13:1–23:18 Isaiah prophesies concerning the day of the Lord and what it means for the nations. Babylon and Assyria are treated together in the first oracle (13:1–14:27) because Babylon became the crown jewel of the Assyrian Empire. Assyrian kings had themselves crowned as kings of this renowned city. Babylon was regarded as an epitome of religion and culture, and as such Babylon represents the kingdoms of this world. Peter and John continue to use Babylon as a symbol for ungodly nations (1 Pet. 5:13; Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:1–18:24).