Babylonian Captivity, Part I

In the Hebrew Bible, 11 Chronicles is the last book of the Bible. If you turn in the Hebrew Bible to 11 Chronicles 36, the last chapter in the Hebrew Bible, you find this statement in verses 15 and 16: “And Jehovah God sent to their fathers [warnings], sent to them by His messengers, rising early and sending, because He had pity upon His people and upon His dwelling place. But they mocked His messengers, and they despised His words, and they scoffed at His prophets, until it came up the wrath of Jehovah upon His people, until there was no healing [no remedy].”

In this passage of Scripture, we see the reluctance of God to bring judgments or punishments upon His people. In an effort to avert the punishment, He sends messengers to them to tell them what will happen if they continue in their sinful ways and to appeal to them to repent. To repent means to change your mind, to turn around and go in a different direction. So God, it says, rose up early and sent messengers—many messengers—to try to get His people to repent, because He “had pity on his people.” But they would not listen. Not only would they not listen, but they scoffed at His messengers; they despised their words. Finally, it says, there was no healing. There was no remedy, and the lightest punishment that a merciful God could bring upon His rebellious people was to send them into captivity.

A large portion of what we call the Old Testament was written throughout that period just before, during, and right after the captivity. For example, both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied during that time. Daniel prophesied in Babylon during that time, and not too long before it happened, Isaiah was sent to appeal to the people that they might turn around. There were also prophets such as Hosea, Micah, and Amos who were sent to God’s people with a message of warning, but as we just read in 11 Chronicles 36:15, 16, God’s professed people, His chosen people, would not listen. As a result, doom was approaching, doom that could not be averted.

A Solemn Warning

To understand the significance of what we are going to read, we need to understand that these Old Testament prophecies—these stories—were not just given to tell us the history of God’s people in ancient times. They were given to describe to us what is going to happen in our time and to warn us of what will happen should we give the same regard to the prophets—the messengers—that God sends to us as ancient Israel gave to the messengers He sent to them.

“Let none who claim to be the depositaries [sic] of God’s law flatter themselves that the regard they may outwardly show to the commandments will preserve them from the exercise of divine justice. Let none refuse to be reproved for evil, nor charge the servants of God with being too zealous in endeavoring to cleanse the camp from evil-doing. A sin-hating God calls upon those who claim to keep His law to depart from all iniquity. A neglect to repent and to render willing obedience will bring upon men and women today as serious consequences as came upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which the judgments of Jehovah can no longer be delayed. The desolation of Jerusalem in the days of Jeremiah is a solemn warning to modern Israel, that the counsels and admonitions given them through chosen instrumentalities cannot be disregarded with impunity.” Prophets and Kings, 416, 417.

The desolation of Jerusalem, Ellen White wrote, is a solemn warning to modern Israel. Please think this through. What does that sentence mean?

A very similar sentence appeared in The Signs of the Times, February 12, 1880: “The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel.” Let me tell you, friends, doom is approaching modern Israel today.

During those days, when Jeremiah was prophesying, he was in constant danger. Once, he was placed in prison. Once, he was placed in a dungeon. Once, he was beaten. A number of times his life was threatened. The rulers went to the king and told him to have this man put to death, because he was weakening the arms of the people. (Jeremiah 38:4.)

Peace, Peace

During that same time, there were false prophets that were very popular among the people. This might seem ironic or paradoxical to the person who is not a student of sacred history, but anyone who has studied the Bible from beginning to end knows that this is a common reaction among God’s professed people. They love the messages of the false prophets, and they hate the messages of the true prophets. Peter stated, when he wrote his last letter to the Christian church, that, in the future, it would be this way. (11 Peter 2.)

He talked briefly first about what happened in Old Testament times, and then he told what would transpire in the future. He said: “And there were false prophets among the people, as also there should be among you false teachers, which will secretly bring in heresies of destruction, even denying the Sovereign who purchased them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow after them in sensuality [or in licentious living], through which the way of truth will be evilly spoken of.” 11 Peter 2:1, 2. So Peter said it would be exactly the same in the future as it was in the past.

Of course, the false prophets told ancient Israel, “Do not worry. The Lord is going to break the power of the king of Babylon. You are not going to go into captivity. You are going to stay right here. There is going to be prosperity. There is going to be peace.”

Jeremiah told of such prophecies. (Jeremiah 14:13, 14.) Ezekiel spoke of the same thing. He said that these false prophets cry “Peace, peace,” when the Lord has not spoken peace. (Ezekiel 13:16.)

Do you remember the story in Jeremiah 28 where the Lord instructed Jeremiah to take the yoke of wood, put it on his neck, and go and prophesy, not only to the children of Israel but also to the other nations? He was to tell them that God had given them to the king of Babylon. They were to serve under this king, and if they submitted to the servitude and rebelled not against it, things would become better for them. The false prophets did not like this.

Hananiah, for one, became so angry that he took the wooden yoke off Jeremiah’s neck and broke it. He said, “Listen, the Lord is going to break the power of the king of Babylon.” So the Lord told Jeremiah to go prophesy again and this time to take with him yokes of iron instead of yokes of wood, and tell them that the Lord was going to place these yokes upon them. The yokes of iron would not be broken. (Verses 13, 14.) In fact, Jeremiah said that even if the entire Babylonian army was wounded, they would still rise up and take the city captive.

Jeremiah also had a message for the false prophets. He said, concerning Hananiah, that because he had spoken without the Lord having given him a message, he would die within the year. He died two months later.

History Repeated

It is the false prophets who prophesy peace when there is no peace. Will the same thing happen in our time? It has been happening for a long time already. Ellen White predicted that it would happen. People say, “There is no reason to worry. Everything is going to be all right.” I have heard people say that we are going to stay here till the Lord comes. That is what the false prophets said to the people, but Jeremiah said, “No, you are not going to stay here. You are going to Babylon.”

Ellen White wrote: “The patience of God has an object, but you are defeating it. He is allowing a state of things to come that you would fain see counteracted by and by, but it will be too late. God commanded Elijah to anoint the cruel and deceitful Hazael king over Syria, that he might be a scourge to idolatrous Israel. Who knows whether God will not give you up to the deceptions you love? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm, and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? It may be that the destroyers are already training under the hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard-bearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, ‘Peace, peace,’ when the Lord hath not spoken peace. I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers.

“When God shall work his strange work on the earth, when holy hands bear the ark no longer, woe will be upon the people.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 77.

Standing Alone

It is the false prophet who cries, “Peace, peace,” when the Lord has not spoken peace. The message of the false prophet is more popular. They do not have to stand alone, as did Jeremiah and the other true prophets. Are you willing to stand alone for God’s truth?

In 1888, Mrs. White wrote: “It does not seem possible to us now that any should have to stand alone; but if God has ever spoken by me, the time will come when we shall be brought before councils and before thousands for his name’s sake, and each one will have to give the reason of his faith.” Review and Herald, December 18, 1888.

Are you ready for this situation? Are you ready to appear before councils, before thousands, for Jesus’ sake and to stand completely alone, giving the reasons why you believe what you believe? Can you do it? Are you ready to do it?

Mrs. White wrote, in 1893: “Many will have to stand in the legislative courts; some will have to stand before kings and before the learned of the earth, to answer for their faith. Those who have only a superficial understanding of truth will not be able clearly to expound the Scriptures, and give definite reasons for their faith. They will become confused, and will not be workmen that need not to be ashamed. Let no one imagine that he has no need to study, because he is not to preach in the sacred desk. You know not what God may require of you.” Ibid., February 14, 1893.

Are you ready? Are you ready to stand alone and to give your testimony?

Know that you will never actually be alone. The angels of God will always be with you, but from a human point of view, with your natural sight, you may not be able to visibly see anyone with you.

Troublous Times to Come

The church has yet to see troublous times. Any preacher who is not warning you of these times is giving you the message of the false prophet, because it is the false prophet, Ellen White wrote, who speaks, “Peace, peace,” when the Lord has not spoken peace. God has not spoken peace today, friends.

God has told us, “Until Christ shall appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, men will become perverse in spirit and turn from the truth to fables. The church will yet see troublous times. She will prophesy in sackcloth.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 594.

So the church will yet see troublous times. Some people think such times are in the past—that the church prophesied in sackcloth from 538 to 1798. Yes, that is true, but notice what we just read. The church will have to prophesy in sackcloth again. Some people say, “Oh, the Babylonian captivity—that was back in Jeremiah’s time.” Yes, it was. Or some may say that the Babylonian captivity in the new covenant times was during the time of 538 to 1798. Yes, it was. But we are going to see that the Lord predicts there will again be a time like the Babylonian captivity at the end of time.

Appeal to Repent

God had not spoken peace. He appealed to the people to repent. The time came when, because of their sins, the Babylonian captivity was allowed, as the lightest punishment that could be given, and even then, God decided to make their lot lighter by telling them to cooperate with their conquerors. In fact, if you read through the middle chapters of the Book of Jeremiah, you will see that right up until the last, God repeatedly appealed to them. He appealed to the leaders and to the king to listen, to obey, and to turn around, giving them one chance after another.

Here is the last chance. Jeremiah 38:17 says, “And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, ‘Thus says Jehovah, God of hosts, God of Israel: if you will indeed go out to the rulers of the king of Babylon, your soul will live, and this city will not be burned with fire; you will live and your house.’ ”

There it is. There is the last chance. Jeremiah tells Zedekiah, “If you will surrender, if you will do what the Lord tells you to do, this city will not be burned with fire. You, then, will not only live, but your house also will live.”

Would you think—if you knew that the God of heaven was speaking to you and that if you would listen to His message, you and your family would live, and the city would be saved from destruction—that obeying the message would be the thing to do? The king did not do it. Why? Because of fear of the Jews.

Fear of the Jews

Verses 19 and 20 say, “And he said, the king Zedekiah, to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Jews, those who have fallen out to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they abuse me.’ And Jeremiah said, ‘Not they will deliver; not they will give you. Please, listen to my voice, the voice of Jehovah, just as I am speaking to you, and it will be well with you, and your soul will live.’ ”

From our point of view, if we step back from our future vantage, we may wonder why Zedekiah would not listen to what God told him to do. But he said he was afraid of the Jews. He was afraid of the people around him. He secretly wanted to know the truth, but he was not willing to obey it. Why was this king not willing to listen to divine counsel, even when he believed? Over and over again, he would secretly send for Jeremiah, and he would ask, “Tell me, is there a message from Jehovah for us? Tell me, I want to know.” Yet, when he received the message, he did not believe it. He did not obey it for fear of the Jews.

Price to Pay

How did such terrible fear take hold of Zedekiah’s mind that he eventually lost everything? Not only was the city burned, but also thousands of people lost their lives as a result of his example and disobedience. There was a terrible price to pay. Look what it says in Jeremiah 39:4–7: “And it was, just as Zedekiah the king of Judah saw, and all the men of war [they were seeing the walls of the city broken down and the armies coming in], they fled, and went out by night from the city, by the way of the king’s garden, in the gate between the walls. And they went out by the way of Arabah [that is, through the desert]. But they pursued the army of the Chaldeans after them, and they overtook Zedekiah at Arabah [in the plains of Jericho]. And they took him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he gave him there judgments. And the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes, and all the rulers of Judah he slaughtered. And the eyes of Zedekiah he blinded, and he bound him with bronze fetters, and brought him to Babylon.”

What a terrible story! The city was burned. Thousands of God’s people were killed. The rulers were slaughtered. Zedekiah watched his own family be slaughtered, and after that, his eyes were put out, and he was then taken to Babylon.

Consequences of Disobedience

Ellen White wrote, in 1905, about this. She said, “The calamities came, because he [Zedekiah] would not, through obedience, place himself under the protection of God. With his eyes put out, he was led in chains of captivity to Babylon.

“What a sad and awful warning is this to those who harden themselves under reproof, and who will not humble themselves in repentance, that God may save them! (Letter 281, 1905).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1040.

False Prophets Still

Why did this happen? Well, one reason was that Zedekiah would not humble himself and obey. Of course, another reason was because of the false prophets. The false prophets were very popular with the people and with the rulers. Jeremiah was not popular, but the false prophets were very popular. There are still false prophets who are very popular—more popular than are God’s servants.

Ellen White wrote about them in words like this: “There are many false prophets in these days, to whom sin does not appear specially repulsive. They complain that the peace of the people is unnecessarily disturbed by the reproofs and warnings of God’s messengers. As for them, they lull the souls of sinners into a fatal ease by their smooth and deceitful teachings. Ancient Israel was thus charmed by the flattering messages of the corrupt priests. Their prediction of prosperity was more pleasing than the message of the true prophet, who counseled repentance and submission.

“The servants of God should manifest a tender, compassionate spirit and show to all that they are not actuated by any personal motives in their dealings with the people, and that they do not take delight in giving messages of wrath in the name of the Lord. But they must never flinch from pointing out the sins that are corrupting the professed people of God, nor cease striving to influence them to turn from their errors and obey the Lord.

“Those who seek to cloak sin and make it appear less aggravating to the mind of the offender are doing the work of the false prophets and may expect the retributive wrath of God to follow such a course.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 185.

False Prophets Believed

The false prophets of ancient Israel said, “Why are you making these poor people to be continually reminded of their sins and threatened with punishment?” By giving such messages, they strengthened the people to resist the message of the true prophet. That is one of the reasons why the message of the true prophet was rejected. The message of the false prophet, predicting prosperity, was so much more flattering and sounded so much more wonderful.

Here is another reason. Concerning Zedekiah, Mrs. White wrote: “Foremost among those who were rapidly leading the nation to ruin was Zedekiah their king. Forsaking utterly the counsels of the Lord as given through the prophets, forgetting the debt of gratitude he owed Nebuchadnezzar, violating his solemn oath of allegiance taken in the name of the Lord God of Israel, Judah’s king rebelled against the prophets, against his benefactor, and against his God. In the vanity of his own wisdom he turned for help to the ancient enemy of Israel’s prosperity, ‘sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people.’ [Ezekiel 17:15.]” Prophets and Kings, 450, 451. [Emphasis supplied.]

What was the problem? He turned to the vanity of his own wisdom. There is no insanity so dreadful as human philosophy and wisdom unaided and undirected by the wisdom and knowledge of God. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Corinthians 3:18. That was the third reason.

A fourth reason is given in Prophets and Kings: “Through Jeremiah, Zedekiah and all Judah, including those taken to Babylon, were counseled to submit quietly to the temporary rule of their conquerors. It was especially important that those in captivity should seek the peace of the land into which they had been carried. This, however, was contrary to the inclinations of the human heart; and Satan, taking advantage of the circumstances, caused false prophets to arise among the people, both in Jerusalem and in Babylon, who declared that the yoke of bondage would soon be broken and the former prestige of the nation restored.” Ibid., 440, 441. The truth was contrary to the inclinations of the human heart, and Satan took advantage of the situation.

Friends, it is predicted that this will be the exact same situation in the last days. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote about it: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only the One holding back until now [will do so] until He shall be taken out of the way. And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming. Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, with all unrighteous deception among those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And on account of this God will send them powerful delusion, that they might believe in the lie, in order that they all might be condemned who do not believe in the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 11 Thessalonians 2:7–12.

To be continued . . .

[Bible texts quoted are literal translation.]

Pastor Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.