Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast (Day 29)

Revelation 17:1-2 ⁽¹⁾One 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 by many waters. ⁽²⁾With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” (NIV)

          John was invited to come see the punishment of the great prostitute who caused other nations to commit adulterous acts with her. She had the people of the earth to be drunk off of her wine. There are numerous theories as to who this great prostitute is, but the Bible seems to be referring to the United States of America. America is surrounded by many waters as described in this text. This is one of the reasons that it was great due to its seclusion from most nations of the world. However, the Bible speaks of other kings of the earth who committed adultery with her. These kings represents other nations of the earth who have been greatly influenced by the United States and followed in her wicked ways. Psalms 9:17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. (NIV)

 

 

            The United States have pressured other nations to accept ungodly things such as homosexuality, abortion, and more. They have aligned themselves with nations based on greed, theft, murder, human trafficking and have turned friends to enemies and enemies to friends. Yes, the United States “appear” to be the good guys, but she is just as sinful if not more wicked than Sodom and Gomorrah. Due to the greatness that God allowed the United States to achieve, her fall will be the hardest. Luke 12:48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (NIV) The United States has fallen short of what is due to God. They have practically cursed God by turning away from Him even though they would have been nothing without Him. 

 

 

 Revelation 17:3-7 ⁽³⁾Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ⁽⁴⁾The 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. ⁽⁵⁾The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. ⁽⁶⁾I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. ⁽⁷⁾Then 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. (NIV)

 

 

John was carried away in the wilderness by an angel in his vision where he saw the woman sitting on a scarlet beast, which was covered in blasphemous names with seven heads and ten horns. This was also the same description given in Revelation 13:1-3 that we covered in lesson 7. Here is the breakdown again, but because this is closely connected to Daniels’s Vision, we will cover the historical aspects of this in our next series, Daniel: Discovering the Vision.

 

 

These seven governments were part of the Roman Empire. They are:

1.) Babylon 

2.) Persia 

3.) Greece 

4.) Turkey

5.) Syria

6.) Egypt

7.) Rome

There were also ten horns on this beast. During John’s time, the Roman Empire was in power. However, after the breakup of Rome’s dominance, five main parts remained, which are:

1.) Britain

2.) France

3.) Spain

4.) Italy

5.) Germany

 

 

In addition to these five, there were four kingdoms that arose after the reign of Alexander the Great. They are:

1.) Greece

2.) Turkey

3.) Syria

4.) Egypt

Now, this makes a total of nine kingdoms. However, there was a tenth kingdom and the immergence of an 11 kingdom according to the book of Daniel (Daniel 7:20)

        The woman, in John’s vision, sat on a beast with blasphemous names representing a kingdom or nation who had totally turned against God. She blasphemes God in everything she does. This sounds a little familiar with what it taking place in the United States right now. There is a total disregard for God and whoever stands up for the principles of God is considered to be a bigot. One can’t say that abortion is wrong, or they are interfering with a woman’s right to choose. One can’t say that sexual immorality is wrong or they are being discriminatory and speaking hate. One can’t teach their children that homosexuality is wrong or they may soon be imprisoned for what they consider as “conversion therapy.” However, God has told us in His word that we must make a stand regardless of what the government says even when they make it into law. 1 Peter 3:14-17 ⁽¹⁴⁾But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats, ⁽¹⁵⁾But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ⁽¹⁶⁾keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ⁽¹⁷⁾For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (NIV)

 

 

        The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet with pearls, gold and precious stones. This signifies the wealth that the woman had. She was adorned as royalty. The United States has been blessed with an abundance of wealth. This wealth has allowed for other countries to seek her shores to do trading of goods and services. Unfortunately, the United States forgot who was responsible for the blessings that she received as a nation just as King Nebuchadnezzar did prior to being turned into a beast for his lack of humility. Daniel 4:31-33 ⁽³¹⁾Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. ⁽³²⁾You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” ⁽³³⁾Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. (NIV) This is similar to what is going to take place with the United States if she does not turn her heart back to God as a nation. She will be dethroned.

 

 

        On the woman’s head was written: Babylon the Great, mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. The United States has been the leader of the world, but she has caused other nations to sin by watching her many idolatries. Other countries have had her as a role model. She has set a poor example of what a country is supposed to be due to her ungodliness on the land. The woman was drunk off the blood of God’s holy people. The United States has been responsible for nearly 57,000,000 abortions since 1973. The terrorist group, ISIS has killed thousands of Christians, while the United States have not done everything in their power to help. Christians in the United States are now being fired and worse because they choose to make a stand for Christ. Persecution is coming to this prostitute country who will do all they can to attack Christians nationwide.

 

 

 Revelation 17:8-14 ⁽⁸⁾The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its 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 it once was, now is not, and yet will come. ⁽⁹⁾“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. ⁽¹⁰⁾They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ⁽¹¹⁾The beast who once was, and now is not, is his destruction. ⁽¹²⁾“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. ¹³⁾They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. ⁽¹⁴⁾They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (NIV)

 

 

     John was shown the beast that was, is not and is to come, which will come from hell to be given power for just a short time. The people of the earth will be amazed at the rise of this beast who will suddenly become powerful. Only those whose names have not been written in the book of life will be astonished. God will never allow His people to be fooled, but He will send a delusion to those who refuse the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. (NIV) John said that this calls for a mind with wisdom and wisdom is only given by the power of the Holy Spirit. It would be safe to say that anyone whose name is not in the Book of Life during this time does not have the Holy Spirit who gives wisdom. Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (NIV)

 

 

            God will grant temporary power to the ten nations who will give their power to the beast. Now remember that the beast is under the control of the dragon (devil) which we learned in previous lessons. The beast is also the antichrist, which will rally the nations to worship the dragon along with the false prophet who has given him power. However, this power is only “allowed” to be given by permission of God because the devil cannot do anything that God doesn’t allow. They will try to fight the Lamb of God, but will be defeated because He is King of kings and Lord of lords. All who follow Him will be at His side in all His glory. 1 Timothy 6:13-16 ⁽¹³⁾In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ⁽¹⁴⁾to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁽¹⁵⁾which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ⁽¹⁶⁾who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (NIV) Let us remember that regardless of what takes place on earth, our God is more powerful than any demon from the depths of hell. He is more victorious than the devil could ever be and if the devil was as powerful as he thinks he is, he could have never been kicked out of Heaven. This shows that his power is nothing in comparison to God.

 

 

Revelation 17:15-17 ⁽¹⁵⁾Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. ⁽¹⁶⁾The 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. ⁽¹⁷⁾For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. ⁽¹⁸⁾The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

       The angel told John that the waters where the prostitute was seated represent people on the earth. The beast and the ten horns will hate the prostitute. There are many nations who hate the United States of America. They despise her for the power that she has had over the entire world. However, in John’s vision, he had seen that they destroyed her and burned her with fire. Due to America’s rebellion against God, she will be destroyed. There will be multiple nations who will ban together to destroy America. Many people believe that Russia and China will be part of the ultimate destruction of America and due to what is being reported in the headlines, this could very well be the case. Jeremiah 51:1-2 ⁽¹⁾This is what the Lord says: “See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Leb Kamai ⁽²⁾I will send foreigners to Babylon to winnow her and to devastate her land; they will oppose her on every side in the day of her disaster. (NIV)

 

 

            God is going to hand the United States over to the other nations. This is a battle that she will not win because of her defiance to God. He is going to hand over her royal authority to the other nations. God’s word will not return void because she has refused to repent and turn from her wicked ways. Who is the woman who rules over the kings of the earth in Revelation? The United States of America. Only repentance of the nation could cause God to not execute the utter destruction of this country. Unfortunately, due to the prophesies that have been covered in this book, it seems as if this nation will not recant and turn from their evil ways; therefore, resulting in the ultimate destruction.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV) The nation needs healing. The nation needs repentance. The nation needs humility. The nation needs God.

 

 

 

 Join us tomorrow as we continue our study in the book of Revelation.