Lesson Fourteen • The Fall of Babylon
Devotion 2: The Lamb will Conquer
Pastor Philip Piasecki
I love to go to the movies. I feel like there are not many experiences that compare to being in a full theater, all sharing the same experience of seeing the plot of a movie unfold. When my wife and I started dating, I wanted to take her to the movies. I quickly learned an interesting personality trait that she had, she loved reading the plot of the movie online before seeing the movie. This blew my mind, but she explained that she still enjoys the movie, she just likes knowing the ending so she can know what to expect. I understand her point of view, sometimes it is nice to know the ending before we get there. This is one of the amazing things about the book of Revelation, we get to read about the end of the story before it actually happens.
Revelation chapter 17 is a truly difficult passage to really wrap your head around. As we read about the Beast and the Great Prostitute, we get details of these things that have caused great destruction and great harm to many throughout history. Then they set their sights on God Himself, verse 14 tells us that “they will make war on the Lamb.” However, it is the rest of verse 14 that really stood out to me while studying this Scripture, “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Just read that a couple of times over and really let it sink in, “The Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings.” That is how the story ends for those who stand in opposition to the Lord. I think it is so important for us to constantly remind ourselves that God wins. Even when it seems like everyone around us is making war on the Lamb, the Lord is working in the midst of this world to His victory at the end of it all.
Revelation 17:17 adds, “For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.”
In verse 17, we have evidence of God using the will of men to accomplish His purposes. He is the one ultimately in control, even when it may seem like everything is out of control. We do not have to have anxiety about the direction of our world, because we have already seen the end of the movie! We know that God, in His perfect will, is in control. I hope that understanding that today can give you a sense of peace and hope. When we truly believe that the Lord is in control, it allows us to operate confidently through the power of His Holy Spirit. We can follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to live boldly for Christ knowing that He is powerful over all things. The end of verse 14 says, “Those with him are called chosen and faithful.” That should be the desire for our lives to be identified that way by Christ. Let us live in confidence with Him.