The Reporter     Volume 46 # 5,  --  February 3, 2006

God Describes The Harlot
– Revelation Seventeen –

   In Revelation 14:8 we see Babylon introduced as having fallen. "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." In this text Babylon is named but not identified. Again in Revelation 16:19 Babylon is named but not identified. "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath."

   Revelation Seventeen identifies Babylon. The struggle between God and Satan continues, and over and over we see that God and His people win the battle. The identity of the Harlot is set forth in Revelation Seventeen. Later we learn more about God's judgment against this wicked Harlot. The literal city of Babylon was located on the Euphrates River. Babylon was the capitol of the empire that conquered Judah. Babylon was associated with idolatry and the persecution of God's people. Babylon was present in John's day as typified by Rome's persecuting power against Christians and will be present throughout history as the Devil works his evils by those that oppose God's people!

   Babylon and the great Harlot – Revelation 17:1-6: The Harlot sits upon many waters or controls many people. The judgment of God against the Harlot or the spiritually corrupt Rome was certain. She was guilty of spiritual fornication. The Devil started his work long before the Messiah came. Now the Devil had a tremendous influence through the nation of Rome. Rome was that nation, "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Those that had not become children of God had been affected by the false worship and persecuting power of Rome.

   Many people try to identify the great Harlot with the Roman Catholic Church, but false religion is not limited to one church. We are not to believe, even for a moment that even though Rome and its devilish system fell that Satan was finished. This is not the end of evil by any means.

   The Harlot is dressed like a queen. The picture is that of a queen, but it is not a picture of beauty. "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." (Revelation 17:4) This evil Harlot was drunk with the blood of saints. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." (Revelation 17:6) Now we know that the purpose of the Harlot was to draw saints away from God and destroy them spiritually. The entire figure of Babylon and the Harlot is that of worldliness. Worldliness is the greatest power that the Devil has over the children of God.

   In John's day the great Harlot was Rome. But remember that the book of Revelation gives principles that fit all through history. The great Harlot also pictures any anti-Christian seduction at any time in history. The Devil is always busy trying to allure saints from the fold of God.

   Babylon's evil kings come and go – Revelation 17:7-10: John is amazed at what he sees. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." (Revelation 17:6) John was amazed when he saw so much of God's servants' blood shed by the Harlot. He was likewise amazed when he saw the judgment of God against the great whore.

   The Harlot is the same as the land beast of Revelation Thirteen. This beast represented false worship. The sea beast also had civil persecuting power. The seven heads and ten horns remind us again of Satan's destructive, persecuting power and of his intellect. The beast appears again and again in history. He was, he is not, but he comes again. The Devil's evil will all end at the righteous, revealing judgment of God. 

   John again sees that the beast is Rome. The five persecutors of God’s people that had fallen were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. The present persecutor was Rome. The “one to come” included all future persecutors of God's people.

   Babylon's kings and allies have one mind – Revelation 17:11-13: The ten kings are Rome's allies that had been given power for a short time. They sided with Rome and were part of her evil so that Rome would not destroy them, but now far worse God destroys them. "Perdition" was the place awaiting them. "Perdition" was a term applied to Judas so it had to be bad. (John 17:12) Perdition had to do with destruction. So Judas was a child of destruction. The beast that opposed God "goes into perdition."

   These kings have one mind. People can have "one mind" for good or "one mind" for evil. Sadly these kings have "one mind," but it is the mind of Satan. They joined with him in committing great evils against the children of God. They made the fatal mistake of committing themselves to the Devil and his evil schemes. The result of such a choice is tragic. Those that chose Satan's side reject all hope!

   Babylon makes war with the Lamb – Revelation 17:14-18: These help make war with the Lamb. Aging we see that God and his people win. "...And the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14) Even those that opposed God's cause were used by the Sovereign God to destroy Rome. God's word shall be fulfilled in spite of Satan, and all his instruments.

   This chapter closes with the pointed words of Revelation 17:18. "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." This is clearly a description of Rome. Rome is that Babylon that has shed the blood of saints and martyrs without number. She will be destroyed for so doing. In Revelation 17:18 the harlot is presented before us as ready for judgment. Nothing can save her from God's indignation. Revelation eighteen will provide some of the details of that judgment

   The Devil is powerful and what he offers has appealed to man. However, God is more powerful and what He offers has eternal appeal. That is why it makes sense to obey God rather than to follow Satan. To obey the gospel one must hear God's truth (Romans 10:17), be­lieve in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21) After baptism one must serve God faithfully regard-less of circumstances. Under any condition, we are always better off to serve God faithful because God's people always win.

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

1. Prayer List: Jackson Hospital: Raymond Mosley (brother-in-law of Tete Stabler). In Need Of Prayers: Ashton Arrington (granddaughter of Bobby & Mary Lou Terrell), Bill Autrey, Malachi Beauchamp, Pattie Benson, Bobby Blackmon (father of Linda Reynolds), Marie Curlee, Nelson Daughtry, Carolyn Duncan, Randy Fullington, Ethel Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Evan Hartsell, Tonya Hollingshead, Jessie Kennemore, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Deborah Lewis, Sherrie Olive, Dustin Peterson (young man in auto accident), Margaret Phillips, Mary Powell, Kenneth Smith, Osalene Smithson, Clark Sosbee (great gospel preacher and elder in Lafayette, Georgia), Doris Taylor, Mary Lou Terrell, Corrine Till, Leroy Waller and Joyce Woodham (sister of Sue Bagents). Crowne Health Care: Mary Autrey, Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Raymond Lowery, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, Alton (Tommy) Till, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, Mary Lou Phelps, and Mary Tindal.

2. Welcome Home Eric: We thank God that we can say “welcome home” to Eric Bagents. We are thankful God protected him during his time in Iraq. God bless Eric and all our troupes!

3. Remember To Pray: Alan Jackson needs our prayers as he serves in Iraq. Alan’s address is SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT. Pray for him and write to him often.

4. Web Site: Our new web address is: www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. Updates are frequently being made, so visit it often.

5. Weekly Budget For 2006: Our Elders announced that our budget for 2006 is $6,117.87 per week. God blesses us richly. Let us give generously!

6. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: February 5^th Mary Autrey, February 6^th Adam Garlock, February 7^th Terri Bagents, February 8^th Christopher Bagents, Chase Rushing and Mary Lou Terrell, February 9^th Geremiah Jackson and Deborah Rushing, and February 11^th Jerri Davis.

7. Thank You: Thank you for the many kindnesses shown to me after my surgery. The food was delicious. The prayers much appreciated. Kenneth Smith

 8. Kitchen Shower: We are in need of several items to make our new kitchen more functional. Everyone is invited to a “Kitchen Shower” on February 5^th after the evening worship service. Please bring finger foods and an item from the list posted on the bulletin board. If anyone has any questions please contact Barbara Walker, Tiffany Till or Ann Cauthen.

9. Sign-Up Sheets For 2006: The sign-up sheets for preparing communion and greeting visitors for 2006 are on the bulletin board. Please sign-up to help – NOW!

10. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class meets at 10:00 a.m. All ladies are invited to attend.

11. Area Events: (a) February 10^th-11^th – Eastern Meadows Church of Christ – A Family Seminar – “Putting the Music Back in Marriage” – Speakers Glenn & Cindy Colley – See bulletin board for time and topics. (b) February 10^th-12^th – Capitol Heights Church of Christ – Speakers are students at Faulkner University (see bulletin board names of speakers) – Time Friday & Saturday 7:00 p.m. and Sunday: Bible Study 9:30 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

12. Pictorial Church Directory: You will be pleased to know that we are now in the process of developing a new pictorial directory. This will be an attractive full-color membership directory with photos of our church families. It will also contain a roster (name, addresses and phone numbers) of all our members. We want your family’s photo in the directory this time, so don’t fail to schedule an appointment. Family portraits taken for the directory will feature the Digital Imaging System, so you will make only one visit to the church for photography and viewing your portraits. Pictures will be taken February 26^th, 27^th & 28^th.

Sunsets Can Be Beautiful

   Living out in the country has helped me to discover and rediscover some things about the world around me. I’ve learned that some frogs sound a great deal like buzzards. Weeds will trick you into believing that they don’t like growing in gardens, but that is a trick. I’ve rediscovered the beauty of God’s earth, which truly is a marvelous gift for us to enjoy. I love the stars at night when they are not out-shined by the lights of the city. And I especially enjoy the radiant horizons as the sun sets in the western sky. It is on this picture that I wish to focus for a few moments.

   What makes a sunset beautiful? I know there is something about the way the light shines through the gases in the atmosphere that makes the beautiful colors. But on a slightly deeper level, what makes them beautiful? 

   For me, the beauty of a sunset is determined in part by what I did with the day that preceded it. I’ve seen some gorgeous sunsets that I couldn’t fully enjoy because I knew I hadn’t given my all during the day. On the other hand, I have seen sunsets that were awe-inspiring because I could say without a doubt that in that day I had done all I could. So, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward” (Col 3:23-24).

   Some intrinsically beautiful sunsets have been uninspiring to me because my attitude towards others was not what it should have been. “…do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Eph 4:26-27). We cannot enjoy the abundance of any of God’s blessings when we are unwilling to submit to his will for our lives. Are your sunsets jaded by some transgression of God’s com-mands?

   In a sunset I see the end of one day and the glimpse of the next. I see the hope of rest from labor, which can only be hoped for by one who has been laboring. One day, the sun will set for the last time on each of our lives, and the beauty of that sunset will be decided by what we did with the life we lived before it. How brilliant will your final sunset be?

-         - - - Darrell Powell

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!