Download Revelation 17:1-18 - Cornerstone Bible Baptist Church

THE BOOK OF REVELATION #41
THE JUDGMENT OF THE
BABYLONIAN HARLOT
DATE:
 TEXT: Revelation 17:1-18
INTRODUCTION:
In chapter 16 we witnessed the final judgment of God against
this world
We saw God destroy this world through a series of powerful
plagues
We also witnessed the defiance of fallen man
Even in the face of judgment / man refused to repent
Of course / this shouldn’t surprise us / man refused to repent
in the face of the Law and man has refused to repent in this
age of Grace
Man is an incorrigible sinner / and apart from the grace of God
/ mankind is hopelessly lost!
The last plague in Revelation 16:17-21 brought about a great
earthquake that destroyed the cities of the world
 This final / great quake devastated all the places that man
had created
 This earthquake destroyed everything that represented the
greatest accomplishments of humanity
The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
 All of mankind’s centers of pleasure and profit are wiped out
Since the dawn of time / man has been in the business of
trying to get by without God
Man rests on his own power / his own accomplishments / his
own ability to produce and his own ability to enjoy pleasure
In that last great judgment / everything man trusts in is taken
away
We are also told in Revelation 16:19 that –
“great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give
unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath,”
Babylon is a city / but it is also a system
Babylon represents everything mankind has accomplished
apart from God
This system is judged in the seventh bowl judgment
What we have in chapters 17 and 18 is another parenthetical
passage
These two chapters give us the details of the destruction of the
Babylonian system
In chapter 17 we will see the destruction of religious Babylon
In chapter 18 we will see the destruction of economic
Babylon
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
I want to preach from this chapter on –
“The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot”
~~~OPENING PRAYER~~~
Notice the facts this passage reveals:
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS I. “DESCRIBED” - vs. 1-6
The first verse tells us that we are going to witness
“the judgment of the great whore.”
The word “whore” is a word that we would not normally use
But / it is a word used by the Bible / so we must deal with it
It is a word which refers to “a woman of ill repute”
It is also used to refer to a woman who is an “idolatress”
In our text the word is referring to the world’s system of “false
religion”
These verses teach us about this system of false religion and
how it will be judged
A. The “Scope” of this System – v. 1
We are told that the harlot “sitteth upon many waters”
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
Verse 15 gives us the commentary on v.1
“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where
the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations,
and tongues.”
What we see here is a “One World Religious System”
Right now there are thousands of religions on the planet / and
there is little agreement between them
The primary religions recognized by most people are
Christianity / Judaism / Islam / Buddhism and Hinduism
Most of the world’s population observes one of these religions
The day is coming when all the religions of the world will be
brought together
The Antichrist / or the False Prophet / will have a plan that
will iron out all the difference between these systems of belief
One day there will be a one world religion
There is already a great push in that direction
It is called the Ecumenical movement
Christianity is different from all other religions on the earth
because it is not really a religion / it’s a relationship by faith
When the Rapture occurs / all true Christians will be removed
What will be left will be those who –
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
“have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof”
Those people will be easy prey for the devil and demonic
religion
The “Scope” of this System
B. The “Seduction” of this System – v. 2
According to verse 2 the entire world will come under the
spell of this great end-time religion
Kings and world leaders will be a part of the movement
The whole world will be intoxicated by the teaching of this
false system of belief
“made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
Like a slick seductress / this great harlot will seduce the world
with her promises and her power
The “Scope” & “Seduction” of this System
C. The “Supporters” of this System – v. 3
This harlot is supported by the Antichrist
“I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast,”
The Antichrist is the “beast” and he brings this religious
system to great power in the world
The phrase “full of names of blaspheme” reminds us that
Antichrist will set himself up as God
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
He will enter the Jewish Temple and he will demand that the
world worship him –
II Thessalonians 2:3-4 – “Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come, except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;”
4
“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called
God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the
temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
He will demand worship and a deluded world will give him
what he desires –
II Thessalonians 2:11 – “And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”
He will give this religion its power
According to verse 9 / this system sits on “seven hills”
This could be a reference to ancient Rome which was built on
seven hills
Some people think that this reference ties this system in with
Roman Catholicism
However / the seven hills could be a reference to the seven
continents / which would indicate that this system is
worldwide in nature
Truth: There is a tendency to try and figure out which
religion this passage is referring to
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
I believe that it will contain Roman Catholics / Mormons
/Jehovah’s Witnesses / Muslims / Presbyterians / Methodists /
Church of God / and yes / even Baptists
I believe the final construction of this end-time religion is best
left in the hands of the Lord!
The “Scope” “Seduction” “Supporters” of this System
D. The “Success” of this System – v. 4
Just as a prostitute usually dresses provocatively to draw
attention to her-self / so does this false religious system
 This religion wears the colors “purple and scarlet”
These are the colors of royalty and nobility
 She is “decked with gold and precious stones and pearls”
This speaks to her wealth and prosperity
This system will be wealthy beyond words
Truth: This is true of many of the “great religious systems”
of our day
There is a lot of big money in religion!
Some people grow very wealthy at the expense of others!
The Bible tells us that this system is well connected and
prosperous / but it is all a pretense
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
 The Bible tells us that this harlot holds in her hands “a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornications.”
While this religion appears healthy / wealthy and wise on the
outside
It is really filled with corruption
It is an abomination to God!
Truth: There’s a danger for any church or denomination that
grows / that it will thrive on its prosperity and forget its
allegiance to the Lord
There is a subtle seduction in money and power that can easily
lead a system off the course of holiness and godliness
Many movements that begin well / have left God …
Having been seduced by power / popularity and prosperity!
There is a tendency to compromise so that the trends may
continue!
The “Scope” “Seduction” “Supporters” “Success” of this
System
E. The “Spirit” of this System – v. 5
In ancient times / it was common for prostitutes to wear
identification so that prospective customers could recognize
them
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
 This system is identified by God as “the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth”
 When we speak of Babylon / many people immediately
think of a city
And it is a city located in the country of Iraq
Babylon the city was once the grandest capital of the most
powerful nation in the world
Today / it is abandoned by everyone but archaeologists and
historians
 But / Babylon is also a system
Babylon is described as the system from which every false
religious system in the world originated
That is what the title “mother” implies
This Babylonian system first appears in Genesis 11:1-9
The city was called Babel then and was founded by a very
wicked man named Nimrod
The people of Babel decided to build themselves a tower so
that they could leave their mark on the world –
Genesis 11:3-4 – “And they said one to another, Go to, let us
make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick
for stone, and slime had they for morter.”
4
“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower,
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a
name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole
earth.”
The flood was fresh in their minds and they wanted to leave
their mark on the world
This tower was not designed to reach into Heaven as some
think
It was designed as a temple of the Heavens
The constellations were placed on the top of this tower and
men climbed it to worship the heavenly bodies –
Genesis 11:4 -  
This tower / and the religion it represented / is the first of
many false religions started by man
They were the first false religionists / but they would not be
the last
The same seeds of humanism and pride that are found in their
attempt at forming their own religion can be found in every
religion founded by man!
God judged these people for their rebellion and for their
foolish worship
Just as He judged them then / He will one day judge all the
false religions of the world
That is what we see here in Revelation 17
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
This chapter clearly reveals what will happen to the false
religion of this world at the end of the Tribulation Period
Truth: Many of our common religious practices have their
root in ancient Babylonian worship rituals
Things like Easter eggs / unicorns / the circle of life / yin yang
/ Christmas trees etc. have their origins in ancient Babylon
The “Scope” “Seduction” “Supporters” “Success” “Spirit”
of this System
F. The “Slaughter” associated with this System – v. 6
This Wicked System is responsible for the deaths of every
saint of God who has ever died at the hands of false religion
From the death of Abel / to the prophets / to the early
Christian martyrs / to the martyrs of the inquisition / all the
way to the millions of martyrs of the Tribulation
Every single death can be laid at the feet of the Babylonian
harlot
She is responsible for the deaths of God’s children and she
will be judged for her blood thirsty ways!
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS “DESCRIBED”
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS:
II. “DEMYSTIFIED” - vs. 7-15
Notice John’s statement at the end of v.6 - 11 -
The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
“and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”
The verses we are about to consider are among the most
intriguing in the entire book of Revelation
I don’t claim to have all the answers / but I hope that I can
take some of the mystery out
A. The “Beast” Demystified – vs. 7-11b
Now notice the response of the angel in v.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.
Matthew 24:24 – “For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect.”
 Verse 8 refers to the miracle of the Antichrist’s death and
resurrection –
Revelation 13:3, 14 – “And I saw one of his heads as it were
wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all
the world wondered after the beast.”
“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of
those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the
beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they
should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by
a sword, and did live.”
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
Whether his death and resurrection is real or faked / it doesn’t
matter
The result will be the same
Most of the lost world will believe the miracle and follow the
Antichrist
 Verse 10 refers to the seven great “world kingdoms”
Five were already passed in John’s day
Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia; and Greece
One was ruling / Rome - “and one is”
The 7th will be the Ten Nation Confederation – “and the other
is not yet come”
The 8th is the kingdom of the Antichrist
 Verse 11 refers to this reign of the Antichrist
He will be a world leader / but after the miracle of his death
and resurrection / he will become “the ruler of the world”
But / his “judgment” is set in stone
End of v.11 – “and goeth into perdition”
Even with all his power and popularity / the Antichrist is
headed to perdition!
The word “perdition” means “utter destruction”
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
The “Beast” Demystified
B. The “Benefactors” Demystified – vs. 12-13
These two verses refer to ten kings who will give their
allegiance and power to the Antichrist
In return / he gives them great power and authority
These kings are wholly committed to the reign of the
Antichrist
They are given a kingdom / but their reign is short lived “one hour”
The “Beast” & “Benefactors” Demystified
C. The “Battle” Demystified – v. 14
As we mentioned in our last study / the nations of the world
under the direction the Antichrist and his kings will gather to
do battle with Jesus Christ at Armageddon
They are fighting a losing battle because they are foolish
enough to attack the Lamb
The Lamb they attack is the “king of Kings and the Lord of
Lords.”
He will destroy them with the word of His mouth –
 Revelation 19:11-21
We will get to that in a few weeks!
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
V.14 also refers to those who are with the Lamb when He does
battle with the world
These people who are “called, and chosen and faithful” refer
to the Bride of Christ
This / my friends, is us!
When He comes / we are coming with Him!
We will watch the Lamb do battle and shout for Him as He
claims victory over all His enemies!
What a day that will be!
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS “DESCRIBED”
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS “DEMYSTIFIED”
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS:
III. “DESTROYED” - vs. 16-17
A. The “Reality Of” the Harlot’s Destruction – v. 16
After the Antichrist and his minions use the harlot to achieve
power / they will turn on her
When they have reached the pinnacle of success / they have no
more need of a religious system
They turn on the Harlot and they totally destroy her
The “Reality Of” the Harlot’s Destruction
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
B. The “Reason For” the Harlot’s Destruction – v. 17
Antichrist and his followers don’t know it / but they are
merely doing the will of the Lord
He is the One who puts it into their hearts to destroy the
Babylonian religious system
God uses these wicked men to carry out His will against this
false religion
God hates false religion!
In the end of the world / He will use the ungodly to destroy the
ungodly
Truth: Organized religion is a disgrace to God!
When ritual / tradition and the doctrines of men take
prominence over the Lord God / it becomes false worship
(The example of the Pharisees)
 It does not matter what name they have over the door
 It does not matter what they claim to be
When anything or anyone but Jesus Christ is the center of
attention …
It is a false religion and it will be destroyed by God one day!
When the Tribulation Period ends / all false religion will have
been destroyed
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
This will pave the way for the Millennial reign of Jesus
He will usher in a one thousand year period of time when
people will worship no one but Him / at least openly!
CONCLUSION:
Did you know that man is a religious creature?
That’s right / all people are going to worship something
Everyone believes in something
Even the person who claims to be an atheist believes in his
unbelief (which is really humanism, man worship)
When it is all said and done this thing comes down to two
simple choices:
Jesus Christ or false religion!
Every belief system in the world that does not center on the
Lord Jesus is a false system of belief / it is a false religion
How can I say that?
Listen to what Jesus said John 14:6 –
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me.”
Listen again / Acts 4:12 –
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The Judgment of the Babylonian Harlot – Revelation 17:1-18
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved.”
Listen to one more / John 8:24 –
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for
if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.”
That is not my word / that is His Word!
So what is it with you / Your Family / Your Friends?
Is it Jesus, or is it religion?
 Don’t be satisfied to join a church or be baptized
 Don’t be satisfied to get you name on the role of some
religious organization
 Don’t be satisfied with anything less than believing on Jesus
Christ / and Him alone / for your salvation!
Anything else is just religion
Anything less than Jesus is a prescription for Hell
One day God will judge and do away with all false religion
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS “DESCRIBED”
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS “MYSTIFIED”
THE BABYLONIAN HARLOT IS “DESTROYED”
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