Revelation 17 | Judgment of Babylon

Revelation 17 Judgement on Babylon
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Today’s daily devotional on Revelation 17 unveils a striking vision of judgment, symbolized through the imagery of the great prostitute and the beast. This chapter challenges readers to discern whether their lives align with the transient ways of the world or the eternal truth of God’s Word.

It serves as a reminder that worldly systems often oppose God’s purposes, luring many into spiritual compromise. Yet, amid the chaos, the chapter reassures us of the ultimate victory of the Lamb, the Lord of lords and King of kings, and of the faithfulness of those who stand with Him.

As you reflect on this passage, consider the pull of the world and the steadfast call of Christ. Are you walking in the ways of the world, or the ways of the Word? To see the judgements the seven angels pour out on the earth, read the daily devotional on Revelation 16.

Revelation 17 Commentary by Allen J. Huth

Revelation 17 is the continuation of the wrath of God poured out on the earth. Are you caught up in the ways of the world or the ways of the Word? Please read or listen to Revelation 17.

Where in the Bible Does It Say They Will Wage War Against the Lamb?

Chapter 17 was hard to understand. Let’s see what my journals reflect about it. What was my insight at forty years old, in 1995? I wrote, “Judgment of great harlot. I don’t understand. The beast was, is not, and is to come? Seven kings, five gone, one is, one is to come. Are these eras of history? Beast is an eight, yet he is one of the seven.

Does that mean again that he once was, is not, but will be again, so one of seven reigns twice? Doesn’t much matter because when the beast wages war with the Lamb, since ‘the Lamb will overcome them, because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful’ (v. 14 NASB).”

Then I wrote, “Woman, this great city that reigns over the earth?” You can see, even then I struggled with trying to understand chapter 17.

Surely, when I was fifty-three years old in 2008, I had a better understanding. Let’s see. “There are many images of evil in Revelation. Dragon, beast, false prophet, great harlot. Satan manifests himself in diverse ways with same results, destruction of people by pulling them away from God and Jesus Christ.

They also have the same destiny, defeat at the hands of Jesus. God puts His purpose in the hearts of men and demons to execute His purpose until the words of God will be fulfilled.”  I am not sure that clarifies much of Revelation 17, but it does give us a different perspective.

Who Gives Power to the Beast in Revelation?

Let’s go on to when I was fifty-eight years old in 2013. I was still in Mobile, Alabama, so I am sure that will give me a new perspective. I wrote, “The judgment of the great prostitute, Babylon, the symbol of evil, power, immorality, that engulfs people, even killing saints and martyrs of Jesus.

Those not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will experience the great prostitute. Kings, leaders will turn over their power to the beast and make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them all. The beast and prostitute fight each other because everyone, everything carries out God’s purpose, even evil, that God’s Word is fulfilled.”

I am not sure even over the years of reading this chapter and journaling it, I understand it any better today.

What Does Revelation Say About the Prostitute?

As we look at Revelation 17, the overriding question is, who is the great prostitute? What does she symbolize? To gain some insight, I turn to those much wiser than me, those who wrote the footnotes in my English Standard Version Study Bible:

The “great prostitute” and “Babylon the great” are synonymous, both depicting the empire of the beast. (She) represents the lust of godless societies for sensual pleasure and their rejection of all restraints. Her becoming drunk on the blood of the saints, and the beast on which she sits, reveals that, in cultures that defy God, an insidious conspiracy unites the relentless pursuit of wealth and pleasure and the ruthless exercise of political and coercive power (p. 2486).

So there you have it. Now we understand. Or do we? We can look at a few opening verses to get a better description of this “great prostitute” from the Word of God itself, “The 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. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations’” (vv. 4-5).

What Does God Say About the Ways of the World?

What I see out of those verses is the earth’s system opposed to the system of God. It is the coerciveness of the way of the world that is taking people away from the way of the Word. This system, this great prostitute, always has been and always will be until this day of judgment. Have you fallen to the great prostitute? Have you followed the ways of the world rather than the ways of the Word?

What Is the Significance of Revelation 17?

I wrote in one of my journals, whether I understand this chapter or not really does not matter. What matters is, “These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They 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” (vs. 13-14). Whether it is the great prostitute, or the beast she rides on, or any of these beasts, they will all lose in battle to the Lord of lords, the King of kings. To that we should shout the hallelujah!

Prayer

Father, we are reading about the judgment of the “great prostitute,” but in our day, it still exists. It is pulling people away from You all the time, each and every day. Strengthen us, Lord, help us not to be caught up in the system of the world, but give our hearts over to the system of Your Word. Holy Spirit, keep us from falling into temptation; the ways of the world verses the ways of the Word. May You find us chosen and faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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The Prayer of Salvation

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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