March 8, 2020
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Reference: Revelation 17
Revelation 17 shares the prophetic story of a mysterious Beauty sitting on top of a vicious Beast. This prophecy takes place during the Great Tribulation. The Rapture has already occurred; the Bride of Christ has been taken from the earth. And now the false bride shows herself:
“...and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast…” (v. 3) “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (v. 5)
In the Bible, women have often symbolized religion, whether good or bad. Babylon is considered the den of false religion. Even now, the world is haunted by the ghosts of Babylon.
So when the Bible links the woman from Revelation 17 with Babylon, it reveals that she symbolizes false religion.
This Beauty has given birth to all the false religions of the world: New Age/Occult religions, Satan worship, Mother Earth worship, Globalism, Hinduism, Islam, and Apostate Christianity. False religion has always been a bloody thing. This passage states that the Beauty is drunk on the blood of the martyrs; she feasts on those who believe in the One True God.
Now, consider the beast, her monstrous consort. This beast represents the antichrist and his kingdom. So, what we see here is the ultimate alliance of church and state; a united world government, growing more powerful as the End draws near.
What will happen to the Beauty?
The beast will turn on her and devour her, for practical and political reasons. He wants to be the ruler of the world. He doesn’t want any competition, even religion.
Yet, the devil is on a leash. His plan to devour her fulfills God’s providential purpose to exterminate false religion from the earth. Even during the Great Tribulation, the devil is simply a servant of God.
If you are a Christian, you don’t belong to this world. You belong to Jesus Christ.
And in these days, though we’re not yet in the Great Tribulation, coming events cast their shadows ahead of time. Don’t flirt with false religion; be true to Jesus.
Are you loyal to the heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you a faithful Bride of Christ? Don’t flirt with false religion; be true to Jesus Christ.
