REVELATION 16----THE BOWL JUDGMENTS

REVELATION 17----THE FALL OF RELIGIOUS BABYLON


Let me open this Bible Study by asking you all one question?

What DO you THINK ARE the TWO most painful & most ABHORRED things Jesus WISHED to avoid, but because of mankind’s sin nature & freewill choice, and His Father’s Given Word He HAS to do?

Give up?

MOST believe it is the beatings/shame/wrath of God Jesus endured on The Cross.
It isn't.
Jesus suffered all those WILLINGLY.
The MOST DREADED and HEART-BREAKING for Jesus is:
Revelations judgments & Jesus having no choice but to allow his creation THEIR REJECTION OF HIM & FREEWILL CHOICE to CHOOSE THE WORLD AND TO spend eternity in The Lake of Fire.

Revelation 16 - The Bowl Judgments

Bowls directed against natural phenomenon.
(v.1) A voice from the temple.
“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”

Since no one could enter the temple (Revelation 15:8), this loud voice from the temple IS God Himself, who personally initiates the horrific judgment of the bowls.

“Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth:” These bowls of judgment are the THIRD WOE described in Revelation 11:14.

WHY?

Because they are described as the wrath of God, Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth chastisements (with the purpose of bringing repentance) as much as punishments (with the purpose of dispensing justice).

As such, we usually think of these as occurring at the end of the seven-year period, immediately before Jesus’ return, HIS SECOND COMING…WHEN HE DOES STEP DOWN ON EARTH AGAIN, ON MOUNT ZION IN JERUSALEM.

Images from Israel’s Exodus are prominent in the bowl judgments.

WHERE?

REMEMBER, In the days of Moses, God sent plagues upon Egypt that included plagues of boils (Exodus 9:8-12), waters turning to blood (Exodus 7:14-25), and darkness (Exodus 10:21-29).

MANY HAVE ASKED…Are the plagues described in this chapter symbolic? THE SIMPLE ANSWER THE BIBLE GIVES US IS NO…THEY ARE NOT SYMBOLIC…THEY ARE VERY REAL.
EVEN THOUGH we can’t envision all that these words mean. WE CAN KNOW….God’s judgment of this world will NOT be a symbolic judgment. We can remember that the reality behind a symbol is always MORE real - and in this case therefore MORE TERRIFYING - than the symbol itself, AMEN!

AND JOHN SAYS ((ON THE EARTH))…IT DOES NOT GET ANY CLEARER THAN THAT. IT IS FUTURE, NOT LIKE SOME ((WISH)) TO TEACH THAT THIS ALREADY OCCURRED IN JOHN’S DAY AND THEN DOWN THROUGH HISTORY.

IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND…NOTHING OF THIS DEPTH, BREADTH HAS OCCURRED OVER THE FACE OF THE ENTIRE EARTH…AT THE SAME TIME, (WITHIN A 7 YEAR PERIOD) EITHER.

AND THE ANGELS BEING AT ALL FOUR POINTS ON THE COMPASS…NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST…TELL US IT WILL BE GLOBALLY…ALL THE EARTH…NOT JUST PARTS OF THE EARTH, NOT JUST SOME PEOPLE….BUT ALL THE EARTH AND ALL THE LOST AND UNSAVED PEOPLE ON IT WILL FACE THIS.

(v.2) The first bowl: foul and loathsome sores.
“So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”

“A foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast:” Those who worshipped the beast and received his mark are now “marked” by God with loathsome sores.

THE TRIBULATION SAINTS, WILL BE THE ONLY PEOPLE NOTTTTTTTTTT COVERED WITH THE FOUL AND LOATHSOME SORES TOO.

(v.3) The second bowl: the sea turned to blood.
“Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.”

“The sea . . . became blood:” Revelation 8:8-9 described a PARTIAL contamination of the sea. Here the contamination is made complete (EVERY LIVING creature in the sea died).

“Blood as of a dead man:” The sea BECOMES LIKE the blood, of a corpse’s blood. It will match the appearance and sickening character of the blood in a dead body.

(v.4) The THIRD bowl: fresh waters polluted.
“Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.”

“The rivers and springs of water, and they became blood:” This COMPLETE contamination is in contrast to the partial (one-third) pollution of fresh waters shown in Revelation 8:10-11.

When these BOWL judgments come, the time must be VERY short until the return of Jesus. With ecological disasters such as this, the human race CANNOT survive long.

LOST MANKIND, THE ANTI-CHRIST, THE FALSE-PROPHET & THEIR ONE WORLD RELIGION & GOVERNMENT SOUGHT OUT AND THIRSTED FOR THE BLOOD OF THE SAINTS, THOSE WHO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND STAND AND REJECT THE MARK DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION, & THEY MASSACRED EVERYONE THEY FOUND, NOW ALMIGHTY GOD IS GIVING THEM NOTHING TO DRINK BUT DEAD BODY BLOOD POLLUTED WATERS.

(v.5-7) The righteousness of God’s judgments.
“And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

“You are righteous . . . For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink:” It is completely fitting that those who DELIGHTED/REVELED in shedding the LIVING blood of the saints should now be forced to drink “DEAD blood.” They have REFUSED/REJECTED the Living Water of Jesus Christ, and now will be given the water of death.

Not only is God’s justice fair, it is also pure and appropriate. There is no “vigilante justice” with God.

“I heard another from the altar saying:” This voice is either an angel speaking from the altar, or the altar personified, representing the corporate testimony of the TRIBULATION martyrs (Revelation 6:9) and the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:3-5).

This “speaking altar” IS God’s altar - the cross, where His greatest sacrifice was made, and which here testifies of His righteous judgment, both in the past and soon to come. This is altar where God in His love offered a way of escape from these judgments THROUGH HIS PRECIOUS SON JESUS CHRIST.

(v.8-9) The FOURTH bowl: the sun scorches men.
“Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.”

“The sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire:” What is normally a blessing - the warmth of the shining sun - is now a curse.

“They did not repent and give Him glory:” The failure of men to respond with repentance shows that knowledge or experience of judgment will not change man’s sinful condition. Those who are NOT won by Jesus’ grace will NEVER be won.
I read this chapter and I HOPE mankind WOULD repent BY NOW after SEEING God’s power, but this chapter SADLY reveals to us just how EVIL, DEAD, & STONY-HEARTED mankind CAN be & WILL be. Completely and utterly corrupted...TOTALLY UNREPENTANT…STILL REJECTING OF OUR JESUS.

WE HAVE SEEN GLIMPSES OF THIS OVER TIME, MASS MURDERERS, SERIAL KILLERS, SPREE KILLERS, MASS RIOTS, TERRORISTS, RELIGIOUS FANATICS, DESPOTS WHO TORTURE, ABUSE, MUTILATE, AND KILL WITHOUT A BLINK OF CONCERN…AND WE ARE STUNNED AND HORRIFIED NOW…BUT ALL THOSE IN THE PAST WILL NOT COMPARE TO WHAT THE ONE WORLD RELIGION, THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT, SATAN, THE ANTI-CHRIST, AND HIS DEMONS WILL DO.


Bowls directed against the beast and his government.
(v.10-11) The FIFTH bowl: a plague of darkness.
“Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.”

“His kingdom became full of darkness:” Some see this as a symbolic darkness, but remember the 9th plague of Egypt was a LITERAL darkness, with spiritual overtones. It could NOT ONLY BE SEEN BUT IT WAS FELT too, as described in Exodus 10:21-22.

“They gnawed their tongues because of the pain:” The darkness of the fifth bowl is a preview of THE WAITING PRISON OF Hell & THE LAKE OF FIRE itself, which is described by Jesus as the outer darkness in Matthew 25:30. Those under the judgment of this fifth bowl stand, as it were, ARE ON the shores of the Lake Of Fire ETERNITY.

“And did not repent of their deeds:” In man’s sinful condition, he INCREASES his sin when under God’s judgment, at the very time he should FORSAKE his sin & REPENT AND CRY OUT TO JESUS.

IN OTHER WORDS, THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO ADMIT TO THE SINS OUT OF FEAR, BUT DO NOT REGRET THEIR CRIMES AND SINS AGAINST GOD, JESUS AND THE TRIBULATION SAINTS. AND OUR ALMIGHTY GOD, THE GOD WHO SEES READS AND KNOWS THE HEARTS OF ALL…KNOWS WHO IS CONTRITE, REPENTANT, AND TURNS FROM THEIR SINS AND THOSE WHO DO NOT, AMEN?
IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WILL NOT FOOL ALMIGHTY GOD.

But the sorrowing theme…of lost mankind…CONTINUES TO BE SHAKING THEIR FISTS AND CURSING GOD…



(v.12-16) The SIXTH bowl: armies are gathered for a great battle.
“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.”

“The great river Euphrates:” The Romans considered the Euphrates River a SECURE barrier against invasion from the empires of the east. In that day it was 1,800 miles long and anywhere from 300-1200 yards wide. No more…it is shrinking day by day…NOTICEABLY…RIGHT NOW.

“Its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared:” If the Euphrates were dried up and made a road, massive armies from the east (nations such as China, India, and Japan) could move westward with EASE.

WHY DO THEY COME? Is it to wipe out Israel? Is it to rebel against a European-based world leader (the Antichrist)? EITHER OR BOTH…BUT RIGHT HERE, THE BIBLE TELLS US THEY ULTIMATELY come to do battle against God and His Messiah as told to us ALSO in Psalm 2.

“I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon:” The spirits are LIKE frogs in form. The ancient Jewish people regarded frogs as unclean and repulsive, but the Egyptians revered a frog-goddess.
These demons are LIKE the “lying spirit” who led Ahab into battle which is told to us in 1 Kings 22:19-23.

“They ARE spirits of demons, performing signs:” Again, signs and wonders are used by demons as tools of deception. The false prophet here is the second beast of Revelation 13.

IN COMPARISON, OUR JESUS CHRIST EXPELLED UNCLEAN, DEMONIC SPIRITS, WHERE AS HERE, JESUS’ ENEMIES SEND THEM FORTH.

“Gather them to the battle:” This battle is not nation against nation, but the nations against God (Psalm 2:2). This is one of TWO important battles mentioned in prophecy.

The battle of Armageddon, when the Antichrist leads the world system AGAINST Israel & a returning Jesus (Revelation 17:12-16; 17:14; 19:19).

The final battle, The battle of Gog & Magog prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39... when Satan and his allies, AFTER the millennium reign of Jesus Christ on earth, Satan is LOOSED FOR A SEASON to make war against God told to us in Revelation 20:7-10.

“That great day of God Almighty:” The winner of this battle IS apparent. It is the great day of God, not the great day of man, not the great day of the Antichrist, not the great day of the dragon (Satan).

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame:” In the midst of the description of the coming battle, there is a warning to be prepared in light of Jesus’ SECOND COMING & HIS assured victory.

Garments are ALSO pictures of spiritual and practical righteousness. We are given the righteousness of Jesus as a garment (Galatians 3:27).

WE are also called to “put on” the nature of Jesus in terms of practical holiness (Ephesians 4:20-24).

Above all, we must not be “naked” - that is, without a covering, or trying to provide our own covering like Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:7), which is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).

If those during the GREAT TRIBULATION DO NOT HAVE JESUS…THEY ARE NAKED, THEY HAVE NO SHIELD…NO COVERING…NO PROTECTIONS, AMEN!

“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon:” This great battle happens at a place called Armageddon (Har-Megiddo).

Megiddo is in a region frequently associated with decisive battles: Deborah over Sisera (Judges 5:19);
Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 7);
Pharaoh over Josiah (2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22).
It is also a place of end-times mourning (Zechariah 12:11).

The vast Valley of Megiddo has seen tremendous battles through the centuries. Over 200 battles have been fought in the region, from 1468 b.c. (with Pharaoh Tuthmosis III) to 1917 (with Lord Allenby of the British).

THERE ARE THOSE who teach THIS BATTLE WAS WAGED IN FRANCE, GERMANY, THE CRIMEA…AND OTHER PLACES THROUGHOUT MANKIND‘S HISTORY, OR THAT THIS IS AN IDEA NOT A REAL BATTLE AT ALL.

JESUS SHOWED JOHN AND JOHN SAW & WROTE EXACTLY THAT…. SO It is best to see the place as literal, as the region of Megiddo and the valley of Esdraelon. Revelation 16:14; 17:14, and 19:19 described an organized battle.

(v.17-21) The SEVENTH bowl: the final judgments.
“Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.”

“IT IS DONE:” This announcement, coming from the throne itself tells us that there will be NO MORE delay. In mercy, God has stretched out this scene as much as He could. The seals were followed by trumpets; the trumpets were followed by bowls; but there will be NO MORE judgments upon the earth after this - IT IS DONE.

“Poured out his bowl into the air:” The fact that the bowl is poured into the air may show judgment against the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and his allies.

“There was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth:” In these final judgments, God shakes the earth with a tremendous earthquake. The same is promised in Hebrews 12:26, which says, “Now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Yet, what cannot be shaken will remain.”

“Great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath:” The fall of Babylon (the great city) is more explicitly described in Revelation 17 and 18.

Here, it is enough to say that God gives her the cup of the wine of the fierceness (the ancient Greek word thymos, describing a passionate outburst of anger) of His wrath (the ancient Greek word orge, describing a standing state of anger).

“Great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent:” Giant hailstones fall, weighing up to 100 pounds. Men respond in utter, unrepentant depravity (men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail).

WE ALL REMEMBER 9-1-1 WHEN THE TOWERS FELL, GLOBALLY PEOPLE HIT THEIR KNEES, RETURNED TO CHURCH, CRIED OUT TO JESUS IN SORROW AND MOURNING…BUT HERE WE SEE ALL OF LOST DEPRAVED MANKIND SHAKES THEIR FIST AT HEAVEN AND CURSES JESUS CHRIST AND ALMIGHTY GOD INSTEAD…IT DOES NOT GET ANY MORE SATAN POSSESSED AND DEPRAVED THAN THAT…

AND DID YOU KNOW…Hail is frequently a tool of judgment against God’s enemies, as seen against Egypt (Exodus 9:24), the Canaanites (Joshua 10:11), apostate Israel (Isaiah 28:2), and Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:22).

In each of these instances, hail rained down from heaven as a tool of judgment, NOT as a corrective chastisement of God’s own children.

I BELIEVE CHARLES SPURGEON SAYS IT BEST…“Despite all their suffering, many still will not repent. “I have known people say, ‘Well, if I were afflicted I might be converted. If I lay sick I might be saved.’ Oh, do not think so. Sickness and sorrow of themselves are no helps to salvation. Pain and poverty are not evangelists; disease and despair are not apostles. Look at the lost in hell. Suffering has effected no good in them. He that was filthy here is filthy there. He that was unjust in this life is unjust in the life to come. There is nothing in pain and suffering that, by their own natural operation, will tend to purification.”

WE WHO LOVE JESUS CHRIST AND THOSE WHO WILL COME TO LOVE JESUS CHRIST DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION CAN SAY:

Revelation 16 is a “great” chapter.

It describes GREAT evil: a great city, great Babylon (Revelation 16:19).

It describes GREAT tools of judgment: GREAT heat (Revelation 16:9), a GREAT river dried up (Revelation 16:12), a GREAT earthquake (Revelation 16:18), GREAT hail and GREAT plagues (Revelation 16:21).

It describes a GREAT ALMIGHTY GOD: His GREAT voice (loud is the same Greek word for great; verses 1 & 17), and His GREAT day of victory (Revelation 16:14).




REVELATION 17

Revelation 17 - The Fall of Religious Babylon

The concept of Babylon.

Revelation 16:19 and 14:8 have already declared Babylon’s fall. In Revelation 17 and 18, the fall of Babylon is carefully MORE detailed.

Babylon is mentioned 287 times in the Scriptures, more than any other city EXCEPT Jerusalem.

Babylon was a literal city on the Euphrates River. Genesis 11:1-10 shows that right after the flood, Babylon “was the seat of the civilization” that expressed organized hostility to God.

Babylon was later the capitol of the empire that cruelly conquered Judah.

To those familiar with the Old Testament, the name Babylon is associated with organized idolatry, blasphemy and the persecution of God’s people.

The concept of Babylon is greater than Revelation 17-18 and the Antichrist’s reign. Babylon was present in John’s day (typified by Rome), in our day, and throughout history, as the “world system.” But under the Antichrist, Babylon (in both its religious and commercial aspects) will hold sway over the earth as NEVER seen before.

The great harlot (religious Babylon) is described.
(v.1-2) Described by the angel.
“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

“I will show you the judgment of the great harlot:” Her judgment is assured at the outset. There is NEVER any doubt regarding the fate - and ultimate failure - of Babylon.

As a religious system, Babylon came into being long before Christianity, but in Satanic imitation it anticipated the coming true Messiah. According to religious history and legend, the Babylonian religion was founded by the wife of Nimrod (a great-grandson of Noah), named Semiramis. She was a high priestess of idol worship, and she gave birth to a son who she claimed was conceived miraculously. The son, named Tammuz, was considered a savior. Many ancient artifacts remain with the familiar motif of the mother Semiramis holding the savior-infant Tammuz, which predate Christianity. It was also said that Tammuz was killed by a wild beast and then miraculously brought back to life. Baal was the local, Canaanite name for the Babylonian Tammuz.

AND WE ALL KNOW THE DEPRAVED DEMONIC HISTORY OF BAAL FROM THE BIBLE, AMEN?

The Bible makes specific mention of some of the features of the classic religion of Bablyon:

Ezekiel protests against the ceremony of weeping for Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14)
Jeremiah mentions the heathen practice of making cakes for the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 7:18) and offering incense to the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 44:17-19; 44:25)

“Who sits on many waters:” Here, Babylon sits on many waters; that is, she presides over many nations (compare with Revelation 17:15). She has a universal, international character.

BABYLON will be the ONE WORLD UNIFICATION of ALL false, idolatrous religions, with representatives from apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, Islamic as well as a smorgasbord of other “religions/cults” of the world.

BUT REMEMBER FALSE RELIGIONS ARE NOT LIMITED TO JUST THOSE THREE. ANY “RELIGION” THAT ELEVATES ITSELF/TEACHINGS ABOVE JESUS CHRIST, LEADERS OF THEM THAT DEVIATE ONE IOTA, TWISTS, TURNS, DELETES, RE-CREATES, REVISES, OR CHANGES ONE WORD OF ALIMIGHTY GOD’S HOLY WORD…IS IN THE EYES OF ALMIGHTY GOD, JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT A FALSE RELIGION, AMEN!


“The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk:” Religious Babylon intoxicates kings and peoples. Karl Marx was partly right when he said, “Religion is the opiate of the masses.” He was partly right because EMPTY pomp & circumstance religions filled with rituals, constant, mindless repetitions and responses to it ARE the opium of the masses. THEY ENCOURAGE DO NOT STUDY, DO NOT SEEK, DO NOT THINK ON YOUR OWN, just LEARN & go on AUTO-PILOT TOWARDS the mindless repetitious mutterings, CIRCUS LIKE RITUALS, REQUIREMENTS THEY GIVE YOU.

DO NOT THINK, SEEK….JUST OBEY.

“Made drunk with the wine of her fornication:” The idea of fornication often has strong associations throughout the Bible with idolatry. Since this is a well-accepted religious system, it is likely to appear as attractive and spiritual, though not necessarily moral.

(v.3-6) What John saw.
“So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.”

“He carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness:” John is carried away into the wilderness; the desolate nature of the wilderness is an appropriate setting for a vision of judgment.

“Sitting on a scarlet beast:” The harlot rides the SAME beast (seven heads and ten horns) that was previously seen in Revelation 13:1 - the Antichrist and his GLOBAL dictatorship.

Her association with blasphemy and the dragon’s beast are clearly seen from God’s perspective. But to the people of the earth she will look quite religious, PIOUS, and have the “faith” everybody wants.

COMMIT A SIN, GO AGAINST YOUR RELIGIONS TEACHING/RULES/PARAMETERS…PAY FOR AN INDULGENCE, SAY YOUR ROSARY, STRIKE A GONG THREE TIMES, LIGHT REPENTANT INCENSE, PRAY FACING MECCA…WEARING HAIR SHIRTS/SACK CLOTH, DUST, A DOT, APOLOGIZE…DUE PENTANCE, FAST, RECITE PRAYERS OR WASH YOURSELF THREE TIMES, and you are forgiven…CLEAN…to name a few…ALL ARE MANKINDS AND MAN MADE CREATED RULES, PRICES, AND PENANCES…they have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRIUNE GOD, ALMIGHTY GOD, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, & JACOB…NOR HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.

OUR JESUS CHRIST WAS NOT RELIGIOUS…JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT, LIVED, WALKED AND WANTED/WANTS A PERSONAL, ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CREATION…ANYTHING LESS IS NOT OF JESUS CHRIST. ANYTHING LESS IS PURE DECEPTIVENESS BY THE GREAT DECEIVER…AMEN!

The woman is clothed with emblems of luxury (purple . . . gold and precious stones) and government (scarlet). Yet she offers idolatry (abominations) and impurity (filthiness of her fornication) in this sumptuous setting.

Having watched the news over the past GLOBAL YEARS, and seeing children sexually abused, impregnated, drugged out, and/or trained to attack, persecute, and kill others NOT OF THEIR FAITH AND ON command/unction by THOSE RELIGIOUS LEADERS, COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, WHO SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED THEM & BEEN SAFE FOR PARENTS TO TRUST THEIR CHILDREN WITH…IS JUST A GLIMPSE INTO HOW MUCH WORSE THESE “RELIGIOUS GROUPS” will be with THE ANTI-CHRIST, THE FALSE-PROPHET, & SATAN RULING OVER THEM during the GREAT TRIBULATION.

“On her forehead a name was written:” The name on her forehead identifies her in more ways than one. Did you know, Roman prostitutes frequently wore a headband with their name engraved upon it. So in spite of all her glamour, wealth, notoriety, & piety she is nothing but a prostitute.
There is a stark contrast between the woman of Revelation 12 (representing Israel, God’s people), and Revelation 17 woman (representing idolatrous, false religion).

THE MOTHER OF REVELATION 12...(THE NATION OF ISRAEL/GOD‘S PEOPLE) is a mother of a MAN child. Notably dressed in HEAVENLY GLORIES. HER INFLUENCE IS THE MOON UNDER HER FEET. HER SUFFERING…SHE IS ATTACKED BY SATAN.

THE MOTHER OF REVELATION 17...THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS (MOTHER OF GLOBAL UNIFIED FALSE RELIGIONS). NOTABLY DRESSED IN WORLDLY SPLENDOR. HER INFLUENCE OVER EARTHLY KINGS. HER SUFFERING IS SHE IS ATTACKED BY KINGS.

“MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT:” This title is not for literal Babylon; but its spiritual FALSE RELIGIONS (mystery) representation, which is the source (mother) of all idolatry (abominations) and spiritual adultery (harlots).

This harlot must be larger than any one branch of a religious institution. She IS the embodiment of Satan’s own ecumenical movement - the RELIGIOUS CULTS REMAINING ON THE EARTH (AFTER THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH, JESUS BELIEVERS, BOTH JEW AND GENTILE,) WILL UNITE INTO A ONE RELIGION world system.

RIGHT HERE YOU NOW BETTER UNDERSTAND JOHN’S AMAZEMENT…THE LEFT BEHIND RELIGIONS WILL CONTINUE ON WITHOUT A THOUGHT OR CARE FOR THE RAPTURED CHURCH….IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THEIR SERVICES, SPOUTING THEIR RELIGIOUS PATTER, THEIR RITUALS, THE WORSHIP OF MANY ICONS, AND THEY WILL SHOW THE WORLD THEIR GRANDIOSITY BY JOINING HANDS AND HEARTS AND IDEALS WITH ALL OTHER RELIGIONS…AND THEY WILL ALL BE LED, CONTROLLED, AND OVERSIGHTED BY SATAN HIMSELF (IN SPIRIT) AND THE ANTI-CHRIST (SATAN IN THE FLESH). THE GREAT DECEIVER OF MANKIND.

WE NOW SHOULD NOT BE SHOCKED BY JOHN’S REVELATIONS…THINK ABOUT OUR WORLD RIGHT NOW, with its POLITICALLY AND SOCIALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY CORRECT ATTITUDES/MOTTOS THAT PREACH…
“It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe in something”….
“All paths lead to God”…
“We are ALL GOD’S CHILDREN”…

Such BLIND AND FALSE philosophy/religious teachings, make the world RIPE for the harlot’s seductions. We see the casual disregard for ALMIGHTY GOD AND JESUS CHRIST’S BIBLICAL truth crippling the churchs more and more today.

JUST AS ANOTHER NEW REVISED VERSION OF EVERY RELIGIONS “BIBLE OF THE MOMENT” IS CRANKED OUT…THEY REASON WITHIN THEMSELVES…WELL THE GENEVA, THE KJV BIBLE IS OUT-DATED….OLD SCHOOL…PASSE…IT NO LONGER APPLIES…WE ARE MORE EDUCATED NOW, MORE BRAINY NOW, MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED NOW…SO NOW WE HAVE TO GROW AND CHANGE WITH THE TIMES…WE NOW NEED THE NEW AGE RELIGIOSITY…WHICH COMPASSIONS EVERYONE, CONVICTS NO ONE, TEACHES NO ONE, DEMANDS NOTHING OF THEM, BUT THAT WHICH DOES NOT BRING HARM OR SHAME TO THEIR NEW AGE RELIGIOUS CULTS AND PRACTICES…SIN, EVIL, AND THE DEVIL HIMSELF…ARE NOT REALLY REAL….THEY ARE JUST OUR UNCONTROLLED EMOTIONS…THEY ARE ONLY OUR CONSCIENCES…JUST CEREBRAL.

MORAL ABSOLUTES ARE DYING IN FRONT OF OUR EYES. YOUR WORD IS NO LONGER YOUR BOND. PROMISES AND CONTRACTS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN. EVIL IS BEING TREATED WITH COMPASSION AND/OR EXPLAINED AWAY.
BE MORAL, STRIVING TO RAISE MORAL GODLY CHILDREN ARE PERSECUTED.
THIS WORLD IS RIPE AND READY FOR THE ANTI-CHRIST AND HIS UNHOLY FATHER SATAN.

“Drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:” The woman not only persecutes, she revels in her persecution of the godly as a drunk revels in wine.

EVER WONDERED WHY WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING GREAT ARENAS WORLDWIDE, FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES & SPORTS? THE BIBLE TELLS US THE ROMAN EMPIRE WILL BE REVIVED. RIGHT?


AND WHEN WE STUDY THE ROMAN EMPIRE…WE CAN SEE AND KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ITS FUTURE PURPOSES…SPORTS WILL CONTINUE…LIFE WILL CONTINUE…CONCERTS WILL BE HELD…DINNERS GIVEN, BUT A NEW ELEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED…

DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION THOSE SELF-SAME ARENAS/AUDITORIUMS/COLISEUMS WILL BE PACKED OUT, WILL HAVE STANDING ROOM ONLY, A TICKET SCALPERS DREAM, WHEN PEOPLE WILL PAY TO WATCH GLADIATORS, WILD ANIMALS, AND ASSASSINS FIGHT, MURDER TRAITOROUS, REJECTING THE ONE WORLD LEADER AND HIS MARK, CHRISTIANS BEFORE THEIR EYES. IT WILL BE PIPED IN LIVE VIA SATELLITE FOR A PRICE, FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO WATCH THE FESTIVITIES FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES. IT WILL BE RECORDED AND SOLD FOR MASS DISTRIBUTION LATER VIEWINGS FOR THOSE WHO CHOSE NOT TO TRAVEL AND COME TO WATCH, DRINK, AND BE ENTERTAINED WHILE CHRISTIANS ARE BEHEADED BY GUIOTINE, BURNED AT THE STAKE, MAULED BY ANIMALS, OR BUTCHERED BY THEIR WARRIOR CHAMPIONS…ALL FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE DEPRAVED WORLD.

UNTHINKABLE?

THINK ABOUT THE VAST GLOBAL MEDIA TALKING HEAD AND PERSON ON THE STREET OPINIONS AND COMMENTARY AROUND THE WORLD OVER WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO SEXUAL SADISTS, BABY KILLERS, THE TERRORISTS, THE MASS MURDERERS, THE PEDOFILES…TAKE THEM OUT AND HANG THEM…RAPE THEM UNTIL THEY ARE DEAD…BEAT THEM UNTIL THEY ARE DEAD…THE DIFFERENCE IS THE ONLY CRIME THE TRIBULATION CHRISTIANS/SAINTS WILL HAVE COMMITED IS THEIR REFUSAL TO REJECT JESUS CHRIST…REFUSAL TO BOW THE KNEE TO THE ANTI-CHRIST, REFUSE TO TAKE THE MARK OF THEIR ICONIC LEADER..

AND WORSE, THIS ONE WORLD RELIGIOUS GROUP WILL HELP SPY, SPEARHEAD AND HUNT DOWN ANY PERSON WHO ACCEPTS JESUS CHRIST AND REFUSES THE MARK OF THE BEAST… THESE “RELIGIOUS” PEOPLE WILL BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO TORTURE, KILL, AND PERSECUTE. AND THE BIBLE TELLS US THEY WILL REVEL…THAT MEANS DEEPLY ENJOY IT.

“I marveled with great amazement:” NOW WE KNOW WHY John IS amazed? Because this isn’t pagan persecution (such as he knew in his day), THE GODLESS, WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN ALMIGHTY GOD NOR OUR JESUS CHRIST….but THEY WILL BE THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE GODLY, RELIGIOUS, WHO WILL persecute. This is a psuedo-church, thirsty for the blood of the saints. False religion is always the WORST ENEMY of true religion.

THE FALSELY RELIGIOUS…THE PIOUS SADDUCEES AND HOLIER THAN THOU PHARISEES SOUGHT TO KILL JESUS CHRIST AT EVERY TURN TOO.

AND WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET that some of the most vicious persecution conducted against true Christians has been done in the name of the church. In the days when the Roman Catholic Queen Mary ruled England (known as “Bloody Mary” for good reason), some 288 Christians were burnt at the stake for their stand for JESUS CHRIST between 1555 and 1558. The first of these martyrs was a man named John Rogers, who, as he stood chained to a stake, and the fire rose around him, up to his legs and shoulders, he rubbed his hands in the flames as if he were washing his hands in cold water. Then he lifted his hands to the heavens and held them high until he was completely consumed by fire. This barbarity was committed in the name of religion, in the name of THE SO-CALLED ONE TRUE FAITH…THE ONE TRUE church. But Rogers went to the stake with such calm and dignity that the French Ambassador attending the “event” wrote that he went to his death “as if he was walking to his wedding.” His courage was so evident that the huge crowd burst into applause when they saw him walking to the stake.

The great harlot is interpreted.
(v.7) The angel tells John that the harlot will be explained to him.
“But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.”

“I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her:” The focus of the explanation is on the beast. It appeared that the harlot ruled (rode) the Antichrist’s system, but HE THE BEAST is the dynamic factor, USING her as tyrants have always used religion - as a mere TOOL to accomplish their purposes.

THE SPANISH INQUISITION IS JUST ONE OF THE HISTORICAL PERIODS WHERE A RELIGIOUS CULT, A FALSE RELIGION, WAS USED TO HUNT DOWN, TORTURE, AND KILL ANYONE THAT DID NOT ACCEPT THEIR ONE TRUE FAITH FALSE RELIGION OF THAT DAY.

QUITE A CONTRAST TO OUR JESUS..WHO SOUGHT TO SAVE THOSE THAT WERE LOST, BLIND AND IN DARKNESS. THOSE HE TOUCHED, HEALED, PROVIDED, LOVED AND CARED FOR PEOPLE, SOME WHO WOULD REJECT HIM, DENY HIM, REVILE HIM, AND SEEK TO KILL HIM. JESUS NEVER KILLED ANY WHO REJECTED HIM OR HIS TEACHINGS, AMEN!

(v.8) The beast carrying the woman is plainly connected with the beast of Revelation 13.
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”

(v.9) Seven mountains associated with the beast.
“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.”

“The seven heads are seven mountains:” Many quickly associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills.

But REMEMBER in the Bible mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains.

John knows the difference between hills & mountains, so it is probably better to see the seven mountains as the representing the seven kings and kingdoms described in Revelation 17:10.

Many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism irresistible, yet there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be much bigger than EVEN Roman Catholicism. IT WILL BE A UNIFICATION OF ALL LEFT BEHIND FALSE RELIGIONS.

AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION OR A RELIGION OR A BUILDING OR ITS LEADERSHIP…JESUS IS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP…SO TO IS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST…IT IS PEOPLE…OF ALL TRIBES, TONGUES, AND NATIONS WHO CHOOSE JESUS CHRIST…WHO LOVE HIM…WHO SEEK TO OBEY HIM AND LIVE AS HE LIVED/TAUGHT…AN OTHER’S CENTERED LIFE, AMEN?

YET IT IS INTERESTING THAT WE SEE Indications about Roman Catholicism’s ultimate VISION, GOAL, & AIM IS partnership with a one-world religion are evident in Pope John Paul II’s bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions, when addressing a prayer gathering of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were “unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace.” The Pope pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to ‘share in and promote’ such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.”

AND RIGHT HERE REVELATION TELLS US, JOHN SEES IT & IS AMAZED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE POPE JOHN PAUL II VERBALIZED IT…THE MUSLIMS & ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERSHIP, THE TWO “LARGEST & MOST AGGRESSIVE” WILL JOIN FORCES WITH ALL OTHER LEFT BEHIND RELIGIONS…THEY WILL BE UNITED UNDER THE HEADSHIP OF THE ANTI-CHRIST & HIS FALSE PROPHET.

FURTHERMORE, The Catholic Review commented on this and said, “The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to SAVE humanity from senseless destruction, and leading to toward the light in which we all believe.”

And most LAUDED him for this statement. HOW can ANY man, any religion even THINK to open their mouths and slammingly equate Jesus Christ EQUAL TO, or on the same level with flawed, corrupt, mortal men like Pope John Paul II & the Dalai Lama SAYS it all.

RELIGIONS INFRASTRUCTURE VISIONS/PLANS SHOW US THIS world is RIPE for this NOW! Satan, The Anti-Christ, & The False Prophet will EASILY control men and mindsets such as these RELIGIOUS HEADS.

MAKE NO MISTAKE HERE, REVELATION 2-3, JESUS TELLS JOHN & MANKIND THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO DO LOVE HIM IN ALL DENOMINATIONS, BUT HE CLEARLY ALSO TELLS THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, NOT THEIR RELIGIOUS CHOICE, BUT KNOW AND LOVE HIM IN REVELATION 18:4... “TO COME OUT OF HER OH MY PEOPLE…”

(v.10) Seven kings and kingdoms.
“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.”

“Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come:” This is one of the more difficult passages in the Book of Revelation. Some explain these seven kings, five past, one present, and one to come in the succession of Roman Emperors in John’s era. But there are many historical difficulties with this approach. More likely, it is a reference to:

FIVE HAVE FALLEN…refers to the five world empires before John’s day: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece
refers to the world empire of John’s day.

ONE IS…refers to the world’s empire of John’s day:Rome

THE OTHER HAS NOT YET COME…refers to the one world empire to come: a revival of the Roman Empire through the ANTI-CHRIST’S ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT.

“When he comes, he must continue a short time:” This seventh will quickly be taken over by an eighth - and will become the state of the Antichrist (Revelation 17:11).

(v.11) The beast (the Antichrist) is clearly identified as the eighth king.
“And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.”

“Is himself also the eighth:” He is of the seven means the sense that he THE ANTI-CHRIST, THE EIGHTH WORLD LEADER will HAVE AND SHARE the characteristics with ALL previous world empires, but his fate is clear. Perdition means “destruction,” and the beast WILL be destroyed.

(v.12-15) Ten kings to come, allies of the Antichrist.
“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”

“Ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet:” This tells us of a TEN-nation confederation (as in the toes of the Daniel 2:24-45 image).

Many have seen the European Economic Community as the potential fulfillment of this. Perhaps, but RIGHT NOW there are MORE than ten nations in this revived European power.

There is little doubt of the credentials of the EEC to claim itself a successor to the ancient Roman Empire. The EEC started in 1957, when six European nations met to talk about combining their nuclear, coal, and economic resources. They met together in Rome, and signed the treaty of Rome - the beginnings of the present EEC.

DID YOU KNOW, In many places in Europe, the EEC flag is just as prominent as any national flag. NOW FOR THE JAW-DROPPER, FOR THOSE OF US WHO STUDY AND BELIEVE REVELATION. In the spiritual dynamic of things, it’s no accident that on the back of the Eurodollar coin is a woman riding a multi-headed beast.

AND John TELLS us plainly it WILL happen, and this confederation of nations WILL emerge as an heir to the ancient Roman Empire.

“These are of ONE MIND, and they WILL GIVE their power and authority to the beast:” Whatever their exact identity, their actions are clear. They ally with the Antichrist in the war against Christ, in the battle alluded to in the sixth and seventh bowls (Revelation 16:12-21).

“The harlot presides over peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This tells us that the harlot’s influence is worldwide, through her connection to the beast. This will be a TRULY ONE-world religion.

“The interpretation of the harlot focuses on her relation to the beast:” she is utterly connected to the beast and his government. If this sounds unthinkable, remember that throughout history, religion - NOT TRUE CHRIST CENTERED Christianity - BUT “RELIGIONS” has often been the willing servant and supporter of tyrants.

The great harlot is judged.
(V.16) Antichrist’s allies turn on the great harlot.

“And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”

“These will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire:” This violence probably takes place at the mid-point of the tribulation period. Here, apostate religion discovers the TRUE nature of the beast.

WHY BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU?
IN A WORD….EGO!
Ultimately, the Antichrist NOR SATAN HIMSELF will NOT tolerate ANY worship except of himself:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 CONFIRMS THIS… “The son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

Once his power has been consolidated, the Antichrist NO longer NEEDS the help of THE UNITED RELIGIOUS Babylon. He will then work to dismantle and destroy her and her one-world religion.

BUT THIS SHOULD NOT SURPRISE US….This has ALWAYS been the goal of tyrants - and most politicians - to use religion for their purposes, then discard it AFTER THEY HAVE GAINED THE POWER THEY SEEK, Amen!

(v.17) God’s hand is the One ultimately directs all this.
“For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.”

“God has put it into their hearts:” God has directed the judgment against religious Babylon. God will sometimes use a wicked group (here, the ten kings) to be an instrument of His judgment against another wicked group (here, religious Babylon).

“To be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast:” God has ordained the political support of these ten kings for the Antichrist. In doing so, God GIVES the world EXACTLY what it wants: godless religion and godless rulers.

(v.18) The great harlot is identified with Rome.
“And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

“That great city:” In John’s day, there was NO DOUBT which city reigns over the kings of the earth. ROME WAS the political, economic, and religious center of the world in John’s day.

But Babylon - in the sense of the world system - has always been that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth. The question for Christians is, “Does it reign over me? Or am I the citizen of a better city, the Jerusalem above?” (Galatians 4:26)

Again, the association of this harlot - of religious Babylon - with Rome doesn’t mean that the Roman Catholic Church is identical to religious Babylon, though apostate Roman Catholic Church its leadership will definitely be a MAJOR part of this great harlot, as will the Muslims & all other UNIFIED/UNITED LEFT BEHIND FALSE RELIGIONS.

BOTTOM LINE….DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION, IT WILL NO LONGER BE CATHOLICS, PROTESTANTS, BUDDHISTS, HINDUS, MUSLIMS, SCIENTOLOGISTS, NAMASTE, ETC...IT WILL BE ONE WORLD RELIGION. THEY WILL JOIN AND SUPPORT AND FOLLOW THE ANTI-CHRIST.