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LESSON 22 - CHAPTER 17:01-18
R E V E L A T I O N
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, p. 273-290
A Reminder
Charles C. Ryrie's [1996]
Book
REVELATION
Everyday Bible Commentary
Moody
Publishers
Chicago
ISBN: 978-0-8024-1825-8
(You Must Own your
own copy)
(Ryrie's book text is
not included in these lessons)
CHAPTER 17
Ryrie, P.
137 Top
An
Introduction – Part-1
OUR COMMENT:
Ryrie’s comments
concerning Babylon are deep and complex. The short version is that since about
3000 B.C. Babylon has continued to exist and has largely been the place of
anti-biblical-God ever since. It has been the center for evil Political,
Economic, and Religious activities. And so much so, that the very word
“Babylon,” is used to describe virtually all evil political, economic and
religious systems. It is a key idea and physical place in the evil presented in
our book of Revelation. However, the final place of “Babylon” does not have to
be in Iraq – it can be anywhere that becomes the center of evil activity in the
time of the Greater Tribulation. Many think it will be the revival of the evil
Roman Empire.
Religious Babylon 17:1—18
(The Doom of Babylon)
a.
The Description of Babylon 17:1 —7
(1.) Agent 17:1a
THE TEXT
Then one of the seven angels
who
had the seven bowls
came
and spoke with me
Ryrie, Pg. 139 Top
OUR COMMENT:
The Bowl Judgments were introduced in chapter 16. The
Bowl Judgments were all pretty severe, but at this time they will not be used to
deal with the center of all evil operations – Babylon. We’ve already mentioned
that the word “Babylon,” can be used as both a place and a system (economics,
politics, and at this time, religion).
(2.) Some Details about religious
Babylon, 17:1b—6
She is a Harlot vv. 1-2
THE TEXT
saying,
“Come here,
I will
show you the judgment
of the great harlot
[Babylon]
who sits on many waters,
2 with whom the kings of the earth
committed acts of immorality, and
those who dwell on the earth
were made drunk
with the wine of her immorality.”
Ryrie, Pg. 139 2nd Paragraph
She is a harlot, vv. 1—2.
OUR COMMENT:
I asked online for the definition of a “harlot,” and
here is some of the results…
A harlot is an old-fashioned, derogatory term for a
prostitute or a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual acts. Historically, it
referred to a person who sells sexual favors for money. In biblical contexts, it
can also symbolize unfaithfulness or idolatry. It is considered archaic and
highly demeaning. Synonyms: Prostitute, whore, tart, woman of the street.
I found it interesting that all of these terms are now
considered “old-fashioned” and “derogatory” for describing their evil actions,
both physically and symbolically.
She has great Political Power v. 3
THE TEXT
3 And he carried me away
in the
Spirit
into a
wilderness; and
I saw
a woman sitting on a scarlet beast,
full of blasphemous names,
having seven heads and ten horns.
She has great political power, v. 3.
OUR COMMENT:
The woman is sitting on “a scarlet beast,” and should refer us back to chapter
12 where the beast is said to be a red (scarlet) dragon. A second reference is
to the one who emerged out of the sea in Revelation 13:1. At first, reading
verse 3, it may seem like the “woman” is full of blasphemous names, etc., but it
is the scarlet beast thusly described. We’ve discussed before that the heads
probably relate to this beast having power over seven countries, leaders or
kings. The ten horns indicate that the beast’s power over all is greater than
the combined number of countries or world leaderships combined. The wilderness
may indicate that this beast of power may acquire it’s power in such a way that
the world around it does not notice.
She displays Magnificent Glory v. 4
THE TEXT
4 The woman was
clothed in purple and scarlet, and
adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,
having
in her hand a gold cup
full of abominations and
[full] of the unclean things of her immorality,
Ryrie, Pg. 140 Top
She displays magnificent glory, v. 4.
OUR COMMENT:
There are already a number of extremely beautiful and wondrous cities around the
world that would seem to fulfill this prophecy. However, this one, Babylon, will
be so beautiful, rich, and attractive that much of the world will be attracted
to her like to a harlot. What she offers in her power and wealth is a camouflage
covering the great abominations of the “unclean things of her immorality.” One
writer speaks of her not just sitting upon the beast but riding it like a horse,
controlling it’s motions and progress – but like all who ride the horse, only
think they are in control of the beast they ride.
She is in reality a counterfeit v. 5a
THE TEXT
5 and on her forehead
a name
was written,
a
mystery,
“BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
Ryrie, Pg. 140 2nd Paragraph
She is in reality a counterfeit, v. 5a.
OUR COMMENT:
Ryrie’s comment is an important one. The Mystery of the
Church of Jesus Christ is a great mystery. We don’t know what motivates the love
of God to desire to adopt a human family and keep it holy for eternity. It will
probably take an eternity for us to figure it out. So too, will be the great
mystery of this “church” of Babylon – what is the depth of the evil which pulls
it together and portrays it in such a way that much of the world will fall at
it’s feet and worship it’s beast. A definite parallel “church.” One most evil,
and one called into existence by the Almighty God of the Universe by His love.
She may be organized as a federation v. 5b
THE TEXT
AND OF
THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Ryrie, Pg. 140 Middle
She may be organized as a federation, 5b.
OUR COMMENT:
Ryrie’s notes sound like the normal function of nations
who want to join into bigger organizations but not give up their particular
distinctions as governments – like Nato, like the UN, or the EU (European
Union). So, if the offer is good enough, they will join together. Such will be
this federation of countries who will seemingly seek critical funding through
immorality at all levels. Already we have world wide problems with the
immorality of drug markets who infiltrate across national boundaries in order to
acquire great wealth and power..
She persecutes the Saints v. 6
THE TEXT
6 And I saw
the
woman drunk
with the blood of the saints, and
with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.
Ryrie, Pg. 140 2nd from the bottom
She persecutes the saints, v. 6.
OUR COMMENT:
Remembering that Babylon is not just a single nation or
power but a conglomeration of nations and powers. Think of the term “Drunk with
blood.” Think of the anti-Christian movements across central and northern Africa
– who go to churches on a Sunday morning, chain the doors with all the
Christians inside, and burn the facility until everyone inside has perished –
“Drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses of Jesus.”
(3.) A Promise to John 17:7
THE TEXT
When I saw her, I wondered greatly.
7 And
the angel said to me,
“Why do you wonder?
I will tell you the mystery
of the woman and
of the beast that carries her,
which has the
seven heads and
the ten horns.
Ryrie, Pt. 140 Bottom
A Promise to John, 17:7
OUR COMMENT:
Think of the current day’s news. We as Christians who
read and believe our bibles should be able to see what’s going on in our world
that the evil one is sponsoring and leading. Why should we wonder – we should
already know what will be the end result of such things. The day will come when
all that we read and see here in this book of the Bible will all be clear and
evident to us. “The Mystery of the Woman and the Beast!”
b. Interpretation
of the Description of
Babylon 17:8-15
(1.) The Beast 17:8
THE TEXT
8 “The beast that you saw
was,
and
is
not, and
is
about to
come up out of the abyss and go to destruction.
And those who dwell on the earth,
whose
name has not been written in the book of life
from the foundation of the world,
will
wonder when they see the beast,
that he
was and
is not and
will come.
Ryrie, Pg. 141 2nd paragraph
OUR COMMENT:
The Beast coming up out of the Abyss. John’s recording of the angel’s words at
the end of verse 8 are very revealing. He was alive, he died, he came back to
life – Just Like Jesus, for he will present himself as the Messiah, risen from
the dead – and the world will follow after him.
(2.) The Seven Heads 7:9-11
THE TEXT
9 Here is the mind which has wisdom.
The seven heads
are
seven mountains
on which the woman sits, 10 and
they
are seven kings;
five have fallen
one is,
the other has not yet come; and
when he comes,
he must remain a little while.
11 The beast which was and is not,
is
himself also an eighth [head] and
is one
of the seven, and
he goes to destruction.
Ryrie, Pg. 141 3rd Paragraph
OUR COMMENT:
The last phrase is very important – for nothing ever happens apart from the
approval and allowance of Almighty God. The evil happens with a great purpose –
to divide all of humanity into one of two positions before Almighty God – To
Love and adore Him and His Son, Jesus – or to Hate and deny the Lord God and His
Son, Jesus. With Eternity in the future, living and dying take up just a single
tick of the eternal clock. We are to keep that in mind when we enter into
blessing, and into great pain, suffering and perhaps death. Time VS eternity is
the great issue. To be His or to be not His for all of eternity – you decide.
(3.) The Ten Horns 17:12-14
THE TEXT
12 The ten horns
which
you saw
are
ten kings
who have not yet received a kingdom, but
they receive authority as kings
with the beast for one hour.
13 These have one purpose, and
they give their power and authority to the beast.
Victory for the Lamb
14
These will wage war against
the Lamb, and
the Lamb will overcome them,
because He is
Lord of lords and
King of kings, and
those who are with Him are the
called and
chosen and
faithful.”
Ryrie, Pg. 141 Bottom
OUR COMMENT:
Here we have the promise of the tipping scale. Just
when all the nations join together or joined by force from the evil one – The
Lamb conquers all. With Him are all those who by faith have become His – Called
and Chosen to be His forever by Faith.
(4.) The Waters 17:15
THE TEXT
15 And he says to me,
“The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are
peoples and
multitudes and
nations and
tongues.
Ryrie, Pg. 142 Middle
The Waters
The waters on which the harlot sits (v. 1)
OUR COMMENT:
Look around today – do you see it? Do you see the
peoples of the world turning away from God, His Spirit, and His Son? Yes, at the
same time evangelism is having large successes in our colleges, universities and
churches – but the world is still very much bigger and it’s evil and
unrighteous, and immorality, and abominations are becoming more and more obvious
as time moves on. At this time it will be more than just the nation of Israel
that is the picture, here it will be all nations, tongues, peoples, and
languages.
c. Destruction of
Babylon 17:16—18
THE TEXT
16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these
will
hate the harlot and
will
make her desolate and naked, and
will
eat her flesh and
will
burn her up with fire.
17 For God has put it in their hearts
to execute His purpose
by having a common purpose, and
by giving their kingdom to the beast,
until the words of God will be fulfilled.
18 The woman whom you saw is the great city,
which reigns over the kings of the
earth.”
Ryrie,
Pg. 142 Middle
OUR COMMENT:
No Comment
Ryrie, Pg.
143 top
To summarize
this chapter:
OUR COMMENT:
Here’s a
comment from pastor David Ford, speaking about Satan the evil one: “Understand
that Satan doesn’t love his followers, he merely uses
them.”[1]
[1] Ford, David, “The Revelation of
Jesus Christ, Preached at Angelica Baptist Church, Angelica, NY,
2029-2020. Pg.34.
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