Today’s Reading | Revelation 17
False Religion
This is one of the chapters in Revelation that can be confusing to read. It helps to understand some of the symbols given here. The beast, of course, as we have learned earlier, is the Antichrist. The harlot is a symbol of the false religion that has been the world religion during the Tribulation. John explains that, during the beginning of the Tribulation, this false religion will flourish in the system of the world referred to as Babylon. It will center in Rome and will include other religious groups besides the Roman Catholic church. For the first half of the Tribulation, this religion will reign unchallenged; but in the middle of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will destroy this religion and will set himself up as the one to be worshiped. John describes for us what the religion of the tribulation will look like and how the world will follow it until it’s destroyed by the Antichrist. In spite of all that has gone on to this point, people will still refuse the true God and worship the beast. They will simply adopt the new religion. It may look bleak, but God’s victory is just around the corner. In fact, those of us in Heaven are ready to go to war.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?