Jeremiah 50:21-24 Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, said the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! I have laid a snare for thee, and thou are also taken, O Babylon, and thou was not aware: thou are found, and also caught, because thou has striven against the LORD.
‘Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod.’ Three symbolic names of Babylon: Merathaim, double rebellion. So-called because the empire was founded in a double rebellion. Pekod, visitation. So-called because Babylon was to be visited with judgment (Ezek. 23:23). Sheshach. This name was used twice by Jeremiah (25:26; 51:41). The meaning is not clear.
‘Hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken.’ Nebuchadnezzar is here symbolized as a hammer breaking the many nations before him. The hammer [Babylon] itself was to be broken and totally destroyed in due time (50:21-32). This is yet to be completely fulfilled as described in Revelation 18:1-24. Babylon as a literal city is mentioned in the fulfilment of many things which must be after the rapture (Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 18:1-24). The time of her final destruction will be on the day of Israel’s final restoration (Rev. 16:17 – 20:6; Isa. 13:6-13; 14:1-7; Jer. 50:4-35) at the end of the great tribulation.
End times: Prophetic Scriptures 