(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.”) Revelation 16:15
That is the third of the seven blessings in Revelation.
Welcome, welcome, to afaithtalk.com‘s Bible Study Tuesday. Every Tuesday a new chapter from whatever we’re studying goes live. Your presence here matters to me. Thank you for studying with me. Before we begin chapter 17, let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the encouragement we find even in the horrific things in this book. It helps a lot with our focus. Once again, horrible things are happening in this chapter, but You will walk us through it and encourage us on the way. So I am asking, please, lead. For I am not capable of explaining this, only You are. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Always to bring You Glory.
Please Read Revelation 17:1-7
The Doom of Babylon
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment and doom of the great [a]prostitute who is seated [b]on many waters [influencing nations], 2 she with whom the kings of the earth have [c]committed acts of immorality, and the inhabitants of the earth have become intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” 3 And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was [d]entirely covered with blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls, [and she was] holding in her hand a gold cup full of the abominations and the filth of her [sexual] immorality. 5 And on her forehead a name was written, a mystery: “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES (false religions, heresies) AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints (God’s people), and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus [who were martyred]. When I saw her, I wondered in amazement. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
Come and I will show you…judgement and doom. When John wonders about it, the angel says, “Why…I will __________ to you the _________…of the…”
Please Read Revelation 17:8-13
8 “The beast that you saw was [once], but [now] is not, and he is about to come up out of the abyss (the bottomless pit, the dwelling place of demons) and go to destruction (perdition). And the inhabitants of the earth, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, will be astonished when they see the beast, because he was and is not and is yet to come [to earth]. 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom [and this is what it knows about the vision]. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits; 10 and they are seven kings: five of whom have fallen, one exists and is reigning; the other [the seventh] has not yet come, and when he does come, he must remain a little while. 11 And the beast that [once] was but is not, is himself also an eighth king and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction (perdition). 12 The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but [together] they receive authority as kings for a single hour [for a common purpose] along with the beast. 13 These [kings] have one purpose [one mind, one common goal], and they give their power and authority to the beast.
Luke 10:20
20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
The Book of Life is real. Is your name in it? Do you have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ? Do you stay in communication with Him?
Luke 21:25-28
“There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
Please Read Revelation 17:14
Victory for the Lamb
14 They will wage war against the Lamb (Christ), and the Lamb will triumph and conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him and on His side are the called and chosen (elect) and faithful.”
You have been called.
You have been chosen.
Are you faithful?
John 15:10 AMP
“If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.”
Please Read Revelation 17:15-18
15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the [e]beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked [stripped of her power and influence], and will eat her flesh and completely consume her with fire. 17 For God has put it in their hearts to carry out His purpose by [f]agreeing together to surrender their kingdom to the beast, until the [prophetic] words of God will be fulfilled. 18 The woman whom you saw is the [g]great city, which reigns over and dominates and controls the kings and the political leaders of the earth.”
These kings and political leaders are not lead by God. They’re dominated and controlled by the evil that is present in whatever great city is referenced here.
Footnotes
- Revelation 17:1 Some have thought that the prostitute symbolizes a corrupt, apostate religious system.
- Revelation 17:1 For the meaning of the waters in this prophetic context, see v 15.
- Revelation 17:2 This may be a figurative reference to cult worship practices and idolatry.
- Revelation 17:3 Lit full of.
- Revelation 17:16 The Antichrist, the final world ruler.
- Revelation 17:17 Or having a common purpose.
- Revelation 17:18 Scholars have differing opinions on the “great city.” Some believe the context (18:2, 10, 21) suggests Babylon, others Rome, and still others believe it refers to many cities.
We must keep it in mind..’the Lamb will triumph and conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.’ He is God Almighty. Take refuge in Him and you will be eternally safe.
Be here next week for chapter 18. Trust Him.
Thank You, Jesus. In Your Name I pray. Amen.