REVELATION 17 - Babylon the Great

Chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation serve as sort of a pause in the action from chapter 16. That action will resume again in 19:10. Meanwhile John is shown more “big picture” information, to help him understand why this world was under such judgment.

God hates all sin, this we know. And the sin that tends to cause the most grief for Him is that of idolatry, or spiritual adultery. John sees a woman in this vision, with one of the seven bowl judgment angels as his guide. The NASB refers to the woman as a harlot. She is a harlot with whom the kings of the world have committed “acts of immorality. Her “name” is Bablyon”, and previously Babylon was said to have wine that could be consumed. This is a great play on words, and what a great picture this paints. And verse 2 says the kings of the earth have gotten drunk on this wine. By this time, the world, following its leaders, have completely indulged in what Babylon has to offer, and they are drunk and useless as a result. Babylon can be both the city/region in control of the world, and a phrase to describe the world as a whole.

There is a great deal of imagery throughout this chapter. The woman sits upon a beast, she also sits upon many waters. In short, this woman named “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”, has committed fornication with all levels of society. She thrives on spreading her filth and corruption by enticing them to drink from a cup she holds. The cup is beautiful, as is she, and it is completely contaminated. She stands for a worldwide religious system that God will not and does not tolerate. Whether this system is worship of someone else, or the use of “organized religion” to keep people from the true knowledge of God is not clear, but people do and will follow her, because it is easy and enticing to do so.

Not only are her followers “drunk”, she, too is drunk, and drunk with he blood of the saints. It is clear to John that she is directly and actively opposed to God’s people. In verse 7 when John “wonders greatly”, he is astonished, perhaps at the sight of unrestrained wickedness, perhaps that God even allowed this to exist. But his wonder is not the type which entices him to to follow. True believers alive during that time will likely have the same reaction; they may be amazed, but will not want to follow that which is pure evil.

Her seven heads and could be seen as successive world kingdoms, 5 of which perhaps had already been accomplished by the time of John’s writing, and the ten horns is perhaps world kings and/or kingdoms around at the time of the beast. It is clear that there are still some events to be realized, and that Satan will use world powers and entities to accomplish his vast apostasy that John sees here.

If it is of any comfort to John, he hears that the beast will go to destruction. Verse 11 describes him as “which was and is not”. He is “one of the seven” and also “the eighth”, comparing well with what we have learned about antichrist. He will be in power, will suffer a fatal wound, and return fully empowered by Satan, appearing to be resurrected. The world rulers will give their power to him, and they will wage war against the Lamb, or Christ.

We know Christ will win. He is Lord of Lords, He is King of Kings, those with Him are called the faithful. Those following the harlot will end up hating her, and it will be too late. All power in world affairs will be under her control, and those not with Christ will find themselves on the wrong side of the battle. Her false religion will crumble just before it is totally destroyed. She is “the great city”, likely the true Babylon which sits on the Euphrates, the capital of the world at this time, serving as the hub for all things corrupt. When the world eventually becomes so consumed by “her”, they realize she is of no further use to them. She will have accomplished what she set out to do, and that is to steer the masses away from the truth of God.

SO WHAT...?

So, even today, we can certainly enable false religion to survive and thrive. I am thankful to be called one of the faithful, and I realize that places accountability upon me to be just that, faithful to the God of truth.

So, “the Lamb will overcome them”. What a great comfort in the middle of tremendous rebellion against Him. As a believer, I can rest in this knowledge, especially in the middle of my struggles, weaknesses, and trials.

REVELATION 16 - The Bowls of Wrath

The angels with the bowls have been poised to act, and their time has now come, as John sees in this revelation. One by one they unleash the remaining judgments on God’s enemies, and sparing those who have accepted Christ. With these next judgments, there still is no need for allegory. We may not know how God will enforce the judgments, but their effects will be direct and physical, and they will continue to take a psychological toll on the unbelievers who have chosen the side of Satan.

With the pouring out of the first bowl, those who have taken the mark of the beast are afflicted with sores over their bodies.

Bowl number 2 contains judgment to turn the seas to blood, similar to the third bowl, which serves to do likewise to the rivers and springs. The earth’s water, salt and fresh, will be blood after these two bowls.

Intense, scorching solar heat follows the fourth bowl. Imagine having been afflicted with sores, seeing your water sources turn to blood, and then being subjected to inescapable heat from the sun, how might you react, if you believe God is having something to do with all of this? God will be striving for repentance, and yet the people afflicted here will turn to greater blasphemy of Him.

With the fifth bowl, the beast’s kingdom is darkened, literally made extremely dark. It is hard to determine whether this will be localized to that area of “Babylon”, a prophetic region where it is believed the beast will have his power centralized. Regardless, the darkness somehow brings on even more pain and agony. Perhaps the resulting disorientation makes all the previous suffering even worse.

And with the sixth bowl, the Euphrates river is dried up. This appears to be in preparation of the battle to come, removing obstacles to allow mass mobilization of military forces. Demons (frogs) will work in and through world leaders (kings) to rally them to war near Har-Magedon (think Armageddon). Frogs to John’s readers, and even back to Old Testament times, were seen an extremely unclean and abominations. That John sees them come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet is only fitting.

As tensions rise and forces align themselves for battle, the seventh bowl is emptied, with a voice declaring “It is done”. Massive earthquakes occur and 100-pound hail descends on those with the mark of the beast. Those without Christ again resort to blasphemy of God, angry at him for what he is doing.

As world powers join forces, God continues to call out for genuineness in faith. Still, His wrath is fully focused on the center of the world’s power and corruption, on Babylon and the cities of the nations.

SO WHAT...?

So, even we as Christians can tend to wonder what God is up to. We may not blaspheme Him, per se, yet we can easily turn what He may intend to get our attention into frustration toward Him.

So, when I read about the voice saying "it is done", I could not help but think of Christ's words on the cross, "It is finished". Yes, it is, completely. Christ's atoning work inviting all has indeed been accomplished. How have we or how will we respond?

REVELATION 15

Another sign is given to John, and in this vision he sees seven angels, with seven plagues in store for God’s enemies. God’s wrath is culminating. At this point, the seal and trumpet judgments are complete, with the full force of this wrath yet to come.

In verse 3 a song of praise is sung, a prayer set to music, if you will. God’s great name is glorified. Worship Him, is the theme. What plagues the earth at this time is the worship of the beast. The believer’s response to God’s glory should be a worship-filled life.

The angels are girded with golden sashes. This girding is a description of their readiness to act. They are eager to serve, and ready for what God has for them to do.

One of the four creatures we saw chapters ago hands a bowl to each angel, each containing a judgment to be poured out.

Smoke pours from the heavenly temple, reminiscent of the Shekinah in the Old Testament when God’s glory filled the tabernacle and eventually the temple. The smoke is so intense, that the temple here is unapproachable, at least for a short time.

God’s wrath has been smoldering, and it is now about to erupt. The suspense is thick.

SO WHAT…?

So, my response to God’s glory should also be that of a worship-filled life, seeking to please Him.

So, I know I am not to be carrying out any judgment, yet I personally love the readiness to serve on display by the angels. I pray for that eagerness and burden to serve, and I long for the day when I will serve, absent of the presence of sin.

REVELATION 14, Grapes of Wrath

The 144,000 were sealed and protected from God’s wrath, but not necessarily so from the beast and his anger. Since we see the Lamb on Mt. Zion, we can assume that John is getting a glimpse of the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom, when Christ physically returns, along with the saints (including the 144,000).

John hears an angelic choir singing about the joy over the redemption of the saints, knowing that the future reign of Christ and the redeemed is very near. There will never again be another group like the 144,000, specially consecrated to their work for Christ, highlighted by their abstinence and truthfulness.

Verse 6 seems to refer to another angel besides Michael, with the reference and meaning being similar to that type of described angel. His gospel message is clear to all: “Fear God and give Him glory”. Perhaps this angel does not specifically invite people to salvation, but he says just as much by noting the Creator, who is worthy of worship. People are to get the message to repent as a result, as they are enjoying worship of the beast instead.

John then sees the rejection of that message, and the fall of Babylon. Further, the “wine of Babylon” represents all the excess of the wicked living that expresses unfaithfulness toward God. Babylon is likely a reference to a literal city, and the world under its control.

Anyone having the mark of the beast is doomed to meet disaster, both physically and spiritually forever. They will experience the reality of God’s wrath, and the angels send a message of warning to the weak to not defect to worship of the beast, tempting as it will be to do so. The message also serves as an encouragement to the faithful believers to persevere. It will be better to be killed by the beast than to suffer eternally with him. Further, the blessing in verse 13 seems to be on believers executed by the beast.

In verse 14 Christ is seen prevailing, and the angel informs Him that the time for the harvest has come. The harvest of the condemned is described in two separate images here, stressing the severity of the judgment. To sum it up, the earth will be filled with evil fruit that is to be collected. The vineyard must be trampled. (“He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored” – Battle Hymn of the Republic).

There is no easy way to write about such a massive slaughter and loss of human life. John provides some gruesome detail. To make matters more grave, seven bowls of God’s anger awaits.

SO WHAT…?

So, the Tribulation will certainly be a time of testing the faithful. I also face testing daily as a Christian. Choices of obedience to God must be made regularly. What I am in Christ, internally, will guide what I do externally.

So, I think it appropriate to formulate a plan of witnessing around a great statement resulting from this chapter: It will be better to be killed by the beast than to spend eternity with him. Dear friends who are un-saved need to know that the Christian life may not always be fun and games, and it will always be glorious from an eternal perspective.

REVELATION 13:11-18, Three Sixes

Another, lesser beast arises, this time from the earth, not the sea. This beast plays a secondary role to the first beast, as indicated by only having two horns in comparison. His role is primarily that of a religious nature, guiding people to worship of the first beast, the antichrist. This beast has a “Christian” appearance, but it is a fake, a counterfeit, as Satan is using such means to mimic God. This “false prophet” is subtle, and seductive to lure people into the dragon’s trap, as he complements the agenda of the first beast.

He will perform great signs, as he obscures truth and confuses people, who pledge their allegiance for all the wrong reasons. They’ll feel good about doing so, however, unaware of the trap into which they have fallen. This beast has power that far outweighs that of the Egyptian magicians just prior to the Exodus, and he will be very convincing. Jesus actually prophesied of such power and signs to be displayed by the false christs, and here the beast apparently has divine permission to exhibit this power. Once again, remember, this is during a time of great judgment, and God can very well use such means to carry out His justice.

A physical image of the first beast is constructed, calling to mind the image erected by Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3. The image/idol appears to actually speak, and have power to kill those who will not worship its likeness.

Most are familiar with “the mark of the beast”, in some form or another, often fictionalized “Hollywood style”. At some point after the sealing of believers, in chapter 7, the antichrist will drive loyalty by enforcing the issuance and reception of a unique identification, on a person’s hand or forehead. Most believe this to be some sort of branding, such as was common to soldiers, slaves, and people whose work involved devotion to the temple. Then, it will become necessary to display this mark of loyalty to the beast in order to conduct commerce, even to buy life essentials such as food. Receiving the mark and worship of the beast/dragon are directly connected and inseparable.

Much is also made about the number at the end of this chapter, the triple sixes, or “666”. Some believe this to be symbolic of an unholy trinity (Satan, antichrist, false prophet), since “6” is incomplete, and short of “7” which is considered a “perfect”, divine number, symbolic of divinity. Others believe that the mark itself will be three sixes. Many theories also abound that this number was fulfilled by some evil historic figure. Speculation runs rampant, and this makes for good books. A closer look at John’s writing should make this issue a bit clearer.

John says the one who has understanding should “calculate”, or “count” to arrive at the number. Given that this is to happen during the Tribulation, is would appear that believers would be able to figure out the number, that is, it will be obvious to them who the players are in opposition to Christ. The antichrist will be known to be so by believers. The primary meaning then is that calculating a number will be a help to Christians during that time, so that they can clearly identify the antichrist and his team.

A large amount of curiosity for us is normal, yet the number is meant to be recognizable to believers then. Thus, speculation on our part in our time is not helpful or very profitable. The “calculating” will make more sense when antichrist actually appears on the scene. Make sense? If not, it’s OK, it will.

SO WHAT…?

So, how eagerly, perhaps blindly, do I follow what simply feels good or is easiest?

So, it’s fun to speculate and predict, to look for “signs” today. Yet, more important is to follow the Lord as what He has for me to do for Him. Eternity will provide the time to figure out all the prophecies.

So, I can take comfort that God is watching out for me now. If He will do so for those in the midst of the Tribulation, surely I can rest in His joy now.

REVELATION 13:1-10, The Beast

Satan, the dragon, now seeks to carry out his war against the followers of Christ, and he will use people to do so. The main player through the second half of the Tribulation will be the false christ, the antichrist, here depicted as the beast. He will rule the final world empire.

He has ten horns, seven heads, and there are crowns on the horns. The horns would seem to be “kings” or major rulers aiding Satan during this time. They will be ruling at the same time. The heads, however, appear to be successive rulers (in chapter 17, one head at a time is on the beast), and the seventh head appears to have been fatally wounded at one time. Verses 12 and 14 equate this head with the whole beast.

In line with visions in Daniel, blasphemy of God will be magnified by this beast. Given that the dragon, Satan, is the source of the beast’s power and authority, what else would one expect?

Satan seeks to mimic Christ as he fools the world. The false christ requires a sign on the forehead or hand, just as Christ sealed believers with a sign on the forehead. Both have swords, both are slain, and both rise to new life and authority (how God allows the antichrist to be raised is unknown. Is Satan granted that power, or is this an amazing deception by Satan?). Both claim power over the whole world. Only one will be around eternally in heaven, as we will discover later. The dragon’s attempt to counterfeit Christ’s death and resurrection is shown in the slain head of the beast which will appear as a miraculous resurrection.

The wonder of the people evolves into their worship of the beast, which is worship of the dragon. In Daniel 7 and 12 the little horn blasphemes God and seduces mankind. He diverts attention from God, and directs it toward civil power. Antichrist’s physical reign on the earth will be one of political and civil power. He will dominate the same people for whom Christ died and rose again.

As hard as it might be to understand, God shows His sovereignty over world governments and powers. The antichrist is “allowed” to do what he does for these 42 months. Remember, this is a time of judgment of the enemies of God, in addition to God’s reclamation of His people Israel. God can and will use whatever means He chooses to carry out His justice.

People have always opposed Christ, and I would argue that it is even more fashionable to do so now. In the Tribulation period, people will be even more enthusiastic in opposing Christ, and they will just as eagerly worship the beast and dragon during this period of time.

Finally, the Book of Life described here can spur disagreement among believers. One author (Thomas) believes this to show that all names are originally in this book, and some are then subsequently removed when those people die in an un-regenerated, unsaved state. Others believe the names are added as people get saved. Since the book appears to be present before God before the foundations of the world, I would side with the first option. Otherwise, as I see it, we end up with predestination ideas where God decided before creation those who would and would not get saved.

What is known from this part of this chapter is that the beast will indeed have some victory over the saints in this period. Thankfully, their defeat is momentary, as they are then transferred to glory to be with Christ forever.

SO WHAT…?

So, it is very easy to think we are so near the end of time as we know it, just by observing the world around us. Maybe we are, maybe not. Regardless, people still desperately need the gospel, and we need to tell them.

So, I am thankful to know my name is written in that Book, “written down in Glory…bound for heaven, never more to roam”.

So, I rest in the assurance that this world, its workings, and the plans for all of eternity are safely in the hands of Almighty God.

REVELATION 12, A woman, a dragon, a child, a war

So why all the wrath? Why so much judgment? Well, for answers we can begin by looking at Revelation 12. A holy and just God must punish the unrepentant. Here we will have to try to assign meanings or people to symbols, since the chapter starts with John seeing a “sign”, a clear indication of symbolism used. Stay with me, we are still reading the Bible literally, looking for literal meaning. Think of a thick blue line on a map, how it “means” or “represents” an interstate highway. I can then look at a map, see a number 95 on a thick blue line, and know that it literally means interstate 95.

This chapter is a sort of parenthesis, a pause in the action, giving us an opportunity to look back at how we got to this point.

The woman is national Israel, and the moon would refer to Jacob’s wife, Rachel, the mother of Joseph. Genesis 37 is the image presented here (one of Joseph’s dreams). The twelve stars represent Israel’s tribes. The woman in this vision is about to give birth.

The great dragon is Satan, and his seven heads may represent consecutive world empires, with one of the horns on the seventh head referring to Daniel 7:24, Daniel’s vision involving the anti-Christ. The stars swept from heaven would seem to be fallen angels who followed Satan. His fall led to his deception of Adam and Eve, resulting in sin entering the human race. Satan awaits the birth from the woman, so as to devour the child, knowing this child is the One who can right the wrongs of man, the only hope of redemption for the fallen world.

The male child born from national Israel is Christ. Though Satan tried, he could not defeat or get rid of this child. He may have thought he did when Jesus was crucified, but we know better, and so does Satan.

Fast forward now to the midpoint of the tribulation. Reminiscent of Daniel 12, there is a great war in heaven, Satan and his angels vs. Michael and God’s. Side note, some believe this to mean that Satan and Michael are very similar beings. The winner? Michael. The cost to Satan for losing? No more access to heaven. Scripture teaches us that there is one who accuses believers before God, that being Satan (Job 1, Gen. 3, Zech. 3:1, and here in Rev. 12:12). And so it appears that during the second half of the Tribulation, he is banished to earth, no longer able to accuse in heaven.

Believers overcome him with faith in Jesus. In his anger, Satan attacks the woman, the now-supernaturally protected Israel, but “she” is delivered by God. In his attack on her, God uses the earth, nature in some way, to protect her. In his frustration, he can only now go after “the rest of her children”, possibly some who did not physically make it to the literal place of escape, or possibly the 144,000 who were sealed. Satan makes war now with those who are loyal to Christ. Daniel saw this, too, more than 2500 years ago, as depicted in Daniel 7.

SO WHAT…?

So, as the people here rejoice in the blood of the Lamb, I likewise rejoice in Romans 8:34. Christ is right there, interceding for me, while Satan continues to accuse me.

So, Satan, along with my own fleshly temptations, looks to cause me to stumble. James 4:7 tells me to resist him, and he will flee. Simple, not easy.

So, it’s worth repeating. The Tribulation is no place to desire to be. The day of salvation is today, the time is now.

REVELATION 11:15-19

Five verses here, packed with excitement and anticipation. The seventh angel sounds its trumpet, and the reign of Christ is declared forever!

God’s eternal kingdom will be forever, for eternity, and yet it will start literally on earth, with Christ on the throne. In response to hearing the trumpet, and the declaration of the kingdom, the 24 elders follow suit with worship. The fall on their faces and tell God just how great He is, and by their actions show how unworthy they are. Humbly subject to God.

Verse 17 begins a prayer of thanksgiving to God, and though this prayer fits a specific happening, the pattern is such that we would do well to follow. Those in prayer recognize God’s almighty power, and pay homage to Him reigning. His holy justice is acknowledged as are His promises of reward to His people. Just as He has promised heavenly reward, so He has also promised His wrath to those who do not accept His Son.

And then, as if in response to the prayers, God opens up the heavenly temple, and there sits the ark of the covenant. Whether or not it will literally be there will have to remain to be seen. The original ark in the Jerusalem temple disappeared after the city fell to Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. Some believe it was destroyed, others believe it was taken and hidden in the region of Alexandria. Still others believe it was taken and hidden at Mt. Sinai by Jeremiah, only to be returned or revealed when God would again establish His temple.

John’s believing readers would immediately recognize God in His temple with the ark as a complete picture of Him reigning eternal. The ark was where God was, in the holy of holies, and where only the high priest could go, nationally representing each person’s individual faith. Christ came to rule the hearts of individuals, inviting all to come to the Father through Him. God shows that His kingdom, His temple is ready for all who will come.

Following this awesome display by God are thunder and lightning, and earthquake and a hailstorm. It reminds me of something out of a sci-fi movie, but this is God’s power on display. How will the unbeliever respond? How should we?

SO WHAT…?

So, I get to read of God’s promises, of His justice, of His wrath. I should therefore present my life humbly before Him in worship, in recognition of just how great He is, though I can scarcely comprehend that.

So, God is very serious about getting our attention, about calling the lost to Him to believe. Often, I fail to sense the urgency of my part in being a witness for Him, and I need to step it up.

So, I also pray that my regular, corporate worship to Him shows Him that I recognize my proper and humble place before Him. It’s about Him, not me.

REVELATION 11:1-14

When we realize that the Tribulation is intended for God to complete His promises to Israel, while claiming more Gentile believers along the way, it makes sense to see that the Jewish temple will be fully operational during that time. When we come to chapter 11, we see a real temple in a real city of Jerusalem, prior to the return of Christ.

Those outside of the worship of God during this time, those outside of the reclaimed Israel, will be in full rebellion against God during this time and will be subject to His wrath. It would appear that the 42 months mentioned here refers to the second half of the seven-year Tribulation, 42 months leading up to the return of Christ. Jewish worship is continuing, even with the Gentile intrusion, as depicted by the temple measurements taken, excluding the outer court. God will continue to get His message across in spite of oppression.

The two witnesses are a fascinating study, and another one that is difficult to pin down or be dogmatic about. Historically, in the Old Testament it took two witnesses to convict someone of wrongdoing. Jesus required two witnesses in the matter of discipline (Matt. 18), and Paul under inspiration from God wrote of two witnesses to validate a judgment. Here, the two witnesses are definitely prophetic voices of the future. Sticking with the literal meaning of the text, they are likely Moses and Elijah, though this is debatable. The images conjured by the descriptions tend to favor these two sent back to this world by God.

Their ministry is 1260 days, coinciding with the work of the false christs in the city and the trampling mentioned in verse 2. They will seek to restore Israel, and are very near to the Lord. With them, God will once again literally protect His messengers with fire.

The witnesses will complete their tasks, and will be killed by a beast from the abysss (demonic in nature). To the readers of John’s letter, it was understood as the biggest human indignity to leave a corpse unburied. Such is the case of the bodies of the two witnesses. The world will celebrate, as they will have been “tormenting” people by troubling their consciences.

Imagine the shock when God resurrects them, and summons them back to heaven! This will take place in full and open view. It will be as if those who hated the witnesses will wonder “Now what?” as they sense more of God’s power and wrath to be released upon the world.

Their ascension is to be followed by a great earthquake, and it appears that some will even repent as a result. The stage is set for the seventh trumpet…

SO WHAT...?

So, even today, I can sense that people rejoice when bad things happen to Christians. Maybe it's a bit cynical to think that there are many who simply want to see Christians disappear. Soon enough. Bottom line: I need to be a good testimony, regardless of circumstances, resting in the joy that can only come from the Holy Spirit.