The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

Open Your Bible

Revelation 17:1-18, Psalm 90:1-17, 1 Timothy 6:11-16

John’s prophecy recorded in the book of Revelation is timeless. I am confident he wasn’t zeroed in on our current political climate when he described worldly leaders who were morally bankrupt and drunk on power. And yet, the shoe fits, doesn’t it? Sadly, since the fall of humanity in the garden of Eden, this shoe always seems to fit.

Here in Revelation 17, we see humankind’s perversion of power personified in the prostitute. She is dressed to impress and mired in scandal. She is greedy, flashy, and horrid. I find it hard to look away. This passage has plenty of mysteries, and I won’t claim to understand them all. But life on planet earth has trained me to recognize the distorting effects of power. She is every ruler who has ever reigned and every heart twisted and broken by sin.

She is presidents and prime ministers, congressmen and counselors. She embodies parents and principals, laws and limitations. But one thing she is not—she is not the Lamb of God. Neither is the beast who is with her. Their rule and reign is fleeting. With that in mind, look closely at how the beast is described:

“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come” (Revelation 8, emphasis mine).

Stack those words up against these descriptions of Jesus (again, emphasis mine):

“Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who was, and who is to come” (Revelation 1:4).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying,

Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come” (Revelation 4:8).

The beast will reign until he doesn’t. The prostitute may have a moment in the limelight, but she cannot diminish the Light of the World by a single lumen. Every leader who has ever ruled, every king who has ever been crowned, every circumstance that has ever terrorized you—all will come to an end. But Christ will remain. Only His throne is established forever.

Political leaders aren’t the only ones with power over me. If I keep looking inward, at my own power-hungry heart, I see some of me in the prostitute as well. I keep clawing my way back onto the throne that sits in my heart. I keep trying to take control away from the only One who is worthy to rule. Yet, the reign of sin will not last forever inside of me because brokenness won’t always be king of this world.

Because of Jesus, sin’s power is not ultimate. Sin was, but will be no more. Only the spotless Lamb and His Bride will remain. Long live the King of kings!

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21 thoughts on "The Woman and the Scarlet Beast"

  1. JS says:

    The scarlet thread- sons of Zarah- kings of Assyria (land of Heman, sons of modern Syria), Babylon (Tigris/Euphrates & Iraq), Greece (sons of Chalcol), Troy/Turkey (sons of Darda- now immigrated by Brutus of Troy to New Troy, Britain- now London, Ireland/Ir-land- originally land of Chaldeans from Ir/Ur- Scotland- after subduing the first Japhetite Kings of Scotland- France, Switzerland, Germany/Gomerny (taken again from Japheth), the Netherlands invaded by the Viking sons of Troy/Asgard, Scandinavia, Italy, Spain- Zaragossa/Saragossa is the stronghold of Zarah, the United States (obtained through Zaragossa missions funded for Christopher Columbus). The “red states” are Zarahite won and the blue ones are not yet completely conquered by Zarahites. The “redcoats” are the British army of the sons of Zarah- the red stripes on the flags are always symbolic of the ruling power of the sons of Zarah. The slaves were all brought over by the sons of Zarah- not white people, however the sons of Troy took white wives of Japheth to lighten their posterity and cause a confused line between the sons of Japheth and the sons of Zarah. Ths sons of Zarah are responsible for ALL of the raping and pillaging worldwide in order that women would get pregnant with Zarahite sons. The Native Americans (sons of Ephraim) were killed by Zarahite men. Hitler was a Zarahite grandson of a Rothschild- Roths means “red”. The Nazis wore a red armband symbolic of the red scarlet thread of the tribe of Zarah from the time of his birth. They have coveted the throne of David and have systematically slaughtered all other tribes of Israel worldwide before they plan to take Gog/Magog. This is why Hitler was brought to power to be the “scapegoat” for the global leaders who wanted the death of all Jews in Europe- especially those on the North Rheine who were known descendents of the sons of David. They started the war in Mexico and all wars worldwide. They are the head of Rome- the tribe of Benjamin that fled rock Rimmon while the others went back to Israel. They are the head of Simeon and Levi who went into Lombardia, Italy and expanded the Sanhedrin that crucified Christ and didn’t want Him to remove them from power. The Sanhedrin of Zarah/Levi is responsible for writing the ungodly “Babylonian Talmud” which permits the marriage of grown men to 3 year old girls and the sodomy of 9 year old boys. The false doctrines of the Pharisees who developed the Jerusalem & Babylonian Talmuds are called “Avodah Zara”- written by the sons of Zarah and sworn to by every member of their new temples called Freemasonry and their MANY affiliated groups. Every U.S. President and European King is a direct descendent through PATRILINEAGE completely to Zarah from father to father all the way back. Benjaminn Netanyahu is also in this club- the Zarahites of Israel run the United States of America (America means “land of the covenant”). Simeon- headed by Zarah- has developed the Illuminati- which many members of Zarah are also involved in. This is why many celebrities and politicians where a red thread bracelet. Many people think this is tied to religion, but it is actually tied to the scarlet beast of Revelation that is rooted in Zarah- the son of Tamar and Judah. The sons of Zarah that are involved in these things are the synagogue of Satan. Just like Cain coveted Abel’s gifts, Zarah coveted Perez’s firstborn right to the throne of Judah.

  2. Andrea Ingersoll says:

    So much to understand and I have to admit I will have to re-read all these verses again. I’m just thankful that God is by my side, that He knows me and all my sin and that his Mercy and Grace is new every morning.
    I’m grateful that He is in control of who seems to be in control and that he will use those who don’t want to serve him, anyway. His thoughts are bigger than my thoughts. I have so much peace because of Christ, no matter what is happening in the world and in my life.

  3. Ashton M says:

    Only 1 week left, I’m already sad about it.

  4. Brittany Brooks says:

    Wow this is amazing! My king will rule Forever. Thank you Jesus! How amazing and comforting is it, knowing that there will be pain but it won’t last. Knowing that it is already conquered through the blood of the lamb, our savior. I am so beyond thankful to God for his grace and mercy for us.

  5. Shameka Lane-Ruffin says:

    Amen! Either God or I can reign on the throne of my heart, but not both. I cannot serve two masters. Lord give me the strength and wisdom to always surrender my will for Your will daily.

  6. Mandy Ferrugia says:

    Such incredible imagery in this text. A true mirroring of good vs. evil: The Lamb and His Bride vs. the beast and his prostitute.

  7. Zoe Gonzales says:

    Sometimes I don’t want to fight and sometimes I don’t want to endure. Come Holy Spirit, help me to want what You want.

  8. Kristina J says:

    “…. the One who was and is and us to come…” yes, Lord Jesus, you are King over all kings and Lord over all lords. Be King over my heart today and everyday. Help me to love you first and most above all else.

  9. Angie says:

    Shawn Parks, it sounds like you have some wonderful memories in the making this week and on your cruise. May your final week of this difficult school year be blessed with examples of how God has used you in the lives of your students and co-workers. You will be/and are in my prayers for school, the retirement party, solo, and coming cruise (how fun).

    Churchmouse, I agree, pride and power are enemies that built almost without our realizing it over a lifetime. Praise God he doesn’t leave us bound to self but, draws us back to him.

    I remember being in the midst of a struggle as a young mom and saying to a godly mentor, “I’m not like that at all, I know my strengths and weaknesses.” She looked me dead in the eye, and in love said, “No, you do not. We deceive ourselves easily.” She didn’t go into more detail. She didn’t lay out my faults or misconceptions. She also didn’t leave me believing a lie. She planted a seed and allowed the Holy Spirit to do the work. Another thing she told me once was, “If you want to be a kind, gentle and gracious 60 year-old, you need to start now.” It reminds me of 1 Timothy 6:11 & 12 where it says to “PURSUE righteousness godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.” Pursue sounds to me like a journey, a work in process. Thankfully God loves me in the pursuit and his mercy covers me…because 60 is coming very fast. :)

  10. Carla Brooks says:

    Amen!

  11. Amy Hill says:

    The study was awesome

  12. NanaK says:

    As I (attempt to) still my mind and open my heart before the Lord to receive His wisdom for me from these passages and our devotion, my heart is saying to me, “Yes, and amen.”
    Thank you Erin for this devotion, and thank you dear Sisters for sharing your hearts.
    Shawn: praying for peace and calmness for you this week and the greatest comfort in all circumstances throughout the hectic times, that you are chosen and loved.

  13. Sue says:

    How often “I keep clawing my way back onto the throne that sits in my heart. I keep trying to take control away from the only One who is worthy to rule.”

    May I instead be intentional at keeping Christ on the throne of my life.

  14. Shawn Parks says:

    Against the backdrop of all the evil, my heart whispered a sigh of relief at the words “names written in the book of life since before the foundation of the world.” I realize that it was actually talking about those whose names were not written. They would be astonished at the beast’ return. But even as my eyes passed over the words “written in the book of life since before the foundation of the world” my heart settled in the Truth. Not only is there a page in that book with my name on it, but It was written before I was. How great is my God! My human mind cannot even fathom the completeness of His plan that He chose me, and created me, and sought me, and redeemed me, and guides me, and delights in me, and has prepared a place for me, and loves me. He will free me from the snares of the evil on this earth when the Lamb ends the reign of the beast. Every intricacy of my being is known by God. Every intricacy of my life’s past, present, and future is known by God. He knew when I would give my life to Him at age 6. He knew the struggles that I would have and the tragedies I would face. He knew the times I would seek him out and the times I would try to go it alone. He knew when He would touch my spirit in miraculous outpouring of His boundless glory, and He knows when I am desperate to see His face. He knew the nights that I would cry out to him. And, he knew when I would sing before him in full-voiced praise. He knows already when I will stumble next. He knows already when He will call me home. And before I was, He loved me. Today, in this moment as I get ready for my last full week of school jam-packed with projects, discipline issues, grading, testing, announcement of a new principal; at the same time planning a surprise retirement party for my husband that is Saturday; balancing a checking account before our extended family’s Alaskan cruise; waiting for our last renewed passports to arrive; and preparing my solos for my in-laws church for Sunday; He loves me. In His timeline of forever, He loves me. I know because the Bible and His book of life tell me so. .

    1. Janet C says:

      ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    2. Jennifer Martin says:

      ♥️♥️♥️

    3. Caitlin C says:

      Amen! What a beautiful reminder of God’s power in our lives. ❤️❤️

  15. Churchmouse says:

    Pride and power are a deadly combination. They are also often subtly exhibited throughout one’s lifetime, not just at the pinnacle of one’s success. Do not be deceived. We can all fall prey to these, Satan’s temptations. Each of us needs to be on the alert, examining our own hearts and not just wagging our fingers at others.

    Lord, reveal evidence of pride in me. Expose my flirtation with power. Let me repent of both. Help me to submit to Your authority for You alone are worthy to sit on the throne. I humble myself before You. I bow down. Demolish any thrones I’ve set up for myself. Let pride and power be as a stench from a garbage heap. Amen.

    1. Catrice Hayes says:

      Beautiful thank you

  16. Kristen says:

    Amen! My pastor just preached a message about putting Jesus in first place. Early in Revelation, He was telling the one church the good they were doing, but rebuked them for not having Him as their first Love. He needs to be on the throne of our lives and not us as Erin was saying. I’m seeing/hearing that twice in less than 24 hours. I need God’s help to do that for sure. He has the best plan, and I certainly do not.

  17. Amber says:

    wow! very well written