Once upon a time, a really cool young man bought one of the best cars around: a Ferrari GTO. He took it out for a spin and stopped at a red light.
An old man on a moped pulled up next to him. The old man looked over at the sleek, shiny car and asked, “What kind of car ya' got there, sonny?”
“A Ferrari GTO. It cost half a million dollars.”
“That's a lot of money,” said the old man. “Why does it cost so much?”
“Because this car can do up to 320 miles an hour!” stated the young man proudly.
The moped driver asked, “Mind if I take a look inside?”
“No problem,” replied the owner.
So the old man poked his head in the window and looked around. Sitting back on his moped, the old man said, “That's a pretty nice car, all right!”
Just then the light changed, and the driver decided to show the old man just what his car could do. He floored it, and within 30 seconds the speedometer read 160 miles per hour. Suddenly he noticed a dot in his rear view mirror. It was getting closer! He slowed down to see what it could be, and – Whoosh – something whipped by him going much faster.
“What on earth could be going faster than my Ferrari?” the young man said to himself. Then, ahead of him, he saw a dot coming toward him. Whoosh! It went by again, heading the opposite direction – and it looked like the old man on the moped.
Couldn't be, he thought, how could a moped outrun a Ferrari?
Once more, though, he saw the dot in his rear view mirror, followed by a bang as the speeding object crashed into the back of his car.
The young man jumped out and saw the old man lying on the pavement. He ran to him and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you?”
The old man whispered, “Unhook… my suspenders… from your side-view mirror.” (Brett Kays, Brownstown, Michigan)
Be careful what you get attached to. It could destroy you in the end. That’s the way it is with the things of this world. That’s the way it is with possessions, pleasure and power. It is not wrong to have some of these things, but when they have you, you’re in trouble.
The worldly man boasts, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But the truth is, “He who dies with the most toys… dies!” 1 John 2:17 says, “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
What are you pursuing this morning – the pleasures of this world or the will of God? If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Revelation 17, Revelation 17, where we see what happens to those who choose to pursue this world’s pleasures.
Revelation 17:1-3 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. (ESV)
This beast is the revived roman empire, headed up by the antichrist, according to Revelation 13. There, we learned that the Roman Empire itself will rise again out of the ash heap of history in the form of a 7-headed, 10-horned beast. Here, in Revelation 17, we see a woman riding that beast.
Revelation 17:4-6 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. (ESV)
This is a wealthy, wicked woman, long known for her persecution of God’s people. She is identified as Babylon, the city of man that has always opposed the city of God.
In the opening pages of the Bible, we see all mankind gathered together in one place. God had told them to “fill the earth.” Instead, Genesis 11 tells us that they choose to band together and build a great tower which would reach heaven itself. They thought they could reach heaven’s glories through their own efforts, so they called their tower, “Babel,” which means “gate of God.” They were pursuing their own glory rather than the will of God, so God gave the Tower of Babel a different meaning. He confused their language so that their talk was only so much “babble,” and he scattered them all over the world. That’s how Babylon got its start in Genesis 11.
In the middle of the Bible, Babylon again rears its ugly head in opposition to God’s holy city of Jerusalem. The king of Babylon boasts that his gods are greater than Israel’s God, and he destroys the City of God in a vain attempt to prove it. But just a few decades later, the Medo-Persian Empire overruns the Babylonian Empire, and Babylon no longer dominates the world.
Then we come to the end of the Bible, right here in Revelation 17, and we see Babylon again, this time as a wealthy, wicked woman riding a beast. That’s the vision.
IT IS BEAUTY ON THE BEAST.
Babylon rides the revived Roman Empire. Or to put it in terms of today’s geography, Iraq is a burden to the European community. You see, the European Community comprises much of the ancient Roman Empire, and Iraq is the site of the ancient Babylonian Empire. So if this scenario were to play itself out today, the European Community would support Iraq, and at the same time be burdened by Iraq.
Who would have thought that possible just a few years ago? Now, it’s not only possible, it is quite likely, given the current state of affairs in Europe and the Middle East.
I believe God is setting the world stage right now for the end-time events He describes right here in Revelation. I don’t believe we have much longer. Jesus could come for his church today, and the events of the Tribulation could take place tomorrow. Are you ready?
Revelation 17:7 But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. (ESV)
In vs.1-6, we saw a vision of beauty on the beast. Now, in vs.7-18, an angel explains that vision.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. (ESV)
ROME WILL RISE AGAIN only to be completely and utterly destroyed.
That’s why everybody marvels. Rome is the empire that “once was.” Now, it “is not,” but soon it “will come” again. It’s unbelievable!
Revelation 17:9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated… (ESV)
The angel is explaining just what this 7-headed beast is – It is seven hills. Check any standard history book. Rome has always been known as “the city of seven hills.” This is an unmistakable reference to the Roman Empire.
Revelation 17:10 …they (i.e., the seven heads) are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. (ESV)
Over the centuries, Israel has been dominated by 6 world-powers. 1st, Egypt enslaved her, about 1500 years before Christ. Then 2nd, about 800 years later, in 722 B.C., Assyria overran the 10 northern tribes of Israel. 3rd, a little more than a hundred years after that, in 586 B.C., Babylon destroys the city of Jerusalem and carries the remaining 2 tribes of Israel into captivity. Then 4th, the Medo-Persian Empire arrives on the scene, which overtakes the Babylonians. 5th, The Greeks overtake the Medo-Persian Empire about 300 years before Christ, and 6th, The Roman Empire snuffs out the Greek Empire just before the time of Christ.
Six empires dominated the nation of Israel throughout her history. “Five have fallen” – That’s Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. They no longer dominate. “One is” – That’s the one still dominating Israel at the time of this writing in the 1st century, the Roman Empire. “The other has not yet come” – This is an empire yet future, which will dominate Israel again.
Daniel 2, 7, & 9, as well as Matthew 24, all warn about a revived Roman Empire, which will overrun Jerusalem half way through the Tribulation. The antichrist, who heads up this revived Roman Empire, will set himself up as God in Jerusalem, and all the Jews will have to run for their lives.
Revelation 17:11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. (ESV)
This is the antichrist. He rules the revived Roman Empire, but not for long. Soon after he comes to power, he will be destroyed. Yet for a short time, he and 10 other kings will rule the world.
Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. (ESV)
Ten world rulers will unite under the antichrist.
Revelation 17:13-14 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (ESV)
In the future, people will have to make a choice. They can side with the rulers of this world and lose, or they can side with the King of kings and win.
And that’s the choice for us today! – the way of the world, or the way of Christ. Which will it be for you?
When the army of Julian the Apostate was on the march to Persia some of the soldiers got hold of a Christian believer to torment and torture him in brutal sport. After they wearied of it, they looked into his eyes and spoke to their helpless victim. With infinite scorn in their voices, they said, “Where now is your carpenter God?”
The prisoner looked up through pain, blood, and agony to say, “Where now is my carpenter God? He is building a coffin for your emperor.” (R. Geoffrey Brown, “Look! A Great White Horse!” Preaching Today, Tape No. 111)
Followers of Christ may seem like losers today, but in the end we win!
Tell me: Who’s side are you on today? Are you pursing the pleasures and powers of this world, which will ultimately be destroyed? Or are you pursuing the Lamb who will overcome, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings?
I urge you. Trust Christ with your life, and get on the winning side. Don’t side with the losers of this world. Don’t side with those who follow the beast in this chapter, and don’t side with those who follow the prostitute in this chapter, either.
For you see, not only will Rome rise again to be destroyed…
BABYLON WILL RISE AGAIN, as well, to be utterly and completely destroyed, just like Rome.
Revelation 17:15 And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. (ESV)
Babylon will one day sit on top of the world again. What is current day Iraq will one day dominate peoples, multitudes and nations. You see, during the Tribulation, you have two world powers dominating the world – a revived Roman Empire and a revived Babylonian Empire. At first, they are together – one riding on top of the other, but then the Roman Empire will throw off the Babylonian Empire and completely destroy it.
Revelation 17:16-17 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. (ESV)
God will revive the Roman Empire for one reason, and for one reason only. And that’s to keep His word in Isaiah 13:19-22 to completely destroy the Babylonian Empire (Isaiah 13:19-22). Like I said, Babylon still exists in the form of Iraq today. And she who was once great will be great again, only to be utterly and completely destroyed. Rome will destroy Babylon and Christ will destroy Rome. Two great world powers will rise again, but they will come to an utter and complete end.
By the way, we see this happening before our very eyes today. Just watch the news! The European Community and Iraq are both gaining in strength every day, both of them rising up out of the ash heap of history.
Revelation 17:18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” (ESV)
Babylon itself will rise again, and the whole world will be astonished. People will be amazed at the rise of both Rome and Babylon, and everyone will pursue the wealth and power they offer, each one wanting to get a piece of the action. The only problem is it will all come to nothing when Christ destroys both empires and sets up His Kingdom.
A prominent American visited Argentina several years ago and was asked by the president of that nation, “Why has South America gotten on so poorly and North America so well? What do you think is the reason?”
The visitor replied, “I think the reason is found in the fact that the Spaniards came to South America seeking gold, while the Pilgrim Fathers came to North America seeking God.” (Bible Illustrator #2131-2133; 12/1994.23)
Before you this morning is a choice. You can pursue gold or you can pursue God. You can pursue this world’s wealth or God’s will. You can pursue this world’s pleasures or God’s pleasure.
You say, “Phil, I want to do both.” No, you cannot do both. It’s either one or the other. Jesus himself said, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). And James 4 says, “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Which will it be for you?
Years ago there was a missionary in Africa by the name of Dan Crawford. He was returning from Africa to the United States, and to do so he had to leave the inner part of the country, where he worked, and travel to the coast to catch a ship. Four men walked with him all the way, so he would not have to make the trip alone. As they walked, Crawford told his friends about the glories of the coast. He told them about the light that did not have flame, about wagons that did not have animals, and about storing their food so that it would not spoil.
As he walked and talked, three of the men entered into the conversation. The fourth man, however, seemed strangely unimpressed. And after a few days, as they were sitting one evening, Crawford found it irritating that this one man did not seem at all excited about going to the city.
He said to him, “Aren't' you eager to get there? I mean, don't you want to see all these things?” That African brother responded with a word that I wish could be burned into the hearts of every American Christian in our wealthy, materialistic nation. He said, “Mr. Crawford, to be better off is not to be better.” (Haddon Robinson, “A Good Lesson from a Bad Example,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 56)
Think about it: to be better off is not to be better.
Last year (2014), Microsoft paid $2.5 billion to acquire Mojang AB, the Swedish company that created the worldwide gaming sensation known as Minecraft. The deal made Markus Persson a billionaire, with a personal net worth of about $1.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Persson promptly outbid Beyoncé and Jay-Z for a Beverly Hills mega-mansion—a $70 million home that the listing described as an “overwhelming sensory experience,” outfitted with insane amenities like M&M towers, vodka and tequila bars, a movie theater and 15 bathrooms, each equipped with toilets that cost $5,600 each.
But on August 29, 2015, Persson posted a series of tweets that captured his gnawing sense of unhappiness and dissatisfaction:
4:48 am: The problem with getting everything is you run out of reasons to keep trying, and human interaction becomes impossible due to imbalance.
4:50 am: Hanging out in Ibiza with a bunch of friends and partying with famous people, able to do whatever I want, and I've never felt more isolated.
4:52 am: When we sold the company, the biggest effort went into making sure the employees got taken care of, and they all hate me now.
4:53 am: Found a great girl, but she's afraid of me and my life style and went with a normal person instead. (Arik Hesseldahl, "Minecraft Billionaire Markus Persson Hates Being a Billionaire," Re/code, 8-29-15; www.PreachingToday.com)
To be better off is not to be better, so don’t prostitute your values for the almighty dollar. Don’t sacrifice your family for more money. Instead, choose to do God’s will no matter what. Choose to follow hard after Christ, and let Him take care of the rest.
I like what Peter Maurin said in Leadership Journal several years ago, and with this I close. He said, “The world would be better off if people tried to become better. And people would become better if they stopped trying to become better off. For when everybody tries to become better off, nobody becomes better off. But when everybody tries to become better, everybody is better off. (Peter Maurin, Leadership, Vol. 5, no. 4)
Think about it. Let’s pray…
