Restoring Babylon and Iraq's Antiquities

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In 1987, Saddam Hussein began a program to rebuild the decayed city of ancient Babylon. Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar II, ancient Babylon reigned over the entire Middle East, stretching all the way to Libya. It became home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Saddam has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on restoration of the city, erecting brick walls on the ancient foundations. Today, as Saddam works to rebuild the great city, however, one of his greatest challenges is to bring back its ancient treasures - currently held in museums around the world.

Iraqi archaeologists are angered by the display of their country's masterpieces abroad and are demanding their return. Germany is at the top of the Iraqi protests, as the Pergamon Museum in Berlin continues to promote the Ishtar Gate as one of its main tourist attractions. A German expedition in 1902 dismantled the upper level of the Gate of Ishtar and transported it to Berlin, along with 118 of the 120 friezes of lions from the sides of Nebuchadnezzar's Procession Street. While the 42ft-high gate was later rebuilt, with its blue ceramic tiles and intricate designs of mythical animals, the absence of the original gate grieves Iraqi archeologists. Mohammed Aziz Selman al-Ibrahim, an archeologist and official of the antiquities and heritage department of Iraq's ministry of culture, said, "I have anger, but what can we do I appeal to the German government to give back our antiquities to Iraq."

Saddam, Hussein sees himself as a sequel to the great king of Babylon. He has even built his presidential palace on a hill overlooking the throne room of Nebuchadnezzar's palace and has placed his own face with that of Nebuchadnezzar on various coins and restoration bricks. Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 587 BC and tore down the first Jewish temple. Saddam is also hoping to identify himself with this great leader who defeated the Jews. Saddam continues to train his "Jerusalem Liberation Army" while stirring up trouble in Israel by offering $25,000 to the families of suicide bombers.

Some Bible scholars believe that the vision of Zechariah 5 suggests Babylon will one day be rebuilt - "and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base." However, Isaiah 13 & 14 warn that this city will then be destroyed and never inhabited again. Babylon appears to play a significant role in end-times events. We do well to continue to watch at things progress.

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