective
The Bible says in Revelation 18 that Babylon will be the center of the Antichrist's political kingdom. The Antichrist is also called the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14:4. It is interesting to see that plans to restore Babylon have been underway since Saddam Hussein was in power. He spent millions excavating the ancient ruins and restoring Babylon's ancient palaces.
The Bible says that man's final rebellion against God will be centered where man first rebelled against God, namely at Babel (Hebrew for Babylon) in the land of Shinar (Genesis 11).
Related Links
The Rebuilding of Babylon and its Future Destruction Can Ancient Babylon Be Restored? Can Ancient Babylon Be Rescued?
