Day 207: The last war - Revelation 17 vs 1 – 18

1-2 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great whore who is seated on many waters. The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.”  3-6 Then he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. She had a golden cup in her hand filled with everything detestable and with the impurities of her prostitution. On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the detestable things of the Earth. Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the ten horns, that carries her. 

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. This calls for a mind that has wisdom. 9-10 “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. 12-13 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.  14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16-17 The ten horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman you saw is the great city that has royal power over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17 Christian Standard Bible

While these verses would have spoken to Christians in John's day of the Roman Empire's persecution of believer's and it's ultimate judgement, Christians through the ages have seen the great whore called Babylon as Jerusalem, Rome, and even a ruler who will bring havoc in the world for a short period immediately before Christ returns. Whoever she is meant to represent we see that she is seated on the beast and that the nations are intoxicated with her immoralities, and that she has abundantly shed the blood of God's people – both in Old Testament and New Testament days. (Vs 3-6) That was certainly true of Jerusalem. But it's also true of every Kingdom of the world that has been hostile to Christianity – from ancient Rome to modern day Communism, Islam and even the institution of the United Nations. But what is the ultimate battle front taking place in the world? (vs 12-14)

Those verses may have referred to the last days of the Roman empire, but could well apply to the world we currently live in. The politics of today’s world look very much as if nations are gathering for a major war against Christ and His Kingdom. Having destroyed physical Jerusalem in AD 70, nations are being led by Satan to try and destroy spiritual Jerusalem, the people of God. Their kingdom is one of wickedness and filth – Christ's kingdom is one of righteousness and glory to God. There is a final battle ahead - but look who John is told the winner will be! (vs 14). May God help us to be faithful.