You and I are made to worship God. He’s our loving creator, and we owe Him everything! We are called to be faithful to Him. But it’s so easy to be led astray to worship the things He has made instead of him. This is spiritual adultery. Throughout the Bible God is described as being like a husband, and His people are so often described as unfaithful, going after other gods.
In Revelation 17 we see that many people (including world leaders v2) are tricked by the wealth and beauty of a woman and the power of the beast. People have become so intoxicated with love for this world that God is forgotten. So an angel exposes what the woman and the beast are really like and where they are heading.
The woman has led so many astray because she looks amazing, the purple and scarlet (v4), speak of her wealth. But she has more, she is adorned with gold, jewels, pearls. The world has gone mad for her wealth. She offers the finest clothes, the fastest cars, anything money can buy. And what’s in her hand—a golden cup—looks so shiny, so pure, but what’s inside? It’s like her—looks so good on the outside, but inside, she’s rotten, full of abominations.
She looks amazing but is awful (v4). This is a picture for how the great prostitute is leading people away from faithfulness to our loving creator. We are made to worship God, and enjoy everything as He directs. But she will use anything to deceive people and lead us away from God. When John was writing—the great prostitute was seducing people to use sex in a way God didn’t intend, and to chase after wealth and false gods. Her tactics haven’t really changed.
Who is she? On her forehead she has the name “Babylon the great” (v5). Babylon stands for satanic opposition to God. It’s not necessarily a place, but is a code name for any society that is opposed to God and His ways. When John was writing, he has Rome in view, it’s a bit like if someone said “Big Apple” you would know they meant New York. The seven mountains was the way people referred to Rome (v9). Rome offered so much wealth and even immorality. If you went with it, you prospered. But what if you stood against her, refused to worship her gods and said that her ways were wrong?
If you refuse her, she will turn on you (v6). She might look amazing, but she is awful. She is drunk on the blood of the saints. Remember the purpose of Revelation is to encourage Christians to keep going, you might wonder, how is this an encouragement to keep going? Why not just go the world’s way? It’s certainly easier and offers so much. Why wouldn’t you go the world’s way? Well, as well as revealing how awful this woman really is, God shows us that she will be destroyed.
The woman and the beast are both heading for destruction. Their glory is an empty glory and it will not last. The prostitute represents worldly culture that leads people away from worshipping the one true God. The beast with 7 heads and 10 horns reminds us of the beasts of Daniel 7, representing different kingdoms that come and go. These kingdoms and rulers come and go, but they won’t last because Jesus has the final victory (v14). Don’t be deceived. The Lamb will conquer because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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