Suddenly we’re back out in the desert with another woman representing mankind’s massive, attractive and seemingly unstoppable systems, resisting the rule and reign of King Jesus. Ultimately they cannot stand and whoever clings to them will no longer stand either. However attractive the ways of Babylon are, however beautiful those systems and their rewards appear, they will fall, and Jesus will reign. 

This is not the first woman on a beast in this book; there is a balance – 2 women representing the evil of the world of Rome (or the world of sin and death, a world without Jesus) and 2 representing God’s redeemed, the Bride of Christ.

What can we notice from this chapter? The angel promises the power of this figure will not last forever; this figure attracts the powerful and has tremendous power; this figure will seek to destroy those who follow Jesus; but this figure will be destroyed to the huge surprise of those who were devoted to it; those in power will give their power to this figure; God will cause this figure to be destroyed; all that happens in this process will be because ‘God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose’ v.18.

Apocalyptic imagery is confusing.  But what is clear is the cycle of chaos as the world nears its end. Revelation is about revealing the hidden; God’s word isn’t impossible to understand; it’s there to ‘make wise the simple’ (Psalm 19.7) so I need to engage with it too – not just the best bits or the well-loved ones! We’ve made it through 16 chapters of Revelation – may God speak to you through this chapter too! Ask Him to now.

***

Questions:

So how do we live in Babylon: in this dangerous world, but not of it? Do we forget how dangerous it is?

Actions:

Amidst this challenging chapter stands v.18 – God will accomplish His purpose. Declare that over all that challenges you today, now!