The Waters

In 2020, a pandemic swept around the globe. International agencies, national bureaucrats, local governments, and zealous citizens became enforcers of protective and restrictive laws. The health and rights of all peoples and nations were impacted. Nobody was immune to the threats - physical, social, economic - of the disease. COVID19 reigned with supreme power and would brook no rivals. John saw an even greater threat and power in Revelation. It was the Roman Empire, cryptically called Babylon, referred to in chapter 17 as the great prostitute.

The great prostitute was "seated on many waters" (v. 1). John was confused about what this meant, so an angel came to explain that the waters were "peoples and multitudes and nations and languages" (v. 15). In other words, many, many people were under her power. Rome is depicted in this chapter as...

Promoting gross sexual immorality

Participating in drunkenness

Blaspheming the name of God

Ruling with cruelty and violence

Rejecting what is pure and righteous

Persecuting Christians

Multitudes had fallen under her spell and were forced into her slavery.

But the story doesn't end there. Thanks be to God, whether it is Babylon, Rome, or governments today, "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" (v. 14).