Verses 1-5
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We learn here about the approaching destruction of Babylon, which came at the hands of Cyrus. The Persian armies came to overtook Babylon, so that it was destroyed.
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However, this chapter has a future fulfillment in the end times also. How do we know this?
Verses 6-10
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Verse 8. The coming of the end will be sudden destruction like birth pains that come suddenly upon a pregnant woman (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
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Verse 10. Jesus paraphrases this verse in His prophecy about the end, that the sun and moon will be darkened (Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24, Luke 21:25).
Verses 11-18
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During the end, God will be punishing the whole world—every sinner in it. This will humble the whole world, and death will be everywhere.
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There will be so much death that it will be hard to find a living person.
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Even women and children will suffer.
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Verses 19-22
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Verse 19. Babylon is identified in the Bible not only as the ancient Babylon, but, as it seems, a society that will exist and be thoroughly destroyed during the end as well (Revelation 18), to the point that “it shall not be found anymore” (Revelation 18:21).
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Verse 21. During the end, there will also be unimaginable creatures/beings—physical manifestations of demons (even serpent-like creatures or dragons)—that will roam and destroy (Isaiah 34:13-14, Jeremiah 51:37, Revelation 9:3-11, 15-19, Revelation 18:2).
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Verse 20. It is also true that the ancient city of Babylon, after the first fulfillment of this prophecy from Isaiah, was never again inhabited, and did indeed become a wasteland.
Why does this matter? This chapter stands as a reminder of the intensity of God's wrath, and how thorough the destruction will be when the day of judgment does come. This cultivates a fear of God for the unbelieving world. Knowing that this day will come, live for the glory of Christ and His kingdom. Don't be distracted by anything in this world, and get people saved!