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Revelation 17:3-6
In Revelation 17:3a the Apostle John is carried away by one of the angels who had one of the seven bowls of God’s wrath to see the essence of the sinful nature. Revelation 17:3b-6 (NKJV) explains, “And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
6I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.”
This is the sinful nature put into a vision – a visual perception of all the filth that is involved in the sinful nature of this world.
The allure in the mystery of the sinful nature in its disillusion of greatness presents herself in a sexual abomination of earthly desires that is sure to be the recipient of God’s great wrath. This same sinful nature is all around us each day waiting to attack when we least expect it. The Apostle Peter teaches us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” But the Bible also teaches us that there is a way of escape from the sinful nature’s attack on our lives. The Apostle Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” When we put our trust and faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior He makes a promise to us as God did to Moses and Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6; 8 and as is stated in Joshua 1:5, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” In John 14:15-18 Jesus promises us, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” And in John 14:26-27 Jesus continues, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Dear LORD,
As we read the words that paint the picture of the sinful nature, we sit in awe with disgust of the temptations that the devil throws at us in this sinful world. But we rejoice and give you praise for overcoming the devil for us through Your sinless death and all-powerful resurrection from the dead. You are victorious once for all! Let us all give You praise and glory for the great things You have done – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.