03.21. Lesson 21
Lesson 21:Read Revelation 17:1-18, Revelation 18:1-24, Revelation 19:1-10 once, then Revelation 17:1-18 an additional two times, without referring to notes or commentaries, before answering the questions. Also, read Jeremiah 51:1-64 and Daniel 7:1-28.
(1) What is the theme of the section from Revelation 17:1-18, Revelation 18:1-24, Revelation 19:1-10? How is this theme related to the theme from Revelation 15:5-8, Revelation 16:1-21?
(2) Remember early on in our study we asked the question, "What is reality?" With that in mind, how do you understand the "great harlot"? What are her characteristics? Look back at Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 16:19. How does the Bible use the words "fornication," "immorality," and "adultery" in addition to referring to sexual sin? Recall Revelation 2:14; Revelation 2:20-22 as well as Jeremiah 3:6-9. See also 1 John 2:15-17. Ask yourself again the question we have raised several times: Would your interpretation be of value to listeners in 95AD, in 1600AD, and in 2000AD?
(3) How do you relate the characters in the section Revelation 17:1-18, Revelation 18:1-24, Revelation 19:1-10 to those in Revelation 12:1-17, Revelation 13:1-18, Revelation 14:1-20, Revelation 15:1-4? What are their similarities? What are their differences?
(4) In Revelation 17:3, we are told John is taken into a wilderness before he sees the harlot. What does the wilderness represent (recall Revelation 12:6 and Revelation 12:14 and our discussion)? Why is John taken there at this point?
(5) In Revelation 17:7 the angel says he will tell John the "mystery" of the woman. How does the New Testament use the word "mystery," and how does this usage differ from ours today? See Revelation 1:20 as well as Matthew 13:11, Romans 11:25, Romans 16:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Ephesians 1:9-10, Ephesians 5:32, Ephesians 6:19, and especially Colossians 1:25-29; Colossians 2:1-3.
(6) Look at Revelation 17:8. Recall Revelation 9:2 and Revelation 11:7. Meditate on this phrase: "whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world." Look back at Revelation 13:8, and then ahead to Revelation 20:12-15. Also consider these verses and their context: Matthew 25:34, John 17:24, Ephesians 1:4, and 1 Peter 1:20. Why is your name being written in the book of life from the foundation of the world important to you today? Why is it important -- and not simply an offhand comment -- in the context of Revelation 17:1-18?
(7) What is the significance of the seven mountains in Revelation 17:9 (also called "kings" and "heads")? Rome is known as the city built on seven hills, and surely there is an allusion to Rome here. But is that the whole story? Why is this picture important for us today? What do mountains signify in Scripture in general and Revelation in particular? (Here is an exhaustive list of the use of this Greek word in Revelation: Revelation 6:14-16, Revelation 8:8, Revelation 14:1, and Revelation 21:10).
(8) In Revelation 17:12-14, what is the purpose of the ten kings? How long do they succeed in that purpose? What is the end result? Why?
(9) In Revelation 17:14, the allies of the Lord of lords are referred to as the "called and chosen and faithful." How is this related to the phrase in Revelation 17:8 about names written in the book of life? Who does the calling? Who does the choosing? Who is faithful (see Revelation 2:10; Revelation 13:1-18)?
(10) What are the parallels between Daniel 7:1-28 and Revelation 17:1-18? Consider particular Revelation 17:4 and Daniel 7:21. Who overcomes in each of these verses?
(11) Consider Revelation 17:16-17. What do these verses tell us about the forces in opposition to God? About God’s sovereignty? How powerful are these forces? If God is in control of these forces, is there also a message about all forces that oppose God? How does that insight have an impact on how you live today?
Now read pages 287-97 of Stedman, as well as Wilcock pages 151-166. I find Wilcock quite helpful on this difficult section of Revelation. Revise your answers, if necessary, in light of the insights of these two commentators.