What does Revelation 17:1 reveal about God's judgment on worldly systems? Setting and Context - Revelation 17 follows the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath (Revelation 16). - One of those very angels now invites John to “Come” and see the next stage of judgment. - The focus shifts from individual plagues to God’s verdict on the overarching system symbolized as “the great prostitute.” Text (Revelation 17:1) “Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and told me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.’” Key Truths About God’s Judgment - God Himself initiates and directs the judgment; the angel acts only as His messenger. - The word “punishment” (krima) speaks of a legal sentence—God’s verdict is final and righteous. - “Great prostitute” portrays organized spiritual infidelity—religious, political, and economic systems that seduce humanity away from allegiance to the true God. - “Sits on many waters” points to global influence (confirmed in v. 15: “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues”). Worldly systems may look powerful and widespread, yet they are still subject to God’s authority. What This Reveals About Worldly Systems 1. They are unified in rebellion: like a single harlot, they share a common spirit of defiance (Genesis 11:4; 1 John 5:19). 2. They appear alluring but are morally corrupt (Proverbs 5:3–5). 3. They dominate humanity’s culture, economy, and religion (Revelation 18:3). 4. Their reach is vast (“many waters”), yet God’s reach is greater (Psalm 24:1). 5. Their downfall is certain—already announced before John even sees the details (Revelation 14:8; 18:2). Consistency with the Rest of Scripture - Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 51:7–9—prophecies against historical Babylon foreshadow the fall of end-time Babylon. - Daniel 2:44—God’s kingdom will crush and end every earthly kingdom. - Revelation 16:19—“Babylon the great was remembered before God” right before the angel’s invitation. - 1 John 2:17—“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Why This Matters to Believers - Confidence: no matter how entrenched worldly powers become, God has already set their judgment in motion. - Discernment: believers must recognize the seductive nature of these systems and refuse compromise (Revelation 18:4). - Hope: God’s just verdict paves the way for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9) and the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2). |
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