The City of Glory

 

Revelation Chapters 21-22

The New Jerusalem – A New Heaven and a New Earth

Chapters 21-22 mention the second death, but both their emphases are on life itself – the Book of Life, the River of Life, and the Tree of Life, in the new heaven and new Earth.

Then John saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And He saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (21:1-2).

The universe we are living in right now shall be renewed upon the Second Coming of the Lord (v5, Isaiah 56:17; 66:22; Matthew 19:28; Romans 8:18-25). God’s dwelling in heaven will descend to join with earth to form a new heaven and new earth.

The sea is gone as well; in John’s time, the sea was viewed as dangerous and changeable. It was also the source of the beast (13:1). Instead of our going up to meet him, he comes down to be with us, just as God became man in Jesus Christ and lived among us (John 1:14). Wherever God reigns, there is peace, security, and love.

The “cowards” are the fearful ones who abandon Christ at the threats of the beast. They fear persecution so badly that they choose temporary safety over eternal life. They are put in the same list as the unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcrafts, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

By contrast, people who are victorious “endure to the end” (v.7). They will receive the blessings that God promised. They shall live in the city of God under His protection. They shall know God intimately and it is as though there is a union between the bridegroom and his bride.

To follow Christ requires boldness and bravery to stand for hm when oppression occurs. Pray for courage to do what is right no matter what pressure you face. Those who can endure the testing of evil and remain faithful will be rewarded by God.

The city is the New Jerusalem. Its measurements are symbolic of a place that will hold all God’s people. These measurements are all multiples of 12, the number of God’s people. There were 12 tribes in Israel, and 12 apostles who started the church.

The walls are 144 (12x12) cubits (216 feet) thick. There are 12 layers in the walls, and 12 gates in the city, and the length, width, and height are all the same, 12000 stadia (1400 miles). The new Jerusalem is a perfect cube, the same shape as the Most Holy Place in the Temple (1 king 6:20). These measurements illustrate that this new home will be perfect for us.

No temple is needed in the new city, because God’s presence will be everywhere. God will be the light in the new Jerusalem. Light represents what is good, pure, true, holy, and reliable. Darkness represents what is sinful and evil.

That God’s glory illuminates the city means that the city will be enveloped by him, who is perfectly holy and true. Light is also related to truth in that it exposes whatever exists. Just as darkness cannot exist in the present of light, so sin cannot exist in the presence of a holy God. The city will be completely without sin and evil.

We will be able to worship God throughout the city; nothing will hinder us from being with him. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names ware written in the Lamb’s Book of life.

So don’t think that you will get in because of your background, personality, or good behavior. Eternal life is available to you only because of what Jesus, the Lamb, has done. Trust him today to secure your citizenship in this new creation.

There is a river in the city that flows from the throne of God, with trees of life growing along the river bank, and it quenches the thirst of the people (Ezekiel 47).  Those who are hungry can pluck their fruits from the trees as their food. The leaves can bring healing to all nations. It pictures the fullness of life with God and the eternal blessings that come when we believe in him and allow him to satisfy our spiritual thirst.

God will wipe away the tears of His people and there will be no more pain, sorrow, illness and death. The curse on man shall be gone at this time. It is a reverse of chapter 3 in Genesis, devoid of the falling condition in the Garden of Eden.

God will remove all sorrows. Forevermore, there will be no death, sorrow, crying, or pain. What a wonderful truth! No matter what you are going through, it isn’t the last world—God has written the final chapter, and it is about true fulfillment and eternal joy for those who love him.

Then appears the throne of God, which indicates that God is in control (v4,5). All nations shall bow and worship before His throne, and they shall meet God face to face (1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 13:12).

This is the ultimate purpose for God’s creation of mankind, i.e., to have the creation meeting God face to face and dwelling in His blessed presence and rest. We do not know as much as we would like, but it is enough to know that eternity with God will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

Lastly, John reiterated that the revelation was what they had heard and seen, and it was an authentic revelation of God. Readers are called to believe and to obey the revelation, and they are obliged to proclaim the full content of this revelation.

There will be a big separation when Christ returns, that is, whether we shall live in the New Jerusalem with the Lamb, or we shall be judged and expelled.

Jesus has spoken thrice: I am coming quickly! (vv. 7, 12, 20)

In fact, Jesus has overcome and won the victory on the cross, and the Kingdom of God as well as the new life shared by His people has already begun. Therefore, Christ is really coming quickly!

The eternal life in the Bible has already started. It is a blessed life that knows God intimately. This life has begun the moment we came to believe in the Lord, but it will be consummated when the Lord returns.

Conclusion

The holy city of Jerusalem witnessed by John relates to all kinds of light, goodness, harmony, life and healing. The vision of a new heaven and a new earth is the future hope of mankind. It is this future hope that we gain courage to continue our lives this day despite prevalent deaths and sufferings.

The vision of Revelation is not merely about some future settlements or promises in our lives, it serves to be our reminder in our current living.

Revelations found in the book itself are not demonstrated as ways for us to escape from realities, and they are not codes for us to explain away puzzles or myths in our lives. Prophecies in Revelation are for us to observe, and they are truth to be practiced in our lives. They prescribe how we are supposed to live now.

Theology of Revelation

The author of Revelation depicted and presented a prospect and vision of God’s Kingdom for his readers who were perplexed by their hardships. He had awakened them to get to know God’s authority and majesty, as well as Christ’s salvation and mercy. It allowed them to come to understand who the universe and the history belong to!

1.      God is seated on His throne, highly exalted in heavenly realm. He is liberty and eternity, and He is Alpha and Omega, He is omnipotent and transcendent, the God of salvation. He creates, looks after, redeems, judges and overcomes. He also enters into a marriage covenant with His people to enjoy an intimate relationship with them.

2.       There is a gap that exists between God’s heart, and His redemption and creation, and the One who fills this gap is Christ, the Lamb who was slain and now seated on the throne of God. Jesus Christ is God’s full representation and manifestation. The theology of Revelation is God-centric, with the other side of the same coin showing Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, as another centric figure—Christ-centric.

3.       Scenes of worship often appeared immediately after disasters or God’s judgment. The author emphasized that God was still in control in the midst of hardships and tribulations. Believers need to persevere and magnify God when they go through sufferings and persecution, as they believe God’s impending judgment and salvation.

Worship is not only sentimental expression. Instead, it is every inch a political act which involves one’s profession and declaration of his/her ownership, stand, value and direction in lives. God is the only object worthy of our worship. Worshipping of any other various objects is considered as idol worshipping and doing so will bring sure destruction.

4.      Christians should stand up and fight. Our courage is derived from Jesus Christ, the Lamb who once suffered and was slain, and who overcame. Believers should follow their Lord in going through suffering, testifying the truth and overcoming as He had overcome.

5.       The battle in the end has already been won in Christ (through His death and resurrection). But it is not yet won because the dragon, the beasts and the woman are still stirring troubles in the midst of struggles to their death. Evil forces are real and rampant, nevertheless, God shall bring forth triumphs to His creation.

This belief has joined closely together the current age and the end. Revelation is critical towards worldly powers, nor does it encourage a hermit lifestyle, or believers to have the thought of isolating or separating themselves from the world.

6.       The theodicy is combined with eschatology in the book of Revelation. The phenomena and situations we experience at times are not some ultimate answers to us. Victories we enjoy at the moment are not to be considered our final triumphs. Humiliations we suffer in reality shall not cause us to die in depression. All our answers shall be revealed in an eschatological perspective.

7.      Judgment and righteousness in the End are firmly established on the fact of the suffering of the Lamb, that the Lamb who was slain, is the One who sits on the heavenly throne and the One who shall open the seals of the scrolls. The righteousness of God is fully manifested through the ministry of the Lamb. God was once a man with flesh and blood, and He was connected with His people through His suffering. He was a suffering God.

8.      When believers obey God’s will in their lives, they are indeed testifying and revealing the values and qualities of God’s Kingdom. By doing so, they also come against lies and deceptions, condemn all kinds of violence and oppression, and resist the temptation of holding on to immediate gains and benefits. The testimony, bloodshed and lamentation of the martyrs are exemplified by their footsteps of following Christ and their witnesses for the Lord.

Jesus Returns as the Conquering King

 

Revelation Chapters 19-20

Our Victorious King of kings

Revelation Chapters 17-18 foretell or pronounce the punishment and judgment on Babylon. Chapter 19:1-10 concludes it with a scene of heavenly worship. The sound represents voices of all creation in heaven and on earth. It is repeated four times, calling out to all people to come and bless our God, for God has executed His righteous judgment and His sovereignty is worthy to be praised. The Lamb is coming for His Bride (v. 7).

It is noteworthy in John’s narration; worship was the immediate descriptive scene after God’s righteous judgment over the wicked. Worship is not merely understood as a spiritual or ritual practice, but it is a triumphant celebration over evil in the socio-economics and politics realm.

The worship scene in Revelation helps readers recognize that God who does justice and executes judgment. He is the only One that all creation shall worship and submit to.

This concept of worship requires every reader to discern who to worship. It also requires one to reject and refuse to identify with any organization, regime of ideology which is powerful enough to cause distortion of truth and human oppression.

Then Revelation 19: 11 - 16, John saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. “Faithful and True” contrasts with the faithless and deceitful Babylon described in chapter 18.

The rider’s eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. He had authority over the whole universe. He was dressed in a robe dipped in blood, for He had once shed His blood and died, and He overcame. He was Jesus, and with Him were the heavenly hosts. Jesus’ robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. This title indicates our God’s sovereignty. His entrance signals the end of the false powers.

Then the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. The enemy armies believe they have come of their own volition; in reality, God has summoned them to battle in order to defeat them. That they would even presume to fight against God shows how their pride and rebellion have distorted their thinking.

There really is no fight, however, because the victory was won when Jesus died on the cross for sin and rose from the dead. The enemy armies were defeated. Both the beasts were captured and thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of Jesus. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

This scene provides a graphic display of the wrath of God. It shows God’s anger and judgment against sin and against those who have constantly rejected Christ as the means of foreverness an reconciliation.

God’s wrath exists along side his mercy. In each generation, there must be balanced preaching and teaching about God’s grace, and his anger against sin.

The fiery lake of burning sulfur is the final destination of the wicked. This lake is different from the bottomless pit referred to in 9:1.

The Antichrist and the false prophet are thrown into the fiery lake. Then their leader, Satan himself, will be thrown into that lake (20:10), and finally death and the grave (20:14). Afterward, everyone whose name is not recorded in the Book of Life will be thrown into the fiery lake (20:15).

Revelation Chapter 20, then John saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand He seized the dragon---that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years (vv.1-2).

The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

The 1000 years are often referred to as the Millennium (Latin for 1000). Just how and when this 1000 year takes place is understood differently among Christian scholars. The three major positions on this issue are called postmillennialism, premillennialism, and amillennialism.

Postmillennialism looks for a literal 1000-year period of peace on earth ushered in by the church. At the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be unleashed once more, but then Christ will return to defeat him and reign forever. Christ’s second coming will not occur until after the 1000-year period.

Premillennialism also views the 1000 years as a literal time period but holds that Christ’s second coming initiates his 1000-year reign and that this reign occurs before the final removal of Satan.

Amillennialism is the historical mainline churches’ view. They understand the 1000-year period to be symbolic of the time between Christ’s ascension and his return. This millennium is the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers and in his church; thus, it is another way of referring to the church age. This period will end with the second coming of Christ.

These are different views about the Millennium need not cause division and controversy in the church because each view acknowledges what is most crucial to Christianity: Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever! Whatever and whenever the Millennium is, Jesus will unite all believers, therefore we should not let this issue divide us.

After these one thousand years, Satan will be released. He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. Gog and Magog symbolize all the forces of evil that band together to battle God.

John doesn’t say why God releases Satan for a little while but is part of God’s plan for judging the world. Perhaps it is to expose those who rebel against God in their hearts and confirm those who are truly faithful to God. Whatever the reason, Satan’s release results in the final destruction of all evil.

Then, Christ will defeat them all. The fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (vv. 7-10).

Stan’s power is not eternal—he will meet his doom. He began his evil work in people at the beginning (Gen 3:1-6) and continues it today, but he will be destroyed when his is thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The evil will be released from the bottomless pit, but he will never be released form the fiery lake. He will never be a threat to anyone again.

Then God from His white throne, shall judge all men according to what they have done (20: 11-12).

At the judgment, the books will be opened. The Book of Life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them. These books also contain the recorded deeds of everyone, good or evil. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God.

Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will one day be opened.

Death and grave are thrown into the lake of fire. God’s judgment is finished. The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked—Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, the grave, and all those whose names are not recorded tin the Book of life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ.

John’s vision does not permit any gray areas in the God’s judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance. No other appeal. God is truly the One in control, and He is the One whom all creation shall be accountable to and pledge their allegiance to.

The Fall of the World System

 

Revelation Chapter 18

The Fall of Babylon

Chapter 18 has displayed a series of lamentations about the tragic end of Babylon’s fall. Here, we can catch a glimpse of the splendor of the Roman politics, economy and commerce prior to her fall.

First, there was an angel illuminated with glory, and he cried mightily with a loud voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen!” From heavenly perspective, Babylon, once a rich, strong and luxurious nation, had fallen. All peoples, kings and merchants on earth lost all their sources of profit since then.

Merchants in the Roman Empire grew rich by exploiting the sinful pleasures of their society. Many businesspeople today do the same thing. Businesses and governments are often based on greed, money, and power. Many bright individuals are tempted to take advantage of an evil system to enrich themselves.

And another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins.…”

God’s people ought to keep themselves a distance away from Babylon lest they would be defiled by her, and avoid being caught up in the judgment time. God remembered Babylon’s unrighteousness, and He would pay her back double.

Christians are warned to stay from the lure of money, status, and the good life. We are to live according to the values Christ exemplified: service, giving, self-sacrifice, obedience, and truth.

Those who are tied to the world’s system will lose everything when it collapses. What they have worked for a lifetime to build up will be destroyed in one hour. Those who work only for material rewards will have nothing when they die or when their possessions are destroyed.

What can we take with us to the new earth? Our faith, our Christian character, and our relationships with other believers. These are more important than any amount of money, power, or pleasure.

Kings, merchants and sailors on earth sang lamentations and mourned about the fall of Babylon! They wept and mourned for Babylon as they used to receive various and abundant resources from her. They once benefited from her prosperity. But everything disappeared. Babylon had become a destitute wilderness (v9-19).

Those who are in control of various parts of the economic system will morn at Babylon’s fall. The political leaders will mourn because they were the overseers of Babylon’s wealth and were in a position to enrich themselves greatly. The merchants will morn because Babylon, the greatest customer for their goods, will be gone.

The sea captains will no longer have anywhere to bring their goods because the merchants will have nowhere to sell them. The fall of the evil world system affects all who enjoyed and depended on it. No one will remain unaffected by Babylon’s fall.

The voice form heaven (18:4) continued to prophesy against the greedy merchants. “The fancy things you loved” and the “luxuries and splendor” were gone. This list of merchandise illustrates the extreme materialism of this society. Few of these goods were necessities—most are luxuries. Even people had become commodities—most are sold as slaves to Babylon.

The desire for nonessential luxuries had driven these merchants. Yet, how many of these luxuries listed are in your home? Most people will find that they own almost everything on this list. We are people who truly live in great luxury. We, too, are in danger of being absorbed in possessions and pleasure.

Make sure that your desires lead you in the right direction. Put boundaries on them. Don’t go after everything you see. Keep your desire on serving God and building his kingdom by helping others.

God’s people should not live for money, because money will be worthless in eternity. And they should keep on guard constantly against greed, a sin that is always ready to take over their lives.

God wants us to work and to provide for our families, and he commands the proper use of money.  But when the desire for money fills our lives. It becomes a false god. Don’t be enslaved by the desire for wealth.

Then, Chapter 19 starts with songs of victory in heaven. All the saints in heavens and on earth would celebrate, for Babylon their oppressor had been judged by God (vv.1-2).

Praise is the heartfelt response to God by those who love him. The more you get to know God and realize what he has done, the more you will respond with praise. Praise is at the heart of true worship. Let your praise of God flow out of your realization of who he is and how much he loves you.

John heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments!” Again, they said: Alleluia! God has avenged the blood of his servants on the great harlot.

And then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying: “Amen! Alleluia”.

Finally, the voice of a great multitude again saying, “Alleluia! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. Blessed are those who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb!”

The wedding feast of the Lamb, i.e., the union between Christ and His Bride, made a striking contrast with the union between Babylon the harlot and her alliances, who hurt one another and fell.

This is the culmination of human history—the judgment of the wicked and the wedding of the Lamb and his bride, the church. The church consists of all faithful believers from all time.

The bride’s clothing stands in sharp contrast to the gaudy clothing of the great prostitute of 17:4 and 18:16. The bride’s clothing represents the good deeds of the believers. These good deeds are not done by believers to their merit, but they reflect the work of Christ to save us (7:9,14).

Conclusion

The rise and fall of kingdoms and authoritarian regimes in the world history exemplified by the fall of Babylon, the harlot. Babylon has been always there in history. She has a political, economic and cultural atmosphere, which is full of idolatry, love of wealth, corruption, immorality, indulgence, unrighteousness, violence, totalitarianism and pride.

Some saints are ensnared by it and they have deviated from the truth. Some are persecuted to death because they remain faithful to the Word of God.

Does our society today reflect this type of evil power that is indulgent, corrupted, wasteful, oppressive and unrighteous, and rebellious against God?

E.g., International business groups and investment funds? Corporate raiding and money laundering? How about great nations that have risen and expanded plunder resources and export her corruption globally?

An authoritarian regime who uses nationalism as a way to suppress freedom, including religious freedom? Popular culture and idolatry that have poisoned the mind and soul of the people and caused rigidness to their thought? By using social credit grading system, big data and cashless transactions as means to control and monitor people?

Chapters 17-18 seek to criticize Babylon, the harlot, the corrupted atmosphere that was caused by the alliances of social, culture, economic and authoritarian politics. People of God need to be discerning and watchful.

While we live in Babylon, our body, our soul and our spirit have to be out of Babylon, and we are to keep ourselves undefiled by the worldview and adulterous ways of Babylon.

As saints, we have to walk in God’s righteousness and love, and to be actively involved in social care as well as to strive for social justice.

We are not to seek for our own interest and to greed after money. Do not strive for success through unscrupulous means and deprive the rights of marginalized groups. Do not replace your faithfulness to God with allegiance to oppressive regime or nationalism.

The woman and the beast will tempt and beguile the saints to rebel against God.  Those steadfast saints who have gone through tribulations and persecutions will be purified and they will become the undefiled and blameless Bride.

The saints of God need to keep themselves pure and blameless, otherwise, like the harlot, they will be judged by God.

The book of Revelation is not merely a historical report in relations to the 1^st century world of Greco-Roman. It is also not a text to encode the end-time prophecies.

The book of Revelation presents to us the truth that God’s judgment and redemption continue throughout all times and in all social and economic situations, and it shall last until Christ returns with the consummation of human history. The overarching theme in all the visions is the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over evil.

The Whore, The Empire, and A Tale of Two Cities

 

Revelation Chapter 17

The Great Harlot and the Beast

Chapter 17 reveals that one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls instructed John and showed him the judgment that is going to come on the great harlot, who rules over many waters. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.

John saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. The beast was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. It was the beast from the sea. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and she was adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. They spoke of her extraordinary luxury.

She was holding 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”.

She was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of martyrs of Jesus. This harlot was not someone physically, but she was the city of the great Babylon, which was known as the great city that rules over the kings of the world.

Genesis 10:8-11 records the work of Nimrod, a descendant of Ham, who built the cities of Babylon. Nimrod represented a lineage of ungodly people. Genesis 11:1-9 records the process of Nimrod leading his people in building the Tower of Babel, with the intention of making a name for themselves and reaching up to heavens. Their act had trespassed the boundary set by God.

Literally, the Babylonian Empire emerged in the 6^th century BC as a force that went against God. It signified a regime that enslaved God’s people. It was luxurious, prideful, detestable and evil.

Isaiah 14:12-15 describes Babylon as such, “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.”

Church tradition has been using the above passage to describe the fall of Satan! The author of Revelation used Babylon to refer to the city of Rome in the 1^st century.

The scarlet beast was the beast from the sea, and it denoted the mighty military and authoritarian rule of Rome (hard power). The appearance of this beast carried with it a sense of blasphemy, recklessness, arrogance and haughtiness.

The scarlet woman (the harlot), the scarlet beast, and the great fiery red dragon found in chapter 12 stood in contrast with Christ and His followers, and obviously, they were in confrontation with God. The harlot was sitting on a beast, and this represented the luxurious, greedy, oppressive and corrupted economy, culture and religious worship (soft power) of the Roman society.

The Romans were able to expand their territory and mobilize the world with the support of their military and political powers (the beast of the sea: hard power), and they monopolized, exploited and oppressed the people of God economically, as well as persecuted them spiritually.

The kings of the earth have committed fornication with this harlot. They are referred generally to those prestigious leaders on earth who associated themselves with Rome, and who indulged themselves in immorality, vanity and riches.

The harlot made men drunk in her promised prosperity and profits. At the same time, she made people ignorant of God’s judgment and righteousness (towards fornication and adultery). Some saints forsook their faith in order to commit fornication with her, yet some chose to be faithful to the Lord and were thus persecuted and killed by her.

The seven heads on the beast were “seven mountains/seven kings”, which referred to the Roman regimes. The ten horns of the beast were the ten kings. Here John is referring to Rome, the city famous for its seven hills.

The ten in relation to the ten horns/ten kings was not a summation of some numbers within a certain period of time. It was about the Rome Empire. It also signified some common powers that had covenanted themselves in mankind history. They united themselves in resisting God and fighting with the Lamb.

However, this “fornication” shall be destroyed under the judgment of God if we were to look from the heavenly perspective, i.e., an eschatological and eternal perspective. For the Lamb will surely overcome those who have made their covenants with the beast (v.14).

The waters the harlot was sitting on referred to earthly powers and masses of people of every nation and language, who had submitted themselves under the reign of Rome. 

As we ponder the identity of the seven kings and the emergence of the ten kings, we must see John’s theme of worldly power and its ultimate ineffectiveness against God and his people. Their authority only lasts “for one brief moment, “symbolizing its brevity and ultimate destruction.

As Christian, have we become infatuated with the worldly power of movies stars, sports celebrities, political coalitions, and world economic forces? Are you craving the power and prestige that position, wealth, and connections offer?

If so, you are an easy target for Satan’s great deception. Worldly power is Satan’s trap; the desire for it can turn us away from God. Worship only God and make it your strongest desire to serve him.

However, this alliance of powers (the harlot, the beast and the waters) was weak in nature because they were a marriage of convenience. In a dramatic turn of events, the prostitute’s allies turn on her and destroy her (v.16).

This is how evil operates. Destructive by its very nature, it discards its own adherents when they cease to serve its purposes. And unholy alliance is an uneasy alliance because each partner puts its own interests first.

In fact, God has destined all these. He is the One who puts such a plan into the hearts of His enemies in order for them to fulfill His purposes (v. 17). No matter what happens, we must trust that God is still in charge, that God overrules all the plans and intrigues of the evil one, and that God’s plans will happen just as he says.

Although God allows evil to permeate this present world, he even uses evil people as tools to execute his will. God is in control. We are God’s people, so we all the more are to build for his kingdom here, until a completely new earth ushered in which never knows sin.

The Babylon or the Roman Empire was an economic, military and political power that merely sought after its own interest and cultural hegemony. The prosperity and wealth of Rome were gained through unrighteous means of oppression, seizure and exploitation, and it also involved idolatry, witchcraft and violence.

It was greedy, haughty and idolatrous. It would, in the end, collapse completely under the judgment of God.

Throughout history, people have been killed for their faith. Over the last century, millions have been killed by oppressive governments, and many of those victims were believers. The woman’s drunkenness shows her pleasure in her evil accomplishments and her false feeling of triumph over the church.

 But every martyr who has fallen before her sword has only served to strengthen the faith of the church.

Persecution is by no means a thing of the past. Christians in many parts of the world know that faith in Christ amounts to a death sentence. Believers who live in places free of such persecution must not forget to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ in those difficult parts of the world.

God made vindication for those who suffered, and He made a judgment on this harlot, causing her to collapse and fall. Once, Rome was an extreme extravagant government, but she became a desolation because of her resistance to God and deeds of abomination.

All those powers that were attached to her would end up wailing and crying because they had lost all their profits and interests.

In contrast to the harlot, Christ’s bride, the church, is pure and obedient (19:6-9). The wicked city of Babylon contrasts with the heavenly city of Jerusalem (21:10-22:5). The original readers probably rather quickly identified Babylon with Rome, but Babylon also symbolizes any system that is hostile to God’s kingdom. 

Broken Hearts and Bold Faith

 

Psalm 74

Arise, O God, Remember Your People

Psalm 74 is a lamentation sung by the Israelites over the sufferings of their nation as they gathered together. They had been long suffering in their tribulation, and they even felt as if God had abandoned them forever!

“O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?” (v.1)

God’s people spoke about their tribulation in this lamentation: Their country was ruined, their people were killed, and God’s temple was destroyed. How did they call out to God in this long suffering?

Call out to God wholeheartedly in a prolonged tribulation（vv. 1-11）

“Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary…. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.” (Psalm 74:3, 7）

The Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem in BC586. They burnt down the temple, palace and houses in Jerusalem, and torn down its city walls. They smashed the bronze pillars in the temple and took away all the valuable gold and silver vessels. (2 Kings 25:8-17)

God’s people were killed and captured to Babylon. They left behind them a ruined home. Their country was desolated, and their people were killed, and it was a very miserable situation.

Didn’t God say that God’s people are to receive His blessings? ？Wouldn’t God protect His people so that they would prosper in all things, and enjoy peace and live in their settlement with a successful life? However, in reality, we see and experience hardships in life after we come to believe in Jesus, and we are even attacked by others because of our faith.

Sometimes, tribulation comes as a means of discipline from God. In this Psalm we see that God’s people suffered hardships of losing their countries and homes, and the Bible tells us that it was because they sinned greatly against God and did not observe His Word.

“The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.” (2 Chron 36:15-16)

God disciplines out of His love (Proverbs 3:11-12). God loves His children, and He longed to see them repenting of their wrongs and sins and turning back to Him. When the Israelites lost everything, their hearts began to turn to God, and they trusted in God once again and sought Him earnestly.

On the other hand, we will encounter tribulation in our lives on earth when we become the children of God，for many do not know God, and they oppose Him and reject Him. Believers and churches in many countries are persecuted and oppressed by their regimes.

Even in those countries with freedom of religion, where churches and believers are not attacked like what is mentioned above, they and the Bible would often be attacked due to different issues, e.g., same-sex marriage.

We often feel so unbearable when we hear enemies attacking believers and blaspheming God’s name, and it is like the crying in Psalm. “How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?” (Psalm 74:10)

This world opposes God and we do suffer for the sake of our faith. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “In the world, you have tribulation.”

Moreover, we could not see a way out of our trouble times. “We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.” (Psalm 74:9)

At that time, God’s people did not know when the disaster would end. Previously, they despised God’s prophets, and refused to listen to His instructions. Then they lamented they had no prophet among them anymore.

They repented and turned from their wicked ways and called upon the Lord wholeheartedly. Yet they did not see God’s rescuing hand. Nobody told them how they should move forward, and they did not know how long they had to suffer.

Sometimes we also could not understand why God does not answer our prayers, and why He refuses to extend His hand to rescue us from our difficulties, and why He has been keeping silent all the whiles?

In the midst of many things that were unknown and puzzled to them, one thing that they did know was, they were sheep in God’s pasture, and they were the nation that God purchased long ago (vv.1-2).

They were aware of their relationship with God, and that they belonged to Him. God was their Lord and the Only One they could trust. Though we might not know how the situation would be unfolded and we do not know how long we have to endure, we must know one thing: God is our Lord, and He is the Only One we could trust.

Therefore, we just have to seek God with all our hearts in our hardships, helplessness and disappointment! We could just tell God our inner pains and longings.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” There is another phrase after, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Lord Jesus suffered all kinds of hardships on earth, and He even suffered unto death. However, He has conquered sin and death, and He is able to empathize with our weaknesses.

Hence, let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

We just need to call upon God with all our heart in our “current” hardships. However, God works in our lives beyond our current situation. Scripture brings us to recall the past and look forward to the future, so that we would not fix our eyes on our current hardships.

Recall God’s Creation and Salvation in the Midst of Troubles (vv.12-17）

“The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.” (Psalm 74:16-17)

God is the Creator who is in control of all things. He takes charge of every moment of our lives. Not only is He our Creator, but He is also our Savior. “It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.” (Psalm 74:15)

All these were memories of the Israelites in relation to the experiences of exodus and salvation they received upon entering the land of Canaan. When they ran out of water, God caused the water to come out from the rock. When they crossed over the River of Jordan, God made the water stand up like a dam.

We reaffirm God to be the Lord who rescues our lives, our spirits and our souls when we recall His creation and salvation, and at the same time, we also count the grace and the deeds of God in our lives.

The word “You” was emphasized five times (Psalm 74: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17）in the scripture.

It was the Lord who brought us through many difficulties in the past, that we would be able to experience His power and His love for us and cause us to recognize that our lives indeed are under His control. This is a real experience for many believers, and we can’t tell all in detail.

The God who created, saved and kept us, caused us to believe deeply in our hearts;   that God would also bring us through the valley of death and give us comfort in our current tribulation.

Keep the Hope of Victory in the Midst of Tribulation (vv. 18-23）

The Psalm ends with a petition to God to have regard for His covenant. It is God’s covenant and promises that give us hope of victory.

“Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord, how foolish people have reviled your name…. Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.” (74: 18,20)

Our God is righteous. He would surely remember and judge sin and wickedness. Our God is faithful and loving, and He would surely care for His covenanted people. He shall be our God, and we shall be His people. We must be His people and He would fully rescue us.

God did care for the psalmist, and He did respond to the lamentation and answer the prayer of His people. He remembered His covenant and His promises, that He later sent His Son Jesus Christ to the world as the time came to its fruition.

The Word became flesh and through His death and resurrection, He defeated our greatest enemy: Death, Sin and Devil.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Heb 2:14-15)

Jesus Christ has overcome, and He would surely lead us into a complete victory. He promises us an eternal life, and that we could inherit His eternal Kingdom.

We really would feel like our days are dragging like years in our troubled times. “O God, why have you rejected us forever?...  Will the foe revile your name forever?” (Psalm 74:1,10) However, what is considered “forever”?

The tribulations in our lives and the arrogance of our enemies would not last forever. It is the Kingdom, authority and glory of God that would last forever. Jesus Christ was resurrected from the death, and He brought us an eternal salvation, that we must keep our faith in Christ Jesus no matter how the situation turns out to be.

Only the Lord Jesus would be able to give us the real hope of victory. God’s salvation and plan is wonderful. We believe we will surely see the good will and plan of God behind our hardships in the future (Gen 50:20), that we would praise His name forever.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

God would not take us out from this world, but He would keep us and rescue us from evil. (John 17:14-15)

We should trust God in our tribulations and call upon Him wholeheartedly. We should recall God’s creation and salvation in the midst of our tribulations and be assured of His relationship with us.

We must have hope of victory and trust that the Lord Jesus would lead us into victory, for the Kingdom, authority and glory belong to our Father God forever and ever.