The Destruction of Babylon
REVELATION 17:1-18
(December 26)
John is not only a spectator of the events occurring around him, but he is also actually spoken to personally by one of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls of God's wrath.
"Come with me," the angel said to John, "and I will show you the judgement that is going to come on the great prostitute who rules over many waters. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality."
What exactly is this angel talking about? Are you confused? Who is this prostitute? Don't worry, you aren't the only one confused. I found myself thinking ... "Who is he talking about?" But then I did a little digging and it all made sense.
The "prostitute" mentioned here is not an actual woman of immoral character. The name is a representation of Babylon, a part of the early Roman empire where there were many gods to choose from and much persecution of Christians. Many Christians were martyred for their beliefs.
The water that is mentioned as being "ruled over" by the prostitute is actually the sea commerce or the well-provisioned city. The prostitute represents seductiveness and temptation, which is what the immoral government of that time used to gain wealth and advantage. (Hmmm... we COULD be talking about current times.)
This is the very opposite of the church which is pure and obedient. Babylon is the definition of a wicked city, which is so different from the heavenly city of Jerusalem. And while Babylon is the representation of the evilness of Rome, it is also a symbol of any city or system that goes against God, the masses of people of every nation that defy God and stand in proud disobedience.
But even in all this, God has a plan. And despite the enemy, the wickedness, and the disobedience of any city or any system, God's plan will be fulfilled just as his word says.