Revelation 17

INTRODUCTION

Take your Bibles and turn with me to Revelation 17 (if you have a pew Bible, it’s page ___________).

Over the last couple of weeks Amanda and I have been privileged to attend several graduations and graduation parties where we’ve celebrated the young people in our church who have completed a major milestone. The period of life that these young people are in is filled with excitement and celebration mixed with some worry and uncertainty.

As they are finishing one life stage, they are commencing a new stage of life filled with decisions that at times can seem daunting and life-altering.

As I sit at these parties/graduations, I’m flooded with the memories of my graduation. I can feel what they’re feeling. I remember what it’s like to be in their shoes. I remember making the decisions that they’re about to make.

Amanda and I were talking the other day, and we counted up the years that we’ve lived on the west coast (neither of us are from the west coast) — and we’ve lived on the west coast for 10 years!!

Now if you were to ask me the night that I graduated what I would be doing in 10 years… I’d have no clue. I definitely did not think that I’d be living in Washington. I had never even been to Washington.

But I bet if I were to ask each of the graduates if they could look into the future and see how their lives pan out based on their decisions that they would love to see that. Actually, how many of us would like to see the future and how our decisions pan out?

What happens if I buy this house? Which job should I take? What college should I attend? Should I marry him?

I think some of us would have changed some decisions we’ve made in life. I think some of us would be pleased to know that we made a good decision.

But it’s as if John hears this and rolls the curtains back on the future and gives us a glimpse. What he shows us in Revelation 17 is that what we choose to worship and what we give our allegiance to determines our future. Actually, Revelation 17 describes the future destruction of those who refuse to worship God and pledge their allegiance to Him.

God’s judgment falls on all who give their worship and allegiance to anything other than Him.

So, tonight I’m just going to ask you two questions that both only have two answers to help us see our future destiny — judgment or victory.

Read with me Revelation 17

Revelation 17 KJV 1900

1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

*Pray

WHAT RECEIVES YOUR WORSHIP?

We’re in chapter 17 of Revelation and if you haven’t picked up on it yet, John is seeing these visions that are rather confusing and shocking to him. Often as we’ve seen throughout the book of Revelation, these visions are vivid illustrations of future events. There’s creative imagery and symbolism all throughout the book of Revelation, and chapter 17 is no different.

In these verses, we are introduced to a wicked prostitute meant to represent Babylon. Babylon is the world's organized rebellion against God. The political, economic, religious, and cultural systems that entice people to worship anything except Christ. Notice what John records earlier in Revelation 14:8

Revelation 14:8 KJV 1900

8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

But why do the Scriptures paint the picture of this woman as a prostitute continually coercing others to commit fornication (sexual sin) with her?

Scripture is helping us see that anyone (the nations of this world and those who follow the culture of this world) is engaging in immoral worship when they reject the worship of God.

THE IMMORALITY OF FALSE WORSHIP

The boiled down truth of these first six verses is this… False worship is spiritual adultery against God. Every person who gives ultimate devotion to something other than God is committing spiritual unfaithfulness.

Notice verse 2… In a world devoid of Christ-followers, the kings of the earth and all the inhabitants of the earth have committed and are committing spiritual fornication with the prostitute.

Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly described Israel's idolatry as spiritual adultery. When Israel worshiped Baal, trusted foreign nations, or ran after other gods, God didn't merely call it disobedience. He called it unfaithfulness to Him alone. Israel belonged to Him as a wife belongs to her husband, and every act of idolatry was spiritual adultery against the covenant God who loved her.

I mean think of the book of Hosea and the story of the prophet and his unfaithful wife meant to illustrate the nation of Israel.

So John is carried away in the spirit into the wilderness (vs.3). Or John is transported to the desert so that he can get a clearer understanding of what he’s seeing. And there he see the attractiveness of false worship.

False worship is attractive.

Notice how the prostitute is described in verse 4. She’s clothed in purple and scarlet (the colors of nobility, royalty, and wealth). She’s wearing gold, precious stones, and pearls and she’s holding a golden cup.

This description is similar to the description of the harlot in Proverbs 7. And there, the harlot is finely and sensually dressed and her speech is seductive and convincing whereby many run after her as an ox to the slaughter.

This is the world we live in, and this is the world that will be judged by God in Revelation 19. The kings and the inhabitants of the earth have run to this prostitute as an ox to the slaughter. They’ve been seduced by her look and convinced by her words.

You and I may not be bowing down to idols. In fact our culture may not be physically bowing down to idols. But we may be bending our ear to seductive and convincing whispers of this prostitute.

She tells us that success will satisfy us.

She tells us that money will secure us.

She tells us that comfort will fulfill us.

She tells us that political power will save us.

She tells us that sexual freedom will complete us.

She tells us that personal autonomy is the highest good.

Her promises are attractive, but ultimately deadly.

And John is able to objectively see this woman for who she is, he sees a woman who is completely and totally anti-God.

False worship is anti-God.

Notice the name inscribed on her forehead — MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOST OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

She is the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship. She leads her followers to worship anything but God. She even sits upon a beast who is full of blasphemies.

She hates God, the things of God, and the people of God.

Revelation 17:6 KJV 1900

6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:

Being anti-God leads to the death of those who follow God.

Those who do not bow to the idols of this prostitute are subject to her wrath. In fact, this seems to be her greatest joy… the death of the followers of Jesus.

Ok pause, take a deep breath and put yourself in the shoes of those originally reading the penned words of John. You’re suffering under the persecution of a government who is openly anti-God. Well actually, is pro-god, but this god’s name is Caesar. The Roman government is flourishing while you are suffering. The Roman government is rich while you remain poor. The Roman government is influential while you’re in hiding.

The Jesus you know, love, and follow is nowhere to be found. And in fact it seems as though the powers that be desire the death of all those who follow the Christ. You’re tempted to worship what they worship. You’re tempted to bow the knee and gain security and freedom.

But John’s writings are meant to remind them that when it’s all said and done those who refuse to worship Christ alone will receive the judgment of God.

THE HOPE OF TRUE WORSHIP

So then the believer can be confident that if they direct all of their worship towards Jehovah alone, there is hope for the future.

I love what Jeremiah says about idols in Jeremiah 51:17-19

Jeremiah 51:17–19 NLT

17 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power. 18 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed. 19 But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

When you worship something other than God, you are worshipping a fraud. But when you direct all of your worship to God, you are worshipping the one and only real thing.

So Revelation encourages believers, don’t be swayed by the attractiveness of the world. Don’t be seduced by the allure of Babylon. Stay committed to worshipping God alone, because He’s the only one who offers hope.

Revelation 17 reminds me of a scene from Finding Nemo. As Marlin and Dory search the deep ocean for clues to find Nemo, they suddenly notice a beautiful light glowing in the darkness. It's warm, inviting, and seems harmless. Dory becomes fascinated by it and wants to get closer.

The problem is that the light isn't what it appears to be. It's attached to an anglerfish—a terrifying predator hiding in the darkness. The light is bait. Its purpose isn't to help them; its purpose is to lure them close enough to destroy them.

And this is the prostitute and the beast. The beast uses the prostitute as bait. The beast understands if he can get the world’s worship, then he’ll have the world’s allegiance. Because…

We worship that which has our allegiance. If your allegiance belongs to Babylon, your worship will follow. But if your allegiance belongs to the Lamb, your worship will follow Him as well.

WHAT RECEIVES YOUR ALLEGIANCE?

There is great power here in these final verses of Revelation 17. There are horns. There are heads. There are mountains. There are kings and kingdoms.

All of these echo the prophecies of Daniel and especially Daniel 7. And these verses expose that the whole world wonders/marvels at the power of these kings and kingdoms and pledge their allegiance to them and their causes… specifically their allegiance to the beast.

But for as great as their power is… their reigns are woefully short.

The world is impressed by power. The world is captivated by influence. The world marvels at rulers, kingdoms, governments, armies, economies, and empires.

But Revelation pulls back the curtain and says something shocking: Every kingdom that refuses allegiance to Christ has an expiration date.

THE TEMPORARY POWER OF EARTHLY LEADERS

Notice Revelation 17:8

Revelation 17:8 KJV 1900

8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

The beast appears to conquer death. He was, and is not, and yet is. This is Satan's counterfeit resurrection.

Throughout Revelation, Satan continually imitates what belongs to God. He cannot create, so he counterfeits. He cannot save, so he deceives. He cannot resurrect, so he mimics resurrection. Why?

Because he wants what belongs to God alone: your allegiance. And he does get some allegiance.

Friend in here tonight who is on the fence about what you think of Jesus…If you are not submitting to Christ, you are still under the dominion of the kingdom that opposes Him. Revelation only records two types of individuals and we’ll see both in this chapter. Either your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and you belong to Jesus Christ. Or your name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life and you belong to Satan. You are not and cannot be neutral or indifferent.

And this is why John records that we must have wisdom and discernment.

Because if we are deceived by Satan's counterfeit kingdom and pledge our allegiance to the one who opposes Christ, we will receive the judgment of God. But if you trust in the resurrection of Jesus Christ today (the only true and miraculous resurrection) then you will be numbered among those whose name in written in the Lamb’s book of life, those who have been called, chosen, and faithful.

But from verse 9 through verse 12, John records the number of kings and the order of kings. Much ink has been spilt trying to identify these king and/or kingdoms. Here’s the simple truth. These kings represent the rulers of our world. And Revelation 17:12 records…

Revelation 17:12 KJV 1900

but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

These kings and kingdoms reign with the beast.

We may not be tempted to bow before Caesar, but we are tempted to place ultimate hope in political leaders, governments, movements, parties, economies, and cultural influencers.

Revelation reminds us that every earthly ruler, no matter how powerful, reigns for only "one hour."

But not only that… Revelation 17:13

Revelation 17:13 KJV 1900

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

They are the tool of Satan to receive the allegiance of the world and make war against the Lamb.

But notice Revelation 17:16

Revelation 17:16 KJV 1900

16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Notice the irony. Babylon (the prostitute) and the beast appear united. They seem unstoppable.

But eventually the beast turns on Babylon and destroys her. The kingdom of darkness ultimately consumes itself.

Why? Satan cannot fathom any other being or entity receiving the worship or allegiance of humanity.

Think about a song that we sing as a church: Ancient of Days

Though the nations rage Kingdoms rise and fall There is still one King Reigning over all So I will not fear for this truth remains: That my God is the Ancient of Days

None above Him, none before Him All of time in His hands For His throne it shall remain and ever stand All the power, all the glory I will trust in His name For my God is the Ancient of Days

So John again reminds the first century believers… there’s hope for those who worship Christ, and there’s confidence in those who pledge their allegiance to the King of kings.

THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE KING OF KINGS

There’s so much packed into verses 14 and 17 about our God that is simply wonderful, awe-inspiring, and encouraging. Notice quickly…

He overcomes

The persecuted, tired, and embattled believers of John’s day probably lept for joy as they were read those verses. You mean Rome’s not going to win? But for both them and us…

We know that the Lamb will overcome because He’s already overcome. We saw this in Revelation 5. Believers our security for the future is rooted in the past and gives comfort, encouragement, and strength in the present.

For as mighty, strong, and numerous as the kings of our day are, they are no match for the overcoming Lamb. In fact, his resurrection (where he conquered even death) gives him the right to claim authority over all of the kings of the earth.

He reigns

Revelation 17:14 KJV 1900

for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

When I was growing up my parents always helped humble me. They used to tell me things like: there will always be someone smarter than you. There will always be someone better than you at basketball. There will always be someone more handsome than you. etc.

For the kings of John’s day and age, for the rulers of the world, for the minions of Satan, and for Satan himself… Jesus will always reign over them. And this should comfort the believer. Because he calls believers the called, chosen, and faithful.

As believers, we belong to God. We are eternally chosen and sealed by him. In Christ, we reign with him.

We should find comfort in the fact that the world cannot ultimately harm us, because we belong to Christ. And even the attacks of the world or the wickedness of rulers is actually being used by God to accomplish his purposes.

He accomplishes His will

Revelation 17:17 KJV 1900

17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

Think about what John is saying. These kings are not believers. They do not love God. They are allied with the beast.

Yet even their rebellion serves God's purposes. They think they are advancing their own agenda, but all the while they are unwitting instruments in the hands of a sovereign King. Not even evil rulers can step outside the boundaries God has established.

God is sovereign over the very kings who oppose Him.

Believer, do you know that God’s will is always going to be accomplished? God’s words can always be trusted and will always come to past.

These final verses make a great case for why we should worship Christ alone and pledge our allegiance to Him alone.

CONCLUSION

Have you ever gone on vacation and forgotten to clean out the refrigerator?

Imagine coming home and finding a gallon of milk sitting right in the front. It's a week past its expiration date.

Some of you would sniff it. Some of you would taste it. Some of you apparently enjoy living dangerously.

But once you see the expiration date, something changes. You no longer trust it. You know its days are numbered. It may look fine on the outside, but you know what's coming.

That's the message of Revelation 17.

God has shown us the expiration date of Babylon. God has shown us the expiration date of the beast. God has shown us the expiration date of every kingdom, ruler, government, and system that stands opposed to Christ.

They may look powerful today. They may look attractive today. They may look invincible today. But God has already announced their end.

Friend, what are you living for? Career? Relationships? Pleasure? Financial security? Personal freedom?

Revelation 17 says everything you are trusting apart from Christ is already carrying an expiration date.

But the Lamb does not. His kingdom has no expiration date. His reign has no expiration date. His promises have no expiration date.

So let me ask you the two questions we've considered tonight:

What receives your worship?

How do you know what receives your worship? Follow your worry. What do you fear losing most? What consumes your thoughts? What dictates your decisions? What would devastate you if God took it away? Whatever sits at the center of your heart is what you're worshiping.

What receives your allegiance?

Because those who worship Babylon will share in Babylon's judgment.

But those who follow the Lamb will share in the Lamb's victory.

Friend, if you've never trusted Christ, tonight is not a call merely to admire the Lamb. It's a call to surrender to Him. Turn from the false promises of Babylon. Turn from your sin. Place your faith in the Lamb who was slain and rose again. The kingdoms of this world are passing away, but Christ's kingdom will never end.

God's judgment falls on all who give their worship and allegiance to anything other than Him.