Isaiah 21:8-9

The lion-like sentry reported to his sovereign Lord that he was not neglecting his duty but was paying close attention to what he saw. He reported that a troop of riders in pairs had appeared and had announced the fall of Babylon (cf. Revelation 18:2). Her fallen idols symbolized their inability to protect her from her enemy (cf. Jeremiah 51:47; Jeremiah 51:52). Babylon fell several times: to the Assyrians in 710, 702, 689, and 648, and to the Medes and Persians in 539 B.C., among others. The Medes were allies of the Babylonians in the earlier battles. But Babylon will fall again (Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17-18).