Vision to Strengthen the SaintsBook of Revelation:

Jesse McLaughlinOIF

Scene 6: Babylon the GreatRevelation 17-19:10

# Scenes 7 SettingsOpening

sceneSummary Special focus Key thought

11:19-3:22Church in the World

Seven letters dictated

John turns to see who is speaking

Christ speaks to the 7 churches

7 commonalities with pointed differences.

Cure for lukewarmness?

Readmit the excluded Christ!

p.58

24:1-8:1

Suffering for Church

Seven sealsopened

A door in heaven opens

God’s power (4-5); woes in

history

Seals will not be opened until

chapter. 6. p.66

Christ’s explanation of

history makes it full of meaning.

p.69

38:2-11:18Warnings for World

Seven trumpets sounded

Angels with trumpets appear

#1-4 prove God’s power; 5-

7 are 3 woes

No datable events but can be true at

anytime. p.92

Evil must be exposed for what

it is–absolute wickedness. p. 108

411:19-15:4Drama of History

Seven visions of cosmic conflict

The temple in heaven opens

Perennial spiritual conflict

of history

Seven visions are oddly static; an ongoing battle.

p.121

Spiritual deliverance by

Christ is the real Exodus!

515:5-16:21Punishment for World

Seven bowls poured out

Tabernacle of testimony in

heaven opens

Babylon’s career

The plagues from the bowls are total; no more

time for repentance. p.144

Classic horror: Finding oneself locked in with what you fear.

p.143

617:1-19:10

Babylon the Great

719:11-21:8

Drama Behind History

821:9-22:19Jerusalem the Bride

The 8 Scenes of Revelation

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

A Closer Look

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute…”(Rev. 17:1)

• Further development of bowls 6 (Euphrates dries up) and 7 (earthquake & hail - judgement complete)

• John’s guide in chapter 17 is one of the angels with the 7 bowls.

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

The Woman

• Symbolic woman, “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”– Extravagant dress and drunkenness – John marvels at the sight of the great prostitute

• The history of Babylon– Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-10)– The Tower (Gen. 11:1-9)– Instrument of judgement (Jer. 21:2-10, 25:8-11)– Exile of Israel (Dan. 1:1-7)

• Babylon contrasted with Jerusalem and in direct opposition to the saints.

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

What does Babylon symbolize?

Babylon stands for…world power in opposition to God – the empire where God’s people live in exile

IVP Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

The Beast

• Tries to mimic God in order to deceive the world

• The seven heads of the beast are further identified as mountains and kings

• 10 horns are identified as kings as well– The horns seem to be on the seventh head– Symbolize universal power briefly given to the Beast

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

Destruction

• The Beast and his allies turn against Babylon. “They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire.” (17:16)

• Throughout the scene God has remained in control though Babylon and the Beast seem to have the power.

For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose…until the word of God are fulfilled. (Rev. 17:17)

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

Babylon’s Judgement Unveiled

• Fall of Babylon announced– Similarities between prophecies about the end of

historical Babylon– The nations have exchanged worship for Almighty

God for economic security

“I will send to Babylon winnowers, and they shall winnow her, and they shall empty her land, when they come against her from every side on the day

of trouble.” Jer. 51:2

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

Babylon’s Judgement Unveiled

• Lament for Babylon– “Come out of her, my people”; Isa. 52:11– The kings, merchants and seafaring men of the

nations weep, wail and mourn at Babylon’s destruction

– The end comes quickly much like the historical city’s fall (Dan. 5)

• Judgement on behalf of the saints– “Rejoice over her” (Rev. 18:20)– Pride, Deception and Persecution of the saints

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

Heaven’s Response

• Praise for God’s Judgement– Great multitude– Chorus of praise, “Salvation and glory and power

belong to our God, for his judgements are true and just” (Rev. 19:1-2)

– 24 elders and 4 living creatures

• The Marriage of the Lamb– The Bride is ready after Babylon’s judgement is

carried out– The invitation

“And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Rev. 19:9)

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

# Scenes 7 SettingsOpening scene

Summary Special focus Key thought

11:19-3:22Church in the World

Seven lettersdictated

John turns to see who is speaking

Christ speaks to the 7 churches

7 commonalities with pointed differences.

Cure for lukewarmness?Readmit the excluded Christ! p.58

24:1-8:1Suffering for Church

Seven sealsopened

A door in heaven opens

God’s power (4-5); woes in history

Seals will not be opened until chapter. 6. p.66

Christ’s explanation of history makes it full of meaning. p.69

38:2-11:18Warnings for World

Seven trumpetssounded

Angels with trumpets appear

#1-4 prove God’s power; 5-7 are 3 woes

No datable events but can be true at anytime. p.92

Evil must be exposed for what it is–absolute wickedness. p. 108

411:19-15:4Drama of History

Seven visions of cosmic conflict

The temple in heaven opens

Perennial spiritual conflict of history

Seven visions are oddly static; an ongoing battle. p.121

Spiritual deliverance by Christ is the real Exodus!

515:5-16:21Punishment for World

Seven bowls poured out

Tabernacle of testimony in heaven opens

Babylon’s career

The plagues from the bowls are total; no more time for repentance. p.144

Classic horror: Finding oneself locked in with what you fear. p.143

617:1-19:10Babylon the Great

Seven words of justice

Angel shows John the prostitute

Babylon’s destruction

Babylon’s career is brought to ruin and successor introduced. p.141

Openness to these mighty words brings us to our knees–worship. p.174

719:11-21:8Drama Behind History

821:9-22:19Jerusalem the Bride

The 8 Scenes of Revelation

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

Discussion Questions

1. How strong is the pull of economic/social security in your life? What are you willing to compromise to remain “safe”?

2. How can we appropriately “come out of Babylon” without isolating or leaving the world altogether?

(1 Peter 1:1, 2:11, 5:13)

Book of Revelation

Rev.17-19:10

Scene 6

Reading Reminder

This week read Revelation 19:11-21:8 to be ready for discussion of

scene 7 next week!