Meeting# 7 (Chapters 17 & 18) | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno
(Reminder to the leader, we’ve been running over timewise, try and start as close to 7:00 pm as possible.)
Revelation can be divided into six sections:
1. Introduction (1:1-8)
2. Vision of Jesus (1:9-20)
3. Message to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22)
4. Visions of the seven-sealed scroll, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls (4:1-19:10)
5. Vision of the return of Christ and the fulfillment of this age (19:11-20:15)
6. Vision of the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem (21:1-22:21)
Introduction:
This is our seventh meeting of the Spring Semester for the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. Anyone is welcome to join; you do not have to have been at a previous meeting to attend, and we will continue meeting at 7:00pm through the end of May 2024 (05/29/2024; we have two more meetings left in the semester).
The Called Men’s Group is conducting a study of the Book of Revelation. Which is a message of hope and warning for believers to repent from sin and begin to live righteously. John also wrote the Book to encourage the seven churches to resist demands to worship the Roman emperor and now warns us in present-time to resist temptations of the modern world that grabs our attention and pulls us away from God; that we should keep our focus on Christ.
As we’ve said before, God did not give us the book of Revelation to build bomb shelters; but to encourage us to tell others about Jesus. – We too are taking this approach for our Bible study.
Quick review of last week (Revelation Ch. 14, 15 and 16):
In Chapter 14, John sees three angles announcing the final judgment.
In Chapter 15 and 16, seven angels pour out God’s judgement on earth from seven bowls.
This Week’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight to study your word. Lord, we thank you for all you do for us, help us be good stewards of all your gifts - big and small, seen and unseen. Help us when we come to you with our needs; Lord we are grateful that we have the ability to resist temptation and avoid sin. Lord, we hold fast to you; may we continue to remain under your protection. Help us to remain focused on listening to your will and remain faithful to you. In Christ’s name - Amen
Scripture: Read - Revelation Chapters 17:1 – 18:24
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
What might we say to someone who says that God is too loving to punish the people and the world he created? – Share your thoughts with the group.
God is described in the Bible as a loving Father and wrathful in Revelation. How is it possible for God to be both? - Share your thoughts with the group.
In Chapter 17, the angel took John into the wilderness to see the prostitute sitting on a scarlet beast. She was wearing purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. On her forehead was written “Babylon the Great, Mother of all Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.” Is there anything significant about this description or the name written on her forehead? - Discuss among the group.
The clothing and jewelry may signify the allure of prosperity.
The name may represent the lust of godless societies for sensual pleasure, the allure of a life with no regrets, restraints and the lie of no consequences.
The statement that she became drunk on the blood of the saints and the beast on which she sits may align to the thought that cultures that openly defy God, there is often a relentless pursuit of wealth, pursuit of pleasure and an inappropriate desire for power and to control others.
The desire and lust for power is Satan’s trap. This desire can turn us away from God. We need to be steadfast and worship only God and make it our desire to serve Him.
It is important to distinguish there is nothing wrong with ambition, wanting more for one’s life, or working toward success (a business, career etc.), as long as these things are sought in prayer, obedience, and faithfulness to our Lord God. God gives us all manners of gifts, talents and abilities to further His Kingdom.
Are you walking in obedience, and using your gifts, talents and abilities? Discuss and if you are willing, share with the group.
What do we think it is about the woman that is so attractive? When we think of evil, something ugly or disgusting often comes to mind. How can evil appear to be attractive? Discuss among the group.
Beauty and pleasure often cover the horrendous reality of evil. What evil in society has been made appealing with an attractive cover? Discuss. At the end of verse 17:8, the Book of Life is mentioned. What is the Book of Life? (See also Revelation 3:5)
The Book of Life is the Book in which God records the names of everyone who is intended for Heaven and the world to come.
Revelation refers to the Book of Life seven times (3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15, 21:27, 22:19). Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life (even before the creation of the world), and have not been blotted out by the Lamb, are saved at the Final Judgment. Which we’ll study about in a future meeting. “And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15, NLT)
In a dramatic turn of events, the prostitute’s allies turn on her, strip her naked, eat her flesh, burn and destroy her. Why do we think they turned against the woman?
This is how evil operates. It is destructive by its very nature and uses and discards when others cease to serve its selfish purpose.
There is allure to sin. On the surface it seems desirable, and exciting. But in reality it is destructive. In Chapter 18, the complete destruction of Babylon happens.
“Babylon is fallen – that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons.” - We discussed last week that Babylon was the name of an evil city and an immoral empire, a world center for idol worship. Many have tried to predict what country, city, ruling power or Government would be represented or associated with the name Babylon mentioned in Revelation (Chapters 14, 16, 17 and 18). The specific city, nation or geographical location is unknown, with some believing that Babylon is a literal rebuilt city of Babylon on the banks of the Euphrates River in modern-day Iraq. Others believe that it is a cryptic reference to Rome in John’s time, or Rome in the future.
What aspects of our society fit the description of Babylon?
Throughout the Bible, Babylon represents a symbol of confusion caused by godlessness and worship of anyone, anything, or god; other than our One True God: Yahweh/Jehovah, Elohim, El Shaddai, Adoni, Christos; the Great I AM.
Briefly go over the translations of the Biblical terms for God:
Yahweh – the four Hebrew letters YHWH, the exact meaning is uncertain, because the Jewish people considered the personal name of God so Holy that it should never be spoken aloud. Sometimes given in English as “Jehovah.” The meaning has also been interpreted as “I AM” or “He That Is.”
Elohim – Hebrew word often translated “God”, “God of Israel” or “The One True God.”
El Shaddai, Hebrew meaning “God Almighty”, or “God of the Wilderness”.
Adoni – Hebrew often translated as “my Lord” (also spelled Adony).
Christos – Greek word for “Christ” which meant “anointed” to designate the Messiah, the great Savior that God had promised to raise up.
Identify (list) some of the world’s richest and most famous individuals. – Why are they well known?
Did these people achieve their wealth and influence through following Christ? Or through other means like greed, ruthlessness or an unending desire for fame?
Describe the most impressive city you have ever visited. Why was it impressive? Discuss and share with the group.
In the first half of Chapter 18, the “Kings of the World” committed adultery with Babylon and because of desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world grew rich. -We can infer that these merchants knew that they were sinning by selling their goods to an evil, godless city. But the merchant’s desire for money made them turn a blind-eye to sin.
In the second half of Chapter 18, the merchants weep and mourn for the destruction and loss of Babylon because there was no one left to buy their goods – the luxuries and splendor are gone forever.
It is believed that merchants of Babylon grew rich by exploiting sinful pleasures of their society. With many people doing the same today - desires based on greed, money, and power.
Like we’ve said before, there is nothing wrong with working hard or being successful, but not in the exploitation of others. We are to live according to the values Christ exemplified: service, giving, self-sacrifice, obedience, and truth. When we do something, we should do it well. People must always be more important than things (products). Keey away from pride, give the honor to God. God’s will and word must never be compromised. We should do what is right, no matter the cost, and is often at times the more difficult thing to do. Agree/Disagree, explain why.
Consider how the various people react to the fall of Babylon. Why do they mourn? What do we think they miss most about Babylon?
What has been God’s attitude toward Babylon? How does that explain His judgement?
Is there anything that stands out/jumped out to you? Share with the group and discuss.
Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss and research.
Biggest takeaway?
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: Revelation 19:1 – 20:15
Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
References/Acknowledgements:
Elements of today’s Bible study were copied from:
NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
NLT, Life Application Bible Studies, Revelation; copyright 1998, 2009, Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Carol Stream, Illinois.
Schedule:
Meeting No., Date Chapters (Total Verses)
_X_ 001, 04/03 Ch. 1 & 2. (49 Verses)
_X_ 002, 04/10 Ch. 3, 4 & 5. (48 Verses)
_X_ 003, 04/17 Ch. 6, 7, & 8. (47 Verses)
_X_ 004, 04/24 Ch. 9, & 10. (31 Verses)
_X_ 005, 05/01 Ch. 11, 12, & 13. (47 Verses) – Lane to lead the meeting.
_X_ 006, 05/08 Ch. 14, 15, & 16. (49 Verses) – Tom to lead the meeting.
_X_ 007, 05/15 Ch. 17, & 18. (42 Verses)
___ 008, 05/22 Ch. 19, & 20. (40 Verses)
___ 009, 05/29 Ch. 21, & 22. (48 Verses)