Revelation 17-18
Session #9 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 17-18.
The focus for this session is not just the judgement of the world in the final days but a warning about the danger of worldly desires.
Revelation 17-18 is a pictorial illustration of 1 John 2:15-17. These are words that we in the USA need to here - worldly, comfortable Christians. Hear the invitation of God to repent and turn from the ways of the world and enjoy fellowship with God.
What is going on with these chapters and takeaways:
The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered. The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn....Revelation 18:14-15
Session #9 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 17-18.
The focus for this session is not just the judgement of the world in the final days but a warning about the danger of worldly desires.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Revelation 17-18 is a pictorial illustration of 1 John 2:15-17. These are words that we in the USA need to here - worldly, comfortable Christians. Hear the invitation of God to repent and turn from the ways of the world and enjoy fellowship with God.
What is going on with these chapters and takeaways:
- 17:1-5 attractive woman who symbolizes worldly seduction and a symbol of infidelity/idolatry/immorality; woman is sitting on a beast the symbolizes worldly persecution; sevens heads symbolizing seven mountains and seven heads; ten horns symbolizing ten kings > persecution of the world and seduction of the world
- the woman is devoured by the beast - end of chapter 17:15-18 according to the purpose of God; the woman disappears from the earth; Babylon and seduction of world in chapter 18 also destroyed > all as judgement of God
- this world is full of deceptive attractions - sensual pleasures, material possessions, promise of satisfaction, hope of security (18:7), insatiable lust for power, subtle lure of pride (...mentions of "great")
- this world is headed to a definite conclusion (18:2); this world will be destroyed completely, suddenly, eternally
- Sin is self destructive and eventually damning - always destroys (see also Proverbs 7); Satan is a destroyer who knows he is inevitably doomed
- Hear the gracious warning of God! 17:14 Jesus is the conquering lamb; He calls us to be saved; God is Holy and we deserve destruction but He can save us forever! With His overcoming power, He calls us who are saved to be faithful
- Do not love the world or anything in it; love for God and the world cannot coexist! Love for the world pushes out love for God. Love for God pushes out love for the world! Infinite joy has been offered to us! Don't buy what the world is offering!
- Every one of us has a choice; love things of this world - if we do, our pleasures will always be fleeting; destiny will be hell; OR we can love the God over this world who reigns supreme over this world and our pleasure will be unfading! Our security will always be in Heaven!
