Read Revelation 17–18
Questions from the Scripture text: Who comes to talk with John in Revelation 17:1? Whose judgment will he show him? Upon what did she sit? Who did what with her (Revelation 17:2a)? What did she do to whom (verse 2b)? Where did he take John, and whom did he see there (Revelation 17:3)? Upon what was she siting? How was she clothed (Revelation 17:4)? What did she have in her hand? What was written on her forehead (Revelation 17:5)? With what was she drunk (Revelation 17:6)? What impression does she make upon Jon? What does the angel ask (Revelation 17:7)? What will he do to help John? Which beast is this, and who marvel at it (Revelation 17:8, cf. Revelation 13:3–4)? What do the heads of the beast represent her (Revelation 17:9)? What do each of these mountains have (Revelation 17:10)? From what eras? As what does the beast present himself (Revelation 17:11)? What do the horns represent (Revelation 17:12)? How long is each of their reigns? Like whom do they think (Revelation 17:13)? With Whom do they make war (Revelation 17:14)? Who wins? Why? What do he waters from Revelation 17:1 represent (Revelation 17:15)? What do the kings and kingdoms ultimately do to the harlot (Revelation 17:16)? Why (Revelation 17:17)? And who is the mother of this and all harlots (Revelation 17:18, cf. Revelation 17:5)? Whom does John see in Revelation 18:1? What does this angel have? How glorious is he? What does he do in Revelation 18:2? What has happened to Babylon the great? What happened to those who drank her cup (Revelation 18:3, cf. Revelation 17:4)? What does John hear in verse 4? Whom does the voice address? What does it tell them to do? Why (Revelation 18:5)? What will God do to her in this remembrance (Revelation 18:6)? To what extent (Revelation 18:7)? And with what result (Revelation 18:8)? How/why? What will the kings of the earth do at this (Revelation 18:9-10)? Who else will weep (Revelation 18:11)? Why (Revelation 18:11-14)? What, specifically, will they say (Revelation 18:15-16)? What will shock them the most (Revelation 18:17, cf. end of Revelation 18:10)? Who else will mourn her (Revelation 18:17-18)? In what manner (Revelation 18:19)? Most amazed at what? But who will have what other reaction (Revelation 18:20)? Why? Who does what in Revelation 18:21? To demonstrate what? What will now be an irrelevant memory (Revelation 18:22-23)? Why—what was found in her (Revelation 18:24)?
Why do we need to see and hear the greatness of God’s wrath upon worldliness? Revelation 17–18 provides a sermon preview. In these forty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we need to be warned about wrath, so that we will come out from among the worldly and be separate.
The wrath of God comes with observation and reaction, both by the world, and by the saints. And, the Lord’s angel summons John to observe this (Revelation 17:1). The “mystery” (knowledge that is revealed from the Scripture, rather than found in the creation) of this “Babylon” is that she is the mother of all harlots (Revelation 17:5), offering luxuries and pleasures apart from God (Revelation 17:4), and receiving the devotion of the kingdoms of the world (Revelation 17:3).
Whether the empire of the 7 mountains/heads (probably Rome, Revelation 17:9-10), subsequent attempts to rule the world by force of power (the beast, and its manifestations, Revelation 17:11), or lesser kingdoms that are more local or short-lived (the ten horns, Revelation 17:12)—they all have one mind, willing to make war with Christ and His church in service of power (Revelation 17:13), and especially the harlot of prosperity and pleasure (Revelation 17:14).
The point of the waters (Revelation 17:1, Revelation 17:15) is that this is an equal opportunity harlot, seducing literally every “civilization” there has ever been. The prostitute woman-city of Babylon is a counterfeit of the woman-city of Zion/Jerusalem. A counterfeit church in which the creature is worshiped, rather than the Creator. And wherever peoples, multitudes, nations, or tongues have been, members of the harlot-church of prosperity and pleasure have been found.
But her days are numbered, and regardless of how prosperous or luxurious their experience has been with her, all who loved her will be shocked at the severity and the intensity of her desolation that comes in “one hour” (Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:17, Revelation 18:19).
We need to see the violence and completeness of the coming destruction of worldliness (Revelation 18:21-23). When the shiny cup of Revelation 17:4 is drunk, it will turn out to be full not only of her filth, but of the wrath that she will drink with all who have accepted it from her (Revelation 18:6). Even after she has slain so many of the prophets and the saints (cf. Revelation 16:6, Revelation 17:6, Revelation 18:24), we are vulnerable to worldliness. So, the angel in Revelation 17:1 shows these things to John, and the voice of the Lord in Revelation 18:4 urges us to come out of the world-church of worldliness.
Dear saint, be warned, and be amazed at the judgment of the harlot. Don’t let worldliness seduce you. Separate yourself from that (Revelation 18:4; cf. Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17). Be one of the called, chosen, faithful ones who are with the Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14). Then, you will be among those who rejoice over her, when God avenges His saints (Revelation 18:20).
Whom do you know that pursues prosperity and pleasure? How are you coming out from among them?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for being so easily tempted by the pursuit of prosperity and pleasure. Please make us remember that this harlot religion will be devastated suddenly and completely. And, make us to come out from among the worldly, and be the called, chosen, and faithful ones of King Jesus, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”