Do Not be Like The World

Revelation 17

Do Not Be Like the World

Intro: When I was about 12 or 13 we got a bug zapper. And we set it up on our porch and we would watch the bugs flying toward it and Zap. Why are Moths and mosquitoes drawn to flames and lights? Why would anything or anybody be drawn to something that would kill you?

Scientists say that Being primarily nocturnal creatures, moths evolved or are designed most likely, to travel by the glimmer of the moon, by a method called transverse orientation.

The moon has a natural cycle, it waxes and wanes, every 28 days. As the moon rotates around the earth, it goes from a new moon which is essentially dark, to a full moon to a waxing moon where the slivers get smaller. It shines based on the reflection of the sun and how much of the moon’s surface is visible. Which is not usually not a lot.

So the artificial light sources, fires, lightbulbs, and bug zappers all outshine and are more abundant than the natural light source.

The same thing has happened in our world. The artificial light sources have outshined or at least they think they are brighter than Go’s Light. And so if we are not careful, we will be zapped or burned just like a moth.

And in this chapter, John explains that The Great city of Babylon and the beast are working together to lure as many people into their light as possible. But their Batteries are almost dead and the fire is almost out.

Read Verses: 17 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

Main Idea: Do not Love the World because the World has no love for You

I. Do Not Love The World’s Riches

The Angel explains John’s vision of the Harlot riding the beast. And the angel describes the judgment that will happen to the woman who is seated on many waters.

The woman is understood to represent Rome at the time John wrote His letter. It could also be understood that A World reaching emotive could return at the end times. Babylon represents the worldly kingdom that is a mirror opposite to God’s Kingdom.

The woman’s sexual immorality indicates that sh is not faithful and does not see a problem with her lifestyle. In the history of Israel, idolatry and general unfaithfulness to God are always presented in terms of spiritual adultery, and here this unfaithfulness is profound. The woman has established a way of life, which is the path of rebellion against God.

If the woman is Rome, then the ten kings are its rulers from Domitian to Diocletian who persecuted the church. This could be a very true possibility that John is seeing what is and also what is to come because at the end times, everything is amplified. Even Andrew of Caesarea, writing in the late 500s or early 600s explains or understood that This Woman or empire is a future empire that will come to power with Satan’s help and be a part of the Antichrists regime.

The many waters represent the many people that she will lead astray. The kings have also sold their souls to take part or experience what the world has to offer.

John gives us a description of the woman and in 17:4.

We will address her dress in a minute but first we are going to look at what John says as her riches, gold, jewels and pearls.

When you see a person with a lot of flash and sparkly or nice jewelry, you probably make assumptions that they are rich. And the shiny objects. Are meant to distract you from the idea that perhaps their clothes are not as new as you think or that the gold is not pure, the diamonds are actually glass and the pearls are manufactured instead of natural.

And so we can get caught up in the world’s riches and they may make us happy for a little while but they do not last.

All of these stamens echo the Angels statement, why do you marvel?

So Instead of loving the world's riches we can be content and amazed at God’s wealth.

Application: We can Love God’s Wealth

What is the difference between riches and wealth?

Let’s look at the definitions:

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines “wealth” as abundance of valuable material possessions or resources and abundant supply, while it defines riches as things that make a person rich. It also goes further to define rich as having abundant possessions and material wealth.

It appears that both being wealthy and being rich are similar in relation to humans, but a close observation will show that wealthy is not only a valuable possession, but it has abundant supply. This means that when you are involved in an activity that generates a lot of money, you are considered rich, but when you create a system of activity for others to generate money, then you are considered wealthy.

Being Rich means you have a lot of stuff but being wealthy indicates you have enough to go around and make others wealthy.

The Greek Word ploutos can be used for riches and wealth, but in greek lexicons, the definition is closer to our english definition for wealth.

1 Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:18–19 (CSB): 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Proverbs 23:5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Deuteronomy 8:18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

II. Do Not Love the World’s Power

The woman is clothed in purple and scarlet. Purple is the royal color. The soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus when they tortured him.

Matthew 27:28, mark 15 and John 19 detail this. The interesting thing is that Matthew said it was a scarlet robe, while John and Mark state it was Purple. To most people they dont look too far off, especially when it is early dawn.

The Empire always thinks it is in charge. England thought they were ruling America and its other lands, but as History has shown that they eventually lose control of their people. Spain, once controlled much of Central and South America and now, the countries are independent

Likewise, The world ends up losing control of those who love God and are not seduced by her cheap clothing and temporary pleasures.

The clothing, while eye-catching is not something the regular people would probably wear because they could not afford it.

We have other writings from the ancient world that tell us, Because it signified high status, many people spent large sums to purchase purple clothing. A freedman might imitate a senator by lounging about in purple clothes, while provincials fantasized about striking it rich and buying purple cloaks (Martial, Epigrams 2.29; Juvenal, Satirae 7.134–35; Lucian, Nav. 22). Scarlet signifies wealth, and scarlet cloth was a luxury item in Babylon’s empire (Rev 18:12, 16; p 674 2 Sam 1:24; Prov 31:21; Epictetus, Diatribai 3.22.10). An immoral woman wearing purple and scarlet in public emphasized her shamelessness

Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014), 673–674.

But we need not be impressed with her power and influence that are used to lure in unsuspecting people of all classes to exploit them.

Instead We should Love God’s Humility.

There is nothing glamorous about Jesus hanging on the cross, nearly naked, covered in blood and wounds, exhausted from his beatings and torture. This is the exact opposite of the World. The world expects and it seems that even the first century jews wanted an action hero Messiah who busts the doors own with his Angels in tactical gear and rescues his bride from the evil

James 4:6–10

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

The only way to resist the devil is by also submitting and drawing near to God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).

Philippians 2:3–8

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

2 Chronicles 7:13–15

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

In the last few chapters of Revelation we see this going on and we know that the people who were proud and opposed God will be suffering for their actions because they did not worship God. They wanted to keep living their own way instead of obeying God.

1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.

In their suffering, God’s people are to give themselves entirely to him, submitting to his wise ordering of their lives. Mighty hand of God brings to mind the exodus, where the Lord delivered Israel from Egypt “by a mighty hand” (e.g., Ex. 3:19; 32:11; Deut. 4:34; 5:15; Dan. 9:15). Those who suffer can likewise be confident that the day of humiliation will not last forever. Whether later in this earthly life or on the last day, God will exalt his people at the proper time.

We do not like suffering. It may indicate that we are poor, helpless, and lacking. But suffering helps us see past the things we think we need and truly focus on what we can’t live without.

But when we realize we cannot live without God, then we are truly free to live for Him.

Application: Do Not Love the World’s Ruler

The woman rides the beast or Satan, and she is carried around by Him. And then the Kings turn on her. Satan is the one pulling the strings. If you love the world, you love Satan.

This doesn mean we don't enjoy things that God has created, but we must avoid the things that Satan has perverted. Money is not evil but the love of money is. Intimacy between two married people is a wonderful thing, but sex outside marriage, either adultery or fornication is against God’s ideals for the relationship.

But when we are sinning, we want to do things our way. We want to rebel against God because, what does he know.

But the angel tells John that the beast will be destroyed soon.

In verse 17:8 “The beast that you saw was and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. The beast is the negative counterpart to the God who is and was and is to come (Rev 1:4, 8; 4:8). The language recalls a funeral epigram: “I was not, I came into being, I will not be anymore. That’s no concern to me. That’s life.” Or “I was not, I am not, I do not care” (Klauck, Religious, 80). Echoing the funereal formula p 677 fits the career of a beast that brings death to others and then goes to destruction itself. According to 13:3, the beast is slain and returns to life, whereas in 17:8 it “was and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss.” Both passages draw on legends concerning Nero that claimed he was not dead but alive and would return to assert power over Rome. The idea that the imperial beast was not dead but alive shapes the Nero tradition as a contrast to Jesus’ death and resurrection (NOTES and COMMENT on 13:3). The warning that the beast would come up from the abyss in the future makes its future coming the counterpart to Christ coming again on the clouds of heaven (1:7; cf. Bauckham, Climax, 437–41; Beale). The beast’s destruction will take place in the lake of fire (19:20).

Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014), 676–677

The beast drags down everyone who loves him with him and causes their death.

We should not be in love with Satan. It is like loving any other sin. It will Kill you.

John Owen says Be killing Sin before it be killing you.

The seven heads are both mountains and kings. Such dual imagery fits Revelation: The seven spirits are pictured as torches before God’s throne and as the eyes of the Lamb (Rev 4:5; 5:6). The dual imagery of mountains and kings underscores the beast embodying the power of both the city of Rome and its emperors. Other connotations fit this critique of imperial rule. Greco-Roman writers personified tyranny as a woman sitting on a mountain, much as the tyrannical whore sits on the seven mountains (Dio Chrysostom, Or. 1.78–84). Jewish writers pictured God’s throne amid seven mountains, yet the arrogant whore sits on seven mountains as if attempting to take God’s place (1 En. 18:6–8; 24:1–25:3; Thompson).

Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014), 677.

Again, the woman wants to rule the earth and she does for a time, but she is a puppet for the one pulling the strings. And God is about to cut those strings and both the puppet master and the puppet will fall down and be destroyed.

They will make war with the Lamb, but they will lose.

Instead of loving the ruler of the world, we can

III. Love God’s Sovereignty

The angel Reminds John that Jesus is the King og Kings and Lord’s of Lords. That is like saying he is the supreme Allied commander. When you have a lot of generals or kings, you need to know who the head king is. The one who everyone listens to.

Well, that is Jesus. He is God. God is in control. He is sovereign. He reigns and rules.

God’s rule is efficacious. That means When he makes a plan, it happens. So what does that mean for you? Well, if you are saved, that was part of the Plan. Your name was in the book before the world was made. So He makes your salvation not only possible but actual.

Isaiah 14:24-27

24 The Lord Almighty has sworn,

“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,

and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

25 I will crush the Assyrian in my land;

on my mountains I will trample him down.

His yoke will be taken from my people,

and his burden removed from their shoulders.”

26 This is the plan determined for the whole world;

this is the hand stretched out over all nations.

27 For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?

His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

It is universal. It’s not just for God's little corner, because everything is God’s corner. People who do not believe in Him are still subject to His rules. That is the rules of physics, the laws of nature, like weather

Because he is Lord, his authority is absolute. That means (1) we should not waver in our obedience to him (Rom. 4:16–22), (2) his lordship transcends all our other loyalties (Matt. 10:34–38), and (3) that his authority over us exists in all areas of human life, not just in the areas that we arbitrarily call religious or sacred (1 Cor. 10:31; cf. Col. 3:17, 24; 2 Cor. 10:5).

Conclusion

It may seem that the world has everything to offer us and we are drawn to the bright light thinking it is there to guide us. But in reality it is going to kill us.

Like the moth, we are created to steer by one light source. For the month, it is the moon, for mankind, it is the light of God

It will not lead us into death, but he will guide us to safety and to our destination.

We can resist the world's charms and riches and instead, be concerned with being wealthy instead of just rich.

With intentional effort, we can be humble and think of others and

We can obey God’s lordship over our lives.

This will keep us moving safely toward our home.