[Originally preached 18 January, 2004]
Revelation 17
Our chapter is full of symbolic detail. We have heads and horns and a city along with lots more. In fact, it can be a little confusing. Some see John’s mention of the seven hills and think that this is an obvious reference to Rome since it was a city built on seven hills. And that would then lead to seeing the seven kings as seven Roman emperors. But what if the use of ‘seven’ wasn’t literal but symbolic? We’ve seen seven used a lot in that way. And what if the word for ‘hill’ were translated as it usually is, ‘mountain’, which, in the Old Testament, a symbol for power. And what if the ‘kings’ were symbolic for authority? It can get very confusing. So, I’m not going to try to explain all the details this morning. If truth be told, that isn’t your need. Remember the goal isn’t knowledge but wisdom. Understanding and dealing with just a few of the easier symbols will help us to that goal.
So, what is fairly clear about our text? It’s about Babylon. And what does our text tell us about Babylon? Obviously, it is a city. But our text also uses the symbol of a woman who is a prostitute as well as the imagery of great wealth. Now, these are some symbols that we can understand. Again, we look to the Old Testament to guide us. In the book of Proverbs there are several kinds of women. Here’s one contrasting pair. First, there is the theme of woman as wife. ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.’ [Proverbs 18:22] Or ‘An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.’ [Proverbs 31:10] Now, what is the contrasting woman in this pair? Listen.
And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, ‘I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.’ Proverbs 7:10-20
My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Proverbs 5:1-4
Here, the woman is a prostitute, an alluring temptress who looks good at first but whose end is death. Here, in Proverbs, we see this contrasting pair of women. Now, let’s take that into Revelation. How does this help us understand Babylon? If you remember the theme of counterfeiting, then everything makes sense. We’ve seen a counterfeit trinity, a counterfeit seal. Babylon is also a counterfeit. She is a counterfeit of the Church. How is the Church described? The Church is also a woman. But she is not a prostitute. She is a bride, the bride of Christ. We have a contrasting pair of women in Revelation. The Church in all her purity and Babylon in all her immorality. And with them we have two competing calls. Even as two other women in Proverbs, wisdom and folly, call to men, the Church and Babylon also call. The problem, then, for the seven churches back in first century – as it is for us today – is that we all must make a choice. Which call will we heed? Will it be the call to wisdom from the Church, Christ’s pure bride, or the call to foolishness from Babylon the prostitute? That is the basic thought of our text: two competing women with two competing calls. Which will we choose?
Now, before you think that this is a no-brainer, consider what it is that Babylon offers. As the immoral prostitute, Babylon offers pleasure. As the great city, it offers wealth. Pleasure and wealth. And it does so subtly, as a counterfeit. You see, it is counterfeiting true wealth and true pleasure which Christ offers. It’s not as if Babylon offers something new and original. This agent of Satan takes what is good and twists it. And this will work because we are all built to enjoy wealth and pleasure. It’s just that we need to discern what is true wealth and true pleasure. Again, in Proverbs, we see a contrast between the true and the counterfeit. ‘Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.’ [Proverbs 11:4] The wealth of Babylon is a counterfeit of the wealth that the Gospel offers. Here, just remember the other city in Revelation, the new Jerusalem made of gold and jewels. It too is a wealthy city. But its wealth is of a different sort. The true wealth of God is righteousness and life and forgiveness of sins and the fatherly love of God. Babylon and the Church both offer wealth. But only one offers true and lasting wealth.
Then there is the matter of pleasure. Is there any pleasure offered by the bride? Or is being a Christian merely a matter of duty and suffering? Listen to David.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:8-11
Is being a faithful Christian boring? Are there no pleasures to be enjoyed? Remember that we shall inherit new bodies in which we shall enjoy pleasures forevermore. The Gospel offers real pleasure. Satan knows this and so, through his agent, Babylon, he tries to offer a counterfeit.
A bit ago I mentioned two other women in Proverbs, wisdom and foolishness. Listen carefully to their calls.
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight." Proverbs 9:1-6
The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says, "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." Proverbs 9:13-17
We have in our text two conflicting calls, two conflicting offers. And you are in the middle hearing both. Now, please note Satan’s strategy. It is subtle and very effective. The Beast uses fear to get us to compromise, to get us to join with him. The Beast has great power to do us harm. He brandishes his weapons and threatens us. ‘Compromise or else!’ But Babylon uses a completely different tack. There is no mention of threats or fear with her. Instead, Babylon appeals to our lusts to get us to compromise. She entices and allures. She subtly calls and suggests and offers what we want. ‘Come, let us enjoy our fill of love. Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ Where the bold threats of the Beast don’t stir up our fears, the sly enticements of Babylon just might work.
Now, let’s break out of the symbols and see what all this is saying about our world today. Just as the Beast roams about with its threats and intimidation, likewise Babylon the prostitute plies her trade. In our culture, the offers of Babylon are very real. Every day hear her offers of wealth and pleasure. To a very great degree these two offers define our world. What explains our society better than the joint pursuits of wealth and pleasure? Ask the average man in the street how much is enough to live on and what will he say? ‘A little bit more.’ And what is one of the key words to use when you’re trying to get people to join in some group with you? ‘Fun’ It’s the appeal to pleasure. Look at our world. Babylon the prostitute is alluringly and seductively offering her blessings to all who will come. And what we need to recognize is that all of us here are affected by that message. We all have been touched by the pursuit of pleasure and wealth. We all have felt the allure of Babylon. We all have expectations of a measure of wealth and pleasure. And so, we all are exposed to danger. Let me be clear here. I am not saying that we have all compromised the Gospel and have given ourselves over to Babylon the prostitute. But I am saying that her poison is in the air and we have breathed in something of its foulness. We have been affected by our world. And so, taking the next fatal step into her clutches is a very real possibility.
So, the warning of chapter 18 is fitting.
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’ Rev. 18:4-5
We need to keep well clear of this evil city. The judgment of God is coming upon it. But how do we do that? If this were a literal city it would be easy. We would just move out into the country. But the problem with Babylon is that it isn’t a physical city. It is an attitude of the heart. It is a mindset that views life in a certain way. How do you separate yourself from that?
The first step is to understand that Babylon is real. Today, this agent of Satan is busily at work. The prostitute roams the streets looking for prey, looking for you. And remember what she offers. Jesus anticipated her in several places. Let me mention one. In the parable of the four soils, what was it that distinguished the third soil, the soil with the thorns? Listen to Jesus’ warning.
And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19
John adds to this warning.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Keep your guard up. Be aware that Babylon is trying to seduce you. She will lure you with the promise of ease and pleasure and wealth. Look for it. Expect it.
Secondly, learn to cherish what is real and authentic. Do you understand what the wealth of the Gospel is? Do you desire the pleasures that God promises? Heed the Apostle Paul’s exhortation.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Col. 3:1-2
And this is where the familiar words of Jesus fit.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
If you are truly blessed with the contentment of the Gospel then do you really need more of the things of this world? If you are beginning to taste the enduring pleasures of God, then what need is there of more of the fading pleasures of this age? Now, please understand. I am not saying that you all need to give away everything you have and become poor. Being poor is no protection against Babylon. There are many who are poor who have also been fooled by the alluring promises of the prostitute. Protection isn’t a matter of what you have or don’t have. Protection is a matter of the heart. And so, ultimately, you will only be protected if you fall in love with Jesus and pursue the wealth and pleasures that He has to offer. If you, by the grace of the Spirit, do that then you will be safe.
Revelation 17
Our chapter is full of symbolic detail. We have heads and horns and a city along with lots more. In fact, it can be a little confusing. Some see John’s mention of the seven hills and think that this is an obvious reference to Rome since it was a city built on seven hills. And that would then lead to seeing the seven kings as seven Roman emperors. But what if the use of ‘seven’ wasn’t literal but symbolic? We’ve seen seven used a lot in that way. And what if the word for ‘hill’ were translated as it usually is, ‘mountain’, which, in the Old Testament, a symbol for power. And what if the ‘kings’ were symbolic for authority? It can get very confusing. So, I’m not going to try to explain all the details this morning. If truth be told, that isn’t your need. Remember the goal isn’t knowledge but wisdom. Understanding and dealing with just a few of the easier symbols will help us to that goal.
So, what is fairly clear about our text? It’s about Babylon. And what does our text tell us about Babylon? Obviously, it is a city. But our text also uses the symbol of a woman who is a prostitute as well as the imagery of great wealth. Now, these are some symbols that we can understand. Again, we look to the Old Testament to guide us. In the book of Proverbs there are several kinds of women. Here’s one contrasting pair. First, there is the theme of woman as wife. ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.’ [Proverbs 18:22] Or ‘An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.’ [Proverbs 31:10] Now, what is the contrasting woman in this pair? Listen.
And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, ‘I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.’ Proverbs 7:10-20
My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Proverbs 5:1-4
Here, the woman is a prostitute, an alluring temptress who looks good at first but whose end is death. Here, in Proverbs, we see this contrasting pair of women. Now, let’s take that into Revelation. How does this help us understand Babylon? If you remember the theme of counterfeiting, then everything makes sense. We’ve seen a counterfeit trinity, a counterfeit seal. Babylon is also a counterfeit. She is a counterfeit of the Church. How is the Church described? The Church is also a woman. But she is not a prostitute. She is a bride, the bride of Christ. We have a contrasting pair of women in Revelation. The Church in all her purity and Babylon in all her immorality. And with them we have two competing calls. Even as two other women in Proverbs, wisdom and folly, call to men, the Church and Babylon also call. The problem, then, for the seven churches back in first century – as it is for us today – is that we all must make a choice. Which call will we heed? Will it be the call to wisdom from the Church, Christ’s pure bride, or the call to foolishness from Babylon the prostitute? That is the basic thought of our text: two competing women with two competing calls. Which will we choose?
Now, before you think that this is a no-brainer, consider what it is that Babylon offers. As the immoral prostitute, Babylon offers pleasure. As the great city, it offers wealth. Pleasure and wealth. And it does so subtly, as a counterfeit. You see, it is counterfeiting true wealth and true pleasure which Christ offers. It’s not as if Babylon offers something new and original. This agent of Satan takes what is good and twists it. And this will work because we are all built to enjoy wealth and pleasure. It’s just that we need to discern what is true wealth and true pleasure. Again, in Proverbs, we see a contrast between the true and the counterfeit. ‘Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.’ [Proverbs 11:4] The wealth of Babylon is a counterfeit of the wealth that the Gospel offers. Here, just remember the other city in Revelation, the new Jerusalem made of gold and jewels. It too is a wealthy city. But its wealth is of a different sort. The true wealth of God is righteousness and life and forgiveness of sins and the fatherly love of God. Babylon and the Church both offer wealth. But only one offers true and lasting wealth.
Then there is the matter of pleasure. Is there any pleasure offered by the bride? Or is being a Christian merely a matter of duty and suffering? Listen to David.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:8-11
Is being a faithful Christian boring? Are there no pleasures to be enjoyed? Remember that we shall inherit new bodies in which we shall enjoy pleasures forevermore. The Gospel offers real pleasure. Satan knows this and so, through his agent, Babylon, he tries to offer a counterfeit.
A bit ago I mentioned two other women in Proverbs, wisdom and foolishness. Listen carefully to their calls.
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight." Proverbs 9:1-6
The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says, "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." Proverbs 9:13-17
We have in our text two conflicting calls, two conflicting offers. And you are in the middle hearing both. Now, please note Satan’s strategy. It is subtle and very effective. The Beast uses fear to get us to compromise, to get us to join with him. The Beast has great power to do us harm. He brandishes his weapons and threatens us. ‘Compromise or else!’ But Babylon uses a completely different tack. There is no mention of threats or fear with her. Instead, Babylon appeals to our lusts to get us to compromise. She entices and allures. She subtly calls and suggests and offers what we want. ‘Come, let us enjoy our fill of love. Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ Where the bold threats of the Beast don’t stir up our fears, the sly enticements of Babylon just might work.
Now, let’s break out of the symbols and see what all this is saying about our world today. Just as the Beast roams about with its threats and intimidation, likewise Babylon the prostitute plies her trade. In our culture, the offers of Babylon are very real. Every day hear her offers of wealth and pleasure. To a very great degree these two offers define our world. What explains our society better than the joint pursuits of wealth and pleasure? Ask the average man in the street how much is enough to live on and what will he say? ‘A little bit more.’ And what is one of the key words to use when you’re trying to get people to join in some group with you? ‘Fun’ It’s the appeal to pleasure. Look at our world. Babylon the prostitute is alluringly and seductively offering her blessings to all who will come. And what we need to recognize is that all of us here are affected by that message. We all have been touched by the pursuit of pleasure and wealth. We all have felt the allure of Babylon. We all have expectations of a measure of wealth and pleasure. And so, we all are exposed to danger. Let me be clear here. I am not saying that we have all compromised the Gospel and have given ourselves over to Babylon the prostitute. But I am saying that her poison is in the air and we have breathed in something of its foulness. We have been affected by our world. And so, taking the next fatal step into her clutches is a very real possibility.
So, the warning of chapter 18 is fitting.
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’ Rev. 18:4-5
We need to keep well clear of this evil city. The judgment of God is coming upon it. But how do we do that? If this were a literal city it would be easy. We would just move out into the country. But the problem with Babylon is that it isn’t a physical city. It is an attitude of the heart. It is a mindset that views life in a certain way. How do you separate yourself from that?
The first step is to understand that Babylon is real. Today, this agent of Satan is busily at work. The prostitute roams the streets looking for prey, looking for you. And remember what she offers. Jesus anticipated her in several places. Let me mention one. In the parable of the four soils, what was it that distinguished the third soil, the soil with the thorns? Listen to Jesus’ warning.
And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19
John adds to this warning.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Keep your guard up. Be aware that Babylon is trying to seduce you. She will lure you with the promise of ease and pleasure and wealth. Look for it. Expect it.
Secondly, learn to cherish what is real and authentic. Do you understand what the wealth of the Gospel is? Do you desire the pleasures that God promises? Heed the Apostle Paul’s exhortation.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Col. 3:1-2
And this is where the familiar words of Jesus fit.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
If you are truly blessed with the contentment of the Gospel then do you really need more of the things of this world? If you are beginning to taste the enduring pleasures of God, then what need is there of more of the fading pleasures of this age? Now, please understand. I am not saying that you all need to give away everything you have and become poor. Being poor is no protection against Babylon. There are many who are poor who have also been fooled by the alluring promises of the prostitute. Protection isn’t a matter of what you have or don’t have. Protection is a matter of the heart. And so, ultimately, you will only be protected if you fall in love with Jesus and pursue the wealth and pleasures that He has to offer. If you, by the grace of the Spirit, do that then you will be safe.
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