Lessons From the Proud Assyrian Empire

Inspiration has compared Assyria at the height of her prosperity to a noble tree in the garden of God, towering above the surrounding trees: “In its shadow all great nations made their home.” “All the trees of Eden envied it.” Ezekiel 31:6, 9.RR 131.1

But the rulers of Assyria, instead of using their blessings for the benefit of the people, became the scourge of many lands. Merciless, with no thought of God or their fellowmen, they pursued the policy of causing all nations to acknowledge the supremacy of Nineveh’s gods, whom they exalted above the Most High. God had sent Jonah to them with a message of warning, and for a time they humbled themselves before the Lord of hosts and sought forgiveness. But soon they turned again to idol worship and to the conquest of the world.RR 131.2

The prophet Nahum, in listing the sins of the evildoers in Nineveh, exclaimed:RR 131.3

Woe to the bloody city!
It is all full of lies and robbery.
Its victim never departs.
Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear.
There is a multitude of slain,
A great number of bodies,
Countless corpses—
They stumble over the corpses—
“Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts. Nahum 3:1, 3, 5RR 131.4

With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account with the nations. While He offers His mercy with calls to repentance, this account remains open. But when the figures reach a certain sum that God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath begins. The account is closed.RR 131.5

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.” “Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?” Nahum 1:3, 6.RR 131.6

This is how Nineveh became a desolation, “where the lion walked, the lioness and lion’s cub, and no one made them afraid.” Nahum 2:11.RR 131.7

Zephaniah prophesied of Nineveh: “The herds shall lie down in her midst, every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be at the threshold; for He will lay bare the cedar work.” Zephaniah 2:14.RR 131.8

The pride of Assyria and its fall serve as an object lesson to the end of time. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overwhelming flood He will make an utter end” of all who try to exalt themselves above the Most High. Nahum 1:7, 8.RR 132.1

This is true not only of the nations that arrayed themselves against God in ancient times, but also of nations today who fail to fulfill the divine purpose. In the day of final awards, when the righteous Judge of all the earth shall “sift the nations” (Isaiah 30:28), heaven’s arches will ring with the triumphant songs of the redeemed. “You shall have a song,” the prophet declares, “as in the night when a holy festival is kept, and gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute, to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel. ... Through the voice of the Lord Assyria will be beaten down, as He strikes with the rod.” Verses 29-31.RR 132.2