Beauty on the Beast
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Beauty on the Beast
1. Be Alert for Evil’s Deception
Revelation 17 introduces us to two symbols: the great prostitute and the beast. The great prostitute represents Babylon—an image of all that is opposed to God. Historically, Babylon was a real place that defeated Jerusalem and carried God’s people into exile. Beyond that, it became a symbol for any power, kingdom, or culture that sets itself against God.
The text speaks of the kings of the earth committing sexual immorality with her. While this refers in part to sexual sin, it is also a broader picture of idolatry—anything we make more intimate than our relationship with Jesus. Anything that draws our affection and loyalty away from Christ is Babylonian in spirit.
The prostitute appears beautiful, dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. These represent the alluring nature of the world’s temptations: money, sex, power, pride, and more. If these things looked ugly to us, we wouldn’t be drawn to them, but their deceptive beauty entices us.
Despite her outward beauty, she holds a golden cup filled with abominations and impurities. She is drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus. What seems attractive at first glance is actually deadly and destructive. Just like the scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” where something beautiful turns hideous, Babylon’s beauty is only skin deep. We must be alert to these deceptions and see them for what they are.
2. Be Aware of Evil’s Aggression
The prostitute rides a beast with seven heads and ten horns. This beast echoes the one in Revelation 13, representing the Antichrist. The Antichrist mimics Christ—he was, is not, and is to come—but ultimately leads to destruction rather than salvation.
The beast unites kings and nations to fight against Jesus. These forces gather for a final battle, often referred to as Armageddon, with the intent to destroy the Lamb and His followers. Satan’s plan has always been to oppose God: from deceiving Adam and Eve, to tempting Jesus in the wilderness, to orchestrating the crucifixion.
The battle is not merely a future event; it is happening now. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. We need to use the spiritual weapons God has provided—divine power to destroy strongholds. We cannot fight this supernatural battle with our own strength or intellect. Only through the power of Jesus can we stand.
We must not walk in defeat or believe the lie that God has no interest in us. The power of Jesus is available to overcome the temptations and traps set by the enemy.
3. Be Assured of Evil’s Destruction
Though the Antichrist gathers armies and wields great influence, he is ultimately defeated. Revelation 17:14 assures us that the Lamb will conquer because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Believers who have gone to be with the Lord will witness this victory.
Interestingly, the beast and the ten horns turn against the prostitute, making her desolate and burning her with fire. Evil does not maintain true alliances; it devours and destroys even its own. Babylon promises everything but delivers only destruction.
We must not buy the lie that we can handle these deceptions on our own. Our pride often leads us into traps. The only way to overcome is to be wrapped in the beauty of the Lamb. We do this by humbling ourselves, surrendering our lives to Christ, and allowing His Spirit to dwell in us.
Surround yourself with other believers, stay in God’s Word, and pray for the Spirit’s guidance. God will meet you in your pursuit and provide a way over the temptations of Babylon into the victory of the Lamb.
The promise of victory is for us today. Examine your life, confess where you have been drawn away, and run toward Jesus. There is power in the Lamb to overcome all that seeks to destroy you.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Revelation
Sermon Title: Beauty on the Beast
Date: Jun 30, 2024
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Revelation 17
Ephesians 6
2 Corinthians 10
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