Revelation 17 DEVO: History & Fall of Babylon – Part 1

Chapter 17:
Chris Tomlin sings, “You and I were made to worship.” These words chime with the words of God in Ecclesiastes 3:11. We all have this “God-shaped vacuum” inside of us and our enemy wants us to try to fill it with everything but God. Throughout history, Babylon has been an important center for false worship. I’ll split this devo into 3 sections:
The Woman & the Beast (1-6a): “great prostitute” is a metaphor for false religion, idolatry & the word’s evil system. The “kings of the earth” are unbelieving people of hiogh ranks eho commit spiritual adultery. He “woman” is sitting on (supported by) the beast (the anti-christ). She is dresses spiritually attractive – purple (royalty), scarlet (blood), gold, stones & pearls. She had a “name written” points to their culture where prostitutes had to identify themselves. I don’t believe Babylon so much represents a geographic location as much as a symbol of all worldliness. She is bad stuff and is “drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.”
“Explanation” by the Angel (6b-14): Ok – John is confused……..and I can relate! 7 heads = 7 hills: This may be Rome. 7 Kings could represent 7 world empires: At this time, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persian & Greece had fallen, but not Rome and one yet to come. Almost sounds like the beast is both the 7th & 8th King, which is possible if you count the fake resurrection – I’m not sure on this stuff….hehe… I DO know they come with one agenda – to wage war! “But the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings.”
Judgment of the Woman (15-18): I believe the waters represent world-wide domination. The extreme and graphic violence done to the prostitute is God’s judgment on her – “God’s words are fulfilled.”
SO WHAT?!
*Are you or I guilty of spiritual adultery? What does that look like? How about any time we worship anything or anyone other than God – gulp! What is the focus of our thoughts? Stuff? Pleasure? Recognition? Accomplishments? Abilities? Etc… Lord, please help me to keep my eyes on YOU and my hands reaching out to a world that desperately needs you!
*In what ways have you bought into this evil world’s system and it’s lies? Lets spend time in God’s Word, filling out minds with truth so we can spot fakes as they come!