“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me,” We always want to know what it is that God did not tell us. He did not here tell us which bowl this angel poured out. So what are we to conclude from that? If God didn’t tell us then we did not need to know! Family, it is all really so simple. Do we believe that God is God and we are not? If we do, then let’s just trust God that what He does not reveal is what we do not need to know. Not only that, with all the attempts of man to know what God has not revealed it all pretty much ends up in the theory category and not in the fact category. Trust God, not ourselves, and then life is easier and better! (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.” The Bible interprets the Bible. Revelation 17:15 directly tells us what are the waters that the “great prostitute” sits by. The waters are “peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” This is speaking to her influence over the world.
The NIV and ESV use the word “prostitute” to describe this corrupting agent to the world. The KJV version translates it as “whore.” Both are apt descriptions. However one can wonder if “prostitute,” in contemporary use, might not have the impact that the word is meant to have. Perhaps nowadays the word prostitute might carry with it, with good reason, a person who has been victimized. Whereas the word whore is related to a person to whom this word would be applied as someone who is what they are out of their own choice. Though actually, volition and victimization is likely applicable to both, the word whore seems to carry more punch. This person who is being described is the willing committer of spiritual and physical fornication. This whore likes what she is doing and advocating the world to join her. She knowingly rejects God and does not consider a change, repentance, as an option.
We must remember that this word is also used of many that Jesus saved. For those whose do not have hearts of stone, this word could have applied to us before we came to the Lord. We too were committing adultery with the ways of the world. We joined with them in what we knew in our hearts we should not. The difference is that some have hearts that are hardened and refuse to respond to God. Others have soft hearts and respond to God. Reject Jesus and pay for one’s sins. Submit to Him and the gift of acceptance to God is received. The choice belongs to all and all shall get what they chose.
The prostitute is not any member of the Bride of Christ. When a member of the Bride of Christ chooses to sin instead of choosing God, that is adultery. A bride, or a groom, commits adultery against their spouse. This whore does not belong to God of their own choice. Besides, at this time, most of the believers in Jesus are in Heaven.
“With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” This whore (purposely using this word rather than prostitute to drive home the effect), to perpetuate her lifestyle needs companions in her sins. To make her profit and satisfy her she needs people to join her. In joining together they think they have approval and justification for their deeds (Romans 1:32). They deceive only themselves (Galatians 6:7).
Family we are not children appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Let us be sure to not congratulate ourselves, as we have not saved ourselves, but our children of God because of the grace of God (Ephesians 2:2-9). Therefore let us give thanks and joyously praise Him who has saved us from the Second Death. Let us praise God! Amen! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.