June 11, 2023

Babylon the Religious System #

Revelation 17:1-5

Introduction

One thing we notice in the book of Revelation, is that the Devil, Satan, that old Dragon, is a great imitator of God. He mocks, and sets up his own ways to mimic what God does. Notice the similarity of these two verses:

Rev. 17:1 ¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Rev. 21:9 ¶ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

In this chapter, we have Babylon clearly described as a religious system, which has caused many people to be led astray. It is clearly described as a false, wicked system, that is ungodly in every way. We find many offensive terms used to describe this false religion. Whore, harlot, and fornication are used to show absolute disgust with this religious system. They are clearly used in a spiritual sense.

I. The Description of the Whore (1-6) #

A. Her Influence - Great Whore (1-2) #

1. Described as great – with great influence. #

2. She is described as upon many waters. Verse 15 clearly helps us understand that as people. #

3. Kings of the earth – this would span multiple kings, places, and time. #

4. Common people – not just the powerful elite. #

B. Her source (3) #

1. This is the same beast described in Revelation 12:3 as also having seven heads and ten horns. #

• It is Satan

2. He gives credential, and power to this false religious system #

C. Her Decor - (4) #

1. Well Clothed - in purple and scarlet – looks sharp #

2. Wealth - Gold, precious stones & pearls #

3. Wickedness – Golden cup full of abominations & filthiness #

• This may have all the appearances of something good, but hidden, inside the beautiful golden, “sacred” cup, is utter wickedness!
• It is concealed so well - deception

D. Her Title (5) #

• Babylon – goes way back, and you can spend a lot of time tying it to historical Babel in the OT,

1. Mother of harlots & abomination – predates catholicism, and yet includes it. #

E. Her Martyrdom (6) #

II. The Defining of the Whore (7-15) #

A. The blaspheme of resurrection (8) #

1. This beast, without a doubt is in reference to Satan. #

• This was clear in Revelation 12:3, 9

Rev. 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. … … … 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

B. Seven mountains (9) #

• I have read these can be seven kingdoms, seven real hills in which Rome is seated.
• There are striking similarities between the symbols in this chapter and the Roman Catholic church, situated in Rome… I would not exclusively leave it at that.

C. Seven Kings or kingdoms (10) #

1. Five are fallen, in the past… #

2. One is in the present, #

3. One is yet to come. - One world Gov @start of trib. #

4. The beast then, being the 8^th^. (11) #

D. Ten Kings (12-13) #

1. These are NOT kings, but are as powerful as kings, made to rule with, under the beast. (12) #

E. THE KING of kings (14) – Jesus, called, chosen, faithful – come with HIM. #

F. The Multitude of people (15) #

III. The Discarding of the Whore (16-18) #

A. Despise for religious system (16) #

1. The whore, or false religious system, becomes hated #

• Isn’t it funny how many politicians throughout history, claim religion, until they rise to power, and then discard it as a wrapper that only appeals to people.

2. The description here, is quite vivid #

• All her power will be removed, and in all reality, the life of the religious system, will be completely pulled from it!
• Perhaps literal death to those who adhere to this false religious system.

B. God’s Ultimate rule (17) #

1. God has given them after their own heart, what they sought for. #

C. A Powerful City (18) #

• There are many attempts to identify what this city is
• In relatively short time a city can become powerful, if the beast, false prophet, and antichrist base out of it.
• There are striking similarities to that of Rome and the Roman Catholic church.