The Assyrian/Babylonian period of history brings us into a time where Biblical writings are parallel with archeological and ancient written sources, and many events can be dated within a year (which varies slightly with different calendars). Nebuchadnezzar's weak descendents were overthown shortly after Nebuchadnezzar's death by a father and son originally from Assyria, who claimed the political inheritance, in 555BC. Nabonidus spent ten years outside the city restoring the shrines of his own favorite gods, while his son Belshazzar ruled Babylon. (This is why Belshazzar offered to give as a reward the position of third ruler; he himself was the second in power.)
In 539BC we find invading Persians (who had already absorbed the Medes) threatening Babylon, and Nabonidus was probably outside, attempting to defend the area. Meanwhile, behind the walls and fortifications of the city itself, Belshazzar was having a celebration, possibly a traditional holiday, probably a show of defiance against the invaders. Calling for the goblets from the temple in Jerusalem would be a reminder that Jerusalem had been conquered and looted by his predecessors, even though the Jews had claimed a powerful god of their own. Even though he saw the mysterious hand actually writing on the wall; the message, when explained, it didn't scare him. He had possibly heard stories of Nebuchadnezzar's experiences with the power of Judah's God, but Belshazzar obviously thought Him just another tribe's god, like all the others around the area whose worshippers had been conquered by Babylon.
Historians tell that the outskirts of the city had already been overrun by the Persians and Medes, and this night was the finish. The invaders diverted the Euphrates river upstream from the city, lowering the water level enough to create clearance under the gates across the river for soldiers. Belshazzar was killed that night, and his father may have survived to work for the Persians, as did Daniel.
I see writings of people who, like Belshazzar, don't take our God seriously. They describe Biblical writings as being violent, and full of bad people and unbelievable stories. Yes, there is violence, and bad people (those usually go together); the Biblical writers were honest about humanity. God gives us free will, the choice of paying attention to Him or wanting to be our own bosses and do life our own way. Usually that doesn't work well, but the payoff isn't always obvious or immediate; often things that look desirable or successful are never satisfying. Often it's the painful experiences that grow us; even good things can have their tough parts. And my own experience has been that we are taken care of through difficult times. Where are these empires today? Do we see Iran or Iraq as desirable places to live? Their histories are a list of conquests and reconquests; their ancient gods are forgotten. The Church we know today is not perfect, but has survived; millions of people know from their own experience the goodness of God, even when things are not what we expected, and have their own "unbelieveable" adventures with God.
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