Revelation 17 reminds me of the clear divide created by the politically driven news sources today. Civil conversation quickly breaks down into name calling and shouting. People do not realize they are being manipulated. Facts and science must be authorized while the data is hidden. Anyone questioning the process is branded as extreme. Today’s lesson is about watching the techniques used by tyrants to hold power. The apostle John is taken by one of the angels in heaven to see “the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.” The angel notes that: “With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and… were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” Corruption is not new. John seems to be describing a unified, worldwide corruption, intertwining government, commerce, and religion. This one-world religion will promise to satisfy every desire but will only take. The woman represents the seduction and destruction of absolute power. She is riding the beast of Revelation 13. She is associated with Babylon the Great, the literal and figurative center of opposition to God’s people. John adds: “the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.” John is astonished at the sight, perhaps because of the boldness. Rather than shame, they flaunt their “superiority” over the beguiled remnant. When people do not fear the consequences of their malevolence, propriety dissolves into lawlessness. Without law, there is no right and wrong, and evil prospers.
The angel asks John: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery.” He notes that the beast has “seven heads and ten horns”, and “it once was, now is not, and yet will come.” Volumes have been written to explain this, but it seems to be describing seven nations joining forces with the beast in the last days. There are also ten world leaders that are not rulers of their own nations. He writes: “who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” With the rise of social media prophets, the options are endless. After their 10 minutes of fame, they will “give their power and authority to the beast.” The angel explains: “They have one purpose… They will wage war against the Lamb.” Satan has already been defeated, but still today, he desires to destroy and deceive as many as possible. The angel adds: “the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings” and with Him will be His “chosen and faithful followers.”
The chapter closes with the savage reality repeated often in human history. Corruption gives power to a shrinking minority who eventually dismiss the promises made to the deceived minions that gave them power. The angel explains the rest of the mystery to John: “The waters you saw… are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” That is, the mass of humanity that trusted the united leadership for safety and security. The angel explains that the beast hates the religious system created to give him power: “They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.” Tyrants and dictators always betray their most avid supporters and destroy the system to eliminate all competition. John adds an important detail: “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose… until God’s words are fulfilled.” For many of us, it takes loss and emptiness to begin to question truth. I believe many will look to Messiah after the blindfold is removed. My friend, there is a quote from the Psalms that is repeated in the New Testament: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). Be careful to verify whatever you hear.