Revelation 17:1-18

INTRO

Who is your favorite Disney Princess and why?

Snow White

Cinderella

Aurora

Ariel

Belle

Jasmine

Pocahontas

Mulan

Tiana

Rapunzel

Merida

Moana

Raya

What does a Disney princess have to do with todays sermon??

She was old, incredibly old, so old that Horace Holly refused to believe what she said about her age. She was beautiful too, beyond words to describe. For that reason she went veiled, lest her beauty drive men mad. She was wise and clever and had a fund of knowledge and experience gleaned over a score of centuries. She was ambitious. Her soaring plans to conquer the world left Horace and Leo Vincey aghast.

Author Rider Haggard tells us all this as he spins the web of one of his most famous works of fiction, She. subtitled A History of Adventure, is a novel by the English writer H. Rider Haggard, published in 1887. She was extraordinarily popular upon its release and has never been out of print.

She was called Ayesha by name but often just as “she who must be obeyed” had vast powers at her command, secrets she had wrung from nature in long and lonely vigils over the years. She was fascinating, with her varying moods, spellbinding charm, imperious will, daring courage, and vacillating hopes and fears. She was evil.

She was a woman old and beautiful, wise and ambitious, fascinating and evil. At the end of volume one of the story, Rider Haggard tells of a climax, sudden, startling, and unexpected. Ayesha, the glorious, takes Leo Vincey to bathe in the mysterious fires from whence had come her beauty and her length of days. To demonstrate the virtue of the flames. Ayesha stepped into them first, but something went horribly wrong. The process was reversed, and instead of emerging glorified anew, she suddenly turned visibly old.

“Her face was growing old before my eyes,” says Holly. “Her glorious eyes grew dim. She put her hand to her head and touched her hair—and oh, horror of horrors, it all fell out upon the floor. She was shrivelling up; smaller and smaller she grew; her skin changed color and in place of its lustre it turned dirty brown and yellow, like withered parchment. Her hand became a claw, like that of a badly preserved mummy. Smaller she grew and smaller yet, till she was no larger than a monkey. Now her skin was puckered into a million wrinkles, and on that shapeless face was the stamp of unutterable age. She who but minutes before had gazed upon us the loveliest, noblest, most splendid woman the world has ever seen lay before us, no larger than a monkey, and hideous—ah, too hideous for words!”

The whole tale is only fiction, but there is another woman. This woman too is old, so old that man cannot count her years. She was born before the founding of Rome, before the days of David, before the calling of Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees. She is beautiful too, if worldly splendor is beautiful. She is wise, well versed in the ways of mankind. She is ambitious, for from the very beginning she has wanted to rule the earth, and to a great extent has succeeded, for her fingers are in every political pie. This woman, too, is fascinating and attracts all manner of men to herself. She has a thousand wiles for bringing her lovers to her feet. And she is evil, although her wickedness is, for the most part, well masked and veneered. Beneath her smiles, her heart is as black as pitch. Her hands drip red with blood, and her history is the annals of hell. This woman’s name is written in bold, black letters in the chapter before us. She is MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF EARTH’S ABOMINATIONS…Or as the world will call her “She Who Must Be Obeyed”

Revelation 17 ESV

1 Then 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, 2 with 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.” 3 And 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. 4 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. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. 7 But 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. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit 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. 9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10 they 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. 11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. 12 And 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. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14 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.” 15 And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And 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, 17 for 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. 18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

PRAYER

A -

C -

T -

S -

MESSAGE

Are you a Babylonian Seduced by this world or a Believer commited to Christ?

Beware, This World is Alluring

Revelation 17:1–2 ESV

1 Then 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, 2 with 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.”

Revelation 17:4 ESV

4 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.

One world religious movement that encapsulates the other world religions??

Sin is Seductive…

Proverbs 23:31–32 “31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.”

James 1:13–14 “13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”

1 John 2:16 “16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

This is the same trick as in the garden…

We want all manner of things

When is enough really enough

John D. Rockefeller (worlds first billionaire) = “How much is enough?” - “Just a little bit more!”

pleasures of this world… flat & fleeting

We must be smitten with Christ!

Rejoice, The Lamb is Satisfying

Beware, This World is Savage

Revelation 17:6 ESV

6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Since Abel the blood of the saints has been shed by the wicked… When Antichrist comes the world will be glutenous!!

The ecstasy of destruction…

drunk on power

drunk on sin… enough is never enough

Sacrifices on the Altar of Self-interest

abortion

euthanasia

divorce

affairs

pornography

theft

murder

deceit

covertness

idolatry

John 8:44 “44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Rejoice, The Lamb is Merciful

Beware, This World is Relentless

John marvels at her but why should we??

Revelation 17:8 ESV

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit 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.

The antichrist will win the affections of the world by his satanic resurrection !!

Revelation 17:5 ESV

5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”

Time and time again the kingdom of the beast has been reborn to wreak havoc on this world… Babel - Rome

The Energizer Bunny is the mascot of Energizer batteries in North America. First appearing on Oct 30 1988. It is a pink mechanical toy rabbit with an Energizer battery on its thy wearing sunglasses and blue and black striped flip-flops that beats a bass drum bearing the Energizer logo.

Revelation 12:12 “12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!””

1 John 2:17 “17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

We must seek to persevere / hold fast / fight on / stand strong…

Galatians 6:7–10 “7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Hebrews 12:3 “3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

1 Timothy 6:11–12 “11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

We stop serving one mistress only to be wooed by another, and yet another again after this…

Many Antichrists have come and will come again until one day when Jesus puts it all to its final end

Rejoice, The Lamb Gives Rest

Beware, This World is Methodical

Revelation 17:9–13 ESV

9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10 they 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. 11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. 12 And 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. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.

One thing leads to another and then to the next… but ultimately to destruction !

Revelation 17:5 “5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.””

Our foe is ancient and wise, He does know our weaknesses and He will exploit them!!

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

James 1:13–15 “13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Rejoice, The Lamb is Sovereign

Beware, This World is Formidable

Revelation 12:3 ESV

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.

Revelation 12:9 ESV

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 12:12 ESV

12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Revelation 13:1 ESV

1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

Revelation 13:7 ESV

7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,

To those who do not know the truth all things appear as if the Beast and his Babylonians are indomitable.

Satan is ancient, strong, cunning, and calculating… and yet already defeated!!

Exalting Jesus in Revelation This World Is Powerful, but Its Time Is Short (Revelation 17:11–13)

It is influential and powerful. It is intimidating and prosperous. It is enticing and persuasive. It gives every appearance of the promise of victory, of the winning team: Get on board or get crushed. Join the team or be called a fool.

This is not the winning team! This is not the end of the story… This is but an illusion of victory

1 Peter 5:8–9 “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Rejoice, The Lamb Offers Hope

Beware, This World is Foolish

Revelation 17:14 ESV

14 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.”

Talk about picking the wrong opponent

Proverbs 6:27–28 “27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?”

Psalm 113:5 “5 Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,”

Psalm 77:13 “13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?”

Psalm 18:31 “31 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?—”

1 Chronicles 17:20 “20 There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

Exodus 15:11 “11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”

Psalm 14:1 “1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”

Rejoice, The Lamb is Victorious

Beware, This World is Ephemeral

Revelation 17:1 ESV

1 Then 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,

Revelation 17:16–17 ESV

16 And 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, 17 for 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.

Sin is always self destructive, satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy !! His doom is sure for he brings it upon himself… even those who follow him, he desires to destroy!

Matthew 6:19–20 “19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Satan / sin / and This world are the great prostitute that promise great things but only deliver devastation

Revelation 17:4 “4 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.”

Rejoice, The Lamb is Eternal

CLOSE

Exalting Jesus in Revelation Conclusion

C. J. Mahaney has well said, “Today, the greatest challenge facing [evangelical, Bible-believing] American [Christians] is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world”

Exalting Jesus in Revelation Conclusion

The Christian apologist C. S. Lewis would add,

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who goes on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are too easily pleased. (Weight of Glory, 25–26)

Do not be a Babylonian Seduced by this world or a Believer commited to Christ!

Group Questions

Compare and contrast the image of Babylon as described in this chapter with the new Jerusalem as described in Revelation 21.

How does this description of Babylon resemble the American dream?

When examining your own heart, what are some of the things of this world that tend to distract you from God and His good plan for you?

How do the many antichrists relate to the antichrist of Revelation? What antichrists can you observe in the world today?

The kingdom of the beast cannot last. It fails to deliver on its promises of domination and victory. How have you seen the empty promises of sin and rebellion lead to ruin?

Compare Revelation 17:14 with Psalm 2. What parallels do you see?

How does Revelation 17:14 show the balance between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility? What other passages would you point to that illustrate this balance?

What does the beast’s turn against the prostitute tell you about Satan’s character? About his end goal?

What does it mean that we are too easily pleased by the things of this world? What kind of pleasure should we strive for?

How can Christians pursue faithfulness to Christ when so much of our society seems caught up in “Babylonianism”? How can we protect against the prostitute’s seduction?