Revelation Sermon - 40

Lars Janssen

Revelation Series • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

0 ratings

· 6 views

Notes

Transcript

Revelation: The Way of the World

Revelation 17:1-6

1. Introduction – This morning in our study of Revelation, we come to a very important phrase.

a. The phrase is “in the Spirit.” We’ve seen it before, but not for a while. Way back in 1:10, one of our very first studies, we see John worshipping, in the Spirit. This phrase breaks Revelation down into its four major sections.

i. And while he is in the Spirit, in this heightened state of spiritual awareness, John sees a magnificent vision of the glorified Jesus.

1. And while John is ‘in the Spirit’ Jesus delivers 7 messages to his churches. Chapters 1-3 is the first major section of Revelation.

ii. Again in 4:2 we’re told that John is in the Spirit – and this time he is summoned up to heaven by an angel.

1. He goes through and open door in heaven, he sees God sitting on this throne, he sits Jesus the Lamb.

a. He sees the 7 seals broken, the 7 trumpets blown, and the 7 bowls poured out.

i. The largest section of Revelation is the section going from chapter 4-16.

iii. Here in 17:3, notice the similarities. John is summoned by an angel. He is once again swept up in the Spirit, in this heightened state of spiritual awareness, and John sees Babylon the Great, Mother of all prostitutes.

1. Chapters 17-21:8 is the third major section of Revelation.

a. This is God’s judgment on evil described in detail.

iv. And there will be one more occurrence of this phrase “in the Spirit” in this letter.

1. In 21:10, John will once again be summoned by angel, John will be swept up in the Spirit, and the final vision that is recorded in this letter is one of the new heavens and the earth.

a. The last major section of this book is the shortest – 21:9-22:21

b. This phrase, “in the Spirit” is an important literary marker in this letter. It is one of those clues that we have to be aware of as readers.

i. Repeated words and phrases throughout Scripture alert us to important happenings or important themes.

1. In Revelation, the next time you are reading through it on our own, pay attention to this literary marker, “in the Spirit” and realize that something important is about to take place.

2. The Harlot and the Bride – But the Section we come to this morning kinda grotesque. A harlot sitting on the beast from the sea.

a. It’s had not to be completely repulsed and appalled by this when we read it – but honestly, we’re supposed to be appalled – it’s supposed to be a repulsive image.

i. But before we dive in to what John is seeing in these verses, I want to take some time to explain what is going on in these last couple sections.

1. What we have in this chapter and the next, is a detailed description of the final judgment on evil.

a. We see evil’s true colours, once again we see evil turn in on itself – and we see the events of the 7th bowl described in great detail.

b. But besides being an extended look at judgment, there is also something else happening here.

i. This is another place where Revelation compares and contrasts good and evil.

1. Here, a world without God, a world that rejects God is described as a harlot.

a. It is adorned with jewels and purple and scarlet attire.

i. But compare that with a verse later on in this Revelation. Look at 21;9.

1. How is the church described…not as a harlot in purple, but as a Bride in white.

c. And if we compare the structure of section 3 with section 4, we see this comparison playing out even further.

i. To begin each section, John is summoned by an angel who poured out a bowl.

1. In 17:3, John is taken to the wilderness to see the harlot sitting on the beast, and in 21:10, John is taken to see the new Jerusalem.

a. In 19:10, John fell down to worship the angel and this happens again in 22:8,

i. And the last comparison is that both times in both sections John is told to worship only God.

d. The same sequence of events happens in both sections…with one notable difference.

i. One vision is about Babylon the harlot, doomed to destruction. The results of a world that tries to live without God.

1. The last vision is about the Bride of Christ, the wife of the Lamb, destined to spend eternity basking in and worshipping in the presence of God.

e. What this tells us, by comparing and contrasting the harlot with the bride, is that the harlot is a sort of counterfeit bride.

i. Just as the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet tries to be God but is completely incomplete at doing so…

1. So too, the harlot tries to depicted itself as adorned and arrayed in splendor, but its ultimately full of corruption and impurities.

3. Babylon the Harlot – So then, what’s the deal with the great harlot of Revelation 17? What is John seeing? What does it represent?

a. What we first have to understand is that throughout the Bible, idolatry is often compared to adultery – to prostitution.

i. Many times, throughout their history, ancient Israel is comparing to a cheating lover – they go off worshipping other gods and in the process they become unfaithful to YHWH.

1. Israel is depicted as a harlot wandering along the roadside, selling itself to the next god to come along.

a. So here, Babylon – and we’ll look at what Babylon stands for in just a second – Babylon is also described as a harlot.

ii. This is Revelation’s symbolic way of speaking about the immorality and corruption and idolatrous ways of a world system without God.

1. It can have all the trappings of beauty – adorned in scarlet and purple clothing – decked out in gold and pearls – but when it is exposed, it is nothing more than a harlot…

a. Immoral, corrupt, and leading other into the same.

b. That’s what is meant by the phrase “Mother of all Prostitutes.” In the Bible to be called ‘the son of’ something means that it is describing an essential part of someone’s character.

i. Sons of righteous or a son of God.

1. Well, here in Revelation 17, to be the Mother of something means not only that it is a part of someone’s character – the implication is also that that characteristic is reproduced in others.

a. So for Babylon to be called the Mother of all Prostitutes means that she is immoral and corrupt and godless, but it also means that she is reproducing that in others.

i. And here in this chapter that is pictured as kings of other nations joining Babylon in her harlotry.

c. So why Babylon the harlot? Well, Babylon is a code word in this book. And in John’s day, Babylon was manifesting itself in Rome and the Roman Empire.

i. Rome was a described as a city where all the detestable and filthy things of this world congregate and find a home.

1. Rome was an immoral and corrupt city – and it was fully of idolatry. But Babylon – this code word has a long, long history.

a. It starts at the tower of Babel – Babylon is derived from the word Babel.

i. It was a Babel that people, united by their common language decided to build a tower dedicated to their own pride.

1. The story tells of how God confused their languages – they couldn’t understand each other so they couldn’t finish their tower.

ii. The deeper point of the story is that humanity can’t find unity apart from God.

1. Anything that claims to unify humanity apart from God is a false unity.

a. So Babel – Babylon – is code for humanity seeking to build without God. And Babylon the harlot is code for showing the idolatrous ways of the world system.

i. A world seeking unity and seeking to build society without God – and when that vision is put in those terms, we see that Babylon, the spirit of Babylon is still seducing people today.

4. What is This? So what is this vision all about? It’s got some grotesque and distracting images…what does it all mean?

a. Well, in this vision, John is seeing the world system for what it is – the way it really is. The attractive outer layer has been peeled back – and he is seeing the corrupt and horrifying under side.

i. The harlot is excessively and gorgeously arrayed.

1. Scarlet and purple were some of the most expensive dyes in the ancient world – so purple and red clothing was usually only reserved for royalty or the aristocracy.

a. The harlot looks like a queen, but when exposed it is immoral and corrupt

b. Next, the harlot is holding a gold cup – a precious metal and one would think that it would contain some of the most previous drink this world could offer.

i. But when the world system is exposed, when the contents of the cup are exposed; when John sees the world system for what it really is…

1. The cup is full of obscenities, impurities and abominations of every kind.

a. Anything and everything that is offensive God and distracting to God’s people is in this cup.

i. All the tools and weapons of Satan are present in this cup.

c. And let’s be real…the world today is not a lot different.

i. It looks tremendous. It has a lot to offer. It is adorned in the finest clothes.

1. Glitz and glamour – shining lights, promises of fulfillment and personal wealth.

a. But beneath the eye candy is a system build on human glorification – a system designed to lead people away from God.

ii. And doesn’t society today still hold up this gold cup. On the outside it looks attractive.

1. But on the inside are indecencies, devices and tactics to lead people astray.

a. Inside are modern day impurities.

d. On the outside it looks enticing, but inside the cup are empty promises, broken relationships, impurities, abominations and just plain filth.

5. The Question – The section of Revelation asks a very poignant question. Do you see the world for what it is?

a. The problem is not the world itself, but the world’s system of glorifying humanity over God – a system that is actively rebelling against God.

i. This vision helps us see what’s really going on in our world. Like a fairy tale in which the magic of a beautiful seductress wears off to reveal a hideous evil witch…

1. So to with the world’s systems. This vision exposes the world’s system.

a. Oh sure it looks pretty and attractive and it’s all dolled up on the outside…

i. But beneath the surface is a system of idolatry, immortality and tyranny.

1. A system that is build on leading people away from God and persecuting those who dare to go against the system.

b. Do you see the world for what it is? Do you see the harlotry of this world? Do you see how it is trying to lead you away from God?

i. We started by comparing the harlot of chapter 17 to the Bride of chapter 21 – both images are speaking of different systems…different cities.

1. The harlot this world – the Bride the city of God…which city are you oriented towards?

a. In which city does your allegiance and discipleship lie?

i. Is it towards the harlot and the glitz and glam of this world’s system? Or towards the Bride?

1. This is the major question of the last few chapters of this letter.

6. Two Threats – For the rest of our time I want to focus on two major ways Babylon, Rome, the world’s system tries to dissuade and discourage God’s people. Ultimately, these are attacks by Satan himself against God’s people.

a. The first weapon unleashed is the weapon of persecution. In the 1st century, Rome, the Babylon of John’s day, fiercely persecuted Christians. They were seen as trouble makers because they refused to worship the common god – Caesar.

i. Nero would burn Christians alive and use the fire to light up his garden parties.

1. For 1st century Christians – when thinking of oppression from the world’s system – physically persecution was top of mind.

ii. Even today, in many parts of the world our Christian brothers and sisters are persecuted, cut off from society, jailed, or killed because of their faith.

1. But the reality of physical persecution is that it just doesn’t work. Physical persecution actually makes Christians and the church stronger.

a. It weeds out true believers from false ones…it brings Christians closer together, it brings them close to God, and causes them to be more fervent in their prayer.

iii. See the harlot for what it is – yes enticing and attractive on the outside, but underneath is a system of immorality and immorality always leads to tyranny.

b. So if persecution causes Christians to grow stronger – the second tactic unleashed on the church actually makes us weaker.

i. If the first method is overt persecution, the second is through covert infiltration. And the purpose of infiltration is corruption and compromise.

1. Moral corruption of the church’s people and leaders – and causing the church to adopt false doctrines.

ii. When the church is weak in its doctrinal stance, when the church is weak against sin, when the church starts to agree with the messed-up ways of the world…the church becomes ineffective in their work and ministry.

1. We must be on our guard against infiltration. We must stand firm in the faith – we must hold securely to the tenets of our faith.

7. What do we do? – So what do we do? If the world system is trying to distract us…what do you do about it?

a. The way I see it there are two options. We can run and hide and seclude ourselves from the world…or we can engage it meaningful and relevant ways.

i. The first, is no option at all. The Bible says nothing about Christians hiding in caves, abandoning their mission in the world.

1. The example of Revelation 11 of the 2 witnesses shows us that even when the beast unleashes his attacks, we are to be out spreading the gospel.

a. The 2 witnesses give us the example of endurance and faithfulness in the face of persecution.

b. So if we can run and hide, then we engage in meaningful and relevant ways – knowing that our message is counter cultural.

i. It all comes down to this… from where to you get your counsel? Psalm 1 says blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, but who delight in the laws of the Lord….

1. What this means is we are shaped by the influence of our associations. What we open our eyes, ears and hearts to will end up determining the way of life we follow.

c. The counsel of the world leads to the embrace of the harlot and ultimately the tyranny of the beast.

i. Scripture directs you to Jesus, the Saviour of the lost… it directs you to a life of godly obedience and ultimately leads you to eternal life in the new city.

8. Conclusion – Do you see the world with this kind of clarity? Remember, there’s more to this world then meets the unaided eye… Revelation opens that ‘more’ up for us.

a. Revelation 17-22 specifically opens the world up for us to see it as it really is – an enticing harlot in service to the beast, the dragon and the false prophet.

i. See the world’s system for what it is – but don’t be discouraged. Revelation teaches us that we can overcome because of God’s sovereign reign over all of it.

1. Meaningfully and relevantly engage our world with the message of Jesus – remain faithful through it all…and Jesus promises us the crown of life.

b. Next week, we’ll begin our Advent Series as we once again reminds ourselves of God’s great gift to us, and the lengths he went to in order to win us back.