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Let's continue with our study of the book of Revelation. Today is chapter 17. Revelation chapter 17. Now, this chapter represents one of the most vivid and symbolic visions in this book, verses 1 and 2. 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, 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. Now what is this image? She is arrayed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding a golden cup full of abominations. This comes from verse four. And all of these things, purple, scarlet, gold, jewels, pearls, very, very expensive things. Now her name is Babylon the Great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations. Verse five. Now what do these images symbolize? The image portrays the seductive power of the world's corrupt systems, the systems that are opposed to God. The powers of the fallen world are seductive symbolically compared to the sexual immorality. Now, since God describes Christians, the church as his bride, that it is right that our unfaithfulness should be compared to that of prostitution. How are we unfaithful? When we make financial wealth our rock of salvation, that's when we are most unfaithful. But when we also make earthly pleasures supersede the heavenly happiness, that's how we become unfaithful to God. The woman in this passage is depicted riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, symbolizing the political power that supports and is intertwined with her corruption. The beast, echoing chapter 13, is empowered by Satan and leads kings and peoples into rebellion against God. The seven heads represent both kingdoms and kings, symbolizing the long history of worldly powers that oppose God but will ultimately be destroyed. At the chapter's end, we see a shocking turn. The very kings who supported Babylon, the worldly system, will turn against her, devouring her flesh and burning her with fire. Verse 16. This is no accident, however. Verse 17 reminds us that God is sovereign over even the schemes of the wicked. He is the one who puts it into their hearts and in order to accomplish his purpose until his words are fulfilled. So who is God? Once again, God is sovereign over the rise and fall of nations on earth, even as the world rages against him, even every king and kingdom operates under his ultimate authority. He is a righteous judge who exposes the seductive corruption of Babylon, showing that all human power, wealth, and glory apart from him will collapse. He is also holy and just, ensuring that evil does not have the last word. Though the world appears powerful, it is God who directs history to its appointed end, fulfilling his word perfectly. What is our guilt in this passage? Our guilt lies in our fascination and attraction to Babylon. We are attracted to Babylon's wealth, comfort, and power. We somehow admire what Babylon, the prostitute, she represents. Success, influence, and indulgence. Forgetting that these are fleeting and corrupt, like those in John's vision, we are prone to compromise, aligning ourselves with worldly systems in pursuit of security of or status. So we're also forget uh forgetful that spiritual adultery, the compromises of our hearts, our emotions, all of these things are as real as physical adultery. If we confess Christ with our lips, yet give our loyalty to lesser lords such as earthly political leaders, cultural values, or personal idols such as financial security and so forth, then we are the woman in this passage. And how foolish we are to exchange the beauty of Christ with the earthly and perishing things, however appealing they may be at times. Grace shines in God's sovereignty and justice. Verse 17 reminds us that God is in control even of wicked kings and corrupt systems. Their downfall is not random. This is all within God's sovereign plan, his providence. This assures us that evil, no matter how powerful at times it appears to be before us, that the evil will be judged by God and it cannot escape God's just judgment. Grace also shines in the fact that we are called out of Babylon. God does not abandon us to Babylon, God does not leave us in Babylon. The redeemed called by God are not abandoned or seduced. God seals his people, giving them eyes to see that Babylon, Babylon's glory is empty. The Lamb, not Babylon, reigns forever. And through Christ's death and resurrection, we are freed from Babylon's grip and given a lasting hope. Let us pray. Sovereign Lord, we praise you as the King who rules over all nations and the judge who will bring down every corrupt power. You are holy, righteous, and faithful, and your word never fails. Forgive us for being enamored with the glory of Babylon, for seeking comfort, wealth, or approval in this world more than we seek you. Forgive us for our divided hearts and our willingness to compromise truth for ease and comfort. Thank you, O Lord, that in Christ we are no longer slaves to this world's seduction. Lord, strengthen us to live as citizens of your kingdom, to stand apart from Babylon, and to trust your justice even when evil seems strong. Help us to endure in faith, confident that the Lamb reigns and is raining now and will one day triumph over all things. May our lives reflect this call in our lives allegiance to Him and Him alone. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.

unknown 7:51

Amen.