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**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

In ancient times, Assyria was a powerful empire in the Middle East that evoked fear in the hearts of many people. Even the prophet Jonah, who was commanded by God to preach a message of judgment in the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, initially refused to do so and attempted to flee in the opposite direction. (Jonah 1:1-3)

The Assyrians were known for their military might and brutality in warfare. They were notorious for their cruel treatment of prisoners and their policy of forced relocation, which involved displacing conquered peoples to other parts of their empire. Additionally, Assyrian rulers were known for their love of luxury and extravagance.

Despite their fearsome reputation, the Assyrians played a significant role in biblical history. They were involved in conflicts with neighboring nations, including Israel, and their conquest of Israel in 722 BCE led to the exile of many Israelites. The prophet Nahum, for example, prophesied about the fall of Nineveh, which occurred in 612 BCE, as a result of God’s judgment against the Assyrians for their wickedness. (Nahum 1:1-3)

In conclusion, Assyria was a formidable empire in ancient times that inspired both fear and awe. Though their cruelty and aggression were widely known, they also played a significant role in biblical history and were subject to God’s judgment for their wickedness.

Trustworthy History

The prophet Nahum described Nineveh, the capital city of ancient Assyria, as a place of extreme violence and bloodshed. He used vivid imagery to convey the horror of war, describing the sound of whips, chariots, and swords, as well as the sight of countless dead bodies. (Nahum 2:11; 3:1-3)

This raises the question: do historical accounts support the Bible’s description of ancient Assyria? The answer is a resounding yes. Assyria was known for its military might and aggression, and their conquests were marked by extreme brutality. They were known to impale their victims, flay them alive, and display their corpses as a warning to others.

The Assyrian army was well-organized and well-equipped, using advanced military tactics and weapons to achieve their victories. They were also known for their policy of forced relocation, which involved displacing conquered peoples to other parts of their empire. All of these actions contributed to the widespread destruction and loss of life that Nahum vividly described.

According to the book Light From the Ancient Past, Assyria was a military powerhouse that struck fear into the hearts of their enemies. They were notorious for their calculated and ruthless tactics, which often involved extreme violence and brutality. One Assyrian king, Ashurnasirpal II, boasted of his treatment of those who opposed him, describing in gruesome detail how he flayed and impaled his enemies and covered a pillar with their skins. (Adapted from Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II’s inscriptions)

Stone relief depicting prisoners being skinned alive

Archaeological evidence supports these accounts, as excavations of Assyrian royal palaces have revealed depictions of brutal treatment being inflicted on captives. These include scenes of impalement, dismemberment, and burning.

The Assyrian empire was built on a foundation of military conquest, and their armies were well-equipped and well-trained. They were known for their use of advanced weapons and tactics, which allowed them to achieve victory in battle after battle. Additionally, their policy of forced relocation was designed to ensure that conquered peoples would not rise up against them again.

Despite their fearsome reputation, the Assyrian empire eventually fell, as prophesied by Nahum. (Nahum 1:14) Their brutality and aggression ultimately contributed to their downfall, as they provoked the wrath of neighboring nations and brought destruction upon themselves.

Around 720-21 BCE, the Assyrian empire conquered Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, and took its people into exile. This was followed by an invasion of Judah eight years later, during which the Assyrian King Sennacherib demanded a tribute of gold and silver from the Judean King Hezekiah. Despite paying the tribute, Sennacherib still demanded the unconditional surrender of Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. (2 Kings 18:13, 9-17, 28-31)

This conquest of Israel and Judah was a significant event in biblical history, as it resulted in the displacement of many Israelites from their homeland. After the reign of King Solomon, the 12-tribe nation of Israel split into two kingdoms, with Judah and Benjamin forming the southern kingdom and the other ten tribes forming the northern kingdom. Jerusalem became the capital of the southern kingdom, while Samaria became the capital of the northern kingdom.

The Assyrian invasion of Israel and Judah was a demonstration of their military might and their willingness to use force to achieve their goals. However, it also highlights the importance of unity and cooperation among God’s people, as the division of the kingdom ultimately contributed to their vulnerability and downfall.

Archaeological findings at Nineveh include an account of the Assyrian invasion of Judah and siege of Jerusalem, as recorded in the annals of Sennacherib. The text, inscribed on a hexagonal clay prism, boasts of the conquest of 46 cities and numerous small villages, as well as the capture of King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. Sennacherib claims that Hezekiah sent him a tribute of gold, silver, precious stones, and other valuables, though he inflates the amount of silver he actually received. (Adapted from Sennacherib’s inscriptions)

Notably, however, Sennacherib does not claim to have conquered Jerusalem. This is in stark contrast to the biblical account, which describes how God’s angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night, resulting in the retreat of the Assyrian army. (2 Kings 19:35-36)

Prism containing Sennacherib’s boast about his invasion of Judah

Scholar Jack Finegan suggests that Sennacherib’s silence regarding the defeat of his army is likely due to the general note of boasting that pervades Assyrian inscriptions. It is not surprising that Sennacherib would avoid recording a defeat in his official records, particularly given his reputation for cruelty and aggression.

The Assyrian invasion of Judah and siege of Jerusalem serve as a reminder of the dangers of arrogance and the importance of relying on God’s protection and guidance in times of trouble. The defeat of the Assyrian army demonstrates the power of God to intervene on behalf of His people and protect them from their enemies.

Trustworthy Prophecy

Isaiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah were prophets who spoke for Jehovah God, and they made predictions about the fall of the Assyrian Empire. Isaiah declared that God would hold the Assyrian king accountable for his arrogance and pride. (Isaiah 10:12) Nahum prophesied that Nineveh would be plundered and its guards would flee. (Nahum 2:8-9; 3:7, 13, 17, 19) Zephaniah wrote that the city would become a “desolate waste.” (Zephaniah 2:13-15)

These prophecies were fulfilled when Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was conquered and destroyed by the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BCE. This event marked the end of the Assyrian Empire, which had once been a powerful force in the Middle East.

The prophecies of Isaiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah demonstrate the reliability of God’s word and His faithfulness to His people. Despite the power and might of the Assyrian Empire, God’s prophets were able to predict its downfall with remarkable accuracy. This serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God and His promises, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The prophecies of Isaiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah about the destruction of the Assyrian Empire were fulfilled in 632 BCE when Nineveh fell to the combined forces of the Babylonians and the Medes. The Babylonian chronicle of the event describes the vast amount of plunder taken from the city and its temple and how Nineveh was left in ruins. Today, the site of Nineveh is marked by mounds of ruins on the east bank of the Tigris River in Iraq, opposite the city of Mosul.

The fall of the Assyrian Empire serves as a reminder of the impermanence of human power and the importance of humility and respect for others. The Assyrians were once a dominant force in the Middle East, but their arrogance and aggression ultimately led to their downfall. The prophecies of Isaiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah were a warning to the Assyrians of the consequences of their actions, and their fulfillment demonstrates the reliability of God’s word and His faithfulness to His people.

The destruction of Assyria also played a role in the fulfillment of another Bible prophecy. In 720-21 BCE, Assyria took the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel into exile. Around the same time, the prophet Isaiah foretold that Jehovah God would break Assyria, tread it down, and bring Israel back to its homeland. Isaiah wrote that God would collect together the remnant of His people who remained in Assyria. (Isaiah 11:11-12; 14:25)

This prophecy was fulfilled about 200 years later when the Babylonians and Medes conquered Assyria, and the exiled Israelites were able to return to their homeland. The fulfillment of this prophecy is a testament to the reliability of God’s word and His faithfulness to His people. It also underscores the importance of trusting in God and His promises, even when they seem unlikely or impossible.

A Promise You Can Trust

Isaiah prophesied about the coming of a different kind of ruler during a time when the kings of Nineveh were still feared by their enemies. He spoke of a child who would be born, a son who would be given, and who would be called the Prince of Peace. This ruler would establish an abundance of princely rule and peace that would never end. He would sit on the throne of David and rule his kingdom with justice and righteousness, with the support of Jehovah of armies. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born in Bethlehem. Jesus was a different kind of ruler than those of Nineveh, and his reign was not based on fear and intimidation but on love, compassion, and self-sacrifice. He brought peace to those who believed in him and preached a message of hope and salvation.

The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of the Prince of Peace serves as a reminder of the power of God’s word and the importance of faith in His promises. It also highlights the contrast between the rulers of this world, who often rely on fear and intimidation to maintain their power, and the ruler of God’s kingdom, who rules with justice, righteousness, and love.

The rulership of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, will extend to the entire earth, according to Psalm 72:7-8. This passage describes how the righteous one will bring an abundance of peace that will last until the end of time. He will have subjects from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

Through the power of the Prince of Peace, Jehovah God will fulfill His promise to bring an end to war and conflict. Psalm 46:8-9 speaks of the astonishing events that God will bring about on the earth. He will make wars cease to the ends of the earth and break the bows and spears of the warriors. The wagons of war will be burned in the fire.

This prophecy provides hope and encouragement for those who long for an end to violence and conflict in the world. It reminds us that there is a greater power at work in the world, and that ultimate victory belongs to God and His chosen ruler, the Prince of Peace. It also highlights the importance of working towards peace and justice in our own lives and communities as we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Conservative Christians worldwide are making disciples as they teach the Word of God so people learn the ways of peace, similar to how Jesus did. This is a intro to the fulfillment of the Bible prophecy recorded in Isaiah 2:4, in which swords will be turned into plowshares and spears into pruning shears. The prophecy speaks of a time when nations will no longer learn war and will live in peace. (Isaiah 2:4)

Today, the world and its rulers spend trillions of dollars on military endeavors, in contrast to the message of peace taught by Jesus and the Bible. However, the fulfillment of this prophecy reminds us that there is hope for a better future and that, ultimately, it is God who will bring about the end of war and conflict.

The accuracy of the history and prophecies recorded in the Bible sets it apart from other books and demonstrates that it is a trustworthy source of information for those sincerely searching for the truth. The prophecies about Assyria, Israel, and the Prince of Peace have all been fulfilled, and we can have confidence that the prophecies about the future will also be fulfilled in their due time.