In the history of nations the student of God's word may behold the literal fulfillment of divine prophecy. Babylon, shattered and broken at last, passed away because in prosperity its rulers had regarded themselves as independent of 502 God, and had ascribed the glory of their kingdom to human achievement. The Medo-Persian realm was visited by the wrath of Heaven because in it God's law had been trampled underfoot. The fear of the Lord had found no place in the hearts of the vast majority of the people. Wickedness, blasphemy, and corruption prevailed. The kingdoms that followed were even more base and corrupt; and these sank lower and still lower in the scale of moral worth.

Det menneske, som gransker Guds ord, kan se den guddommelige profetis bogstavelige opfyldelse i nationernes historie. Babylon, som blev knust til sidst, gik til grunde, fordi dets konger i deres velstand havde anset sig for at være uafhængige af Gud og tilskrevet rigets herlighed menneskers indsats. Det mediopersiske rige blev hjemsøgt af Himmelens vrede, fordi det trådte Guds lov under fod. Det store flertal af folket frygtede ikke Herren. Ondskab, gudsbespottelse og korruption gik i svang. De efterfølgende riger var endnu mere fordærvede og sank stadig dybere i moralsk henseende.