Download

Revelation 17 and 18 introduce a female character identified as the prostitute with the name “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations” on her forehead. The prostitute was a contrast to another female character described as the bride in Revelation 21. Apostle John is presenting two options to his readers: will you choose the bride of New Jerusalem or the prostitute of Babylon? Surprisingly, the majority chose the prostitute of Babylon. 

The prostitute of Babylon represents a desire to do things in our way without God. The word “Babylon” comes from the word “Babel.” It alludes to Genesis 11 when humanity sought to build a tower rising to heaven and built a name for themselves, without scattering all over the earth, which is contrary to God’s design. 

Humanity’s inclination to do things without God continues today. The desire to live a life independent of God is like a prostitute seducing us away from God. We are not able to recognize the negative consequences associated with such independence. 

  • The Apostle John unveils the true identity of the prostitute, she was a murderer bringing more harm than good, including economic oppression, injustice, sexual immorality, and idolatry. 
  • More so, the Apostle John reveals the consequence for humanity if we associate with the prostitute. The prostitute is going to fall, her future is doomed. When we choose the prostitute, we go down with her and will never feel truly satisfied. 

Therefore, the Apostle John's advice is to come out of Babylon the prostitute. This is not an appeal to physically leave Babylon. Jesus’s prayer in John 17:15-18 helps us understand that coming out of Babylon means we are not “of” Babylon” even though we live “in” Babylon. Practically speaking, this involves:

  • Do not accommodate to a way of living and thinking with an underlying pursuit of living a life independent of God; 
  • Worship God by totally dependent on him, trusting that his words are true, and he has your best interest in mind in his design. 

The prostitute of Babylon seduces us to fall with her by living independently of God.