We Win – The Book of Revelation: Chapter 17-18 (CSB)

Scripture | Revelation 17-18 (CSB)

We Win – The Book of Revelation 08 | Michael Braden | Assistant Pastor in Connect Care & Grow / Local Outreach | 03.26.2023

I. Introduction

Read Scripture
3 Then he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. She had a golden cup in her hand filled with everything detestable and with the impurities of her prostitution. 5 On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE DETESTABLE THINGS OF THE EARTH. 6 Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished —Revelation 17:3-6 (CSB)

II. Chapter 17: The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

• Verses 1-6 shows us a very interesting scene
• Verse 7 tells us that we don’t have to guess, the angel will explain the scene for us.
• Jump to verses 15 and 18 to get context on the woman
• ‘Many waters’ points to the impact of the woman, similar verbiage to Rev. 7:9
• Is said to be the great city Babylon
• Then go back and look at verses 1-6 in context
• Who is Babylon?

o Recognition of the spiritual and physical sides of Babylon
o Chapter 17 speaks more to the spiritual side
o Historic examples of Babylon throughout history and the Old Testament
o Babylon is mentioned 280 times in the bible
o Was founded by King Nimrod in Genesis 10:9-10

• Jump back to verses 8-14 to get context on the beast

o From previous scriptures we know the beast in the antichrist
o ’was, and is, and is about’ speaks to the life, death, and resurrection of the antichrist
o The seven heads represent seven kings or kingdoms, 5 have fallen, 1 is, and 1 has not yet come
o The 5 that have fallen are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Meda-Persia, and Greece. The one “that is” represents Rome, the power in John’s day. The one “that is yet to come” is the kingdom of the antichrist
o The ten horns represent the 10 kings who have not received kingdoms yet. Their only purpose is to give their power and authority to the beast.
o They will then make war against the Lamb (Rev.19)
o However, the Lamb will prevail because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, Amen!

• Jump to verses 16-17

o We learn that the beast and 10 kings will turn on the woman and destroy her
o We also learn that they do this because it is God’s will, showing God’s supremacy and power
o Despite the circumstances, God is still in control

III. Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great

• In the midst of the judgment we see God call His people to flee from Babylon
• Move from the midst of Babylon, go out of the land of the Chaldeans; and be like the rams before the flocks. (Jer. 50:8)
• Flee from the midst of Babylon, and every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; He shall recompense her. (Jer. 51:6)
• We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her, and let us go everyone to his own country; for her judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up to the skies. (Jer. 51:9)
• My people, go out of the midst of her! And let everyone deliver himself from the fierce anger of the LORD. (Jer. 51:45)
• Points to God’s grace and mercy throughout the chaos
• We see the judgment of Babylon in action and the response of three groups of people:
• Reaction from the Kings of the earth (Vs.9-10)
• Reaction from the Merchants (Vs. 15-17)
• Reaction from the Shipmasters (Vs. 18-19)

o This is in contrast to the reaction we hear in heaven of this judgment in verse 20
o Verses 21-24 speaks on the finality of Babylon’s judgment

Reflection Question:

What areas of your life have you committed sexual immorality with Babylon?

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