When I was in seventh grade, I attended my first youth retreat. I liked its clever theme, “In the World, Not of It,” although I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant. I later learned how we were called to be faithful Christians in a world that didn’t follow Jesus. The phrase became a sort of anthem for those of us wearing our “Got Jesus?” t-shirts and listening to our WOW CDs.
In the passage today, there’s a lot that also seems potentially unclear: drinking blood, a royal-ish prostitute, a beast that may be around or may not. And why are seven heads also seven mountains? Although apocalyptic literature may feel unclear, it’s helpful to start with what we know or what is clear.
Babylon was being called out: “Babylon the great, the mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth” (Revelation 17:5). Not how any of us want to be labeled by the Lord, and yet, it’s the description ascribed to the prostitute. In the Old Testament, Babylon became all the despicable things that culture could offer: the epitome of power and evil run amok. For those on the inside, Babylon’s allure was comfort, excess, luxury, sexual indulgence, and riches. For those without the power to seize and abuse, Babylon oppressed and instituted fear, lack, and strife. It rewarded those with power, benefitting themselves at the cost of those who were easily trampled. In contrast to the first people who were called to steward the creation and their relationship with the Lord, Babylon created a world that glorified evil and oppressed the weak.
The beast, similarly, was living a story like a counterfeit messiah, ending not in a glorious ascension but in a final destruction (v.8). But judgment was finally coming—for both the beast and Babylon, John saw that they were allowed to “make war against the Lamb” so that the Lamb could overcome them and fulfill His rightful place as “Lord of lords and King of kings” (v.14).
The reality of the world, whether we’re in it or of it, is that all pursuits have an end. God created us to be people of pursuit, to create and flourish in His wisdom. However, sin leads to destruction; it actually makes us beastly. And this passage is reminding us that there is no middle ground. It challenges us to consider the sin we accept as normal—what we consume in our minds and hearts, what we value and spend our time on, what we think is funny, what consequences our habits may have—and ask ourselves, “What is the end to this sin?”
Seventh-grade me would think this all feels scary. How do I make sure that my life and pursuits end with Jesus? Paul instructed Timothy to remember and hold on to the eternal life offered to us in Jesus—salvation that He alone could afford us (1Timothy 6:12)—and charged him to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” while fleeing from all that leads away from God (v.11). Knowing that only God’s wisdom can see the end to what we pursue, we echo Moses’s prayer, “Teach us to number our days carefully that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Psalm 90:12).
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62 thoughts on "The Woman and the Scarlet Beast"
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16 Let your work be seen by your servants,
And your splendor by their children
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish for us the work of our hands—
establish the work of our hands
This stood out to me today. Let my children (and those of all these beautiful women here) see your splendor Lord. Draw them with your light and protect them from the schemes of the enemy. Amen!
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Happy Monday shes. I woke up to 5 inches of snow. I dropped the kids off to school and came back to shovel. A nice arm workout lol. I wanted to give God praise about a prayer I had been praying. I asked Him to hold back snow, for the road construction to be finished, we have been having a major one on the highways (an overpass is being built), and for the construction workers to not be cold. And God answered. I was in awe. Praise God. Thank you WENDY for encouraging us to share our stories.
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Anywho, back to the devotional, a rich topic today: Babylon the great prostitute. This has been on my mind for so long. The Lord is not sparing anyone (any gods) that steals His glory. Idolatry is an abomination to the Lord, which is the violation of the very first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me” Exodus 20:3, and the second commandment, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image… You shall not bow down to them or serve them” Exodus 20:4–5. “Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues” Revelation 18:4. Can sin spread by proximity? Absolutely. There is a common proverb that says, You can tell a man by the company he keeps. And scriptures say, “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals” 1 Corinthians 15:33. Watch out for Babylon, and its sweet charming lures. All roads to hell are paved with good intentions. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” 1 Corinthians 5:6. Do not be unequally yoked, discern Babylon (amen CEE GEE), discern relationships with people who constantly pull us toward darkness, not just romantic relationships, but also professional, family and social relationships. Our exposure matters. The more we see a behavior, the more normal it feels. Humans copy the people they’re around (I see this in children and teenagers a lot). Humans are emotional creatures, aren’t we all? We have relational attachment. If someone close to us practices sin, we are likely tempted to justify it. This is why God says, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong” (exodus 23:2). How do we stand in a Babylon culture? Strengthen our identity in Christ (commit our loyalty to God, look at the example is Daniel, who was in Babylon and remained faithful to God because he had made a prior decision). Despite the political environment and evil lies about him, Daniel served a corrupt system but refused to adapt to its values, hence he faced malicious slanders, political traps, sabotage, his reputations were attacked greatly. Like Daniel, we need to learn to overcome rejections (losing friends, being disliked, being different), learn to pray and meditate in the Word daily (Daniel prayed even when prayers were illegal, when a law forbade prayer, Daniel didn’t hide, “He went to his room, opened the window… and prayed as he had always done” Daniel 6:10). And we must practice small acts of courage! I cannot stress enough on courage. Without courage there is no virtue. Courage is a fundamental virtue necessary to consistently practice all other virtues, such as kindness, honesty, and justice (Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar the hard truth, he risked his life- Daniel 4, he didn’t flatter leaders, or change the message to keep his position. He didn’t surround himself with “yes-men”). And look what happened, God promoted Daniel, not politics. We live in a time where people compromise to gain influence, to grab onto wrong alliances. What does Babylon have to offer? Luxury, pride, arrogance, materialism, promiscuity, immorality, seduction of nations, abuse of power, oppressing of God’s people, intoxication on their blood. Notice, this was mentioned only as a city (a great one) but with power for global impact and influence. Just a little leaven can ruin the whole world. Watch out. But GOD! Daniel stood alone with God and was promoted and sustained by God. This reminds us that God honors those who refuse to compromise. He promotes those who stay faithful, even when surrounded by corruption. Daniel was in Babylon, without becoming Babylon. He preserved his prayer life (intentional efforts), he held on to courage, hope, and integrity. He absolutely did not compromise to save his political career or his life! He abandoned those things to God! May God give us the same grace and courage as He gave to Daniel.
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So which city are you in today? Guard your eyes, ears of what you see and hear, what you laugh at or find amusing, adorable. Choose modesty and purity. Choose righteousness over popularity. Choose contentment over luxury. Step away from entertainment that promotes and celebrates sexual immorality. Reject lust and hookup culture. Refuse to worship success, fame, or comfort. Put God first and foremost over career, wealth or human approval. “Come out of her My people”. Come out and don’t look back. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32).
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May the Lord be with you to guide and to guard. Be blessed dear sisters.
Mercy, thanks for this awesome word this morning!!
Yes, Mercy, great word! ❤
AMEN!! So Good!
Thank you Mercy. Such a wealth of wisdom here❤️
Some observations and musings.
I believe we live in a world and culture that pursures everything that is the opposite of righteousness, godliness, and faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Humanity with all of its’ science and technology is resurrecting the Tower of Babel (Babylon) that they tried to build in Genesis 11:19. Man is making a name for himself while trying to erase the name of G-d. We have AI, we can grow organs, we can walk on other planets, we can clone, etc.
I once heard that the best or worst punishment is tha G-d leaves us to own devices and allows us to be in charge. If an anthem were ever to be sung in hell: it would be, ” I did it my way.”
There is whole dimension of heaven, time and space that our human brains cannot even comprehend. Heaven is a very busy place and when the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth I fill all hell will break loose. The same wickedness that filled the earth during the days of Noah will manifest.
I found a comic book that illustrates the book of Revealations from the Kingston Bible series volume 12. If you have seen the Epic Bible or the Action Bible it is on that order. I acknowledge it is an rendering of man of things too great to behold but is cool to see the illustrations.
“The same wickedness that filled the earth during the days of Noah will manifest”- amen. When the Lord used the flood to wipe out all mankind in Noah’s time, I often wondered how wicked could they be. But now, as the wickedness unfolds in front of our eyes, I can only pray for courage to sit through and to keep watch. Thank you for sharing the comic book.
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Spot on Tanya!
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When I think of how I sin now, it is almost always based on my selfish desires! What I want not not what God wants.
And we may categorize sins as big and little but they are all still sin. Disagreements that get strong with your spouse, not forgiving when we have been hurt, bringing up past mistakes, being impatient with people we serve with at church who are not where we are or we think they aren’t! Thinking more highly of ourselves than others! My list could go on and on!
Oh the blood of Jesus that washes us white as snow! I know deep in my soul I need a daily cleansing! I need to love God and others better!
So thankful for His mercy and grace that I need daily!
Praying for all!
❤ well said!
Oh Cheryl, I too need daily cleansing, that you for this comment!
Yes ….With you on the long list….sigh:(
Discernment is huge for the Christian.
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Discern. Discern. Discern, sweet She’s!
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Lots of notes, but these helped me a lit in my previous study if Revelation:
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From John MacArthur Study Bible:
Rev. 17:1-seven angels. The reference to these angels links chaps. 17, 18 with the bowl judgments (chap. 16), which extend to the second coming of Christ (see note on 16:17). Chapters 17, 18 focus on one aspect of those bowl judgments, the judgment of Babylon. The judgments already described are identified as targeting the final world system. great harlot. See note on 14:8. Prostitution frequently symbolizes idolatry or religious apostasy (cf. Jer. 3:6–9; Ezek. 16:30ff.; 20:30; Hos. 4:15; 5:3; 6:10; 9:1). Nineveh (Nah. 3:1, 4), Tyre (Is. 23:17), and even Jerusalem (Is. 1:21) are also depicted as harlot cities. sits on many waters. This picture emphasizes the sovereign power of the harlot. The picture is of a ruler seated on a throne, ruling the waters, which symbolize the nations of the world (see v. 15).
v. 2- The harlot will ally herself with the world’s political leaders. Fornication here does not refer to sexual sin, but to idolatry (see note on 14:8). All the world rulers will be absorbed into the empire of Satan’s false christ. wine of her fornication. The harlot’s influence will extend beyond the world’s rulers to the rest of mankind (cf. v. 15; 13:8, 14). The imagery does not describe actual wine and sexual sin, but pictures the world’s people being swept up into the intoxication and sin of a false system of religion.
v. 6-John’s point is that the harlot is a murderer. False religion has killed millions of believers over the centuries, and the final false system will be far more deadly than any that preceded it.
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From Warren Wherever Study Bible:
Rev. 17:9-14-
The seven heads symbolize seven mountains (v. 9) and also seven kings or kingdoms. …
Probably the five past kingdoms would be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. The present kingdom would be Rome, and the future kingdom would be that of the beast.
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v. 15
Readers in John’s day would have identified the harlot with the Roman empire. Readers in the Middle Ages might have identified it as the Roman ecclesiastical system. Today, some believers see the harlot and the Babylonian system in an apostate world church that minimizes doctrinal truth, rejects the authority of the Word, and tries to unite professed believers on some other basis than faith in Jesus Christ.
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v. 18-
Satan’s counterfeit religion is subtle, requiring spiritual discernment to recognize. Paul was greatly concerned that the local churches he founded not be seduced away from their sincere devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:1–4). Every age has tremendous pressure to conform to popular religion and to abandon the fundamentals of the faith. In these last days, we all need to heed the admonitions in 1 Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 3 and remain true to our Lord.
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Psalm 90:
12 Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.
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Sisters, may we not just have DISCERNMENT, but may we PRACTICE it in all we do. Wiersbe’s statement (warning) about false religion is very sobering. Lord, open our eyes, ears, and hearts.
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I heard a new song last night and I was planning to share it at start of Advent study, but decided to share it here instead.
SONG SHARE-
EMMANUEL by Charity Gayle
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Love, hugs, and prayers. ❤
Oh geesh..sober- warning- you aren’t kidding. Wow. So real, and I see it with my revealed eyes. The one world government, the I’d to sell and buy…the church with the replacement theolgy that sounds right in a way, but dismiss Isarel and the promises for them and Jews!! Wow. Thank you for sharing those commentaries!!
Wake up sisters..look at Jesus and the word..ALL the word. New testimony is Jesus, but old testament matters, or you will fall for Replacement theology. And the grace of Jesus without the Judgement of God!! We are given Holy Spirit to have discernment. And being comfortable, lukewarm, is not going to cut it! You have to live every minute with God’s word in your heart, soul, and mind. The Sunday only, good feeling, popular message is not true meat. It is where people flock and the big crowds are. Building the empire on money and feel good programs. I was SO Worried about all this 6 years ago, the more I followed prophesy and false churches. That made me skeptical of larger churches and and talked to one of the pastors right away. She said there’s good and bad in every church, But pray and trust in Jesus to guide you. The big church has been good for outreach and serving opportunities. But I still am very discerning of the Worship part, and the messages preached, and the inner-workings of the leaders. Be on guard. It all should follow the scriptures.
Don’t you think this Study is SO timely and God put here for purpose She’s!!??
❤️ wise words of caution. Truly no church is perfect, only JESUS is.
Amen to both of you! ❤
I was so caught up in sharing those notes I forgot to read the devo! I just read it. Wow!
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Great write up, BECCA!!! Thank you!
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*** Reposting because this accidentally went under Sharon’s post! lol
Lots to digest in Revelation 17.
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Fight the good fight of faith sisters. have a blessed day.❤️
I was so caught up in sharing those notes I forgot to read the devo! I just read it. Wow!
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Great write up, BECCA!!! Thank you!
Here we are! Welcoming in another Week, Shes!
The third & final in our Revelation community study…and the third & final podcast featuring Bible educator & seminary student, Lisa Harper.
As said last Monday, listening to the Amanda-Lisa-Raechel conversation as prologue to the scripture was enlivening, enlightening & encouraging.
With their admonition to read Revelation as “a glorious mystery of hope”;“sanctified imagination”. (C. S. Lewis), “(satan) dragon v. divine (Jesus); “living between two Advents”. Without fear. Only hope.
Leading seamlessly into the last Sunday in November/first Sunday of Advent (“Hope” as theme) & opening our new beautifully curated study books!
The words of devotion writer, Becca, spoke to my heart as well…
“God created us to be people of pursuit, to create and flourish in His wisdom. However, sin leads to destruction; it actually makes us beastly.”
Pray we enter into these last chapters captive to His unconditional Love & resistant to undeniable sins.
Thanks be to God!
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There is no middle ground…We are either with Him or not. In a world when we are calling bad, good and good, bad, it can be very confusing to our young generation. Sad. Very sad. My prayer is for us (especially our young generation) to “LOOK” to Jesus and Jesus only and heed to the conviction of their (my) hearts. I know in my heart of hearts (to JESUS) when I’m heading in the wrong direction or simply owe someone an apology. Tomorrow is promised to no one, sounds scary, BUT it makes me think MORE of how am I living for JESUS. AM I “living” for Him. Loved the ending of this mornings devo with Psalm 90:12. “Teach us (me) to number our days carefully that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Right now I feel my field our these precious little ones whom I LOVE so MUCH! They are my babies and they know it!
You’re on to something. Mari V!
Today’s podcast pitched it as “Team satan”or “Team Jesus”. Where do our behaviors & thoughts align? Our Lord gets the victory lap.
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Good! (heart)
Todays scripture is a golden cup full of detestable, awful, sin. It feels heavy and yuck. And yet, we do not have to look far to see it is prevalent right where we are, and in the honest context of “sin being sin” its part of our lives. I (we) so easily try to qualify or categorize sin, making some better or worse than others but the writer today asks “What is the end to this sin?” No matter what sin, it all separates us from God. I (we) would do well to check myself, be on alert and heed Timothy’s words in 1 Tim 6: 11-12 of warning, to follow his instructions: “But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal lifee to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
There is nothing good that comes from giving in to the temptation of sin, to following the ways of this broken world , the end is heartache, death, destruction. Pursuing righteousness, godliness, fighting for whats good, and pursuing Jesus however, is life. Its how I want to pattern my days and where I long to be.
Heavenly Father, yes Lord, Forgive my selfish, wayward ways and heart. Change me Father, guide me, lead me. Teach me (us) to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.(Psalm 90:12) Amen
“There is nothing good that comes from giving in to the temptation of sin, to following the ways of this broken world , the end is heartache, death, destruction. Pursuing righteousness, godliness, fighting for whats good, and pursuing Jesus however, is life.” This is so well said. And Wendy, thank you for your prayer yesterday!
Amen Wendy and Tami. Just saw your comment on the weekend. How sweet of you. Praying for your strength to balance 2 new classes and quiet time to rest and grow in the Word. Strength for your family this Thanksgiving without your brother. Hugs and love.
Amen and amen! ❤
So good Wendy!!
I long to pursue a life that longs for and lives for Christ yet I get so tangled up in what the world “has” for me. After 55 trips around the sun you’d think I’d have this figured out by now! I suppose this is why I need to open these pages every single day, knowing that this is what will keep me on the straight path. I need prayer to help me in this regard.
This study has been so helpful in helping me understand different aspects of Revelation. Like Searching mentioned, at times it’s repulsive to think of the actions/sins that are mentioned, yet we are all guilty of sin. May God continue to open the eyes of the blind to see His goodness and mercy! May He also help us to shine His light & flee from our sins. Only God can satisfy!
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Only God❤️
I started SRT podcast before I ever downloaded the app for the studies. Both of these tools have blessed me I regard to reading the word of God every day with a plan and the encouragement of the podcast as well as reading your posts. Happy to be a part of SRT daily!!
So glad you are here, too, Emily!
Same. ❤️
Happy you are joining us here, Emily! ❤
Hi Emily ❤️
The false messiah – “the beast that was, and is not, and is to come” (vs.8) – “will make war against the Lamb” (vs. 14), who was, who is, and who is to come.
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EVERYTHING about the devil is false, a lie, and detestable! Thanks be to God for eyes to see his ways and the Holy Spirit for guiding me on the path away from him.
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Peace be with you today. Praying for requests.
“EVERYTHING about the devil is false, a lie, and detestable!.”
So true, Kelly. Sadly, though, the destruction resulting from consequences because of his lies is staggeringly real.
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“Thanks be to God…”- AMEN! ❤
Yes, Kelly, this:
EVERYTHING about the devil is false, a lie, and detestable!
I want this reminder to always be in my train of thought and line of sight.
So powerful!
Amen
I love how 1 Timothy 6 gives us a blueprint of how to live our lives as followers of Jesus, and emphasizes the importance of having discernment of what we consume and what we consider normal in our culture. Those things can be sneaky in their allure and take a hold in us.
I agree! I’ve found music to be a huge influence over my mindset and mental health. Something we don’t normally think twice about can truly be the catalyst for anxious thoughts, insecurities, and so much more!
Music is huge!! (I listen to nothing now but Godly music!) It truly changes our mindset. But I found in more recent years social media and podcasts are taking over the younger generations, even mid-age. How we spend our time truly matters and sets our paths in what we think and what we do. That’s why Romans 12:2 is so good, “do not be conformed to this world..”
Great comment Maria. It Matters..is a great two word phrase!!
You got that right, Maria B! Seductive. Insidious.
It’s repulsive to even think about or consider the sins in that golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of all sorts, being drunk from the murder of saints and martyrs. Yet, many or most of these sins are all around in today’s world. And many were committed by me in the past. :/
BUT … Jesus Christ, Lord of lords and King of kings, He’s our Savior and overcomer, hallelujah!
Becca posed the question “What is the end to this sin?”
I’ve asked a similar question many times, what good can from this? Or have stated, no good can come from X (name a temptation).
Psalm 90:1-2 and 1 Timothy 6:11-12
Acknowledge God for who He is, flee the sin, pursue the good stuff (by God’s definition) and keep fighting the good fight of faith.
Can we? Yes. Will we? Let’s pray and cling to Jesus so that our answer is, Absolutely ❤️
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CEE GEE ❤️ Who You Say I Am ❤️
Praying for requests ❤️
Yes searching may we cling to Jesus and flee sin. May I see the plank in my own eye so I can fight the good fight.
Amen and amen! ❤
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Amen, clinging to Jesus ❤️