CHRIST AND THE FALL OF BABYLON. CHAPTER S 17-19 (1 John 2:17) _This is the sixth parallel section. The central idea is: "The world and everything in it that men desire is passing away." We once again return to the First Coming. Chapter 17 shows the nature and history of the prostitute; chapter 18 s... [ Continue Reading ]
COME, AND I WILL SHOW YOU. So far five enemies of Christ have been introduced to us: the dragon (Satan); the beast from the sea (anti-christian government); the beast from the earth, who is the false prophet (anti-christian religion and philosophy); the prostitute Babylon (anti-christian seduction);... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMITTED IMMORALITY. The whole world is an IDOL to those who do not have the right attitude toward God. Industry, commerce, art, culture, and all the other such things can be used by the Devil to seduce people, even believers, and turn them away from God. Two people can live side by side in the sam... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE I SAW A WOMAN SITTING ON A RED BEAST. These verses form a picture-symbol. The red beast is the sea-beast of Revelation 13:1. It is the governments of the world as the center or focus of the spirit of persecution. The woman sits on this beast - the two work together. But do not identify this wo... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL TELL YOU THE SECRET MEANING. The woman sits on the red beast (Revelation 17:3), and they are one in _purpose and intent._ Worldly people drink the wine of her immorality and experience her pleasures; and the world as a center of persecution works in close cooperation with the world as the cen... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEVEN HEADS ARE SEVEN HILLS. Note that both the beast and Babylon ARE IN EXISTENCE as John writes this! The seven hills clearly speak of Rome, as Revelation 17:18 also shows. Imperial Rome, center of the Empire. John sees this city filled with glamour, romance, appeal - all the things to attract... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TEN HORNS. The ten "horn-kings" who "rule as kings for one hour with the beast" symbolize all the important and influential men of every activity [art, education, commerce', industry, government, etc.] _to the degree_ that they serve the central authority. Their goal is to honor themselves, and... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD PLACED IN THERE HEARTS. The prostitute sits on the waters, which symbolize the nations, peoples, races and languages - that are always working to oppose the church of Christ. The world in general, especially the great men of influence, drink from her gold cup and become drunk with the wine o... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THE GREAT CITY. Rome. _See_ Revelation 17:9. The Prostitute is "The Great Babylon" - the symbol of anti-christian seduction [the glamour, romance, and appeal of this world (1 John 2:15-17)], at any moment of history. "Babylon" is the world as a center of industry, commerce, art, culture, etc. A... [ Continue Reading ]