March 25 - The Great Prostitute (pt. 4)

March 25 – The Great Prostitute (pt. 4)
Revelation 17:15-18

“Then the angel said to me, ‘The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are people, multitudes, nations and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.’” (Rev. 17:15-16)

The water we saw at the beginning of the chapter represents the people ruled by the beast and the great prostitute. No matter what, they hate the power that rules them. We’ve seen kings of the nations give up their power to the beast, but the people that live under these kings will finally revolt.

The time will come when they destroy Babylon completely to get out from under the tyranny of her extravagances.

“For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.” (Revelation 17:17)

These words bring me great assurance. God is in complete control. God gave the beast power to rule – to bring about God’s purpose. God gave the beast power to rule – only until God’s words are fulfilled. God’s control is complete. He is the one running the show. It may seem as if the secular world is in control of our future, but never forget that God has sovereignty over all things.

“The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17:18)

There is much discussion as to the identity of the great prostitute. For centuries, she was identified as Rome – the Catholic Church. Some say this comes from an interpretation of Rev. 17:9 (The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits).

Rome was called the city of seven hills. The names of these hills are: Aventine, Palatine, Caelian, Quirinal, Capitoline, Viminal and Esquiline.

However, I tend to agree with other scholars. When John identifies a location with a name, he generally means it. Babylon is Babylon. The seven hills exist as the seven heads of the beast. The only connection they have with the prostitute is that she is seated astride the beast. The whore will rule over the kings of the earth. The apostate church will rule over world politics. Though she has great power, it won’t last for long.