THE LAMB WILL TRIUMPH
Revelation 17:1-18
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (14)
chapter 17
1. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.
2. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3. Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
4. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.
5. The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.
6. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
7. Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
8. The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9. "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
10. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.
11. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12. "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.
13. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.
14. They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15. Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
16. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.
18. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. One of the seven angels revealed the punishment that would come upon the great prostitute. The great prostitute is called Babylon. It was representative of the great power, Rome, and more broadly of all kinds of corruption and idolatry. Her corrupting influence is widespread. The seductress was powerful, as represented by her riding on a beast with seven heads and ten horns. She was wealthy, as evidenced with her being dressed in purple with all the gold and pearls. Her influence was widespread. Many had fallen under her wicked influence. She was drunk with the blood of Jesus’ people. She seems invincible, but the angel promises she will be defeated.
2. The seven hills represent seven kings of nations that have been hostile to God and his people: historically Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and one yet to come. Eventually, they will oppose the prostitute. They will be her downfall. But they will wage war against the Lamb and God’s people. The Lamb will inevitably triumph. The Lamb is King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s people throughout the world will unite with him.
Prayer: Father, things seem dark and hopeless sometimes. Open our eyes that we may see the Lamb. Give us faith in his ultimate victory.
One Word: The Lamb is King of kings and Lord of lords!