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The Future of a One-World
Religion |
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When we came to the end of chapter 16 we came to the end of the Tribulation Period. As we move into chapter 17, instead of moving directly to the Lord’s return back to the earth, we are told about the future of a one-world religion that we previously got a glimpse of in 14:8, “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
This one-world religion is also seen in 16:19, “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.”
In 14:8 & 16:19 the judgment of Babylon was anticipated. As we move into chapter 17-18 we see the actual judgment of Babylon. We read in Revelation 17:1, "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." We now see the judgment anticipated earlier being fulfilled.
In chapter 17 we see the judgment of Babylon as a religious and political system. In chapter 18 we will see the judgment of Babylon as a commercial system. Chapters 17-18 are inserted into the chronological flow of revelation which continues in chapter 19. We have seen the specific judgments that will be poured out. Now in chapter 17-18 you see what is being judged. Those two chapters go back to describe the world system led by Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet, and God’s judgment upon that system. This judgment had been anticipated and now the details of that destruction are given.
During the tribulation, the world will become very religious. So much so, all the religions of the world will unite as a one-world religion under the leadership and direction of the antichrist. This one-world religion is described in verse 1 as “the great whore,” a title descriptive of its seductive powers. In verse 5 it is described as “BABYLON THE GREAT.” Babylon in the Bible speaks of both a place and a system. As a place it is located in Iraq. As a system it symbolizes all false religion.
The roots of this religious system and Babylon are found in Genesis 11:1-9. There we find a time when everyone spoke the same language. Let me point out three features about the people:
Sinfully disobedient … (11:2) We read they journeyed from the east. When a person goes in an westerly direction it is symbolic of a person turning the back to the light (sun rises in the east). They were turning their back to the light. Selfishly dependent … (11:3-4) They said "Let us … make a name." They were a forerunner of modern day humanists that have no room for God in their life or a need of God. Spiritually distorted … (11:4) They wanted to build 2 things – city and a tower. The city speaks of the physical longing of their heart. The tower speaks of the spiritual longing of their heart. Contrary to what is often described, it was not a tower that would reach the heavens. You will notice that the words “may reach” are italicized meaning they were added there by the translators. It literally means, “whose top unto heaven.” It was a tower topped by the heavens or the top of the tower was dedicated to the heavens. It was not a tower dedicated to the God Who created the heavens, but to the heavens that were created by God. It was a temple dedicated to astrology. It was the beginning of false religion, that is why they were judged of God. Babylon henceforth symbolizes all the false religions of the world
In the end time Babylon speaks of a one-world religion. Let's notice this one-world religion as defined by Revelation 17. First, think with me of:
1. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ONE-WORLD RELIGION
John says in verse 1, “Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore.” John is speaking of a one-world world religion that will be established during the tribulation period. The term “whore” is a metaphor for false religion, spiritual defection and religious apostasy.
Several cites in the Bible are designated as cities of whoredom (Nineveh, Tyre, Jerusalem) because of their idolatry and pursuit of false religion. Babylon is called the "Great whore" in verse 1 and in verse 5, the “Mother of harlots.” Babylon will bethe leader of them all.
Notice several features about this one-world religion:
A) The Authority of the Great Whore
We read in verse 1 that the Great Whore “sitteth upon many waters.” Sitting upon speaks of a position of authority. The "many waters” (Cp. Vs. 15) speaks of the great whore’s authority as being universal. All the world will unite under the banner of a one-world religion. Today we hear a lot about “separation of Church and state.” One day the whole world will become religious. Even today people talk about dropping all doctrinal differences and lets all be as one.
There is also:
B) The Alliances of the Great Whore
In verse 2 we see an earthly alliance: "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." The "Kings of the earth" speaks of those at the highest level of power, the leaders of the world. They will be a part of this one world religion.
They also “commit fornication” with the great whore. Fornication speaks of the great whore’s interaction with the kings of the earth. The word "all the inhabitants" speak of how the whole world will be involved and a part of this one world religion. All the nations of the earth will be "drunk with the wine of her fornication," leaving the entire world intoxicated with her false religion.
Secondly, we see an evil alliance. John saw in verse 3 “a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast." The "beast" as we have seen is the antichrist. The woman represents this one world religion. The antichrist is seen supporting her. The initial unifying and controlling factor of Antichrist's kingdom will be religion. John sees the antichrist “full of names of blasphemy.” There is self-deification on his part as he takes for himself names and titles that belong only to God. He is seen “having seven heads and ten horns” which refer to his alliances of which we will consider further in our study. This one-world religion will be greatly supported and endorsed by the antichrist. This one-world religion will be comprehensive.
Thirdly, we see:
C) The Appearance of the Great Whore
We read in verse 4, "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." Prostitutes usually dress a certain way in order to call attention to themselves. Metaphorically, this one-world religion is no different. The woman is dressed in colors of "purple and scarlet" which are colors of royalty and nobility, colors symbolizing the power this one-world religion will hold over the world.
She is also "decked with gold and precious stones and pearls" which speaks of her wealth and indicates how extremely successful and wealthy will be this one world church. It will be rich in land, and holdings.
Also, we see:
D) The Abominations of the Great Whore
In verse 4 we see that she has in her hand a "gold cup” from which the leaders and peoples of the earth will drink. This cup is filled with “abominations.” This cup is filled with idolatry. It is also filled with “filthiness.” It is also filled with immorality. In the past few years we have heard about all the scandals in the Catholic Church. The Catholic church is not alone. Name any denomination and the stories can be told. But they all are nothing to what you will find in this organized religion that dominates the world. It will be religious but there will be nothing holy about it.
I remind you that this is a religion. There is a difference between religion and salvation. Religion is man’s attempt to get to God. Salvation is God’s reaching down to man.
Lastly, notice:
E) The Actions of the Great Whore
We read in verse 6, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." This one-world religion will hate true believers. Religion has always been a blood thirsty system. It was a religious crowd that crucified Jesus. There are the Crusaders of the Crusades and the Muslims and the past and present. They all marched under the banner of religion. Many a true believer will be martyred by this world-wide religion.
Secondly, notice:
2. THE EXPLANATION OF A ONE-WORLD RELIGION
We read in verse 5, "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." It was customary for a prostitutes to identify themselves in the Roman world. This one-world religion is identified. The description of "MYSTERY BABLYON" indicates that the Babylon referenced is not a geographical location. Babylon as see here is the "MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS." Babylon is seen as a system, a system that will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times. John's reaction is described in verse 6-7, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (7) And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns." John marveled at what he saw. What he had seen left him a bit confused. He saw both a whore and a beast and what confused him was their relationship to one another. How could they be connected? To explain the connection, the angel gives John certain details about the beast or antichrist. First, there is:
A) The Rise of the Beast
In verse 8 it is explained to John, "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." The words “was and is not…was, and is not, and yet is” are a reference to his faked death and resurrection (Cp. 13: 3,14). A lost world will be amazed. He will convince and deceive the world by this feat.
Furthermore it is said that he “shall ascend from the bottomless pit, and go into perdition.” He comes from hell and will return to hell. The antichrist is an agent of Satan. Satan will rule the earth through Him. The antichrist will rise to power by means of miracles and wonders and will also have an answer for the world’s political and economic problems, all having its source in Satan himself.
Secondly, we see:
B) The Rule of the Beast
We read in verses 9-12, "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (10) And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. (11) And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (12) And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." The words,
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom” is a call for John to pay close attention. The angel explains to John some things about this beast.
He explains that the “Seven heads are seven mountains.” Some associate these seven mountains or hills with Rome. Some even say the Catholic Church. We don’t have to guess for in verse 10 it is explained that, “There are seven kings.” These seven mountains are identified as seven kings.
These seven kings are described as 5 that have fallen, and one that is, and one that is to come. The 5 that have fallen no doubt refer to the 5 Gentile world empires that had fallen by the time of John’s vision (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia). The one that existed no doubt speaks of Rome and the one to come the Antichrist’s final world kingdom.
The rule of the antichrist is defined and designated: “he must continue for a short space.” His rule will be short lived (Cp. 13:5) It will be for a period of 42 months, 3 ½ years.
Then the angel offered the enigmatic comment that "the beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction." How can the beast (Antichrist) be an eighth king and also one of the seven? The answer lies in the phrase "the beast . . . was and is not." The antichrist will be one of the seven kings before his supposed demise and resurrection and an eighth king afterwards during the second phase of his rule.
In verse 12 it is explained that his “ten horns” are ten kings. They are not former kings for they “received no kingdom as yet” They will “receive power as kings.” They will be made kings by the antichrist. Many see this as the revived Roman Empire. As with the antichrist, their rule is limited in time. They will rule for “one hour,” a figure of speech that speaks of the brevity of their rule.
We read in verse 13, "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." They are wholly, totally, and unanimously devoted to the antichrist. What John was made to understand is that this one world religion is associated and aligned with the antichrist and an assistant in carrying out his purposes on the earth.
Lastly notice:
3. THE EXTERMINATION OF A ONE-WORLD RELIGION
This one-world religion is destined for destruction. Just as God judged the efforts of Nimrod in Genesis 11, God will judge the unifying of all religions in the end time. Now, it may surprise you how God will judge the great whore. Notice first how:
A) The Beast Divorces The Great Whore
We read in verse 14 -16, "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (15) And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (16) And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." The antichrist’s alliance with the great whore will not last. The antichrist having used this one-world religion to gain control of the world, will divorce and discard her. He will use her to achieve his purposes and then turn against her.
We also see how:
B) The Beast Devours The Great Whore
In verse 16 we read of how he and his kings "shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." The antichrist will completely obliterate this religious system. However, he will be unaware that he is carrying out God’s purpose and judgment. We read in verse 17, "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." God will judge the antichrist, but first He uses him to judge the one world religion.
It reminds me that GOD HATES RELIGION. Religion of any kind, especially a one world religion is headed for judgment. |
