December 15: CARRIED AWAY BY THE FLOOD
Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” Revelation 17:15
The angel is giving John (and us) a bit of information that shines light onto other places in Scripture and vice versa. For starters, these waters are mentioned in the first verse of this chapter to identify the great harlot. Now, he identifies the waters. Also, a bright light falls upon the serpent’s action of 12:15 by this identification of the waters. In the Old Testament, waters represented the enemies of God. Nations and individuals are described as being overrun by a flood of waters.*
The ancient city of Babylon, capital of the empire by the same name, was strategically situated on the Euphrates River; the lifeline, so to speak, of their supply and defenses. The strength of Babylon lay in her harnessing of the great River, and history shows that Babylon defeated Assyria numerous times, eventually permanently. Egypt was permanently crippled by Babylon in 605BC, reduced to staying within its borders. When Babylon’s strength was finally drained – quite literally by the Persian king Cyrus – her fall was easily accomplished (Daniel 5). This event dramatically foreshadows the demise of eschatological, end-time Babylon. The pagan king Cyrus is cited as a type of Christ (Isaiah 44:27-45:1). And it is Christ alone who is to bring about the ultimate end of the poisoned world system of confused worship: eschatological Babylon. Ask the Lord to help you see and understand the handwriting on the wall…
During times of Israel’s detours with idolatry, called harlotry in the Old Testament, God would “draw the line” and allow the waters of enemy nations to flood into the land of His people. Even the dreaded enemy Assyria was allowed to overflow and pass over . . . the breadth of the land.
Like ancient Babylon, spiritual Babylon is situated atop her “lifeline” whose support flows into her like a mighty river. The harlot is holding sway over peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This reveals the global scale of her influence. Notice that her support is designated in 17:2 as the inhabitants of the earth. Her confidence is built upon prideful arrogance, for her attitude is revealed by the thoughts of her heart: “I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow” (18:7). Many wonder what will happen when she issues her death decree against commandment-keeping followers of the Lamb (Revelation 12:17; 13:15; 14:12-13). Amazingly, the answer is found in Job! God tells Job of His power to shut in the sea with doors, saying This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop! (Job 38:8,11) Many individuals from the hordes who are currently subservient to the antichrist will awaken to the truth and, in deep and lasting gratitude will bow humbly before the Savior.
Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink into deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. Draw near to my soul and redeem it. Deliver me because of my enemies. Reproach has broken my heart. Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:1,2,18,20a,29b,30
*Psalms 18:4; 124:2-5; Isaiah 8:7-8; Jeremiah 46:7.8; 47:2