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Many years ago, people said to each other: "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…" (Genesis 11:4)
This was Babel. People refused to have God as their King and started building a kingdom of their own. They de-throned God.
A few centuries later we find the city of Babel again. Nebuchadnezzar, its king, surveys his city and pridefully marvels: "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30)
When we get to the last book of the Bible, we can understand why John sees Babylon again. This city embodies the kingdom of the earth, the boastful pride of the world: "The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. (Revelation 17:4) Babylon is also "drunk with the blood" of believers. She is supported by kings, who will join forces together to make war on the Lamb.
But, despite its power and majesty Babylon will fall: "The Lamb will triumph over them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers." (Revelation 17:14)
Father, I come before You today. Holy Spirit, cleanse me and fill me. Lead me as I read the Word. Jesus, speak to me, touch my heart, open my eyes, reveal Yourself, renew my mind, strengthen my faith. Amen.
read revelation 17
read revelation 17
Babylon, the prostitute on the beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.
2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.’
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.
5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony 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 she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 ‘This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.
11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 ‘The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.
13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.
14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.’
15 Then the angel said to me, ‘The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.
18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.’
Take a moment to ponder on what you've read and respond to God in prayer.
INTERCESSION
"The eyes of all looks to You, and You give their food at the proper time.
You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does.
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries and saves them." (Psalm 145:15-19)
"The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." (Psalm 103:6)
PRAYER
Pray for the suffering church.
Pray for countries that suffer from war.
Pray for refugees, orphans, and widows.
Pray for countries that suffer from famine.
Pray for countries that are politically and economically oppressed.
Pray for countries that suffer from ecological disasters.
Pray for the governors and the officials in these countries to turn to God and rule with justice.
Pray for believers to not lose their hope and put their trust in God.
Pray for supernatural protection and provision.
Pray for those who don't know God to cry out to Him in their despair and receive salvation.
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