And I will give you the treasures in the darkness and the hidden treasures in the concealment places.’”​—Isaiah 45:1-3a.

In the end, Cyrus’ troops will conquer the city and take possession of its “hidden treasures,” its wealth stored in dark vaults.

5, 6. When and how does the prophecy about the fall of Babylon come true?

⁵ In the year 539 B.C.E.​—some 200 years after Isaiah records this prophecy—​Cyrus does indeed arrive at the walls of Babylon to attack the city. (Jeremiah 51:11, 12) The Babylonians, however, are not concerned. They feel that their city is unconquerable. Its towering walls loom over deep moats filled with water from the Euphrates River, which forms part of the city’s defense system. For over a hundred years, no enemy has been able to take Babylon by storm! In fact, Babylon’s ruler in residence, Belshazzar, feels so secure that he feasts with members of his court. (Daniel 5:1) That night​—the night of October 5/6—​Cyrus completes a brilliant military maneuver.

⁶ Upstream from Babylon, Cyrus’ engineers have cut through the bank of the Euphrates River, diverting its waters so that they no longer flow southward toward the city. Before long, the water level of the river in and around Babylon falls so low that Cyrus’ troops are able to slosh along the riverbed toward the heart of the city. (Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38) Amazingly, just as Isaiah foretold, the gates along the river are open. Cyrus’ forces swarm into Babylon, take the palace, and put King Belshazzar to death. (Daniel 5:30) In one night the conquest is all over. Babylon has fallen, and the prophecy is fulfilled to the letter.

Why Jehovah Will Favor Cyrus

 8. What is one reason that Jehovah gives Cyrus victory over Babylon?

⁸ After stating who will conquer Babylon and how this will be done, Jehovah goes on to explain one reason why Cyrus will be given the victory. Jehovah, prophetically speaking to Cyrus, says that it is “in order that you may know that I am Jehovah, the One calling you by your name, the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:3b) It is fitting that the ruler of the fourth world power of Bible history recognizes that his greatest victory comes as a result of the support of one who is greater than he is​—Jehovah, the Universal Sovereign. Cyrus should acknowledge that the one who calls, or commissions, him is Jehovah, the God of Israel. The Bible record shows that Cyrus did indeed acknowledge that his great victory came from Jehovah.​—Ezra 1:2, 3.