Revelation 17:1-6
Rev. 1-2 ~ 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.”
We are deep into symbolism in this new vision that John is having. Verses 1-2 talk about a prostitute, the kings of the earth and the drunk dwellers on earth.
Many would say Chapters 17-19 are describing in more detail the sixth and seventh bowls being poured out and this seems to fit I think, so this is how I am going to approach these chapters.
Babylon is not a literal place but it’s what the world has become, and when I say the world I mean Satan and demons and beasts and all of his human followers. It is as well the governmental structure on every level.
The great prostitute and Babylon are one in the same, it is just another name for it.
Many waters just means throughout the world, and within these many places are the kings or the leaders of the world who willing took part in the sinfulness of world. These leaders not only took part in the sinfulness of the world but they were also the ones responsible in part to its downfall. They were the leaders guiding it to destruction.
Though in verse two it mentions sexual immorality it is not only this sin it is talking about, it makes this comment in light of calling the world or Babylon a prostitute. Have no doubt it is talking about all the sin and corruption that has brought the world to this point under the wrath of God. But several Greek forms of the word “porn” are used throughout this chapter so that should tell you something.
Calling someone a prostitute is saying they are willing to do whatever asked for money, and the worlds leaders are doing just that.
It finishes verse two with saying the dwellers of the earth, that is the unsaved, are drunk by it all. That means they fallowed these corrupt and sinful leaders and as well they took part in the evil and corruption. They are as much responsible.
3 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.
This is just telling us the close relationship or bond between Satan or the anti Christ and the corrupt and sinful ways of the world.
4 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.
These world leaders are very rich, they only wear the best cloths, they wear their gold, pearls and jewels to show off how rich they are. And they carry their sinfulness around with them because they are proud to be God's enemies.
There is a lot of deception going on here, outwardly they are seductive with all of their fine cloths and jewelry but in their cup it tells a different story doesn't it? Don't be lured in by them, stay close to God and as far away from them as you can.
The next time you see someone walking around with their golden cup asking you if you want to take a drink from it tell them NO, Christ is the only way for me.
1 Peter 5:8-9 ~ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Now I am not saying all rich and powerful people are this way, no. There are many who are working hard for God who are wealthy and powerful. God can and does use whom He pleases.
So it is important for us to know who is who. We will know whom God's people are by their fruits. Do they believe in God and Christ and state it publicly and are unashamed to say they are believers? Do they work to better God's people? Do they support Israel openly?
5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.”
6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
To live is Christ and to die is gain, scripture says. We are called to be strong in our faith and to not veer from it.
Galatians 6:7-9 ~ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
