I. God Warns of a One-World Canceling
Revelation 17:1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment [legal decision of judgment] of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters [nations]. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast [false religious power in control of government] that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads [forms of government] and ten horns [world leaders]. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
2 Kings 20:17 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.
Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
Daniel 1:6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel [God is my judge], Hananiah [God is gracious], Mishael [who is like God] and Azariah [God has helped]. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar [Bel is my prince]; to Hananiah, Shadrach [friend of the king]; to Mishael, Meshach [worshipper of Shach]; and to Azariah, Abednego [servant of Nego].
Application: Stand firm for Jesus in the face of cancel culture.
II. God Warns of a One-World Controlling
Revelation 17:6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints [false religion persecuting true believers], the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come [past, present, & future]. 9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits [Rome]. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction [Antichrist].
1) Egypt, 2) Assyria, 3) Babylon, 4) Persia, 5) Greece, 6) Roman, 7) Revived Roman, 8) Antichrist
Application: Recognize God uses evil governments to accomplish His will.
III. The Antichrist Demands
Revelation 17:12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” 15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Application: Only worship of Jesus will lead to eternal life.