Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
Revelation 17:1-18
The Last Word: "Fall of Babylon"
https://youtu.be/RCcWAWp8Ebc
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the scriptural story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
#People = John the Apostle, Angel, The Great Prostitute (Babylon), The Beast, Kings of the Earth
#Time =
#Place =
- Wilderness
- Many Waters (peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues)
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
The Great Prostitute and the Beast
1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” 3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 6And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.a
When I saw her, I marveled greatly. 7But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pitb and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. 9This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. 11As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. 12And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
15And the angelc said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17for 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. 18And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”
- The Vision of the Prostitute (Verses 1-6):
- An angel shows John a vision of a great prostitute sitting on many waters, representing peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
- The prostitute is drunk with the blood of God's holy people and commits spiritual adultery with the kings of the earth.
- The Beast and the Prostitute (Verses 7-18):
- The angel explains the mystery of the woman and the beast.
- The beast represents a once-powerful, yet doomed, entity.
- The seven heads symbolize seven hills (Rome) and seven kings.
- The ten horns represent ten kings who haven't yet received a kingdom but will gain authority with the beast for a short time.
- The Ultimate Victory (Verses 14):
- The Lamb conquers the beast and the kings with him.
- The Lamb is Lord of lords and King of kings.
- The Downfall of Babylon (Verses 16-17):
- The beast and the ten horns will turn against the prostitute and destroy her.
- This destruction fulfills God's purpose to place their power under the beast's control until God's words are fulfilled.
- Judgment of the Harlot: Represents spiritual unfaithfulness and corruption.
- Religious Apostasy: Shows the rejection of true worship and faith.
- Worldly Alliances: Illustrates the dangers of forming alliances based on earthly power rather than spiritual principles.
- Prophecy and Fulfillment: Emphasizes God's sovereign control over history.
Revelation 17 provides a powerful warning against spiritual adultery and the corrupting influence of worldly power. It emphasizes the ultimate victory of God through Jesus Christ and encourages believers to remain faithful in the face of opposition.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Other Resources:
- Other YouTube Videos
Living For Jesus in Revelation 17:10-18:3
Articles
Devotions
- Links
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