In a former job, I knew someone who buttered up a co-worker, manipulated them to bend over backwards for them, gave them rave reviews, promoted them, but then left them hanging out to dry. Ultimately, it led to the burnout of a great worker. On a grander scale, the beast will do the same with the woman (Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes from 17:5) and the ten horns.
Last week we saw how the
woman delighted in the destruction of God’s people while luring everyone else
astray. The beast will use the woman until he has no more use for her. Then, he
will bring her to ruin as she brought people and nations to ruin. The ten horns
(or rulers) will work for and submit to the beast, destroying people and
nations, until they themselves will be destroyed.
Revelation 17:15-18 15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where
the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The
beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will
bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her
flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has
put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand
over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are
fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great
city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Evil rulers exploit, abuse and destroy those who follow them.
In stark contrast, Jesus does the opposite. He shares His victory, inheritance
and royal status with His faithful followers. As we read last week…
Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will
triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with
him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords and extends that
privilege to His people! We don’t serve someone who will take advantage of us
and then discard us. We serve the One who doesn’t need us, but chooses to work
through us. He doesn’t use us to gain success; instead, He gives us the success
He’s already accomplished. So, why wouldn’t we want to faithfully follow the One
who has our best interests at heart? What or who can offer us a better promise
than Jesus? I pray that in our daily choices, you and I remember that no one
offers better promises than Jesus, the eternal Lord of lords.
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