The Destruction of Babylon

Rev. 17:1-7

Introduction: In chapter 17, God gives specific details regarding Babylon the future. There are two Babylon: ecclesiastical which is the apostate church headed up under the papacy and political: the Beast’s confederated empire.

This is a religious and political power in the future. God describes to us the condition and the hypocrisy of religion. He is exposing the corruption and compromise of Babylon, which is obviously Rome. In first half of the chapter, God gives us the mystery of Rome in vv. 1-7, and then unveils the mystery in vv. 8-18. The picture is graphic and wording is totally transparent on what God wants us to know about the future.

I. The characteristics vv. 1-3

A. The position

1. This great whore refers to the apostate church means meant is not pure but corrupted by much impurity-v. 1-called the great whore because it allows other gods to be be their attention-we see much of this today as the modern church is seen in its compromise with a woke/LBGT culture, tolerating ungodliness and unholiness into its fold and even following a pantheistic, environmental agenda.

2. The true church is to be the virgin bride of Christ 2 Corinthians 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

3. This compromise is seen in defilements of many waters- v.15-many nations, peoples.

4. Notice its religious, political position in the world.

B. The compromise

1. Since the Bride has been raptured, the only thing left is the harlot and the religious system of the world.

2. The scarlet beast v. 3-represents the final stages of a Gentile world empire headed up by an individual-the beast who embodies all its characteristics, ambitions, and powers which is administered by 10 subordinate kings.

3. The seven heads refer to the kingdoms controlled by Satan.

NOTE: Babylon was founded by Nimrod Genesis 10:8–11 “And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,”

The ruins of the ancient city of Babylon are located in the modern day Iraq near the city of Hillah, about 55-60 miles south of Baghdad. It is situated upon the Euphrates River and is recognized as a UNESCO World heritage site. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Its mission is to establish global peace by promoting education, science, and culture by safeguarding heritage.

It was the place of the famous tower erected in Gen. 11 to reach heaven man’s way. Founded upon humanism and idolatry. Religious compromise is when reason and spiritual truth try to intersect. It is impossible to reason out the Bible. This is a place of compromise and unholiness which carries the reputation to this day. Babylon is considered a place of religious hypocrisy and ungodliness. Apostasy at its highest level which will be evident in the future.

II. The description vv. 4-7

A. The appearance vv. 4-5

1. It is the wealth of Rome here which captures the heart of the kings. Follow the money trail.

2. The total wealth of the Roman Catholic Church

The total wealth of the Roman Catholic Church is incredibly difficult to estimate, with figures varying wildly, but it likely falls in the hundreds of billions of dollars, possibly exceeding $1 trillion in global real estate alone, although only a fraction is centralized in the Vatican. The Vatican's own financial assets are estimated to be between $10 billion and $15 billion, but this doesn't include priceless art, land, or the decentralized wealth held by dioceses and individual churches worldwide. Oddly enough, the Mormon are richer than RCC.

3. The purple refers to imperialism-the conquering of nations.

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4. Cup full of abomination refers to the counterfeit gospel and the spurious religious system the nations have drunk of her religious message. Her message is not of God and its content is humanistic. It is corrupted and defiled message that is an abomination to God.

5. Immorality comes out of a wrong theology or message.

6. Mystery Babylon refers to the idolatrous system associate with the city of the seven hills-philosophically going back to Nimrod and the tower of Babel where all false religions are birthed.

7. It is the mother of defilement and unbelief and false religion the Bible says here.

B. The influence vv. 6-7

1. Drunken with the blood of the Saints (OT believed) and martyrs of Jesus (NT) means this religious crowd has killed many believers in the past. Religion hates Christianity and will do everything it can to stop Christians.

2. The angel shows this vision to John in which he wondered at its place in prophecy.

Conclusion: God will not let sin go unpunished. He is just and righteous in dealing with the wickedness of compromise. God wants us to know and beware lest we be moved by the lies and deception of a religious/political system that is corrupt.