The order was given for the enemy to prepare their armies and march against the city of the great King (Psalm 48:2b), which, with all its pomp, would be defeated. This would be one of the most spectacular battles that Israel's opponents would ever fight. Jerusalem—once the capital of Israel and later of Judah—was like a rose that everyone longed to obtain, and it would fall like any other city conquered by the Babylonians because its inhabitants had turned away from God.

Every day, we hear about people who were once used with power by the Lord but succumbed to temptation. Now, the saved who do not speak of Christ and the Father's love for the lost will, when they least expect it, be in the hands of the devil for not fearing God. It is no wonder that other peoples stand against those who do not have the faith that comes from hearing the Word and do not persevere in the holy Way (Romans 10:17).

The decision had been made. Then came the call saying it was time for them to rise up. Who should rise up? Everyone who loves the Truth and gives the Lord the praise He deserves. Because of their transgressions, the inhabitants of Jerusalem would suffer, for the Most High had given the adversary permission to act against them, since they no longer served Him with their hearts. The rebels would go to God's potter’s house (Jeremiah 18) to learn how to serve Him.

The time of the invasion was set. It would happen when the sun was at its strongest. Thousands of soldiers were ready to enter the Holy City. In the days of Hezekiah, Isaiah had prophesied that the Assyrians would not attack it; and, in fact, in one night, they lost 185,000 soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). Now it was different, for the Babylonians had received permission from Heaven to invade it. This would teach the children of Jacob what happens when they fail to obey God.

The Babylonians would act differently from other armies, which only fought during the day, for they would attack at noon and fight until nightfall, pouring out all their hatred against the people who were called by the name of the Lord. The destruction of Jerusalem would be total. Thus, once their resistance was overcome, the survivors would be divided into groups. The well-educated and those who had a trade would be taken to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. The rest would be left in the devastated city.

The shadows of the evening were already stretching over the inhabitants of Jerusalem as a reminder that night would soon fall, when they would have no light from Heaven to help them. True night comes upon those who love to sin and do not repent (John 9:4b). Woe to those who did not walk in obedience to God! For 70 years, they would not see the glory of the city that symbolizes the divine presence! The Jews would live under the whip of the enemy.

Today the shadows of the evening threaten those who do not have pure faith in the Lord. The return of Jesus is near, and many will not ascend with the saints to Heaven to live alongside the Savior (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17). Because they strayed, they were overcome by those they never thought possible, and they will not go far. It is better to believe in the Word and surrender to Christ!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares