Lesson Fourteen • The Fall of Babylon

Devotion 1: Walk in Righteousness

Rich Sawicki

There are a few main subjects in Revelation chapter 17 that we need to look at, but first, we need to know what they represent.

  • The Great Prostitute: represents the great city of Babylon
  • The Beast: represents Satan or the Antichrist
  • The Fall of Babylon: represents God’s judgment

In Bible times, the great city of Babylon was a port city near the Euphrates River. People from around the world would come there to buy, sell, and trade. It was a culturally diverse place with many people and many gods. Babylon was a place that was leading the people away from God and towards the Antichrist.

The Antichrist is not out to convince us there is no God, he just does not want us to know the one true God, Jesus. The Antichrist would love for you to worship him as God, but unfortunately with all the bad publicity he has gotten, we might be a little leery. That is why he has got other people, leaders, rulers, and kings to do the job for him. It is easier to get you to follow his followers that emulate his character with things like selfishness, lust, and pride.

As the Scripture shows, the great prostitute was riding on the Beast, the Antichrist. The deceptions of the enemy are always going to be contrary to God’s ways. God gave us dominion over the beasts, but the Beast here was more powerful than the Great Prostitute.

What does God’s Word teach us about Satan? John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” That great city, Babylon, was a thief. It was robbing people of their mortality with all kinds of selfishness and lusts of the flesh. They were killing Christians for their faith in Jesus like it was entertainment to them. There was no sanctity for human life.

In 1 Peter 5:8, we read, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He is looking to devour or consume everyone and everything. He even destroyed his own opportunity to live in Heaven with God. Selfishness and pride caused him to get kicked out of Heaven. God knows it is only a matter of time before the Antichrist’s destruction and the final great judgment will come. However, in the meantime, the Antichrist will use the Great Prostitute to entice as many people away from God with all kinds of attractive things.

The world’s standards of success, beauty, and desire come in many different forms. Some may not even seem to be evil, you really need to be honest and look at what is influencing you. If it is not God, then it can only be the enemy. The Great Prostitute makes sin look enticing and desirable because that is her job.

Pray that Jesus will reveal any areas in your life that are being influenced by the Great Prostitute. Ask Jesus to remove them before you face coming destruction and judgment. Walk in the ways of righteousness.