{"id":30360,"date":"2024-03-13T22:00:33","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T05:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/revelation-16_1-21-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-03-05T15:36:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T22:36:59","slug":"revelation-17_1-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/revelation-17_1-21\/","title":{"rendered":"They Don\u2019t Compare to the King of Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Revelation 17:1-21 \u00a0 (CLICK HERE FOR\u00a0BIBLE VERSES)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today’s passage is\u00a0Revelation 17:1-21.\u00a0 As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help, then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em><\/strong>\u00a017<\/em>:1<\/em>-2 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n1\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-2:\u00a0 The key to properly interpreting the book of\u00a0Revelation\u00a0is correctly identifying the characters that appear in the book.\u00a0 Who is \u201cthe great prostitute, who sits on many waters\u201d (v1), who committed adultery with the kings of the earth and intoxicated earth\u2019s inhabitants with her adulteries (v2)?\u00a0 Many commentators believe that this great prostitute represents false religion.\u00a0 What false religion are we talking about?\u00a0 In this sharing, I will use the term \u201cfalse religion\u201d to mean every system of belief in the world that preaches that man by his own effort can reach God or become his own God.\u00a0 The great prostitute of false religion has affected people all over the world for millennia.\u00a0 It gives people a false hope and a false comfort that can be fairly described as \u201cadultery\u201d (v2a), for it involves running from the mercy and grace that God, our true lover, offers to us and running into the arms of a false religious system that is all about one\u2019s own effort and exalting oneself.\u00a0 The comfort of this false religion is like the false comfort of being \u201cintoxicated\u201d (v2b) in that the comfort is fleeting and does not last.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:3 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 3:\u00a0 As stated above, the woman represents false religion which is all about man\u2019s effort to reach God or become God.\u00a0 John sees this woman who represents false religion sitting on a scarlet beast that is covered with blasphemous names and having seven heads and ten horns.\u00a0 Who is this beast?\u00a0 Most likely this beast is the same beast with seven heads and ten horns that we have seen all along in\u00a0Revelation: the beast from the sea, the anti-Christ.\u00a0 The idea is that the anti-Christ and the spirit of false religion will work in tandem together to wreak havoc on the earth.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:4 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 4:\u00a0 This woman representing false religion looks very glamorous, even royal, but notice what she is drinking in that golden cup of hers: injustice and evil (\u201cabominable things\u201d) as well as adultery.\u00a0 What can we learn from this?\u00a0 False, man-centered religion has the appearance of being beautiful, but on the inside it is full of injustice and evil.\u00a0 It reminds me of when Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their false, man-centered religion, saying \u201cyou Pharisees clean the inside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness\u201d (Luke 11:39).<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:5 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
\n<\/em>
\nOn verse 5: \u00a0We\u2019ve been saying that this woman represents the spirit of false religion.\u00a0 So why the title \u201cMYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT\u201d?\u00a0 \u00a0According to many commentators, by calling this woman \u201cBabylon the Great\u201d, John\u2019s vision is linking this woman to the famous story in Genesis 11 about the Tower of Babel (also known as Babylon).\u00a0 In the story of the Tower of Babel, people tried to build a city (called Babel or Babylon) with a tower that reaches to the heavens.\u00a0 The goal was to make a name for themselves.\u00a0 The people were of course unsuccessful and the result of their efforts was total confusion.\u00a0 The story of building the tower of Babel is a vivid picture of false man-centered religion, the idea that we can reach God without His help.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:6 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n6\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 6:\u00a0 The picture of this woman being drunk on the blood of Christians illustrates another point about the spirit of false religion:\u00a0 false religion has no interest in accommodating those who believe solely in Jesus (the saints) but is intent on destroying Christianity.\u00a0 While on the outside false religion will come across as all accepting and tolerant of all faiths and belief systems, deep down there is an intolerance and a hatred toward anyone that exalts Jesus above everything else.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:7-8 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
\n8\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 7-8:\u00a0 What does verse 8 mean when it says that the beast \u201conce was, now is not, and yet will come\u201d?\u00a0 Many commentators believe this is a reference to how the anti-Christ lived, then suffered a fatal wound, and then miraculously recovered to everyone\u2019s astonishment.\u00a0 However, in the end this beast will still go down to his destruction.\u00a0 \u201cAbyss\u201d literally means destruction and refers to a place where Satan and his demons will be jailed and eventually destroyed.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:9-10 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
\n10\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 9-10:\u00a0 The seven heads of the beast are seven hills or seven kings, five of which have fallen, one who exists, and the seventh still to come.\u00a0 Who are these seven hills or kings exactly? It is not totally clear.\u00a0 Some scholars have identified these 7 hills as 7 empires that were, each at one time, the most powerful empire in the world.\u00a0 Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece seem to be the most common empires identified as the first five hills \u201cwhich have fallen\u201d (v9).\u00a0 The one that exists is, they say, the Roman empire.\u00a0 Many scholars identify the seventh king who \u201chas not yet come\u201d and who \u201cmust remain for a little while\u201d as the beast from the sea (the anti-Christ).\u00a0 Other commentators liken the 7 hills to 7 Roman emperors who rose to power but eventually fell. It is also worth noting that Rome was known as the city of seven hills.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:11 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n11\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 11:\u00a0 What does this mean?\u00a0 The beast from the sea is that seventh hill\/king and thus \u201cbelongs to the seven\u201d, but then after he is mortally wounded, he will recover and in effect re-assume power as \u201can eighth king\u201d.\u00a0 In the end, however, he will still be \u201cgoing to his destruction\u201d (v11).<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:12-14 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0“The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
\n<\/em>
\nOn verses 12-14: The ten horns on the beast from the sea are ten kings who were not in power during John\u2019s time.\u00a0 However, they will rule at the same time alongside the beast for only \u201cone hour\u201d (v12), meaning a short period.\u00a0 These kings will work together as a confederation of kingdoms and \u201chave one purpose\u201d (v13), which is to serve the beast.\u00a0 They will fight against the Lamb Jesus Christ.\u00a0 However, Jesus Christ the Lord of lords and King and kings will be victorious, along with his \u201ccalled, chosen and faithful followers\u201d (v14).<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0There is no power that can overcome Jesus Christ.\u00a0 No matter who or what forces combine to attack Him, Jesus Christ is the ultimate victor and those who trust in Him will stand victorious with Him in the end.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:15 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 15:\u00a0 The waters represent peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.\u00a0 The fact that the woman sits on the waters means that the influence of false religion will extend across the world.\u00a0 Her influence across the world will be so great that some commentators believe that the result will be one world religion. It can be said that all of the false religions across the world are essentially one and the same in that they are all predicated on man\u2019s effort to reach God or become God.\u00a0 Only Christianity preaches that we are utterly powerless to reach God on our own and desperately need a Saviour to save us from our sins and to bring us to God.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:16-17<\/em>\u00a0(NIV)<\/strong>
\n16\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
\n17\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 16-17:\u00a0 Though the woman slept with the ten kings, the ten kings and the beast will hate her, expose her nakedness, eat her and burn her alive.\u00a0 In the end the beast and the ten kings were only using her to get what they want: power.\u00a0 Once they have it, they try to destroy her.\u00a0 According to verse\u00a017, God will ultimately use this situation to accomplish His own purposes.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0 The union of corrupt political systems and false man-centered religion will never last.\u00a0 One will ultimately destroy the other in a grab for more power.<\/p>\n

Revelation<\/em>\u00a017<\/em>:18 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
\n<\/em>
\nOn verse 18:\u00a0 The woman, whom we have been identifying as representing false man-centered religion, is also identified as \u201cthe great city that rules over the kings of the earth\u201d.\u00a0 Some commentators believe that this could be a reference to Rome, which during John\u2019s time embodied and exemplified the spirit of false religion more than any other city.\u00a0 It could also be another way of saying that as much as the kings of the earth in verse 16 tried to destroy false religion, false religion is the great city or the great system that will continue to rule over them.<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, thank You that though so many have tried to attack and defeat You, You remain unconquerable.\u00a0\u00a0 Thank You for rescuing us from the bondage of false, man-centered religion which is all about our effort to get to You or become like You.\u00a0 May the world know through us that we all need a Saviour and that His name is Jesus.\u00a0 You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords and nothing can stand against You. In Jesus\u2019 name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today’s passage is\u00a0Revelation 17:1-21.\u00a0 As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help, then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Revelation\u00a017:1-2 (NIV)\u00a0
\n1\u00a0\u00a0One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.\u00a0
\n2\u00a0\u00a0With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-2:\u00a0 The key to properly interpreting the book of\u00a0Revelation\u00a0is correctly identifying the characters that appear in the book.\u00a0 Who is \u201cthe great prostitute, who sits on many waters\u201d (v1), who committed adultery with the kings of the earth and intoxicated earth\u2019s inhabitants with her adulteries (v2)?\u00a0 Many commentators believe that this great prostitute represents false religion.\u00a0 What false religion are we talking about?\u00a0 In this sharing, I will use the term \u201cfalse religion\u201d to mean every system of belief in the world that preaches that man by his own effort can reach God or become his own God.\u00a0 The great prostitute of false religion has affected people all over the world for millennia.\u00a0 It gives people a false hope and a false comfort that can be fairly described as \u201cadultery\u201d (v2a), for it involves running from the mercy and grace that God, our true lover, offers to us and running into the arms of a false religious system that is all about one\u2019s own effort and exalting oneself.\u00a0 The comfort of this false religion is like the false comfort of being \u201cintoxicated\u201d (v2b) in that the comfort is fleeting and does not last.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30362,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30360"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30363,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30360\/revisions\/30363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}