Our Powerful Advocate
Jeremiah 50:33-34 The peoples of Israel and Judah are both oppressed, they are kept in exile among the nations. But they have a powerful Advocate, He will take up their cause, that He may bring rest to the Land and turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.
This refers to the period of the exile of both Israel and Judah. Some of Judah have returned to the Land, but we await the final return of all the Israelites. At the completion of their decreed punishment, the Lord will redeem and deliver them. This will ‘give rest to the Land and distress to Babylon’. Babylon – at this time is a metaphor for the ungodly nations.
Jeremiah 50:35-45 This passage is a description of the destruction of ancient Babylon.
Jeremiah 50:46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon, the earthquakes and the sound is heard and felt around the world.
Ancient Babylon was destroyed and is still no longer inhabited as a city. But it is evident that this is a dual prophecy, as not all of verses 35-46 were fulfilled then. The earthquakes and loud sounds are mentioned again in;
Jeremiah 51:54-56 The sounds of great destruction come from the lands of the Babylonians. The advancing wave booms and roars like mighty waters, when the Lord despoils Babylon. Jeremiah 25:30-31, Isaiah 29:6 [There is no mention in any historical record of earthquakes when Cyrus conquered the city of Babylon.]
Jeremiah 51:19 The God of Israel is not like the useless idols of other peoples, for He is the Creator of all things. Israel are the people He claims as His own. Y’hovah is His Name.
The concept of a ‘chosen’ people is difficult for us to accept, however the Lord’s plan for His creation is ‘beyond our fathoming’. He is the Potter, we are the clay. Isaiah 45:9 Then in Romans 9:21-23, we are told that some are made for destruction. But then, in Ephesians 2:11-18, we are all given the opportunity to join the community of Israel, by being in unison with Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Jeremiah 51:20-29 You, Israel are My battleaxe, with you, I shall shatter nations, destroy kingdoms and all that is in them. Zechariah 9:13-15 So shall I repay Babylonia for all the wrongs they have done to Zion. I am against you – you like a destructive mountain, a desecration on the whole earth. I shall stretch out My hand and burn you out. Raise a flag on the earth, prepare the nations for war against her. The earth quakes and writhes for the Lord’s plans against Babylon are fulfilled. Ref: REB, NIV, KJV. Some verses abridged.
The Lord will ‘shatter nations, with earthquakes and a great noise, He will burn out Babylonia’, on the great and terrible Day of His vengeance and wrath. This matches with the many prophecies describing the imminent worldwide fire judgement. It will be the Sixth Seal, when in Revelation 6:15-17 The kings of the earth, the rich and powerful leaders, all peoples hide themselves in caves and call on the mountains to fall on them, to hide them from the wrath of God and the Lamb, for who can stand? Malachi 4:1 and Isaiah 30:26 tell us that Day comes ‘like a burning furnace, and the sun seven times stronger, on the Day He save His people’. God punishes the nations, by a CME, at the same time as Israel’s Advocate saves His people.
The Prophetic Word 