Revelation 17: The Conquering Lamb

Today’s reading is Revelation 17.

Conquering and to Conquer

When the Lamb broke the first seal on the scroll back in Revelation 6:1-2, a rider on a white horse went out conquering and to conquer. He was given a victor’s wreath and a bow.

We had actually already been told who the conqueror was back in Revelation 5:5: “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (ESV). The new David, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lion was the conqueror.

Of course, when John turned to see the Lion, he “saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6, ESV). The Lion is the Lamb is the rider on the white horse is the conqueror.

But, of course, sometimes it doesn’t look like He’s conquering.

The Lamb Always Wins

For an hour, it looked like the beast was going to win. Ten kings sided with him. They reigned and had authority. But only for an hour.

They make war on the Lamb. Even just making war on the Lamb doesn’t seem like it should happen. The fact they can make war at all seems like the Lamb isn’t conquering. But before we can get too worked up about it, John tells us:

…and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful (Revelation 17:14, ESV).

A Kingdom Divided Against Itself

The Lamb will win because that is what the Lamb does. He went out conquering and to conquer. We are not surprised when He conquers. However, we find an interesting statement in Revelation 17:16: “The ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire” (ESV).

I’ve read some authors declare this can’t be about Rome because this didn’t happen to Rome. First, let’s not forget this is a vision. The point is not to tell us with one-to-one correspondence of some historical or future event.

The point is to demonstrate how unstable it is to enlist in the army of the beast and the prostitute. If we decide to compromise with the beast and the prostitute, don’t be surprised when we get burned up by the beast and the prostitute.

Perhaps the great point to remember here is Jesus’s teaching on divided kingdoms. In Mark 3:24-26, Jesus explains a kingdom divided against itself will fall. If Satan rises up against Satan, “he cannot stand, but is coming to an end” (ESV). That is precisely the point in Revelation 17:15-18. Satan has risen up against Satan and is coming to an end.

The Lamb wins because that is what the Lamb does. He wins because He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He also wins because His enemy by its very selfish, self-indulgent, self-promoting nature cannot stay united. That kingdom is divided against itself and the Lamb will conquer it with His host of called, chosen, and faithful saints. Let’s be part of that host.

Praise the Lord!

Next week’s reading is Revelation 18.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What do you want to share with others from Revelation 17?

John 8: The Light of the World

Today’s reading is John 8.

Victor Frankl described his role as a therapist in “Man’s Search for Meaning” as being an eye specialist, not a painter. He explained:

A painter tries to convey to us a picture of the world as he sees it, an ophthalmologist tries to enable us to see the world as it really is.

Granted, I imagine most artists would claim they are trying to help us see the world as it is. However, the very nature of their approach is by presenting their own filter over the world. An eye specialist or ophthalmologist doesn’t work on the picture, but on the eye that sees.

I couldn’t help but think of this when Jesus claimed to be the light of the world. As the light, Jesus isn’t painting a picture of what He thinks of the world or overlaying His view of things. He is merely turning the light on so we can see the world as it is. He gives us a clear view. His life exposes the world for what it is. His example demonstrates what is right in the world and also what is wrong. His steps show the path we can walk through this world successfully. We see the world for what it is and see how to traverse the path of this life by keeping our eyes on Jesus and walking in His footsteps.

The reality is we all follow someone. We all believe someone out there really knows how to live life. For some of us, that person is a parent, for others, a professor. For some, it is a professional athlete, for others, a singer or actor. For some, it is a group of people, for others a character on a TV show. We all have someone we think is getting it right. We have someone we wish we could be more like. We have someone we try to imitate and emulate. We all have someone we think sheds light on how to successfully live this life.

Understand this, only one person in all history has so successfully navigated His way through this world that when His life was over, the ground couldn’t hold Him. Only one has so victoriously lived this life, that when He was done, He broke out of the tomb and ascended to heaven. Only One. Frankly, it seems to me if we want to live life successfully, our best bet is to grab hold of His robe and hang on for dear life wherever He decided to go.

Only Jesus lights up the world, clearing our vision so we can see the world for what it is. Only Jesus lights up the path, showing us the way to walk. Will we come to Him? Will we let His light expose our darkness and drive it away? Or will we lurk in the shadows hoping we can forge our own path? I promise you, that won’t work.

Jesus is the light of the world and the only way we can be lights in the world is if we walk so close to Him, we reflect His brilliance.

Tomorrow’s reading is John 8.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does John 8 admonish you?