BABYLON was indeed an impressive city​—with towering walls, its Processional Way, the famous Hanging Gardens, and upwards of 50 temples.

Very early in man’s history, Babel (later named Babylon) became a prominent center of worship that defied the true God, Jehovah. (Ge 10:9, 10) Jehovah thwarted the purpose of its builders by confusing the people’s language and scattering them from there throughout the earth. (Ge 11:4-9) Thus it came about that false worship spread from Babylon to other lands.

Babylon’s defiance of Jehovah eventually led to its downfall. In prophecy, Jehovah depicted Babylon as a lion having eagle’s wings; he also foretold its fall and its eventual desolation. On October 5, 539 B.C.E., in one night, Babylon was taken by Cyrus the Great, whom Jehovah had foretold by name. Babylon fell in the very manner foretold. Eventually the city became “piles of stones,” never to be rebuilt.​—Jer 51:37; see Isa 44:27–45:2.

ANCIENT Jerusalem enjoyed a unique distinction: It was the only earthly city upon which Jehovah placed his name. (1Ki 11:36) It was also the center for the pure worship of Jehovah. His temple was built there, and for that reason Jerusalem could especially be called God’s “resting-place.” (Ps 132:13, 14; 135:21) In addition, Jerusalem was the location where the kings of the Davidic line sat on “Jehovah’s throne,” representing him by administering his laws.​—1Ch 29:23.

In contrast, ancient Babylon was the center from which false worship spread to all parts of the earth. It was of special significance, therefore, when Jehovah permitted Babylon to destroy unfaithful Jerusalem. In 620 B.C.E., Jerusalem was made subject to Babylon. (2Ki 24:1) Three years later, in 617 B.C.E., the Babylonians deported many of Jerusalem’s inhabitants​—its nobility, its mighty men, and its craftsmen—​and looted the city’s treasures. (2Ch 36:5-10) Finally, the city, along with the temple, was destroyed and thousands of Jews were taken into exile.​—2Ch 36:17-20.

Jerusalem’s destruction took place in 607 B.C.E., a very significant year from the standpoint of Bible prophecy. Although this date differs from the one used by many Bible commentators, it is used consistently in this publication. Why? Because we give greater weight to the testimony of the Bible than to the conclusions that scholars have drawn from the fragmentary record of history that is available on cuneiform tablets.