Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Rev 17:1 and following. Indeed, the last cup included the judgment of Babylon (Rev 16:17-21). The seventh cup, which we saw last, includes the fall of Babylon which “came into memory before God, to give him the cup of wine of the fury of his wrath.” Here this description explains what made Babylon so odious to God, and why he judges it so harshly. But, in giving this description, the Holy Spirit enters above all into the detailed account of Babylon’s relationship with the beast, the imperial power that has been discussed before. These are therefore the two main objects of judgment, placed before us in this chapter and which we will deal with, although, in truth, the judgment of the beast is only mentioned as taking place by the power of the Lamb, and the details are reserved for another part of the prophecy.
For the principle presented to us here is very clear: If we consider sin from the most general point of view, we will see that it has always taken on one or the other of these two forms, corruption or violence. The first is represented by women; it is human nature surrendering to its evil desires, without regard for the will of God; the second, represented by the beast, is the expression of the will of man posing in direct antagonism with God. But Scripture enters, on this subject, and with great precision, in many details. I simply wanted to recall what the principle of sin was from the beginning.
It will be noticed that in this case, it was one of the angels who had the seven cups who stepped forward and said to John: “Come here; I will show you the sentence of the great prostitute who sits on several waters.” Then he points out two particular effects of his wickedness: one, his illicit relations with the kings of the earth; the other, the fact that “those who dwell on the earth have been intoxicated with the wine of its fornication.” Religion, however corrupt it may be, acts as a brake on the human will, just as a government does, even if it is evil. For the worst of governments is better than anarchy. This is the cause for which the horns and the beast unite against the prostitute and desolate her. The caresses of which the kings of the earth flattered her, the submission of the beast to her influence, make all the more bitter their hatred, all the more ardent their rage against the one who, unfaithful to God, had used the name of Christ whom she had usurped and dishonored, to gain what was now lost without return.
“For God has put in their hearts to execute his mind, and to execute one and the same thought, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until God’s words are fulfilled.” It is a time of powerful seduction, let us not forget it. “And the woman you saw is the great city that has royalty over the kings of the earth.” Rome alone fits this description. The “woman” is the more general symbol, designating her as the great imperial city; the “prostitute” represents it in its religious character, but corrupt, including papal Rome, but not ending with the papacy as it is today.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The great prose and the scarlet beast:
- A type of the apostate Church considered spiritual adultery
Jg 2:17 But they did not even listen to their judges, for they prostituted themselves to other gods, prostrated themselves before them. They promptly turned away from the path their fathers had followed, and they did not obey the commandments of jehovah as they did. Ps 106:39 They defiled themselves by their works, They prostituted themselves by their actions. Ez 6:9 Your escapees will remember me Among the nations where they will be captive, for I will have broken their adulterous and unfaithful hearts, and their eyes which have prostituted themselves after their idols; They will take themselves in disgust, Because of the infamy they have committed, Because of all their abominations. Ez 23:35 That is why the Lord speaks the Lord, the Lord: Because you have forgotten me, Because you have thrown me behind your back, therefore also bear the penalty for your crimes and your prostitutions. Hos 4:12 My people consult their wood, and it is their staff that speaks to them; For the spirit of prostitution wanders, and they prostitute themselves far from their God. Hos 5:4 Their works do not allow them to return to their God, because the spirit of prostitution is in their midst, and because they do not know Jehovah. Hos 9:1 Israel, do not indulge in joy, in joy, like the people, of what you have prostituted yourself by abandoning the Lord, of what you have loved an impure wage in all wheat areas!
- Moral impurity
Ps 53:4 All are misplaced, all are perverted; There is none who does good, not even one. Mt 23:27 Woe to you, hypocritical scribes and Pharisees! because you look like whitened tombs, which seem beautiful on the outside, and which on the inside are full of bones of the dead and of every kind of impurity. Rom 6:19 I speak in the manner of men, because of the weakness of your flesh. -Just as you have delivered your members as slaves to impurity and iniquity, to arrive at iniquity, so now surrender your members as slaves to righteousness, to arrive at holiness. Eph 5.4 Let us not hear dishonest words, foolish words, or jokes, things that are contrary to propriety; let us hear thanksgiving. 2 Pet 2:10 especially those who go after the flesh in a desire for impurity and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to insult the glories,
Abominable, detestable, abhorred by God
Dt 7:25 You will burn in fire the carved images of their gods. Thou shalt not covet and take for thyself the money and gold which are upon them, lest these things become a trap for you; for they are abominated to Jehovah, your God. Pr 6:16 There are six things that the Lord hates, and even seven that he abhors; Pr 12:22 False lips are in horror to Jehovah, but those who act with truth are pleasing to Him. Luke 16:15 Jesus said to them: You seek to appear righteous before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination before God.
- Instruments of judgment used against sinful nations
Jg 3:12 The children of Israel again did what displeased Jehovah; and Jehovah fortified Eglon, king of Moab, against Israel, because they had done what displeased Jehovah. Isa 5:26 He raises a banner for distant peoples, and he whistles one end of the earth: And behold, he arrives with promptness and lightness. Jer 6:22 Thus saith the Lord: Behold, a people comes from the land of the north, A great nation rises from the ends of the earth. Luke 19:43 Days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with trenches, lock you up, and squeeze you from all sides;
From all the above, we note that Babylon represents the apostate Church, the great professing Christianity from which all the true children of God will have been removed at the lord’s coming. Unfaithful to Christ, she has corrupted herself through impure covenants with the world and its idols. However, as someone said: “Corruption of the best is the worst corruption”. This “prostitute” is “sitting on the beast”, drawing her strength from political power. While Jesus declared, “My kingdom is not of this world,” she claimed earthly dominion (John 18:33-37). Last but not least, she persecuted and put to death the true saints. At this spectacle a deep astonishment seized the apostle. Is this really what the responsible Church would become? Yes, its history over the centuries has only confirmed it too much already, waiting for its final form which is described here. But here we learn how this “mother of abominations” will perish. She will know the fate she has inflicted on the “witnesses of Jesus,” an expression in which all the tenderness of God’s heart is discerned (Rev. 2:12-17). Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the fall of the great Babylon and its consequences. »
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty.