Saturday, October 13, 2012

Babylon, Mother of Prostitutes and Abominations

Rev. 17:14
They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called chosen and faithful.
 
 
Chapter 17 deals with the judgment of the great prostitute [the lust of godless societies for pleasure and the rejection of restraint] who is and was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. She has been the partner to the many kings of the earth, who have rejected and hated God. Incensed with her wine of immorality, they have all pursued wealth, pleasure, and political and coercive power. She is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.
 
She is described as sitting on a scarlet beast full of blasphemous names with 7 heads and 10 horns. Wearing purpose and scarlet, she is adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. In her hand, she holds a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. On her head is written a name of mystery--Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations. As she sits there, she is drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. How repellent! What a grisly picture!
 
Explaining her mystery, the angel speaks. The beast was and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. Much to their demise, the earth dwellers whose names are not in the Book of Life marvel at this beast because of his timelessness. The 7 heads are 7 mountains upon which the woman is seated and 7 kings of which 5 have already fallen, one is, and one is yet to come for a little while.  The 10 horns are 10 kings who have not yet received power, but will receive it for 1 hour together with the beast. They are of one mind and give power to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called chosen and faithful. The outcome is settled! Victory is secure for the Lamb! Do they know they are fighting a losing battle, or are they so self-deceived that their course is set?
 
Again the angel explains. The waters are people, multitudes, nations and languages. The 10 horns and the beast will hate the prostitute. Making her desolate and naked, they devour her flesh and burn her. 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. Absolutely nothing happens without God's express plan and purpose being worked out. Much of this I do not understand, but I have peace in the outcome and in the power of God, the sovereign One whose every word will be fulfilled.
 
Father,
I must leave these final times with you, but thank You for stating once again that all things carry out Your purposes so that all Your words will come to pass. Lord, I want this true in my life as well. Help me to be sensitive to Your leading in all areas of my life.
In Jesus name,
Amen
 
 


No comments:

Post a Comment