Babylon Is Defeated - Revelation 17

In chapter 12 a woman is clothed with the sun and with stars surrounding her head.  She gives birth to the Christ, and has many other children who honor God by keeping His commandments and remain faithful to their testimony to Jesus Christ (12:17). She is connected to a city called “the beloved city” (20:9); “holy city” who is like a “bride made ready for her husband” the Lord (21:3).  She is a glorious and eternal city.

In chapters 17-19, the second woman is a harlot.  She is dressed in earthly luxury.  Her children are harlots and people who do abominations (17:4-5). The harlot is also associated with a city; an earthly city, like the hated city of “Babylon,” but it will be destroyed with fire.

So, we have a tale of two women and two cities. We are left to ask, “Which one will we follow; in which one shall we live?”

In Revelation 12, Satan tried to destroy the plan of God by killing Jesus, but failed.  So, he turned his attention to destroying the church. In Revelation 13, Satan raised up two allies to help him make war against the church.  In Revelation 14-16, God delivers His people and pours out His wrath upon the devil and all his followers under the image of seven bowls of wrath.  

The book of Revelation could rightly end at this point, however God chooses to reveal more detail about the destiny of the main characters of the story.  Simply put, “Great Babylon” will be utterly destroyed (Rev. 17 – 20), and “the beloved city” of believers will be eternally secure (Rev. 21 – 22). 

The destruction of those who persecute the people of God, pictured as “Babylon” has been revealed before.  However, now we are given more detail. “And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication’ ” (Revelation 14:8). “Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath” (Revelation 16:19).

Now, we are given a more complete picture of the tools the devil uses to destroy faith.  These three tools correspond to the total makeup of a person, who is made up of the will, intellect and emotions.  

- First is intimidation: The first beast, the power of a contrary force attacking the will of a person.  

- The second beast (false prophet): The deceitful philosophies of the world which cause people to worship anything other than God—attacking the mind/intellect of a person.

- Third is seduction: The harlot, who appeals to the flesh and pleasure of people—attacking the emotions of a person.  

Satan uses the same tools today.

The most vivid picture of the city is the alluring nature of it(Revelation 17:4).  It is personified as a “harlot;” the very picture of sinful allurement.  

- Alluring Clothes – “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet;” the clothes of power and royalty.  

- The Allure Of Power. 

- Alluring Charms – “adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls”   

- The Allure Of Wealth, which is emphasized in the next chapter.  

- Alluring Cup – “having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.”  

- The Allure Of The Flesh -  Yet, note the cup is beautiful on the outside; gold!  However, on the inside it is filthy with idolatry and spiritual fornication.  

- The allure of sin looks good outwardly, but once one is in it, it is putrid.  

While the people of the world drink of her immorality, she gets drunk on the blood of the saints.  “I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6).  Ultimately, this will be the reason for her fall.

John’s reaction is “When I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:6).    Perhaps he expected to see the city in flames (based on the promise of 17:1), but instead he saw her at the peak of her power and she appeared invincible.  Ah, but things would change.  The angel steps in to clear up John’s amazement.  

“The angel said to me, ‘Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.’ ” (Rev. 17:7).

Then, and here is the theme of Revelation, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings.” Can Christ overcome such powerful foes? This one, simple but profound, verse defines the theme of the story. Indeed, Christ shall overcome all enemies. The kingdom of God shall stand, but all of those founded by men shall fall. All men who may wear the title of "lord" or "king" are subject to the one great "Lord" and "King" who is Jesus Christ (1:5; Eph. 1:20-23).

In spite of apparent victory by those who oppose God and His people. God wins! Therefore, His people are victorious!

The Wrath of God - Revelation 16

In Revelation 16, God has “gathered together the horrors from all the stories of the avenging wrath of God and… hurled them on the unbelieving world in one last terrible deluge of disaster.” (William Barclay, The Revelation of John)

In chapter 16 we read about the bowls of wrath. We get the image of pouring out wrath on the enemies. God is loving, merciful and patient, slow to anger, abundant in mercy (Psalm 86:15), and yet our God is also a God of justice. Evil and wickedness will not go unpunished. The righteous have cried to God, asking for His action, His vengeance. Chapter 16 is the final group of “7” symbolic judgments, sending the message loud and clear: Justice will be done!

As you read through the bowls today – look back to chapters 8 and 9. There are similarities between the bowls and trumpets. For instance: 

• 1st trumpet: 1/3 earth burned (8:7) – 1st bowl: earth sores (16:2)
• 2nd trumpet: 1/3 sea becomes blood (8:8) – 2nd bowl: sea becomes blood (16:3) 
• 3rd trumpet: 1/3 rivers poisoned (8:10) – 3rd bowl: rivers become blood (16:4-7)
• 4th trumpet: 1/3 sun darkened (8:12) – 4th bowl: sun scorched men (16:8-9)
• 5th trumpet: locust released from pit (9:1-11) – 5th bowl: darkness on beast’s kingdom (16:10)
• 6th trumpet: army from Euphrates (9:13-21) – 6th bowl: army from Euphrates (16:12-16)

In this chapter we see that the wrath of God is just (they have poured out the blood of the saints – 16:6). We see that the wrath of God is complete (there are no more partials, no more thirds affected; in v. 17 the final bowl is announced as “it is done.”). We see that the wrath of God is intense (loathsome and malignant sores v. 2; scorched with fire v. 9; gnawed tongues because of pain v. 10; extremely severe v. 21). 

Will God punish the wicked? Will God deal with the evil that has existed in this world? Will God answer the cries of His people, those afflicted and suffering? Yes, yes, and yes. Remember from Revelation 6:11, God will answer in His time. Though this chapter had it’s specific/intended audience, addressing the Christians suffering under the oppression of Rome, there is a message here for all Christians of every generation. Its what Peter said in 2 Peter 3:9-10, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come…

God is patient. God gives us time – time to change, time to repent. But there will come a day when He will be patient no more. The day of the Lord will come. May we live each day in Christ. Be patient. Be prepared. The day of the Lord will come. 

“Righteous Father, You are just and true. Your judgments are fair and right. I know that You know all and see all. You hear our prayers. You understand our hardships. You are pained with sin and evil. I know Lord, that You have promised to come. I know You will judge the living and the dead. I know we will stand before Your throne. My prayer today is that I be found right in You. Whether if Christ comes today, or tomorrow, or after I have passed from this life, may my heart, and my life, be pleasing to You. I ask for Your patience for myself as I daily strive to become more like Jesus. I ask patience for those who are drifting from You, for time and opportunity to help draw them back. One day Your justice will fully come. One day all evil will end. One day every knee will bow – what a glorious day that will be. Help me to be patient with others, as You are with me. Help me to live prepared for the day You return. My heart’s desire, my life’s longing is to be pleasing to You, my Lord and my God.” 

A Song Because Of Joyful News - Revelation 15

Let me take a moment to remind us where we are in the story of Revelation.  Remember that Revelation is told in pictures, symbols, that are not literal.  Yet, they fit together to tell the story of how God will deliver His people from their adversary.  

The story our chapter fits into began back in Revelation 12 by introducing a fierce enemy.  Satan is shown trying to destroy the plan of God to save us in Jesus Christ.  Yet, Satan is unsuccessful.  So, Satan then turns his attention to the people of God.  If he can destroy the people of God it doesn’t matter if the plan of God was fulfilled in Jesus.  So he “makes war” against the church (12:17).  

He raises up powerful opposition to make war against the church in chapter 13: “The first beast” was given power to “make war against the saints and overcome them” (13:7).

To make things worse Satan raises up a second beast, elsewhere called “the false prophet” to deceive people into worshiping worldly power, and all those who would not worship the devil’s devices were “killed” (13:15).

Soon it became abundantly clear those who followed the world wore the mark of the beast.  You could hear it in the way they talked, the values they had, the things they loved, the activities they did.  But, you could also tell those who wore the name of God on their forehead.  They lived by godly values.  Those who lived by godly values were soon singled out and the rest of the world would not “buy or sell” with them (13:17).  As a result believers suffered, starved and died.  

Revelation 12-13 paints a desperate situation as the church faces the fierce persecution of Satan and his terrible sidekicks.

However, beginning in chapter 14 we are given a preview of victory. While those who bore the mark of God on earth were hated and shunned, they are accepted and singing in heaven.  The redeemed who have died in the Lord are seen singing in heaven—safe and secure on Mount Zion in the presence of the true Lamb of God (Rev. 14:1-5).

While the godly are safe, the angels ascend to the height of the sky to pronounce that the ungodly will fall!  God promises to make the ungodly drink the cup of His wrath (14:6-13). God then orders for a great harvest to take place. The righteous and the wicked will be separated.  The wicked will be crushed like grapes under the wrath of God.  

That brings us to Revelation 15. Here the righteous respond in song to the joyful news of God’s deliverance of the righteous and judgment upon the wicked.  When God’s people see what God is doing, worship is the only worthy response.  

In fact, worship and God’s work are often tied together in this book.  Before the two previous cycles of seven we see God’s people/creation worshiping.  Before the opening of the seven seals, we see the great worship scene in heaven (Rev. 4-5).  Before the sounding of the seven trumpets we see a great worship scene in heaven (Rev. 7:9-8:6).  Now, before the pouring out of the seven bowls we see a great worship scene (Rev. 14-15).  Is there a lesson for us here?  We may usually think of worshiping only after God has done a good work for us.  Yet, here we see an example of worshiping God in light of the good work He will do for us!  That is worshiping by faith! 

In addition, Revelation 15 introduces the third cycle of seven in the book of Revelation—the pouring out of seven bowls. This is called the “last” of the sevens, because when these seven bowls are poured out, God promised deliverance of His church and judgment upon their oppressors will be completed.  

The singers are identified as “those who have victory over the beast.”  These are the ones with whom Satan waged war and killed and persecuted.  

These are the same ones we saw in Revelation 14:1-5. There we saw their character, now we hear their praise. 

These victors stand on, or by, the sea.  This sea is the same one we saw in Revelation 4:6. This sea of glass speaks of beauty and rest (glass, calm waters).  However this glass also is “mingled with fire.”  This could refer to, 1) the fiery trials that the saints endured to get there, or 2) to the fire of God’s wrath which was about to be released against the ungodly.

Back in Revelation 14 we were told when the redeemed believers opened their mouths they formed a powerful worship chorus which was as beautiful as harpist playing on their harps (Rev. 14:2-3). Here we have the same image used, “Having harps of God” (15:2).  In verses 3 and 4 we are told something about the song they sang.  Notice it is a song completely focused on the Lord. They did not sing of their problems they had survived, but of the power God has shown; not of what they had achieved, but of what the Lord had accomplished.  There are no first-person pronouns (“we” “us” “our”), but only second-person pronouns (“You” “Your”) referring to God.  Worship is about God!  That doesn’t mean we can never refer to ourselves in worship, but we need to be careful that the emphasis of our worship is not ourselves. In worship if we just talk about ourselves, our acts, our experiences, our needs, our plans, it reveals who we really worship!  Does our worship speak God’s name above, and more often, than ours?

Whose Image Do You Bear?  - Revelation 14

Chapter 14 of Revelation sets the stage for what is to come. The source of conflict and persecution has been identified. The workers of Satan were shown in chapter 13. In this next chapter three angels declare messages, announcing the impending doom of the beasts and those who follow them. The chapter ends with a reaping of the righteous (v. 14-16), and a reaping of the wicked (v. 17-20). 

Something we’ve noticed through Revelation thus far is the “marking” or “sealing” that has been done by God and the beasts. There was the sealing of  God in Revelation 7:3, and the marking from the beast in Revelation 13:16. Here in chapter 14 we find both markings mentioned (v. 1, 9). The marks were identifications of whose side they were on. Were they obedient to the Lamb? Were they servants of the beast? The answer to that question determined the fate of that person. 

It’s the same for us today. No, it’s not an actual mark or symbol we have on our heads and hands. It’s a life that proves where our allegiance lies. Are we living for Christ? Are we obedient to the Lamb? Are we faithful in times of peace as well as times of adversity? Who sits on the throne of our heart? 

No, belonging to God doesn’t mean we’ll be free from the storms of life, just as these Christians were not promised peace. But there is a greater assurance and comfort to be found in belonging to God. The temporal pain inflicted by Satan and his workers can’t be compared to the eternal reward promised to those who belong to God. As one poem stated:

“The seal of God is on his own, secure are all His sheep; the evil one may all harass, but God will surely keep. Not so, for those who do not trust in God’s own holy Son; On hands and head they’ll have a mark, but from that wicked one. World’s darkest night will then take place, no ray of hope breaks through; flee now to Him – He wants to be God’s sheltered place for you.” – Anonymous (John J. Van Gorder, ABC’ of the Revelation 

“Righteous King, I pray today that I may be found true and loyal to you. Satan seeks to lure me to his cause, and win the battle over my heart. But my heart, my mind, my words, my will – my life belongs to You. When the storms start brewing, Father remind me of Your promises. Refresh me in Your victory. Today I wear Your name, I wave Your banner, I fight Your battles, and follow Your footsteps. All glory be given to You – King of my life.” 

Failure Upon Failure - Revelation 13

In the movies the evil genius always has a group of henchmen ready to do his bidding.  In real life wicked people rarely work alone.  The masterminds of some evil enlist others who will carry the bombs and deliver the packages.  There would be no Al Capone without his henchmen.  There would be no Hitler without his generals. There would be no Darth Vader without his storm troopers (oops that last one wasn’t real life, I don’t think).  

Satan doesn’t work in this world alone.  We are told in Ephesians 6:12, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Satan has spiritual forces who are against believers. They are at his disposal.

We learn from Revelation 13 that Satan also has physical forces on earth that he uses against believers.  He was using these forces against the early church to break their spirit and faith, and he still uses these same methods on believers today.  

We are coming into the middle of the story that started in Revelation 12. The devil was unsuccessful in his effort to destroy the woman and the child, because when Jesus died on the cross God raised Him from the dead and He ascended to the right hand of God (Rev. 12:5).  The work of Jesus removed the devil’s power of sin and death (Gen. 3:12; Heb. 2:14), so that he can no longer accuse God’s people before God’s throne.

Chapter 13 describes how Satan wars against the saints on earth.  He uses two helpers; a beast from the sea and a beast from the land.  In chapter 12 Satan lost the battle against Jesus, but he wages a war against the church thinking if he can destroy the church then the work of Jesus will be for nothing.  In chapter 13 we learn how Satan wages this war against the church.  Most of the chapter is about the devastating power and deadly purpose of the two beasts.  In fact, fifteen out of eighteen verses focus on the power and destruction of the beast.  The first beast is described in verses 1-8; the second beast in verses 11-17.  The beasts are described as pervasive, invincible enemies.

The sea beast speaks arrogantly against God and assumes titles that belonged exclusively to God (vs. 6). The beast appears to have unlimited power (vs., 2). Not power given by God but given by Satan, the dragon. He declares war against the people of God. It appears the whole world is under his authority and power. Who would be foolish enough to resist? Only the Lamb, when He comes in His power can overcome the beast (19:20). The knowledge that the beast will be brought down gave the saints a reason to persevere. Their faith in the power of God to overcome enabled them to endure while the purposes of God were being worked out in the history of man (vs.10).

The land beast deceives (vs. 14).  He works great wonder deceiving man by the apparent miracles he could perform. Whatever signs God allows Satan to perform, they are never of the same quality as those worked by God's servants. This difference is clearly set forth when the sorceries of Simon are seen in contrast to the attesting signs performed by Philip (Acts 8:5-13). In the biblical sense, an authentic miracle is an observable act directly produced by God with means other than physical laws of nature. If Satan could do the same, there would not be a way to determine the true message of God from the devil's false words. Whatever signs Satan has attempted to duplicate have only been counterfeit, as Moses proved before Pharaoh (Exod. 7:10-12).

He also uses the threat of death and economic destruction (vs. 15, 17). This was to get man to bow before Satan and worship him.  If Satan can intimidate, deceive or threaten man he can accomplish what he wants even if Christ did die on the cross. 

“Having failed in his first three attempts to stop Jesus from being able to provide salvation, Satan now begins this fourth effort.  His plan is to mount a heaven persecution of Christians in which he hopes to kill all Christians or drive them into denial of their faith.  If he can achieve this, it will not matter that he failed in his other attempts.  It only takes the span of one generation to push the message of Jesus into extinction.  So he will try to persecute the church out of existence.  With no one left to tell the story, it will not matter that Jesus died to make forgiveness possible.” (Stafford North, Unlocking Revelation, pg. 71)

But he is doomed for complete defeat and failure (vs. 18).  Not just failure but failure upon failure.