Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: Daniel 4:7
"However, it was in Babylon that the largest and most famous ziggurat was located and from there we can learn a little how this (more restricted) world kingdom attempted to duplicate the rebellion.
*The ziggurats were "mountains" of the gods, the word means “pinnacle, mountain top". Their function was to connect humanity to the gods and the powers of their gods.
*Note that the famous ziggurats had a flat top where man (often the king) was to “meet god”. (remember-- prior to sin God came down to meet with Adam in Eden)
*Nebuchadnezzar built the famous hanging gardens in Babylon (God planted the garden within Eden) *Babylon had a mighty river flowing through the center and out into surrounding country -- (Eden, had a great river flowing out it, dividing into four and watering the earth)*Also, a key ingredient is the realization that KINGS were considered “divine” -- they were considered the “son of god”.
In yearly rituals the Babylonian king took the hand of the god “marduk’ among other ceremonies. signifying that he was the “son of marduk”. David Livingston, in "Ancient Days--Sons of God" writes:"Clever men (priest-nobles) manipulated the populace's religious instincts to cause them to follow and obey the local god's "sons". He owned the people and land, in theory at least. And he acted either as god (in Egypt), or as his representative (in Mesopotamia and other cultures). when all the literature and monuments were used to glorify and exalt this man as the "son", or representative, of god, religion became the opiate (binder and blinder) of the people! Manipulation of religion for political purposes began in Sumer, was picked up in Old Babylon, revised with the same themes in Assyria and New Babylon, was enjoyed by Persian monarchs, captivated Alexander and his successors, and was copied by Rome." Ulrike Unruh
"However, it was in Babylon that the largest and most famous ziggurat was located and from there we can learn a little how this (more restricted) world kingdom attempted to duplicate the rebellion.
*The ziggurats were "mountains" of the gods, the word means “pinnacle, mountain top". Their function was to connect humanity to the gods and the powers of their gods.
*Note that the famous ziggurats had a flat top where man (often the king) was to “meet god”. (remember-- prior to sin God came down to meet with Adam in Eden)
*Nebuchadnezzar built the famous hanging gardens in Babylon (God planted the garden within Eden) *Babylon had a mighty river flowing through the center and out into surrounding country -- (Eden, had a great river flowing out it, dividing into four and watering the earth)*Also, a key ingredient is the realization that KINGS were considered “divine” -- they were considered the “son of god”.
