Revelation 17 is full of a number of prophesies and symbolism. While I do not claim to be a scholar – there are a few things we should consider. The problem here is idolatry and putting something ahead of God. Big problem in this description of the final days – but it is equally important for us to consider today. Whenever ANYTHING gets in the way of our relationship with God – it is idolatry. That means big things, little things or anything. It can be as simple as TV or a hobby or work. When we let something push God out of His rightful place in our lives – we are in trouble. That is what is happening here. And there is major pain as a result – falling, destruction and eternal damnation.
There is a battle happening – “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful”. The forces of evil are not going to take God’s plan for the end well. They will be fighting to retain their power. But we know how the story ends. Jesus wins. The reality is that even today there is a battle of good and evil going on all around us. It is real – it is happening now – and you are in the middle of it. Satan has a plan to destroy you. He is not content with anything less. The more you put God where He belongs – the more you walk as a Christ Follower – the bigger the target on your back. He is out to destroy you. Jesus has already won that war as well. He has bought us at a price – His shed blood on the cross – but we have to realize the battle is real and all around us.
The truth is that God’s Word will come true. We are told here that it will happen “until the words of God are fulfilled”. What God says will happen. It is sure as it is that the sun will come up tomorrow. And like that – while we may not always see it clearly at the time because of clouds etc – the sun does come up. We may not always see God’s truth come to fruition the way we want to – it may not be clear – but someday scripture tells us we will see things clearly – face to face –and know that what He said is true. That is what we need to remember about Revelation. It is the foretelling of what is to come. We may not understand it all completely – in fact some of it may make no sense at all to us today – but that does not change the reality of the truth and the fact that it will happen just as He said. Are you ready for Jesus to win the final battle? Have you made Him Lord of your life?
