DESTRUCTION OF WORLD RELIGION

REVELATION 17

Lesson 21

Introduction: The 17^th and 18^th chapters of the Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals the destruction of the world church and political systems in operation during the tribulation period.  John reveals the destruction of Babylon or world church as pointed out to him by one of the seven angels of Revelation 15,16.  This judgment is poured out on the religious system that is in power during the first half of the tribulation period.  John once again is invited to come and witness events that are yet future.  Though these things have yet to take place, they are viewed as if they have already taken place.  In this we see God’s eternal character.

         I.      The judgment of the great harlot (Vs. 1-6)

a.        The harlot that sits on many waters (Vs. 1)

1.        The many waters indicate the religious tentacles of Babylon that are world wide.

a)     This is a world wide church that is in view.

b)    This church is seen as the great whore that sits on many waters.

2.        This all started back in Gen. 11:4 when Nimrod attempted to build a city and tower that would reach heaven.

a) Nimrod means rebel, and Babel means literally “the gate of God.”

1)       In Gen. 3:21, God revealed that the shed blood was God’s only way for us to get to Heaven.

2)       But Babylonianism has always denied this and added OWN WORKS; this is the spirit of Babylon.

3)       God destroyed the first attempt at the Tower of Babel, and before us is God destroying man’s last attempt.   

3.       Satan is gone to produce a personal anti-christ who will set up a great super federation of nations with a power based in the European Union, which covers the whole Roman empire.

a)    The woman is the apostate church or religious system that will prevail during the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation.

b)    It will be the coming together of the world’s religions all under the control of Rome from the city with seven hills.

1)       I believe this will include the World Council of Churches, National Council of Churches, Mohammedans, the Greek Orthodox, the Roman Catholic, Judaism, as well as the Eastern religions.

2)       The World Federation will deny the right of Christ to reign and a religious system, which denies the authority of Jesus Christ.

4.       This great whore or notorious prostitute speaks of spiritual fornication.

a) This speaks of unfaithfulness to the revealed principles of God’s Word.

1)       Most of the recognized religious groups of our day have turned from faith they once proclaimed. The danger is real, and the end result is always the same.

5.       God is now ready to judge the religious system.

b.       The woman upon the scarlet beast (Vs. 3)

1.        First of all, the fact that the woman is upon the beast indicates the beast is supporting.

2.        The fact she is riding indicates a distinction between woman and beast.

3.        Since the woman is riding this indicates she is in control to a point of dominance.

4.       The seven heads and ten horns refer to the seven successive types of government with the ten heads referring to ten heads of state reigning together at the time of the end.

c.        The apparel of the woman (Vs. 4)

1.       The description, which is indicated here, is strikingly familiar to the robes and vestments of some ecclesiastical leaders.

a)        To some, the rich garb and ritualistic ceremonies are very important.

b)    To God, at this time in history, they are simply a cover up of spiritual apostasy within.

2.       The Golden cup full of abomination.   (Few things in God’s Word are spoken of more harshly than spiritual adultery.)

d.       The title given the apostate woman (Vs. 5)

1.        One translation puts it, “Babylon the great, the mother of whores and of every obscenity on earth.”

2.        What a thing for God to say about the religious system of man.

3.       The Holy Spirit here gives us the Heavenly view of man’s religious practices.  (As illustrated in the Laodicean Church)

e.        The blood of the martyrs (Vs. 6)

1.       Not only is the woman pictured as having much to do with wickedness in the form of spiritual fornication, but also she is busily engaged in busily engaged in persecuting the faithful followers of Christ. 

2.        History reveals the extent to which the church in the name of purity has martyred so many of God’s faithful.  (It might be food to think over the stand of the militant church.)

3.       The apostle wondered with great wonder or astonishment at what he saw.

       II.      The explanation of the prophecy (Vs. 7-13)

a.        The great wonder revealed (Vs 7)

1.       The angel clearly sets forth the fact that he is going to reveal or make clear to John what he saw.  (This goes back to opening chapter of this Book, which reminds us that this is an open Book.)

2.        Three main mysteries

a)      Mystery of the woman

b)   The beast which carried her

c)     The seven heads and ten horns

b.       The beast is revealed. (Vs. 8)

1.        Here we have satanic origin.

2.        Only Satan is actually seen as coming from the pit.  (Wonderment of the world) (Rev. 13:3-4)

3.        The Book of Life

      III.      The destruction of the religious system as represented by the woman  (Vs 14-18)

a.        The final victory of Christ (Vs 14)

1.        A mention is made of the final victory of Christ lest anyone should be in doubt.

2.       Notice Christ occupies His rightful place as King of King’s and Lord of Lords  (Notice those with Him are called chosen and faithful.)

b.       An explanation is given of the woman and horns. (Vs. 15-16)

1.       We are left with no doubt as to the water, which the woman is sitting upon.

a)   Mentioned in verse 1 and explained in verse 15

b)    The area of demonation is clearly seen.

2.       The predication of the fall of the woman or religious system

3.        The kings shall hate her and turn on her.

c.        The seven heads

1.        Seven forms of government

a)       Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome

b)    Rome is the sixth and under the anti-christ the seventh.

2.        It’s important to note each had their form of religion.

d.       That which is destroyed by Christ at His coming is before us. (Vs. 17)

1.        It would seem the revived Roman Empire under the anti-christ is the seventh.

2.       The eighth is the resurrected anti-christ who will be destroyed by Christ at His coming.

e.        The ten horns (Vs. 17)

1.       These ten have been mentioned often by Daniel and are ten toes of the great image.

2.        Notice their power and minds are unified.

a)    Politically, economically and militarily

b)   She has ridden the beast long enough, and they shall throw her off.

c)  This destruction shall be complete as indicated by the terms here used.

f.         God is still in control. (Vs. 17)

1.       Though they are doing what they want to do, it is in the program of God for them to do His will. (Notice this is all done that the will of God might be fulfilled.)

2.       Not even the work of the king in the tribulation period is outside of the permissive will of God.

g.       As the chapter closes, the woman is again identified with the great city (Vs.18)  (This speaks of ecclesiastical power and control of the political which has been true at times in church history and will climax in the future.)

Conclusion:  Following destruction of Babylon in its religious form, we next look at

                     Chapter 18, when the political system is destroyed.