“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore'” (Revelation 18:21).

Imagine what would happen if a giant, boulder-like object were to suddenly plummet into one of the world’s great oceans. While that event would propel untold amounts of water into the earth’s atmosphere, the seas would eventually rush in to cover the initial point of impact. The ocean’s ceaseless motion would thus make that area virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding waves in a relatively short period.

Such will be the case with the godless economic system described here in Revelation eighteen. As one translation renders this text, “With this kind of sudden violent force Babylon the great city will be thrown down and it will never be found again!” (NET).

But let’s revisit this analogy again and consider some other potential implications. While the initial point of impact would soon become indistinguishable, the effect of such an event would likely reach far beyond its origin. Coastal cities might suffer the devastating impact of an incoming tsunami, while other natural processes might face irreversible damage. In like manner, the effects of Babylon’s destruction will resonate far beyond the city itself. We find a summary of those effects in verses twenty-two and twenty-three…

“The sound of harps, singers, flutes, and trumpets will never be heard in you again. No craftsmen and no trades will ever be found in you again. The sound of the mill will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries” (NLT).

So this portion of Scripture tells us that there will be no further cultural activities, building projects, agricultural production, artificial illumination, or sense of happiness that might arise from human relationships. Thus shall Babylon be recompensed for “…the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth” (Revelation 18:24).

So this brings us to the end of our study in Revelation chapter eighteen. In chapter seventeen, we saw the systematic dismantlement of Babylon’s blasphemous religious structure. Here in chapter eighteen, we have witnessed the downfall of Babylon’s godless economic system. The only remaining stronghold is the unholy political alliance that will arise during that era. That coalition will meet its end in the following chapter.

“‘Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!’ Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.

The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth'” (Revelation 18:20-24).

Given the apocalyptic imagery that precedes it, the exhortation to rejoice here in Revelation 18:20 may seem rather disturbing. For instance, consider the following passage from Revelation 18:8: “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine…” (KJV). How could anyone rejoice over such a fate?

A shift in perspective may help address that concern. Just as we rejoice when justice is served in a human court of law, the downfall of Babylon, a place that had become “…a home for demons” and “…a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal” (Revelation 18:2 NLT) offered cause to rejoicing.

Moreover, we should not forget that this blasphemous regime had committed many criminal acts. In fact, Revelation 18:5 tells us, “…Her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God has remembered her crimes” (GW). Revelation 17:6 also serves as a case in point. That portion of Scripture depicts Babylon as a woman who sat astride a scarlet beast while she was “…drunk with the blood of God’s people and the blood of those who were killed because they had been loyal to Jesus” (GNT).

Finally, Revelation 18:24 tells us, “In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth” (NIV). Should God permit such criminal activity to go unpunished? Should not those who perpetrated such crimes be held to account for their actions? On the contrary, it would be wrong for a righteous judge to allow such crimes to go unavenged. Thus, we find heaven rejoicing over the fact that justice had been served.

“…Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate'” (Revelation 18:17-19).

In thousands of years of recorded human history, with all its wars and conflicts, humanity has never possessed the destructive power to annihilate an entire city within a mere sixty minutes. It was only with the advent of the nuclear era that human beings gained that capacity. So what may have seemed impossible before the dawn of the twentieth century is now a terrifying reality.

That backdrop sets the scene for Revelation 18:9-19 and the list of goods and commodities that will vanish following Babylon’s destruction. With the exception of the food-related items, everything mentioned in that list is a luxury item, not a necessity. However, there is another commodity on that list that should definitely command our attention: “…[the] bodies and souls of men” (Revelation 18:13).

This passage speaks of human beings who are viewed as nothing more than possessions to be bought and sold. But that godless economic platform went far beyond mere slavery, for it also encompassed “…the very souls of men” (Phillips). This reference to “souls” suggests a level of control that extends beyond mere ownership; it implies dominion over one’s internal thoughts and accompanying behaviors. While many have desired to exert such control over other human beings over the course of human history, modern-day advances in electronic surveillance and related technologies have now brought that desire closer to reality.

We should also notice that an overwhelming sense of grief followed the loss of these luxury items. For instance, verse nine speaks of weeping and lamentations, while verse eleven mentions weeping and mourning. More weeping and wailing then follow in verse fifteen, with additional weeping and wailing in verse nineteen. While anyone might grieve over the loss of their possessions, we should note that these individuals showed no remorse concerning this devastating loss of human life.

Instead, Revelation 18:11 identifies the source of their grief: “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore” (NIV). So, their primary (and perhaps only) motivation involved wealth acquisition. Unfortunately for them, this act of destruction will obliterate their profits, along with Babylon’s inhabitants and their materialistic values.

Image Attribution: “Spangdahlem recognizes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month” by SrA Kyle Cope. Public Domain via getarchive

“Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn'” (Revelation 18:7 NIV).

Revelation 18:7 speaks of Babylon and the “…luxury she gave herself.” So, in addition to the qualities of self-honor and self-praise that characterized those who took part in this corrupt economic system, we can add one more quality: self-indulgence. That attitude expressed little or no empathy for those in need and no willingness to assist the less fortunate. Instead, the individual desire for comfort and personal gratification took precedence.

The latter half of verse seven reveals another disturbing aspect of that mindset: “…she keeps telling herself: ‘Here I sit, a queen! I am no widow, I will never know grief’” (GNT). If we were to paraphrase that response from a first-person perspective, we might do so by saying, “Don’t you know who I am? I’m not like other people. Nothing bad will happen to me.”

Most of us have probably encountered others who exhibit a similar mindset, but hopefully, those individuals are relatively few in number. The issue is that such attitudes will be widespread among these future populations. Unfortunately, there is a cost associated with that mentality, and we will close this portion of our study with a look at that price…

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ “

And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.

The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing’…” (Revelation 18:9-17).

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues'” (Revelation 18:4).

We can often identify a self-oriented worldview with a look at the way it frames the issues and circumstances of life. For instance, a mindset that prioritizes self-interest might ask some, or all, of the following questions exclusively when confronting life’s challenges…

• “What’s best for me?”
• “What do I want?”
• “How will this impact me?”

In contrast, a God-honoring mindset first asks a different set of questions. Those questions might include some, or all, of the following:

• “What Biblical teaching or principle can I apply to this situation?”
• “How would God have me respond?”
• “How does this reflect on my relationship with Christ?”

These latter questions (and others like them) can help us maintain the right attitude and avoid the negative repercussions that flow from the godless philosophies we find here in Revelation chapter eighteen.

“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’

Therefore her plagues will come in one day–death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her” (Revelation 18:5-8).

This reference to a “double repayment” draws our attention to the Old Testament legal mandate for the restitution of stolen property. According to that statute, a convicted thief had to repay twice the value of the property he or she had stolen (see Exodus 22:9). Since a corrupt economic system is unlikely to prioritize righteousness and justice, it may explain why there will be a double repayment “…according to her works.”

We should also consider the mindset that characterized these purchases. The best illustration of that thought process appears in verse seven, where we read, “As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning…” (ESV). Here in Revelation 18:7, this reference to glorification encompasses a range of ideas, including the acts of praise, magnification, and honor with respect to oneself. ₍₁₎ If we were to express those qualities with a one-word definition, we might so so with the word “pride.”

(1) G1392 – doxazo – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1392/kjv/tr/0-1/

“…Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich” (Revelation 18:3 NLT).

Our text from Revelation 18:3 allows us to conclude our short discourse on the subjects of wealth and materialism with a few final thoughts. For instance, the Biblical book of 1 Timothy offers two passages that should inform our thinking on these subjects…

“…[Our] trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17 NLT). 

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

The verses help provide direction for our purchasing and investment decisions. For example, there is nothing inherently wrong with financial or material wealth, for God richly provides us with all we need for our enjoyment. However, it’s important to recognize that everything we possess is a gift of God’s benevolent provision. Thus, we would be wise to view ourselves as stewards (or managers) of the financial and material resources that God has graciously allowed us to acquire.

Other helpful insights come from the following portions of Jesus’ famous Sermon On The Mount…

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT).

A lifestyle that honors God through the responsible use of the financial and material resources He provides is one that enriches everyone, including ourselves. These observations will prepare us for entry into the next portion of Revelation eighteen.

Image Attribution: Manager by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0  Picpedia.org

“…the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth and economic power of her sensuous luxury” (Revelation 18:3 AMP).

Before we criticize the wealthy in light of this passage, we should remember that the Scriptures identify several God-honoring individuals who were rich in financial and material wealth. ₍₁₎ Thus, we can say that financial and/or material riches alone do not explain the fate that befell those mentioned here in Revelation chapter eighteen. Instead, the underlying issue involved the beliefs and attitudes that shaped the way they managed and used those resources.

Unfortunately, there is a cost associated with the lifestyle mentioned here. In addition to what we read here in Revelation chapter eighteen, the Biblical book of James identifies that cost: “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (James 5:5 NIV).

Notice that James identifies two important parameters in speaking with the wealthy: luxury and self-indulgence. These individuals took the blessings of wealth and prosperity and used those God-given gifts to benefit themselves. Thus, it may be said that their financial and material wealth was not the primary issue; it was what they did with it.

With this in mind, the New Testament epistle of 1 Timothy shows us a better path forward…

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

This underscores the need to capitalize on the opportunities that God makes available to us as we invest the talents, skills, and resources He provides. Acts 20:35 identifies the positive personal benefit that flows from that approach: “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Nevertheless, we should also be mindful of Jesus’ cautionary message from the Gospel of Luke as we consider these passages…

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? (Luke 10-12 NLT).

(1) See discussion in James chapter five here. Abraham was a man of substantial wealth yet he was called a friend of God. Job was also identified as a God-honoring man of wealth and God even doubled his assets following his period of trial. The Old Testament book of Ruth provides us with the example of a man named Boaz, a wealthy man who served as Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. In the New Testament, we have the example of Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-58) as well as Zacchaeus, a wealthy individual who clearly received Jesus’ approval for the manner in which he decided to handle his finances (Luke 19:2-10).

Image Attribution: Opportunity by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury” (Revelation 18:1-3).

These verses depict an amazing spectacle. Consider the magnitude of power that would be necessary to allow this angelic being to illuminate the earth. This is especially noteworthy in relation to an earlier passage from Revelation chapter thirteen: “…the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness” (Revelation 13:10). So much like a spotlight that illuminates criminal activity that occurs under the cover of darkness, God’s angelic agent will illuminate this world for all to see.

Next. we’re told “…all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries” (NIV). So this encompasses more than just a single town, region, or country. Instead, this passage tells us that every nation will adopt the same godless economic philosophy. Verse three then goes on to describe the impact of that global phenomenon: “Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich” (NLT).

These verses hold a surprising degree of relevance for modern-day audiences. For instance, if God has blessed us with the opportunity to purchase various luxury items, we should approach those purchases thoughtfully and prayerfully to ensure we are using those resources in a way that honors Him. In addition to our text from Revelation eighteen, the New Testament book of James offers a brutally frank assessment that draws our attention to an attitude we should avoid…

“And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes have been eaten by moths. Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. 

You have piled up riches in these last days. You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you” (James 5:1-6 GNT). 

We’ll consider this challenging subject at greater length next.

Image Attribution: Photo by comfreak from Freerange Stock

In our earlier study of Revelation chapter seventeen, we noted that the Book of Revelation employs the word “Babylon” as a shorthand designation for the blasphemous political, religious, and economic structures that will arise in the future. Those structures have always existed to greater or lesser degrees throughout much of human history, but they will dominate the future that is chronicled for us within this book.

The previous chapter of Revelation also detailed the fall of the blasphemous religious system that will arise during that period. Here now, in Revelation chapter eighteen, we will witness the fiery devastation that will be unleashed upon the godless economic system of that era. And while it is never explicitly mentioned within our text, the underlying presence of idolatry will emerge as one of the core components of that system.

As noted in our survey of Revelation chapter two, we can define an idol as anything that takes God’s place within our lives. When someone elects to replace God with something else at the top of life’s priority scale, that “something” (whatever it is) effectively becomes his or her idol. That alternative doesn’t have to involve a spiritual concept or philosophy. Instead, it might represent an underlying value, ideology, conviction, or belief that serves to establish the principles that guide our lives.

For many, the acquisition of financial and material wealth (along with the status and privilege that accompany it) often represents one such priority. As we consider the economic aspects of the godless worldview described here in Revelation chapter eighteen, we will find that the relentless pursuit of personal gain and financial self-interest will largely shape the narrative of this chapter. The prevailing attitude will be one of self-concern, and to borrow a phrase from modern parlance, “everyone will be in it for themselves.”

Those who witness the downfall of this blasphemous economic system will also demonstrate a callous disregard for the lives that are lost and the destruction that takes place. Instead, their primary concern might be expressed in a single question: “What does this mean for me?” That attitude is far removed from the precepts given to us in the Scriptures…

“Try to do what is good for others, not just what is good for yourselves” (1 Corinthians 10:23 ERV). 

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Romans 15:2 NIV).

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 AMP).

The events of this chapter will thus provide us with an object lesson and an example to avoid.

“And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire” (Revelation 17:16 ESV).

Something unusual happens here in Revelation 17:16, for the members of this godless coalition turn upon one of their own. But how could such a thing occur? The answer may lie in an observation from earlier within this chapter: selfishness is an underlying (bur often overlooked) aspect of any immoral relationship. In this instance, these parties were likely exploiting one another to get something they each desired. That is, until one side no longer needed the other.

First, let’s consider the description of this prostitute from earlier in this chapter: “‘The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality'” (Revelation 17:2 CSB). At one time, the beast and these kings profited from that arrangement in various ways. However, that dynamic shifted dramatically once their need to exploit that relationship ceased to exist.

This serves to remind us of the potential consequences that can befall those who partake in immoral relationships: one side may abandon the other when their needs are no longer being met. Here in Revelation seventeen, that act of abandonment turned violent and destructive when it no longer served one party’s interests.

Another interesting aspect of this passage appears in verse seventeen: “For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled” (NLT). By taking this action, God is giving the global population exactly what it desires: the complete absence of God-honoring leadership in the political arena. Thus, the tragic edict of Romans 1:28 will come to fruition once again: “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done” (NET).

Finally, this chapter ends with an ominous and enigmatic message: “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (NIV). So what prominent city might this refer to? One possibility involves a modern version of the literal, physical city of Babylon. Another possibility is Jerusalem, a place cited in Revelation 11:8 as “the great city… where also our Lord was crucified.” Or it might be Rome, a city that was commonly known to be the greatest city of that era. Finally, it may be an unknown city of the future that has yet to be established.

The closing verses of Revelation chapter seventeen continue with an explanatory discourse on the woman who sat astride a scarlet beast mentioned earlier in verse three…

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast” (Revelation 17:12).

This likely refers to a confederacy of ten nations that will join in solidarity with this beast. The following verse identifies the unquestioned leader of that alliance: “These kings will be of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13 CEB). So these ten heads of state will pledge their complete allegiance to this beast and his agenda.

But these ten leaders will exhibit more than just solidarity; they will also back their commitment with military power…

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

The matter-of-fact tone of this passage hides an astonishing thought: the members of this multi-national alliance actually seem to believe they possess the capability to launch a successful military attack against Jesus Himself. But such a victory is unachievable for “…he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings” (CEV). We should also note that the “called, chosen, and faithful” who accompany Jesus will be there to witness the Lamb’s victorious counter-offensive.

John’s angelic chaperone then concluded his explanation with a few additional insights…

“Then he said to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:15-18).

This reference to “…masses of people of every nation and language” (NLT) highlights the global nature of the godless religious philosophy held by those who are represented here. That philosophy is not merely indifferent to the things of God; instead, it violently opposes them, as evidenced by this hapless attempt to defeat the Lamb through the use of military force.

We’ll conclude our look at Revelation chapter seventeen with some final thoughts from this passage next.

We can begin our exploration of the central portion of Revelation chapter seventeen with a closer look at verse eight: “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition” (NIV). This enigmatic reference may make better sense if we view it from the perspective of John, the author of Revelation.

The beast mentioned here “was” in the sense that it existed prior to the scene John witnessed. It “now is not” (NIV) because it was held within the bottomless pit (or Abyss) during the period when the book of Revelation was originally authored. Finally, it “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit” (KJV) in the future when these events take place.

We get some further insight in verse nine: “…The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Some Biblical scholars view this passage as a reference to the city of Rome, a city that is historically recognized as “the city on seven hills.” Verse ten then continues by saying, “There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.”

From a Scriptural perspective, there have been six global powers that have arisen on the Biblical timeline: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Each of those first four empires played a significant role in Old Testament history. The fifth, Greece, provided the language that was used to author the books of the New Testament. Those five kingdoms may represent the “five kings that have fallen” mentioned in Revelation 17:10.

These kingdoms were “fallen” in the sense that they were superseded by the sixth world power: Rome. The Roman Empire dominated the known world of John’s day, but has long since faded into history. That leaves us with the seventh “king” whose kingdom has yet to come to fruition. This seventh kingdom “must remain only for a little while” (NIV) which likely means that it will be quickly replaced by the eighth king seen in verse eleven: “The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition” (NIV).

This eighth kingdom belongs to the seven previous kingdoms in the sense that it shares the same godless characteristics. This reference to “perdition” conveys the idea of waste, ruin, or the loss of well-being. ₍₁₎ One source associates this word with “the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell.” ₍₂₎ This eighth kingdom thus shares another characteristic with the seven previous kingdoms; they each share the same eternal destination.

(1) See G684 apoleia Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers, https://biblehub.com/greek/684.htm

(2) G684 apoleia Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g684/kjv/tr/0-1/

“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:6).

It’s easy to understand our author’s astonishment at the scene presented to him in the opening verses of Revelation chapter seventeen. After all, if we were presented with the image of a finely-attired woman who proved to be a drunken, bloodthirsty, prostitute, we’d likely be amazed as well. However, our author’s angelic escort was quick to address that response…

“But the angel said to me, ‘Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful'” (Revelation 17:7-14).

The symbolic imagery behind this passage is difficult to unravel, and there is no single answer that is likely to satisfy every reader of these verses. Nevertheless, we should not find fault with this angelic explanation. The real issue is related to our understanding of that explanation. This should not deter us from a prayerful effort to understand these symbolic elements; instead, it should encourage us to seek the Author of these verses for additional insight.

With these things in mind, we can draw encouragement from a familiar portion of Scripture as we wrestle with this difficult passage…

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).

“On her forehead a mysterious name was written: I AM THE GREAT CITY OF BABYLON, THE MOTHER OF EVERY IMMORAL AND FILTHY THING ON EARTH” (Revelation 17:5 CEV).

The Scriptures mention ” Babylon” over two hundred and fifty times within the pages of the Old and New Testaments. We can gain insight into the spiritual aspect of “Babylon” when we examine this word in greater detail. The name “Babylon” is derived from the word “babel.” The “Bab” portion of that word means “gate” and the “el” portion refers to God. When we put those segments together, we arrive at the following definition: “gateway to God.” ₍₁₎

Humanity’s most obvious attempt to build such a gateway appears in Genesis chapter eleven. That portion of Scripture relates the account of the Tower Of Babel…

“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth'” (Genesis 11:1-4).

So these builders had two primary objectives…

1. They sought to construct a tower that would enable them to advance to the heavens on their own terms.
2. They sought to make a name for themselves.

However, there was someone who was notably absent from that building project. That Person was God Himself. This helps us understand this reference to Babylon in our text from Revelation 17:5. The Babylonian approach to religious observance, political leadership, and/or economic practice is characterized by a human-oriented ideology. That mindset has little or no concern for God or His will (if it acknowledges God at all). Instead, it seeks self-deification on its own merits, often in an aggressively humanistic fashion.

This philosophical perspective is rooted in the ancient mindset that sought to erect the Tower of Babel. ₍₂₎ Unfortunately, that ideology may sometimes lead to violent confrontations with those who seek to honor God. For instance, Revelation 17:6 will go on to tell us that this woman was intoxicated with the blood of God’s saints. That disturbing word-picture reminds us that peaceful co-existence between those who serve God and those who don’t, may be an elusive ideal.

Thus, we can apply Jesus’ message to His disciples in a modern-day context: “Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves” (Luke 10:3 CEV).

Image Attribution: Александр Михальчук, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

(1) See G897 – babylon – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g897/kjv/tr/0-1/ and “Babylon” – Easton’s Bible Dictionary – Bible Gateway. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/eastons-bible-dictionary/Babylon

(2) For a detailed study of this topic see Genesis – Chapter Eleven https://traed.net/wp-content/uploads/11-Genesis-Chapter-Eleven.pdf

“And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations'” (Revelation 17:5 ESV).

During our earlier study of Revelation chapter thirteen, we looked at the meaning behind the “mark of the beast.” According to Revelation 13:16, that mark will be placed on one’s right hand or forehead, two locations that are highly symbolic. For instance, consider how we employ such references today.

Let’s say we have someone who is naturally adept at fixing or repairing various items. We might refer that person as someone who is “handy.” Or perhaps we might associate a high-quality piece of “handiwork” with the labor of a skilled craftsman. With these things in mind, we can view this reference to one’s hand as an allusion to the work or activity of our lives. This is especially true of the “right hand,” a term that symbolizes power or authority.

In a similar manner, the “forehead” serves to represent our thought life. In other words, this reference alludes to what we think or who we are. We can see an example of this imagery in the efforts of two or more people who “put their heads together” to solve a challenging problem.

We can also apply this idea to our text from Revelation 17:5. For example, the label written on this woman’s forehead offers a revealing insight into her inner nature. Her beautiful clothing and precious jewelry masked an inner mindset that was preoccupied with obscenities (NLT), abominations (NKJV), and detestable things (CSB).

We should also note the use of the word “mystery” in regard to this woman. This conveys the idea of something that is not obvious to the understanding. ₍₁₎ While others may have been blinded by her opulent appearance, God has personally unveiled the reality that lies within.

The reference to “great” is a derivative of the ancient word “mega,” a word that is still employed today as a prefix in words such as megaphone, megabyte, or megahertz. This refers to something large, weighty, or powerful. In the context of our text from Revelation 17:5, it can also mean “…full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God.” ₍₂₎

This brings us to another reference to the word “Babylon.” As mentioned previously, “Babylon” refers to a place, as well as an attitude or mindset. To illustrate this idea, let’s consider three modern-day locations within the United States…

• Hollywood: “Hollywood” is a place, but it is also used to represent the filmmaking industry.
• Wall Street: Wall Street is a literal street, as well as a financial center.
• Detroit: Detroit is a city, but also refers to a center of automotive design and manufacturing.

In a similar manner, “Babylon” represents a historic location, as well as a blasphemous political, religious, and economic ideology.

Image Attribution: Themissmargaux, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

(1) G3466 – mysterion – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3466/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) G3173 – megas – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3173/kjv/mgnt/0-1/

“The kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her…” (Revelation 17:2 CEB).

The woman who sat astride the scarlet beast of Revelation seventeen had a history of immoral relationships with the world’s political leaders. To better understand that dynamic, we should first remember that selfishness is an underlying (and often under-recognized) component of any immoral relationship. In the context of an inter-personal relationship, this involves one (or both) partners who seek to use one another to satisfy their various needs.

Here in Revelation 17:2, this reference to immorality likely means these governmental leaders (or “kings of the earth“) exploited this godless political system to serve their interests. Those interests might have involved tangible assets (like material or financial wealth), along with non-tangible assets like power or influence. This reminds us that it’s easy for leaders (and others) to become embroiled in various forms of immorality if they fail to recognize God’s sovereignty over their lives.

“…the people of the world became drunk from drinking the wine of her immorality” (Revelation 17:2 GNT).

One of the more unpleasant consequences of excessive drinking is the hangover that usually follows. The same is true of sinful acts and behaviors. While it may seem as if the “party will never end,” a hangover always follows in the form of judgment for such conduct.

“Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness…” (Revelation 17:3 NIV).

A wilderness area is typically associated with a remote, undeveloped region that is isolated from human activity. But much like everything else, this woman’s behavior could not escape the penetrating gaze of God’s Spirit, no matter where it took place.

“…I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was entirely covered with blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns” (Revelation 17:3 AMP).

We should note that the creature who bore these blasphemous names is the one who supports this woman. This emphasizes the demonic underpinnings of her activities along with those who engage with her.

“The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality” (Revelation 17:4 NLT).

These opulent accessories point to the characteristic qualities of wealth, power, royalty, and prominence. The gold cup presumably appeared beautiful on the outside, but its interior held the filth of her adulteries. In like manner, this image reminds us that looking good and being good are not necessarily synonymous. As Jesus once reminded us, “…just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT).

“So he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness, and there I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Now the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality. On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth'” (Revelation 17:3-5 NET).

These verses present us with a powerful and disturbing image of spiritual prostitution in the form of a woman astride this scarlet beast. But as noted in our opening study of these verses, we shouldn’t overlook the central theme of this chapter: “Come, and I will show you the judgment passed upon the great harlot who is seated upon many waters” (Revelation 17:1 Phillips). The emphasis is not on the extent of her misconduct or the image she presents, but on the consequences that will follow as a result of her behavior.

Our text from Revelation chapter seventeen provides us with an extensive description of this woman and her deeds. First, we’re told that she was involved in an immoral relationship with the world’s political leaders, according to Revelation 17:2. As we’ll discover later in verse fifteen, her sphere of influence was borderless and trans-cultural in scope.

The beast she rode was a seven-headed monstrosity, with ten horns that defamed God. Verse four tells us she was arrayed in scarlet and purple, the color of royalty, and accessorized with gold, precious stones, and pearls. In her hand was a drinking vessel filled with the corruption that stemmed from her immoral behavior. She was also intoxicated, but not with alcohol. Instead, she was drunk with the blood of those who had given their lives for Christ.

Finally (and perhaps most prominently), she had a name that was written across her forehead. Several Biblical translations (such as the New King James Version) capitalize that name in the form of a title: “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

As mentioned earlier, this reference to “Babylon,” with its decadent imagery of excess and corruption, symbolizes the attitude held by those who aggressively reject their Creator. It might also refer to a political, economic, or religious system that is based upon a similar mindset. With these things in mind, we’ll consider what these images may represent next.

“…’Come with me,’ he said, ‘and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters'” (Revelation 17:1 NLT).

A lengthy except from the Biblical book of Ezekiel summarizes (and humanizes) the pain God experiences in response to spiritual infidelity…

“…Ezekiel, son of man, remind the people of Jerusalem of their disgusting sins and tell them [what] I, the LORD God, am saying… When you were born, no one cut you loose from your mother or washed your body. No one rubbed your skin with salt and olive oil, and wrapped you in warm blankets. Not one person loved you enough to do any of these things, and no one even felt sorry for you.

You were despised, thrown into a field, and forgotten. I saw you lying there, rolling around in your own blood, and I couldn’t let you die. I took care of you, like someone caring for a tender, young plant. You grew up to be a beautiful young woman with perfect breasts and long hair, but you were still naked… So I covered your naked body with my own robe.

Then I solemnly promised that you would belong to me and that I, the LORD God, would take care of you… I gave you the finest clothes and the most expensive robes, as well as sandals made from the best leather. I gave you bracelets, a necklace, a ring for your nose, some earrings, and a beautiful crown. Your jewelry was gold and silver, and your clothes were made of only the finest material and embroidered linen… You were as beautiful as a queen, and everyone on earth knew it.

I, the LORD God, had helped you become a lovely young woman. You learned that you were attractive enough to have any man you wanted, so you offered yourself to every passerby. You made shrines for yourself and decorated them with some of your clothes. That’s where you took your visitors to have sex with them. These things should never have happened!

You made idols out of the gold and silver jewelry I gave you, then you sinned by worshiping those idols. You dressed them in the clothes you got from me, and you offered them the olive oil and incense I gave you. I supplied you with fine flour, olive oil, and honey, but you sacrificed it all as offerings to please those idols. I, the LORD God, watched this happen.

But you did something even worse than that–you sacrificed your own children to those idols! You slaughtered my children, so you could offer them as sacrifices. You were so busy sinning and being a prostitute that you refused to think about the days when you were young and were rolling around naked in your own blood. Now I, the LORD God, say you are doomed…” (Ezekiel 16:1-23 CEV).

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters” (Revelation 17:1 ESV).

We can better understand this reference to spiritual harlotry when we consider the relational aspects of human marriage. For instance, when a couple enters into a Biblically sanctioned marriage union, they make a formal and exclusive commitment to one another. This explains why traditional marriage vows typically incorporate the phrase “forsaking all others” to emphasize the privileged nature of that marital commitment.

An engaged couple thus affirms their promise to share an exclusive and personal relationship with one another as they stand before God at the marriage altar. This serves to model the spiritual relationship that God seeks to enter with us. Just as a human marriage covenant involves a commitment to forsake all others, we similarly agree to forsake all other spiritual allegiances when we enter a relationship with God in Christ.

We can find a Biblical reference to that commitment in the New Testament book of Ephesians…

“’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32).

This illustrates the close, personal relationship that God seeks to enjoy with His people. With this in mind, let’s consider what takes place when the bonds of a human marriage relationship are broken. When one partner severs that intimate relationship, it inevitably leads to a period of emotional suffering for the other. Consider the typical responses that are likely to follow an act of marital infidelity…

• I trusted that person and he/she betrayed me.
• I made myself vulnerable to that person and he/she abandoned me.
• I kept my vow, but that person broke his/her promise.

We can find a spiritual parallel in the midst of these painful responses. For instance, let’s apply this idea to those who have made a commitment to Christ but later abandon that commitment. Or perhaps we might consider others who accept Christ, but spend little or no time with Him in prayer or through God’s Word. Or what if we took the gifts He has lavished upon us- our time, our talents, our skills, our resources, and other such things- and used them in inappropriate ways?

Our text from Revelation chapter seventeen should thus serve as a reminder to guard against spiritual infidelity. We will examine God’s deeply emotional response to such things next.

Image Attribution: GDJ, Marriage Silhouette, via Open Clipart

We first encountered the term “Babylon” in our earlier study of Revelation chapter fourteen. While the ancient city of Babylon once existed as a physical place, it has also come to represent an underlying set of core beliefs or guiding principles that govern the lives of the wicked. The Book of Revelation thus employs “Babylon” as a shorthand reference to help identify the blasphemous political, religious, and economic structures that will arise in the future.

Here in Revelation chapter seventeen, we will consider the spiritual aspects of those structures in greater detail. As we progress through our text from this chapter, we’ll find that it separates into two distinct segments. The first section (comprising verses one through six) will introduce us to “Mystery Babylon.” The remainder of this chapter will delve into an explanation of that entity…

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.’ So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness.

And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.

I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:1-6).

So John, the author of Revelation, encountered one of the seven angelic beings who delivered God’s message of wrath earlier in Revelation chapter sixteen. While John will make many discoveries over the course of this chapter, the opening verse of this passage establishes the principal theme for all that follows: “…I will show you the doom (sentence, judgment) of the great harlot (idolatress) who is seated on many waters” (AMPC).

In contemporary society, we typically use the terms harlot, or prostitute to characterize those who exchange sexual favors for financial payment or other forms of compensation. But as we’ll see, Revelation chapter seventeen will employ this term in a spiritual context as well.

Image Attribution: Babylon (Berlin), CC BY-NC 2.0, Marc Wathieu, via flickr.com disclaimer notice

“Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’

And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great” (Revelation 16:17-21).

The closing verses of Revelation sixteen identify a voice that speaks from the temple in heaven. The triumphant declaration, “It is done“ thus signals the completion of God’s plan in His very own words. While there are several chapters remaining in the book of Revelation, this pronouncement marks the end of God’s seven-fold judgment against a world that has rejected Him.

This final judgment features a series of cataclysmic events that culminate in a devastating earthquake and a torrent of hailstones that weighed approximately one hundred pounds (45 kg) each. Some suggest that a change in the earth’s rotational axis might account for the destruction that accompanied this worldwide change in topography and the catastrophic hail that followed. But whatever the cause, these verses predict an unprecedented level of ecological ruin.

The next three chapters of Revelation will focus on the ramifications of these judgments, with “Babylon” serving as the reference point for the blasphemous political, religious, and economic systems that will define that era. Each of those systems will meet their respective ends in chapters seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen.

These verses thus preview their demise through the use of a highly illustrative word-picture: “…Babylon the Great was remembered before God for the purpose of giving her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath” (Wuest). This same type of imagery appears within the Old Testament Scriptures to illustrate God’s wrath and judgment (see Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15-17, and Ezekiel 23:28-34 for some examples).

Therefore, these verses (and the chapters that follow) should provide us with a fresh perspective on the message of John 3:36…

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (NIV).

“Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are awaiting me, who keep their robes in readiness and will not need to walk naked and ashamed” (Revelation 16:15 TLB).

Consider the following parable from Jesus in the context of Revelation 16:15…

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?’ The Lord answered, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers” (Luke 12:35-46 NIV).

The world leaders of Revelation chapter sixteen fell prey to spiritual deception, and as we’ll see, their failure to discern the spiritual influences behind their decisions will ultimately lead to their destruction at the battle of Armageddon. However, Jesus’ interjectory comment here in verse fifteen (along with His parable from Luke chapter twelve) reminds us that we can avoid a similar error by living in expectation of His return.

“And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs” (Revelation 16:13 ESV).

Jesus spent a considerable amount of time expelling evil spirits during His earthly ministry. But here in Revelation 16:13, we see the opposite response from His adversaries. In this instance, the unholy trio that comprised the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet sent forth three evil spirits.

To the author of Revelation, these spirits bore the appearance of frogs. This may be a subtle reference to the cold-blooded nature of frogs, or it may bear some relation to the plague referenced in the Old Testament book of Exodus when the entire nation of Egypt was overrun by them. However, this plague was far more serious than anything the Egyptians experienced, for these frogs possessed the capability to perform miraculous signs…

“These miracle-working demons conferred with all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great coming Judgment Day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14 TLB).

While these world leaders seemingly acted of their own volition in making this decision, our text from Revelation 16:14 lifts the veil on the demonic influence behind that choice. These rulers presumably mobilized their forces in anticipation of a great military triumph, but will soon discover that they had been led to their own destruction. Such is the case with those who are similarly deceived.

This should prompt us to remember Jesus’ characterization of the devil: “…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). These passages remind us that spiritual deception is a legitimate concern, and especially so for those who foolishly dismiss the possibility of such things.

This might explain why we find an unexpected aside from Jesus in the midst of this passage…

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for Me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed” (Revelation 16:15 NLT).

Much like a homeowner who happens upon the unexpected presence of a burglar, Jesus is certain to appear unexpectedly in the lives of those who fail to look for Him. In fact, Jesus offered a parable that addressed that very subject, and we’ll consider that parable in our next study.

“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

‘Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” (Revelation 16:12-16).

As mentioned in our earlier study of Revelation chapter nine, the Euphrates River is a lengthy waterway that traverses a significant portion of the Middle East. This body of water flows from the mountains of Turkey through the nations of Syria and Iraq. It later joins the Tigris River before it reaches the Persian Gulf on the Iranian border.

That leads us to the militaristic undertones that are subtly woven into the fabric of these verses. If the Euphrates River ran dry, that would facilitate the movement of ground forces from nations that lay east of the river. However, a look at this passage in the original language offers an intriguing detail. There, we find that this reference to “kings from the east ” is more literally translated, “kings of the rising of the sun.” ₍₁₎

When we consider the nations that inhabit that broad geographic area, some noticeable patterns emerge. First, this region is home to some of the most technologically sophisticated nations in the world. It also encompasses several nations that have earned global recognition for their leadership capabilities in the areas of manufacturing and production. Some of those countries rank among the most populous nations in the world, while others are rich in natural resources. If these nations were to form a political alliance at some future point, they would certainly prove to be a formidable adversary.

Finally, we should note that some of these nations possess nuclear armaments and other forms of advanced weaponry. We’ll consider the potential impact of those capabilities when we reach chapter nineteen. However, the information contained within these verses serve to foreshadow the armed conflict that will close this chapter of human history.

(1) See G395 anatole https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g395/kjv/tr/0-1/, and G2246 helios https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2246/kjv/tr/0-1/, Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. An interlinear version of this  passage is available here.

“The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to burn people with fire. The people were burned by intense heat, and they cursed the name of the God who had power over these plagues” (Revelation 16:8-9 CEB).

Several theories have emerged that seek to explain the events within this passage. Those theories range from an increase in solar flare activity, to a rise in ultra-violet emissions, to a decline in the Earth’s capacity to protect against the harmful effects of solar radiation. While it’s often easy to take the benefits of sunshine for granted, those benefits might easily turn deadly if God should elect to remove His blessing and protection. That’s what we see here in Revelation 16:8-9.

So the scorching intensity of the sun will likely make it difficult to venture outdoors during this period. While that is bad enough, the human response to this development was even worse: “…they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory” (NET).

In considering this response, it’s often been said that sunlight affects different materials in various ways. One such comparison involves the contrasting properties of clay and wax on a hot, sunny day. The same sun that hardens the clay will melt the wax, as the saying goes. It all depends on the substance. The same is true of humanity as well.

For instance, we can accept the corrective measures that God allows to enter our lives as painful, but necessary steps on the road to spiritual maturity. The New Testament epistle of 1 Corinthians offers a further explanation…

“But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly [recognizing our shortcomings and correcting our behavior], we would not be judged. But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined [by undergoing His correction] so that we will not be condemned [to eternal punishment] along with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32 AMP).

Unfortunately, the people of Revelation chapter sixteen chose an alternate path of rebellion that led to greater suffering…

“The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done” (Revelation 16:10-11 NIV).

This “bowl judgment” appears to be an assault against the godless political order established by the beast of Revelation. That political order left its supporters with water shortages, painful disfiguring sores, intense heat, and now darkness. The horrific nature of these future events should thus prompt us to seek God’s help in making good spiritual and political choices today.

Image Attribution: Юрий Д.К., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image” (Revelation 16:2 ESV).

So, those who received the mark of God’s adversary now received another kind of mark: “…ugly and painful sores” (CEV). This condition conveys the image of an ulcer that produces a discharge from the skin. ₍₁₎ From a medical perspective, it’s possible that this mark (in whatever form it takes), generated some type of disease, infection, or disorder that led to this ulcerous condition.

Revelation 16:3 then continues: “Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea. The water became like the blood of a dead person, and every living creature in the sea died” (Revelation 16:3 GNB). This reference to “blood”  may be a symbolic way of saying that the sea acquired the same lifeless character as the blood of someone who has departed from this life.

We should also notice that every living thing in the sea perished as a result of this action. This presumably includes all the shellfish, plant life, and microorganisms that live in the sea along with the aquatic life. This passage thus speaks of an ecological disaster of unprecedented magnitude.

A similar judgment follows in verse four: “The third angel poured his bowl over the rivers and the springs. They turned into blood” (GW). Just as an earlier judgment rendered one-third of the world’s freshwater supply undrinkable, the rest of the earth’s waters were now subjected to a similar fate. From a practical standpoint, this judgment foreshadows the close of this era of human civilization, for without an adequate water supply, humanity simply cannot survive.

Nevertheless, the angel who carried out this mission readily admitted, “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One…” (Revelation 16:5 NIV). This reminds us that God does not engage in vigilante justice. Instead, this passage illustrates the grim reality facing those who refuse God’s living water. A similar proclamation regarding these judgments follows in verse seven…

“And I heard another from the altar saying, ‘Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments'” (Revelation 16:7).

Since God is true and righteous in His judgments, we would do well to recall the exhortation given to us in Romans 12:19: “Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay’” (Phillips).

(1) G1668 – helkos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1668/kjv/tr/0-1/

In the book of Revelation, we’ve already seen God’s judgments expressed in the form of…

• Earthquakes.
• Hail and fire mixed with blood.
• Something like a fiery mountain landing in the midst of the sea.
• One-third of the trees and grass wiped out.
• One-third of the earth’s saltwater ruined.
• One-third of the marine life dead and one-third of all seafaring vessels destroyed.
• One-third of all the freshwater supplies poisoned.
• The sun, moon, and stars dimmed, reducing visible light by one-third.
• Demonic locust creatures and murderous angelic beings who wipe out one-third of humanity.

While those judgments were horrific, the events to follow here in Revelation chapter sixteen will exceed them all. As we’ll see here in Revelation sixteen, God’s divine retribution will be swift and severe for those who have forsaken Him…

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.’ So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

And I heard the angel of the waters saying: ‘You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.’ And I heard another from the altar saying, ‘Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments'” (Revelation 16:1-7).

The previous chapter of Revelation concluded with these words: “No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues” (Revelation 15:8 NLT). Our text from Revelation sixteen now begins by saying, “Then I heard a loud voice speaking from the temple…” (GNT). Taken together, this implies that God will personally initiate these final judgments.

Those judgments began with a command: “Go and empty out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath and indignation” (AMPC). These bowls were broad and shallow, much like a larger version of a modern-day saucer. Each angel received one such bowl along with a target destination. We’ll begin our look at those target acquisitions next.

“After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed” (Revelation 15:5-8).

This portion of Scripture presents us with seven majestic angels who are dressed in formal attire, so to speak. Their raiment and their emergence from this heavenly temple attests to the official nature of what is about to take place. You see, these celestial beings are poised to unleash an unprecedented series of plagues. In fact, the word “plague” itself conveys the apocalyptic nature of these afflictions, for it refers to “a public calamity, [or] heavy affliction” in the original language of this passage. ₍₁₎

We should also note how these plagues will be dispersed: seven bowls filled with the wrath of God. In contrast to a bottle that restricts the rate at which its contents can be emptied, a simple turn of the wrist is all it takes to jettison the contents of a bowl. As we’ll see in the following chapter, this does not bode well for God’s enemies.

Finally, there is an important detail tucked away within the final verse of this chapter: “…the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed” (CSB). The fact that no one can approach God during this period is significant. You see, there was once a time when God was accessible. But here now in Revelation chapter fifteen, that time has passed. At that point, God’s temple will remain inaccessible until justice prevails.

However, since God is accessible to us today through Christ, we would be wise to take some good counsel from the pen of the Biblical prophet Isaiah…

“Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. Let wicked people abandon their ways. Let evil people abandon their thoughts. Let them return to the Lord, and he will show compassion to them. Let them return to our God, because he will freely forgive them” (Isaiah 55:6-7 GW).

(1) G4127 – plege – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4127/kjv/tr/0-1/

Image Attribution: Paul Strand, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Lord, who will not fear and glorify Your name? Because You alone are holy, for all the nations will come and worship before You because Your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:4 HCSB).

The song of the victorious multitude of Revelation 15:2 now ends with the great crescendo of verse four: “All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (NIV). This verse offers an opportunity to revisit the wide-ranging topic of worship.

As mentioned in our earlier look at Revelation chapter five, the Biblical concept of worship encompasses a loving attitude of reverence for God accompanied by an external expression of honor, humility, and respect. “Worship” also conveys the idea of attributing worth to someone or something. That definition is reportedly derived from the Old English word worthscipe, or “worth-ship,” a word that described a “condition of being worthy.” ₍₁₎

With these definitions in mind, we can say that “worship” is not limited to the domain of the religious. You see, everyone possesses something that fulfills the “condition of being worthy” in his or her life. Whatever occupies the highest position of worth in our lives is that which serves as the ultimate object of our worship.

Whenever we dismiss God as the object of our worship, we must replace Him with something else to fill that position. That “something else” doesn’t have to be a spiritual belief or religious conviction. For instance, we might substitute a person, an object, a concept, or ourselves as the focus of our worship. In fact, the Biblical book of Romans devotes a significant portion of chapter one to a discussion of that very subject.

The point is that we attribute the highest position of worth to anything we value, love, honor, respect, or fear the most. If God does not occupy that position, then something of lesser value will inevitably fill the void and prompt a violation of the first Commandment.

Finally, we should note that John, the author of Revelation, will make the mistake of attempting to worship an angelic being later in this book. That quickly led to a corrective response: “…No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God…” (Revelation 19:10 NLT). If John was capable of such an error, we should be more diligent in seeking to avoid a similar mistake.

Therefore, we should consider this subject carefully, for as Jesus said in the midst of His wilderness temptation, “…’It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve'” (Luke 4:8 ESV).

(1) What does worship mean? (n.d.). https://www.definitions.net/definition/worship

“And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations. Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous deeds have been revealed'” (Revelation 15:3-4 NLT).

This passage alludes to the song of Moses and the Israelites that commemorated their safe passage through the Red Sea in Exodus chapter fourteen. A closer look at this song from Revelation 15:3-4 highlights four important elements. The first element involves the magnificent works of God: “Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God Almighty…’ (CEB).

From the majestic waves that crash upon a beach, to the beauty of a glorious sunset, to the wondrous expanse of a starlit night, God’s creation showcases these great and marvelous works. If these wonders of creation inspire such awe, how much more awe-inspiring is the One who created them?

So the first element of this passage involves the things God has done. The next component references God’s character: “Just and true are your ways…” This reminds us that God never interacts with us in a false or unjust manner. Instead, the qualities of truth and justice characterize His relationship to humanity. As we’re reminded in the Biblical book of Psalms, “…the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds. The upright will see His face” (Psalm 11:7 HCSB).

The next element involves God’s worthiness: “Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name?” Once again, this reference to “fear” conveys a sense of reverence, honor, and respect. Our text from Revelation 15:3-4 thus makes use of a literary tool in the form of a rhetorical question. When our author asks, “Who shall not fear You, O Lord,” the assumed answer is, “no one.”

Finally, we have a reference to the act of glorifying God’s name. In the original language of Revelation, the word “glory” expresses “…a good opinion that results in praise and honor for the person under consideration.” ₍₁₎ It also conveys the characteristic attributes of excellence, preeminence, and dignity. A contemporary definition of this word includes “very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown.” ₍₂₎

So, taken together, these qualities should encourage us to acknowledge and glorify God for the things He has done. It should also prompt us to give Him the credit and respect He richly deserves.

Image Attribution: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

(1) G1391 – doxa – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1391/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (2025). In Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/glory

“Then I saw something that looked like a glass sea mixed with fire, and people were standing on it. They were the ones who had defeated the beast and the idol and the number that tells the name of the beast. God had given them harps” (Revelation 15:2 CEV).

The people referenced in this passage likely perished for their refusal to follow the rest of the world and acquiesce to the beast of Revelation thirteen. Did they make a foolish decision in doing so? Well, the answer to that question largely depends on one’s perspective.

From a short term, earthly perspective, those who opted into the beast’s unholy economic system by accepting his mark may have seemed wise and practical. But those who held an eternal view that honored and acknowledged God were prompted to make a different choice. That choice evidently came at the cost of their lives. While each group undoubtedly viewed the other as foolish and misguided, one of those groups went to heaven, as seen in the passage quoted above. The fate of the second group will be revealed in the following chapter. Thus, in the words of Jesus, “…wisdom is shown to be right by its results” (Matthew 11:19 NLT).

This same concept also applies to the choices we make today. For example, a person who customarily makes short-term decisions without regard to eternity will likely view those who honor God as foolish or naïve at best. At worst, God’s followers risk being categorized as hateful, intolerant, or dangerous individuals who pose a threat to society. That latter response apparently reflected the experience of the church at Smyrna, as recounted earlier in Revelation chapter two.

While no one enjoys being classified in these ways, such is the inevitable consequence of life in a world that has little use for its Creator. If this seems difficult to accept, consider how Jesus was viewed by some of His contemporaries…

“‘You are demon-possessed,’ the crowd answered…” (John 7:20 NIV).

“…’Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?'” (John 8:48 NLT).

“Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?'” (John 10:20 CSB).

“But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, ‘He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons'” (Mark 3:22 NLT).

Revelation chapter fifteen thus serves to remind us that what we believe about the future should impact how we seek to honor God in the present, even when those beliefs lead to expressions of rejection or intolerance among others.

Image Attribution: geralt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for with them, God’s wrath will be completed” (Revelation 15:1 HCSB).

What could account for God’s wrath as mentioned in this passage? In addition to the factors we’ve already discussed, there is something else to consider. For instance, suppose you were God and your only Son intervened to resolve the conflict that existed between you, as the Creator, and your human creation. What if your beloved Son was brutally assaulted and murdered by those He sought to help? Would that scenario inflame your wrath?

In considering these questions, it’s important to recognize that God’s wrath does not stem from an impulsive outburst or loss of composure. Instead, God executes His wrath in the form of judgment against those who refuse His mercy. These final seven judgments will unleash unprecedented devastation upon a world that has utterly rejected its Creator. But they will fully satisfy His justifiable wrath towards those who have provoked, dismissed, or ignored Him.

“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested'” (Revelation 15:2-4).

The people mentioned here in Revelation 15:2 are those who prevailed over the beast, his mark, and the number associated with his name. So how did they achieve that victory? The answer to that question leads us back to a portion of Revelation chapter fourteen…

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12 NIV).

So these individuals remained loyal to Christ, obeyed God, and rejected the mark of His enemy. Their presence with the Lord also implies their passing from this earthly life. So let’s tie these elements together: if they were victorious over the beast, and they were with the Lord, then it likely means they sacrificed their lives for what they believed.

We’ll consider some modern-day applications from this passage next.

Image Attribution: Judgment by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free

At just eight verses, Revelation chapter fifteen is the shortest chapter in this book. This chapter functions as a sort of interlude that precedes the terrible judgments that will dominate chapter sixteen. Thus, Revelation chapter fifteen acts much like a staging area for the events to follow…

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete” (Revelation 15:1).

In Revelation chapter six, we witnessed a series of divine judgments, each corresponding to the opening of seven different seals. Revelation chapter eight then brought forth seven trumpets that heralded a series of further judgments. Those judgments impacted one-third of the oceans, one-third of the vegetation, and one-third of the earth’s freshwater supply, among other things.

Revelation chapter fifteen will now unveil the final set of judgments that take the form of seven different plagues. No further judgments will follow those plagues, for our text from Revelation 15:1 explicitly links them to the culmination of God’s wrath.

In the source language for our text, the word “wrath” signifies a volatile, passionate type of anger. ₍₁₎ For instance, anyone who has ever witnessed someone erupt in a display of furious indignation will readily grasp the idea behind this word. But what could possibly generate such a response from God? To help address that question, let’s approach this subject from the perspective of humanity’s Creator.

From God’s perspective, we might begin with the following observations…

• God created human beings and gave them life.
• He provided them with the capacity to experience love, pleasure, and happiness.
• He equipped them with the ability to think, feel, reason, and create.
• Finally, He placed them in an environment that was perfectly suited to their growth, development, and prosperity.

Now let’s consider the way God’s human creation responded to those blessings. Have the members of the human family returned God’s love for them? Have they offered Him the respect and appreciation He deserves? Have they even acknowledged His existence? Unfortunately, the answer is no for large numbers of people.

Now let’s consider these things from a 21st century vantage point. Today, there are many among the members of God’s human creation who employ His name as a profanity. Others refer to Him in a flippant and disrespectful manner. Then there are those who respond by mocking Him or dismissing Him in pursuit of their passions or pleasures. If you were in God’s position, how you would feel if countless millions did such things to you each day? Would you have a right to feel angry?

We’ll consider another aspect of these questions next.

(1) G2372 – thymos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2372/kjv/tr/0-1/

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’

So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’

So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs” (Revelation 14:14-20).

Farming and related agricultural activities formed the backbone of Israel’s first-century economic system. Therefore, it should not surprise us to encounter the use of farming implements in this passage. A sickle was a tool that featured a curved, semicircular blade affixed to a wooden handle. That design made it easier to harvest various crops like grapes and different types of grains. A winepress was used to exert pressure on a cluster of grapes to extract the juice within.

This graphic imagery points to God’s judgment, for the fact that this harvest was thrown into the winepress of God’s wrath indicates that He is taking action against those who opposed Him. We should also note the location of this winepress: it is situated outside the city limits. From an Old Testament perspective, any item that was unclean, unworthy, or impure was transported outside the city (or camp) where the latrines and burial places were located. These word pictures thus allude to the fate of those who ultimately reject their Creator.

Equally disturbing is this reference to the blood that flowed from this winepress. That blood traveled like a river for a distance that equates to roughly 182 miles or 293 kilometers, with a depth of approximately four feet or 1.2 meters. It’s difficult to fully comprehend that type of carnage, but the closing verses of Revelation chapter fourteen alert us to its future certainty.

Image Attribution: Sickle_hanging_from_a_rusty_nail_at_Ardeshir’s_farm.jpg: Christopher Walker from Bielsko-Biala, Polandderivative work: Amada44  talk to me, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12 NIV).

We often admire those who demonstrate their willingness to persevere through difficult situations. Those who are willing to sacrifice for their beliefs and stand firm in the face of adversity are those who often earn our greatest respect. If we seek to emulate those characteristics in our spiritual lives, then we must cultivate the virtuous quality of patient endurance.

The New Testament epistle of James expands on this idea by saying, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NIV). Jesus also touched upon the practical aspects of this subject in a lengthy excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew…

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:31-40).

In like manner, “The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24 NIV). To paraphrase Revelation 14:13, our works will follow us if we seek God’s enablement to patiently endure life’s trials and challenges.