2. 1. Evil Triumphs—Or So It Seems! (Rev 5: 1-6) Agenda: Revelation 3. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Dragon (Rev 12: 1-6) 2. What does the future hold for us? (Rev 7: 9-17) 4. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Antichrist (Rev 13: 1-10) 5. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The False Prophet (Rev 13: 11-18) 6. Another Strategy of the Evil Trio (Rev 17: 1-6) 7. From Paradise to Paradise (Rev 22: 16-21)

3. A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING Revelation 17 The GPS DIFFERENCES of Language Tradition Time Situation History

4. The First Process: Understanding 1. S ituation 2. T ype of literature 3. A nalyze the passage 4. R elate the message to the rest of the Bible 5. T est your findings S.T.A.R.T. Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

5. S.T.A.R.T. As we saw in a previous reading (Rev. 12:1–6), the dragon (Satan) could not prevent the birth and ministry of the child (Jesus), so he then focused his attack on the woman (the Church). According to Revelation, the dragon uses his ground staff, the antichrist and the false prophet, to execute this onslaught. The Steps of Understanding 1. Situation

6. In the previous lessons we saw how the beast out of the sea, the antichrist, and the beast out of the earth, the false prophet, are used against the Church. In this lesson, we witness another strategy that evil has used so successfully. To this day, it is one of its most successful strategies.

7. The Steps of Understanding 2. Type of literature 1. Situation PROSE Narrative ProcedureExplanationInstruction POETRY in PsalmsProphets Wisdom Literature S.T.A.R.T. Apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.

8. A Ch 1-3 Christ, and his battling church and suffering church on earth B Ch 4-7 Persecution and trials of the church C Ch 8-11 Unbelievers are warned and punished D Ch 12-14 The Church is Victorious because of Christ’s Victory C’ Ch 15-16 Unbelievers are judged B’ Ch 17-19 Those who persecuted the church are judged A’ Ch 20-22 Christ and his victorious church on the new earth and heaven

9. 3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

10. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site, http://revelationillustrated.com. http://revelationillustrated.com

11. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

12. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

13. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

14. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Rome: Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture

15. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Euphrates River that flowed past Babylon. Rome: Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture

16. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Immoral and materialistic culture of Rome exerted an influence on the rich and the poor. Euphrates River that flowed past Babylon. Rome: Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture

17. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Immoral and materialistic culture of Rome exerted an influence on the rich and the poor. The same spot where the Church was (Rev. 12:6). which shows that the Church was not immune to the influence of this infamous woman. Euphrates River that flowed past Babylon. Rome: Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture

18. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Rome: Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture Euphrates River that flowed past Babylon. Immoral and materialistic culture of Rome exerted an influence on the rich and the poor. The same spot where the Church was (Rev. 12:6). which shows that the Church was not immune to the influence of this infamous woman. The great prostitute

19. “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture Euphrates River that flowed past Babylon. Immoral and materialistic culture of Rome exerted an influence on the rich and the poor. The same spot where the Church was (Rev. 12:6). which shows that the Church was not immune to the influence of this infamous woman. The antichrist (Rev 13): It shows that materialism and immorality are part of Satan’s strategy to seduce Christians. The great prostitute Rome: Immoral and materialistic lifestyle of Roman culture

20. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

21. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. She dresses impressively. Testimony of her great wealth

22. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. She dresses impressively. Testimony of her great wealth Shows her ability to deceive nations

23. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. She dresses impressively. Testimony of her great wealth Shows her ability to deceive nations Symbolic name for Rome because Rome, like Babylon of old, threatened the existence of God’s new people, the Christians. Rome is also called Babylon because, like that nation, Rome destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem.

24. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. She dresses impressively. Testimony of her great wealth Shows her ability to deceive nations Symbolic name for Rome because Rome, like Babylon of old, threatened the existence of God’s new people, the Christians. Rome is also called Babylon because, like that nation, Rome destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Bloodthirsty persecution of Christians intoxicated her.

25. The Roman culture at the time of the early church was characterised by materialism and an immoral lifestyle. The Romans were renowned for their drink parties and orgies. This lifestyle was present with all spheres of society, including that of the government.

26. This shows the close relationship between antichristian governments (beast out of the sea) and and immoral lifestyle (woman on the beast). This has been true througout history.

27. The Roman religions of that time also encouraged an immoral lifestyle, eg the temples had prostitutes for worshippers to visit. False religions are frequently accompanied by an immoral lifestyle.

28. 3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver Materialism and immorality are another way of satan to cause our downfall. Christians have always been tempted to give in to the temptations of materialism and immorality.

29. 4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6– NIV) 23 Of course such rules appear to be based on wisdom in their forced worship of angels, and false humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no real value in controlling physical passions. (Colossians 2- GNT) Materialism and immorality are another way of satan to cause our downfall. Christians have always been tempted to give in to the temptations of materialism and immorality. Message to the original receiver

30. Materialism and immorality are another way of satan to cause our downfall. Christians have always been tempted to give in to the temptations of materialism and immorality. A P P L I C A T I O N Essential = Moral Essential = Moral COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING 21 st Century Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil Message to the original receiver

31. A P P L I C A T I O N 21 st Century The GPS COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Small Group Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

32. Please answer the following questions. 1. What (do you think) does this passage proclaim?W 1.hat (do you 2. To what extent is our culture characterised by materialism and immorality? 3. How do you think immorality and materialism impact Christians and the church today? 4. Does the church do enough to equip (young) people in this regard? What can we do more to equip people? 5. What kind of advice will you give people regarding immorality and materialsm?