How does Jeremiah 51:51 connect with themes of judgment in Revelation?

Text of Jeremiah 51:51

“ ‘We are ashamed because we have heard reproach; disgrace covers our faces, because foreigners have entered the holy places of the LORD’s house.’ ”

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Jeremiah’s Setting and Message

• Chapter 51 is God’s lengthy oracle against Babylon, the empire that would soon destroy Jerusalem and defile the temple (Jeremiah 51:11–14, 24–26).

• Verse 51 captures Judah’s heartbreak: the temple violated, God’s people humiliated.

• Yet the chapter does not end in despair—God promises Babylon’s total overthrow (Jeremiah 51:54–58).

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Parallels with Revelation’s Judgment Scenes

• Revelation 17–18 presents “Babylon the Great,” a final world system echoing ancient Babylon.

• Both books:

– Foresee Babylon’s arrogance, idolatry, and desecration of what is holy.

– Announce a sudden, catastrophic downfall engineered by God Himself (Jeremiah 51:8 " Revelation 18:8).

• Judah’s cry of shame (Jeremiah 51:51) becomes the cry of the nations watching Babylon burn (Revelation 18:9–10).

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Shared Imagery: Profanation and Retribution

• “Foreigners have entered the holy places” (Jeremiah 51:51) mirrors Revelation’s beast and harlot corrupting the saints (Revelation 17:6).

• Jeremiah 51 speaks of Babylon’s walls torn down (v. 58); Revelation sees the political and economic walls of Babylon collapse (Revelation 18:11–19).

• Both culminate in a call for heaven to rejoice over divine vengeance (Jeremiah 51:48 " Revelation 18:20).

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Vindication of God’s Name and People

• Desecration sparks righteous judgment; God defends His holiness (Leviticus 10:3; Revelation 15:4).

• Jeremiah foretells the remnant’s restoration (Jeremiah 50:4–5); Revelation looks to the Lamb’s bride made ready (Revelation 19:7–8).

• The shame of verse 51 is exchanged for honor when God “cleanses” His dwelling place—first the earthly temple, ultimately the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1–3).

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Takeaway for Believers

• God sees every affront to His holiness; none go unanswered.

• Present shame for faithfulness will be swallowed up in future glory (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17).

• Jeremiah 51:51 and Revelation together assure us: Babylon’s days are numbered, God’s justice is certain, and His people will stand vindicated forever.