1 1 The Tower in Genesis 11: The Tower in Genesis 11: built in - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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1) The builders wanted a tower, the top of which could reach “unto heaven” (see Genesis 1:20). 2) The building was a great tower for a reason: the flood had taken place relatively recently. Were they doubting God’s words about not flooding the earth again? (Genesis 9:11, 15). 3) The builders wanted to make themselves “a name”. This was all about self glorification. Note the use of “us” and “we” in verse 4. 4) The builders wanted to avoid being scattered. The city was to be established. This was a monument to the greatness of man.

The Tower in Genesis 11: The Tower in Genesis 11: built in direct opposition to God: built in direct opposition to God:

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The Tower of Babel, The Tower of Babel, by Peter Bruegel, (1563) by Peter Bruegel, (1563)

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“The Mesopotamian ziggurats were not places for public worship or ceremonies. They were believed to be dwelling places for the gods.” (Wikipedia)

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A Ziggurat at the site of the ancient city of A Ziggurat at the site of the ancient city of Ur, built approximately 2000 BC Ur, built approximately 2000 BC

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The remains of ancient ziggurats, located near Susa, in modern day Iran

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Ziggurat , Susa, Iran. Ziggurat , Susa, Iran.

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The tallest building in The tallest building in the world, 2008 the world, 2008 “ “Burj Dubai” Burj Dubai” Location: Dubai, Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Due for completion: 30 Due for completion: 30 June 2009 June 2009 Total height Total height (26 (26 September 2008): September 2008): 2220 2220 feet feet Blackpool Tower is 518 Blackpool Tower is 518 feet feet Eiffel tower is 1063 feet Eiffel tower is 1063 feet

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The ancient city of Babylon, The ancient city of Babylon, straddling the river Euphrates straddling the river Euphrates

Ziggurat Ziggurat

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The ruins of Babylon today The ruins of Babylon today

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• Those whose languages had been

Those whose languages had been confounded would have recorded the confounded would have recorded the events events that took place at Babel in their that took place at Babel in their own historical

• wn historical

annals. annals.

• W

We would expect to read of different e would expect to read of different names, with a degree of variation/ names, with a degree of variation/ exaggeration, but an event of this exaggeration, but an event of this magnitude magnitude would HAVE to be recorded. would HAVE to be recorded.

How can we be sure the events in How can we be sure the events in Genesis 11 really happened? Genesis 11 really happened?

If events took place approximately 2500 BC, what would have happened by 2000BC?

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Babylon: Babylon:

“… the land Martu … the people in unison …then Enki, the leader of the gods, changed the speech in their mouths, brought contention into it, into the speech

• f man that until then had been one.”

(translation from "The Babel of Tongues: A Sumerian Version" by Kramer, S.N., Journal of the American Oriental Society 88:108-11,1968)

Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (1) for the Genesis record (1)

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Central America: Central America:

“And as men were thereafter multiplying they constructed a very high tower in order to protect themselves when again the second world should be destroyed. At the crucial moment their languages were changed, and as they did not understand one another, they went into different parts of the world.” (Reference: Don Fernando de Alvara Ixtlilxochitl, Obras Historicas Mexico, 1891, Vol. I, p. 12.)

Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (2) for the Genesis record (2)

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Polynesia: Polynesia:

“But the god in anger chased the builders away, broke down the building, and changed their language, so that they spoke divers tongues.”

(Reference: R. W. Williamson, Religious and Cosmic Beliefs of Central Polynesia Cambridge, 1933, vol. I, p. 94.)

Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (3) for the Genesis record (3)

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American Indian, Crow: American Indian, Crow:

"Then Little Coyote did something bad. He suggested to Old Man that he give the people different languages so they would misunderstand each other and use their weapons in wars... Old Man did what Little Coyote said, and the people had different languages and made war on each other." (Reference: Jane Garry and Carl Rubino , Facts About the World's Languages H.W. Wilson, 2001)

Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (4) for the Genesis record (4)

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• Approximately 6000 known languages

are currently used world-wide

• It is estimated that only 100 of these are

used by 95% of the world’s population

• Esperanto (universal language) has never

really taken off

• In many ways, men and women are the

same the world over, but not in the way we

• speak. Mankind has no explanation for

this phenomenon, but the Bible has!

The Language Barrier: a problem The Language Barrier: a problem which mankind cannot solve which mankind cannot solve

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• In 1946, Winston Churchill called for a

United States of Europe and Council of Europe. The latter was established in Strasbourg, NE France, on 5 May 1949.

• This led on to the Treaty of Paris (1951),

signed by France, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.

The European Union: The European Union: The Beginnings The Beginnings

• The end of WW2

prompted the initial idea of a united Europe.

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The signing of the Treaty of Rome, in 1957, The signing of the Treaty of Rome, in 1957, Which resulted in the creation of the Which resulted in the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC). European Economic Community (EEC).

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1973: 1973: The community welcomed in Denmark, Ireland & UK. 1979: 1979: First direct elections to the European Parliament held. 1985: 1985: The Schengen Agreement was developed, allowing the abolition of border controls between the participating countries.

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1986: 1986: The European Flag was adopted, and leaders signed the Single European Act. 1 November 1993: 1 November 1993: The Maastricht Treaty was formally established, leading to the creation of the European Union.

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1999: 1999: The Amsterdam Treaty came into force, giving more The Amsterdam Treaty came into force, giving more power to the European Parliament and the beginnings of power to the European Parliament and the beginnings of a common foreign and security policy. a common foreign and security policy. 2004: 2004: The European Constitution was signed in Rome, though The European Constitution was signed in Rome, though it was never fully ratified after rejection by French and it was never fully ratified after rejection by French and Dutch voters. Dutch voters. 2007: 2007: It was agreed to replace that proposal with a new reform It was agreed to replace that proposal with a new reform treaty. treaty.

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The EU Reform Treaty The EU Reform Treaty Signed: 13 December Signed: 13 December 2007, Lisbon 2007, Lisbon

• Will create new

European Council president

• New foreign policy supremo to increase

EU profile

• Will remove national vetoes in around

50 key policy areas

• Voting weights between member states

to be redistributed

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• Austria

Austria

• Belgium

Belgium

• Cyprus

Cyprus

• Finland

Finland

• France

France

• Germany

Germany

• Greece

Greece

• Ireland

Ireland

• Italy

Italy

• Luxembourg

Luxembourg

• Malta

Malta

• The Netherlands

The Netherlands

• Portugal

Portugal

• Slovenia

Slovenia

• Spain

Spain

1 January 2002: The Euro came into use. It is now the currency of the following 15 countries:

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European Parliament Building, Strasbourg European Parliament Building, Strasbourg

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The European The European Parliament meets Parliament meets in two locations: in two locations:

Strasbourg is the seat of the council

• f Europe and the European Court of

Human Rights

1) 1) Brussels, Belgium Brussels, Belgium 2) 2) Strasbourg, Strasbourg, North Eastern France North Eastern France

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The EU's "Parliament" Building in Strasbourg has been deliberately designed to represent the Tower of Babel, being modeled on the famous painting by Peter Bruegel. The building is complete and in use, but is made to look unfinished, even having ringed platforms around it to represent scaffolding, indicating that their work is not yet complete. When asked by a secular journalist ‘Why the Tower of Babel?’ an EU official replied:

“ “What they What they failed to complete failed to complete 3000 years ago – 3000 years ago – we in Europe we in Europe will finish now will finish now.” .”

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The EU Parliament building in Strasbourg, modelled on Peter Bruegel’s Tower of Babel

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A poster circulated A poster circulated by the Council of by the Council of Europe, picturing Europe, picturing the tower of Babel the tower of Babel as its logo and the as its logo and the phrase “Many phrase “Many Tongues, One Tongues, One Voice" as its Voice" as its motto. motto.

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Europe: its origins in Greek mythology Europe: its origins in Greek mythology

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• Europa was the beautiful daughter of the

Phoenician king of Tyre, Agenor.

• Zeus, the King of the gods, saw Europa as she was

gathering flowers by the sea and fell in love with her.

• He transformed himself into the form of a

magnificent white bull and appeared on the sea shore before Europa.

• The great bull knelt at Europa’s feet. Its

movements were so gentle that Europa spread flowers about its neck and dared to climb upon its back.

• Suddenly, the bull rushed over the sea abducting
• Europa. Only then did Zeus reveal his true identity and took

Europa to the island of Crete.

• There, he cast off the shape of the white bull and he

and Europa became lovers. Europa became first queen of Crete.

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Statue of Europa riding Statue of Europa riding the bull, near the European the bull, near the European Parliament Building, Parliament Building, Brussels, Belgium Brussels, Belgium

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Key symbols in Revelation 17 Key symbols in Revelation 17

1) Woman 2) Beast

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The woman in Revelation 17 The woman in Revelation 17

Interpretation Comment Symbol Verse Whore 1

• Sinful. Unpleasant.

Seeking the wealth

• f others.
• Power. Woman = often symbol for a

religious group. (II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:24) 1 Sits on “many waters” Nations: Revelation 17:15, Isaiah 57:20 Place of rulership 2 Committed fornication with the kings of the earth Not literal! A power willing to sell itself to

• btain glory with
• thers

A power with close associations with governments of the world 3 Closely connected with one power Enjoying the power of

• thers. Controlling,

influencing. Sitting on a beast 4 Arrayed in purple & scarlet, with gold, precious stones & pearls Purple = royalty. Power sees itself as a ruler. Very rich Catholic Church regards itself as a monarch (queen). Vatican city = a

• kingdom. Church is immensely rich

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Comments by senior Comments by senior Catholic Priest in the USA: Catholic Priest in the USA:

“The Catholic church must be the biggest corporation in the United States.” “She is the most formidable stockbroker in the world.” “She is the biggest financial power, wealth accumulator and property owner in existence … a greater possessor of material riches than any other single institution, corporation, bank, giant trust, government or state of the whole globe.”

“… decked with gold and precious stones and pearls”

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The woman in Revelation 17 The woman in Revelation 17

Interpretation Comment Symbol Verse Whore 1

• Sinful. Unpleasant.

Seeking the wealth

• f others.
• Power. Woman = often symbol for a

religious group. (II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:24) 1 Sits on “many waters” Nations: Revelation 17:15, Isaiah 57:20 Place of rulership 2 Committed fornication with the kings of the earth Not literal! A power willing to sell itself to

• btain glory with
• thers

A power with close associations with governments of the world 3 Closely connected with one power Enjoying the power of

• thers. Controlling,

influencing. Sitting on a beast 4 Arrayed in purple & scarlet, with gold, precious stones & pearls Purple = royalty. Power sees itself as a king. Very rich Catholic Church regards itself as a king (queen). Vatican city = a

• kingdom. Church is immensely rich

4 Golden cup in her hand Enticing others to join

• her. Encouraging
• thers to be “drunk”

The church often pictures itself as a woman holding out a cup to passers by

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Pope Leo XII had the above medal minted in commemoration of the second year of his reign, the jubilee year of 1825.

The woman with the golden cup in her hand The woman with the golden cup in her hand

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Who or what is the beast Who or what is the beast in Revelation 17:3? in Revelation 17:3?

Daniel 7:3: “And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.” Daniel 7:17: “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings (kingdoms), which shall arise out of the earth.”

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The beast in Revelation 17:3 The beast in Revelation 17:3

Interpretation Comment Symbol Scarlet Coloured Bright red Sinful (Isaiah 1:18) Full of names

• f blasphemy

Sinful Direct opposition to God Seven heads Head controls the

• body. This speaks
• f the seat of

power. See Daniel 7:4 – 7. Total number of heads of 4 beasts = 7. Revelation 17:9: heads = mountains = Rome Ten Horns Horn is used by an animal in conflict. Indicates the direction the beast is going. See Daniel 7:7, 20 & 24. 4th beast = Rome. Roman empire (based predominately in & around Europe) became divided into 10 parts by barbarians who invaded.

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Key facts from Revelation 12 & 17: Key facts from Revelation 12 & 17:

1) Woman 2) Riding a beast 3) Wears a crown with twelve stars

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The Symbol of The Symbol of Europe: Europe: a woman riding a woman riding a beast a beast

From “Time” Magazine, in an article on a united Europe

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German Phone card German Phone card European Stamp European Stamp

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The crown (flag) of 12 stars The crown (flag) of 12 stars

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Revelation 17:3-5: "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. Revelation 12:1: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.”

A Greek Euro from 2002 A Greek Euro from 2002

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The Tower of Babel: A lesson for today The Tower of Babel: A lesson for today

• The Bible speaks of a great tower being built in

the land now known as Iraq, in opposition to God.

• God confounded the languages: this event is

supported by historical records of many nations.

• The Babylonian empire was established in the same
• place. It was immensely powerful, controlling other

nations.

• The European Union is trying to replicate the

events in Babel, even modelling its parliament building

• n

the tower.

• Symbols in the book of Revelation show the

similarities: a woman riding a beast speaks of the Roman Catholic church and the European Union.

• The challenge of the Bible: “come out of her, my

people”.

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Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

The God of the Bible: The God of the Bible: a “high tower” for his people a “high tower” for his people