Daily Devotion of Revelation 17

Daily Nugget:
John was shown another judgment; the judgment of the great “whore” (vs. 1). A prostitute sells her body for money. This “whore” does not sell her body but sells what she should stand for, for wealth, power, and popularity.

Although many formulate ideas of who “she” might be among past and present
organizations that fit this chapter’s description, the truth is, no one will ever really know who “she” is until her identity is very clear in the last half of the seven-year tribulation.

We do not necessarily need to make many assumptions, as the Bible does reveal some facts describing “her”. She is identified in this chapter as:

• One who sits, or controls, many “waters” (vs. 1). The “waters” are identified as being multitudes, peoples, and nations of different languages (vs. 15). She will have authority over a large number of people.
• “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of harlots and abominations of the earth” (vs. 5). Babylon is closely associated with a religious system at Babel that tried to get to God their own way (Gen. 10:8-10). This “whore” is actually a false religious system trying to get to God their own way. With all the real Christians being previously raptured (Rev. 4:1), this false system will deceive those that remain with a form of religion that will try to get them to heaven their own way, and not God’s. She will prostitute her “religion” for her personal gain.
• A Mother (vs. 5). A mother has children. This ecumenical system will attempt to attach all religions, “isms”, denominations, and cults to her apron strings. “Great” also indicates a large system.
• Full of abominations. Since the sin of idolatry will be very great during this time (Rev. 13:14-15), this may be the system’s great abomination.
• Guilty of fornication (vs. 2). Since this is a religious system, it is not referring to sexual relations, but speaking of spiritual fornication, which is what idolatry and false worship are. This system will also persuade political powers to be involved in her sin.
• A woman sitting “… upon a scarlet coloured beast” (vs.3). Scarlet is usually biblically symbolic of blood or wealth. She will “ride” along with a power, that is either responsible for the deaths of many or is very rich, or both. 
• 
  
• Having “… seven heads …” (vs. 3). Later the “heads” are identified as mountains (vs. 9), so this system is sitting on seven mountains. Although there are over 59 cities in the world fitting that demographic, the City of Rome has long be identified as being the “City of seven hills”. 
• Having “… ten horns …” (vs. 3). These “horns” are identified as kings (vs. 12), that eventually will turn on her, hate her, and destroy her (vs. 16).
• A “woman”. This “woman” is a symbol and is not a woman at all, but a city (vs. 18). It is a rich city that will be known for its “religion”.
• A very rich city, laden with expensive clothing, and other riches (vs. 4). It is rich in purple, scarlet, gold, pearls, and precious stones. 
• A “woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”. This system would be responsible for having had persecuted Christians before the rapture (“martyrs of Jesus”) and will kill many that get saved after the rapture. 

Although there are many similarities to existing religious systems, their past activities and to the system that will be in power at the end times, no one will know for sure until those prophecies become a reality. The Bible does, however, give many indications as to what the Mother of Harlots will be involved in. As for Christians, we will not be here for this great deception and power struggle. These revealing descriptions can help any believer that is now involved in any religious activities that are similar to those described to stand clear of what may bring reproach to the Lord and anger Him.

Today’s Thought: Do not sell out your God or your principles.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 17
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7 ¶ And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 ¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (KJV)