Revelation Chapter 17:
1-4 The Harlot = personified corrupt religious system; a women- a great prostitute sitting on the beast (Antichrist). Compromises truth for worldly power.
waters = nations (vs. 15). “a woman” = symbol of a great city (18).
5 Babylon = Jeremiah 51; Isaiah 13 & 47;
All idolatries originated in Babylon (Babel = Genesis 10.8-10; 11.1-9 tower of Babel).
True Messiah = city Jerusalem with the Bride
False Messiah = city Babylon with the Harlot Represents true and false religion.
Satan’s plan is to have man worship him and not God. (2 Thess 3.3-12).
6 John wondered with “great admiration” (wonder).
7 “…will tell thee the mystery of the woman and the beast that carried her” - woman = Babylon, city religion; the beast = Antichrist.
8 beast = “that was, is not, yet is—shall ascend out of the bottomless pit”.
9-10 7 heads of religious world = 7 mountains (kingdoms).
11 of 7 = comes 8th (Antichrist) “goeth into perdition.” perdition = n. L perdo, to ruin, entire loss, utter destruction of the soul.
12-13 10 kings reign with the beast for one hour = kingdoms around Israel – Psalm 83.
14 War against the Lamb. “…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7).
15 Waters are nations.
16 10 kings (horns) “hates the whore” (religious system) and destroys her.
17 “God hath put in their hearts to fulfil His will” – the kings will give their kingdoms to Antichrist. God’s vengeance.
18 “…the woman is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
Revelation chapter 18: Time of the Gentiles come to an end.
1-3 Religious and commercial Babylon of Satanic world system.
“Babylon the great is fallen, fallen” (Isaiah 21.9).
4 “come out of her my people” – Today: II Corinthians 6.14-18.
5-8 “her sins have reached unto heaven” – reward her double.
“in one day” she is destroyed.
9-19 The kings of the earth wail and lament her destruction.
20-24 Heaven rejoices. “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets.” A just revenge.
How we are to live our lives in the age of Grace:
Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy).
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (Will prick the conscience and heart may be turned. Quoted from Proverbs 25.21-21)
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21
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