1. Listen to the Message
Today’s Scriptures:
Revelation 17-18
Significant symbols/characters in Chapter 17
The Prostitute: “Mystery Babylon the Great”
The Beast
The 7 Kings
The 10 Kings
The Revelation explained
The Harlot represents
Prostitution is often equated with worshiping false gods throughout Scripture.
Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there… —Jeremiah 3:6
There is a movement today towards the religion of tolerance “Coexist”
The Beast represents
This is the same beast from chapter 13:1-4 that received his power from the Dragon.
The 7 kings represent
Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, Rome, one not yet come (prostitute/false religion and Antichrist)
The 10 kings represent a future
The
Significant symbols/characters in Revelation 18
Babylon the Great
The charges and proclamation of judgment on Babylon and its citizens
The kings, business leaders, and merchants
God’s offer of grace ends and His righteous wrath begins
“Babylon the great” represents a
The pervasive and seductive draw of materialism is often imperceptible but can destroy completely.
The plea to God’s people to resist this seduction is urgent and imperative.
2 Corinthians 6:17, Romans 12:1, 1 John 2:15-17
The charges against her reveal the
The biggest issue with materialism is that it completely eliminates God from the equation and makes us the “god” of our universe.
The kings, leaders and merchants reveal that
Only the ones who are saved during the tribulation will be able to resist the seduction of this materialism.
All kinds of evil and wickedness will be part of this wicked, capitalistic society. There is no altruism in this day. Everyone will only be interested in what they can get.
Notice the reason they are sad; not because of the lives being destroyed, but because their ability to gain is ruined. (vs.17-18)
The
God’s patience and long-suffering will end.
Many mistake the grace and mercy of God as the tolerance and permission of God. This is woefully wrong.
God did not give us the book of Revelation so we’d build bomb shelters in the backyard. He gave us the book so we’d build bigger dinner tables and invite our friends over and tell them about Jesus —Matt Smethurst
My Additional Notes:
2. Discuss in a Life Group
READ TOGETHER:
Read through Revelation 17 and 18.
DISCUSS
What parallel can we make between the allure of the prostitue in chapter 17 and the idea of tolerance today?
DISCUSS
Some may get hung up on the details of whether Babylon is actual or symbolic. Does this really matter in the end? On what should we focus?
DISCUSS
Discuss how Isaiah 14:12-14 are related to Revelation 17:16-18.
DISCUSS
What impact does materilaism have on the average Christian today?
DISCUSS
Like the merchants in 18:17-18, are we more concerned about our “stuff” or people?
DISCUSS
In your opinion, what are the biggest takeaways from chapters 17 and 18?
PRAY
Take some time to pray for each other. Any specific needs can be listed here.