The Woman and the Beast
1One 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 on many waters. 2With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4The 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. 5This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7Then 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. 8The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his 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 he 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. 10They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11The 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. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16The 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. 17For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
2 comments:
Is anybody out there?? Just crb and myself?? Do I need to take some of you off the list (other than timcd = wedding Sunday). It is getting a little old :o)
Hope everyone is doing well. Just trying to spur one another on because I personally consider this our meeting together.
Hew 10:23-5
23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Rev 17:14
14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
I pray that we can continue to strive to better serve the Lord day in and day out. I really start to question my own commitment sometimes and wonder how much is just lip service. Father change me forever and make my attitude the same as that of Christ Jesus. Change my heart. I pray for these men this long weekend and that everyone, that includes LT, ER and everone else thatr eads this, that they all will come back with a renewed vigor to read and contribute. Be with the wedding this weekend and work Your will with JWS and his job search.
BE back on Weds, taking Mon and Tues off.
In Christ,
cas
Rev 17
Very interesting chapter, kind of explains some of the things from previous chapters, and continues to show us as we've been reading that Sin is Sin is Sin, as evident by the great prostitute. It doesn't matter if we're doing the smallest or biggest thing God doesn't like, it still breaks his heart. As cas pointed out, how lucky are we that: "14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Thank You Father for Your Son who overcomes all, and we thank You for giving us and others a heads-up that the other beasts will reign before Your Son takes over for good. Continue to watch over these men and work blogging back into their lives, and may our lives continued to be transformed by Your amazing Way and Your amazing Word. In Jesus name,
Amen
crb
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