Revelation Study 23. Revelation 17:1-18:24

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 5. The angel's explanation of the "mystery" (secret) of the beast (17:7-17) may leave us more perplexed than before. Still, what do we know about the beast (his identity, character, and actions) from these verses?
  • Scarlet, full of blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns (v.7, cf. the dragon in 12:3 with seven diadems, the second beast in 13:1-9, with ten diadems)
  • it was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction (v.8, cf. 13:3 and the healing of its mortal wound)
  • Those "whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world" (v. 8, cf. 13:8) will marvel, just as they worshipped. They experience wonder and awe. They are 'impressed'.
  • The beast's seven heads are seven hills, also seven kings (v.9-10)
  • The beast itself is an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.(v.11)
  • The beast's ten horns are ten kings who have not yet received royal power (i.e they do not rule independently), but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.(v.12,13)
  • They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful (v.14) 
  "a mind with wisdom (17:9 )recalls 13:8. Not to understand a puzzle, but to discern the truth of what is revealed.
 
For Thought and Discussion: Do you think "the great city" depicted as a harlot in 17:1-18 is the same as "the great city" in 16:19 and/or the one in 11:8? Why or why not? 
 11:8 is the great city that symbolically/spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where Jesus was crucified is where the two witnesses are killed. A tenth of the city is destroyed in 11:13
 16:19 is the great city that is split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great.
 
Likely the same city - there is only one 'bad' ‘great’ city. Consider what makes a city “great”.
 
6. Why do you think the beast who supported the prostitute (17:3) later attacks and destroys her (17:16)? What is the significance of this?
"God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose" (v.17) is the ultimate reason.
The enemies of God fight only for themselves, not for a uniting, higher, purpose. 
 “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand".(Mt 12:25-26)

7. What can we learn about God and the Lamb from the angel's words (17:14,17)?
The Lamb will conquer the beast and the ten horns (v.14a)
The Lamb is Lord of lords and King of kings (v.14b)
He is accompanied by "those with Him" (v.14c, cf. 14:4 "they follow the Lamb wherever He goes)
God controls the hearts of His enemies (v.17a). He uses their actions for His purposes
His words will be fulfilled.(v.17b)

8. Alongside the Lamb (and perhaps fighting with Him?) in His victory over the beast and his followers will be the Lamb's own followers. What is significant about each of His followers' characteristics (17:14)?
 The Lamb triumphs for 2 reasons:
1. He is Lord of lords and King of kings. He has intrinsic authority
2. Those with Him are
"called". They have responded to the "eternal gospel" (14:6)
"chosen" They are elected by God to be His own
"many are called but few are chosen" (Mt 22:14) vs. "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."(Rom 8:30)
"faithful" (cf. 3:14, 19:11)
 
9. The beast turns on the woman because he hates her (17:16), but God's purpose is behind even their actions (17:17). For what sins has He condemned her (17:2,6; 18:2-3,7,23-24)?
  • sexual immorality (v.2, 18:2-3)
  • drunkenness with the blood of the saints, violence (v.6)
  • self-glorification and living in luxury, exploitation of people (18:7)
  • sorcery (18:23) 

10. Knowing God's decree, what should His people do, and why should they do this (18:4)?
"Come out" of the city.
Do not take part in her sins and share in her punishments 
 
For Thought and Discussion: 
a. Why do you think the kings, merchants, and seamen are singled out to mourn the great city's fall?
The powerful and rich, those who sustained her prosperity, gained the most from the prostitute.

b. What does this tell you about the city's nature and power base?
It was a place of commerce and politics. It was a place where money and power were ultimate. (cf. Jer 25:10)

11. How do the kings, merchants, and seamen respond to the whore's fall, and why?
They will weep and wail (v.9)
They will stand far off, in fear of her torment (v.10, 15). They who committed adultery with her have no commitment to her.
They wept  (v.15)
They mourned aloud  (v.15)
They threw dust on their heads (v.19)
They cried out (v.17, 19)
 
Kings of the earth have committed immorality with her (18:3a)
They will weep, wail, stand far off
"You were great, but you got what you deserved so quickly" (v.10)
 
Merchants of the earth have grown rich from her (18:3b)
They will weep and mourn, because no one buys their cargo. The city no longer generates demand.
"You were rich, but you becamse poor so quickly" (v.17) 
 
Shipmasters, seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea"(18:17)
Stood far off, cried out.
"She was so great!"
"She was a source of profit and livelihood"
"God gave her what she deserved for what she did to God's people"
 
The city sits upon many waters. Rome relied on maritime trade. The "waters' are people from all over the world
 
The angels (18:1, 21). The earth is made bright, with good news.
"The city has fallen: it is desolate and occupied by demons and unclean animals"
"The world has committed adultery with her and grown rich by her" 
 "Social and economic activity will cease" 
 
God (18:4-8) 

12. In contrast, how should God's people respond, and why (18:20)?
We should rejoice at her fall. It is God's righteous judgment

13. What does the harlot's fate tell you about God (18:4-8,20)? 
God wants His people to be pure (18:4) 
God knows sins and remembers them (18:5)
God is mighty (18:8)
God will vindicate His people (18:20) 
 
 

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