Babylon or The Lamb – Choose Now, 1

Revelation 17
Babylon is described, judged and doomed. This is the first half of a two-part story.
Babylon
Finally, we get to dealing, once and for all, with the world system. It’s not pretty.

• A great harlot who sits on many waters (peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues).
• The world’s rulers commit adultery with her, made drunk on the wine of her immorality.
• Full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.
• Expensively adorned, but holding a cup full of abominations.
• She is the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.
• She is drunk with the blood of the saints.
• She was, is not, is about to come up out of the Abyss and will go to destruction.
• Historically, the 7 heads (mountains) have been identified with Rome, but the horns (kings yet to come) confirm that this system goes way beyond Rome.
• Relatively speaking, these kings receive authority for a very short time.
• These other rulers hate the harlot, but they give their kingdoms to her, until God’s words are fulfilled.

All in all, this world system is utterly evil. There is nothing in it for anyone, yet nearly everyone bows in worship. We’ll see why this is in Chapter 18.
The Lamb
The contrast is painted with a single sentence. “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14) Simply put, the Lamb wins!
Revelation for You
Where is the hope in this description? Read the second half of Verse 8. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be able to discern the truth and reject the seduction.
Reread the description of the Lamb in Verse 14. How can you make his victory yours?