SCRIPTURE: Revelation 17
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Why does Jesus use a female prostitute to symbolize the epitome of evil? Not because God has it out against women, but because she illustrates perfectly the seductive, destructive power of sin. We can also think of the beautiful Sirens in Greek mythology that lured sailors to their rocky shores, and then killed them. And we recall the wisdom of Proverbs 5,7 warning about the “Immoral Woman”. This vision shows how alluring temptation and immorality is. Those who surrender to immorality can describe how appealing the temptation was UNTIL they gave in to it. And then they experience the hangover, the crash.
This vision makes it plain that we are facing a very dangerous enemy. The pull of the ‘world’ is so strong, how many of the youth surrender themselves to the very things that eventually ruin their lives (dressing seductively, only to be used and abused sexually, enjoying the high of addictive substances, only to be hooked, surrendering to ‘indiscretions’ for fun, then realizing the consequences after the fact, etc.).
This vision also makes it plain that this seductive presence of evil will not last forever. Our destination will depend on whether we surrender to Jesus, or to this ‘prostitute’. With Jesus we will ultimately experience the ultimate ‘high’ of life with God; with the prostitute we will ultimate experience the ultimate crash of final judgment.
Our lives are filled with good and bad decisions, good healthy and harmful behaviours. But what is the general pattern or direction of our life? Are we moving closer to Jesus, or drifting from Him to the ‘pleasure goddess’. Short term, if you opt for the pleasure goddess, you will experience moments of delight, but long term, you will regret it.
PRAYER:
Lord, I sense that I am moving in the right direction, but I also admit that I am surrendering to inappropriate indiscretions. Little things, it seems to me, yet with bigger consequences. Use this vision to steer me back to You.
After the first three bowls of wrath we read that the judgements of the Lord are right and true. After the fourth and fifth we read each time, but they refused to repent and glorify Him. Even after the final bowl, the people cursed the Lord. As in Egypt land, many years before, the refrain about pharaoh was that he hardened his heart. God is patient with His people as a Father to His children, but at the same time, He is just. We were created to serve Him and those around us and not ourselves. In all what I do this day, is it the Lord God I am serving? Not my way oh Lord, but Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Help me also on this day Lord to live the moment for eternity in Your presence.
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.