Temple Baptist Church - 8-29-2021
Revelation 17:1-5
A. Chapter 17 is tied back with chapter 13. In chapter 13, we saw two "beasts" that rose out of the sea and earth. The first beast was the political system of government in the end-time built by the spirit of antichrist. The second beast was the religious system of the end-time that would look like a lamb but would destroy all who followed it. These beasts defile, devour, destroy.
1 Corinthians 15:32a If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus …
B. Chapter 17-18 reverse their order as the "religious beast" in found in chapter 17 and the "political beast" is found in chapter 18. This is done for a good reason. In chapter 13, the political beast that reigns will be first as Antichrist takes control in chapter 6 and never relinquishes it. In chapter 18, the political system will destroy the religious system.
C. In chapter 17, it is important that the religious beast or system come first because it preceded the end-time political system. We will find this truth in chapter 17. Now, we will ignore the political beast for a while as chapter 18 will deal with it in detain.
D. We will spend a little time in this chapter as we need to understand when this religious system started, what this religious system is, and what this system does.
E. Notice with me that the first part of verse 1 speaks of judgment. God will judge this ungodly system of religion that is and has always been antigod from the beginning. It has changed its face to reflect religion at its finest in our day but under the outward veneer that it shows, it is still just what God calls it, the great whore!
F. God will judge the great whore and all those who follow it. It is anti-bible, anti-god, and anti-mankind. The Bible references this system in its letter to the church at Thyatira.
Revelation 2:20-24 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
1. Its leader is a woman. "Jezebel … prophetess"
2. Its teaching is spiritual fornication and idolatry. "seduce … commit fornication … idols"
3. God gave it space to repent, but it continued in its spiritual wickedness. "she repented not"
4. Its followers will be cast into "great tribulation" except they repent of their deeds.
5. Her children that she has birthed and reared will die a spiritual death in the Lake of Fire.
6. The Bible calls this system "the depths of Satan."
G. God calls this system "the great whore." Though I do not normally use this word, it is the only appropriate word that describes the actions of this religion. I want to break these three words down tonight because I want each of us to know EXACTLY WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS BEAST!
1. "the" – pay strict attention to the definite article that is applied to the religious beast. You have two types of articles, definite and indefinite.
The two indefinite articles are "a" and "an." God could have said, "A great whore," but He did not. "A great whore" would be the designation of one of many. God said, "The great whore!"
2. "the" is a definite article. This is not a great whore; it is the great whore. A definite article is place before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader.
The great whore is one that is both identified by the writer, God, and known by the reader, you and me. There are many false religions that could be identified as whores but this one is specific.
3. "great" – very great or greatest – the root word is a superlative (good is good, better is better, best is best).
One, it is great in its membership. The great whore has taken over America along with most so-called "Christian Nations."
Two, it is great in its influence as it has not only power over individuals but also power over nations.
Three, it is great in its wickedness. It is wicked internally and externally as it denies the singularity of the Lord Jesus Christ as deity, Saviour, Mediator. It is great in its final result: the damnation of hell and the Lake of Fire eternally.
Salvation is the Gospel (death, burial, and resurrection) of Jesus as the ONLY way of salvation. By faith, through grace and not mixed with human merit! To add or take away from the finished work of Christ is to pervert the Gospel into "another gospel."
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
4. "whore" The First Mention of the word whore is found in Leviticus.
Leviticus 19:29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
This verse ties two words together: prostitute and whore. A whore is a woman of immorality while a prostitute is a whore who sells her wares for gain or profit.
Prostitute – profane or to wound. "a person, in particular a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment." This definition ties prostitute with payment.
Whore – to commit fornication for a price. Often, in the Bible, it is tied with idolatry.
2. The result of prostitute and whore is whoredom and wickedness.
Whoredom – prostitution in general; to lead into sexual impurity or spiritual idolatry.
Wickedness – the result is a turning the nation into ungodliness.
h. Now, as we begin this chapter, we understand how God looks at this "great church." God calls it "the great whore." I took the time to give you an understanding of this because religious people think that I am personally responsible for defaming it. It does not matter what I think, it does not matter what you think, it only matters what God thinks and I believe that His message begins in complete clarity!
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