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The Beast and Babylon (Part Four): Where Is the Woman of Revelation 17?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIn Revelation 17, the Woman is depicted as riding the Beast, symbolizing a position of control and dominance over it. This imagery suggests a relationship where the Woman holds significant power and influence, superior to the Beast, which is portrayed with the strongest attributes of a leopard, bear, and lion. Despite the Beast's immense power, the Woman is shown as greater and more influential within the same general Babylonish system, highlighting diverse and competing interests between the two entities. Each represents political powers with distinct approaches and aims, competing for world domination. This competition ultimately leads to division, as Revelation 17:16 reveals that the ten horns on the Beast will turn against the Woman, hating her, making her desolate, and destroying her. The Woman, identified as Mystery, Babylon the Great, is not portrayed as part of the Beast's internal structure but as an external force exerting control over it, further emphasizing their separate identities within the broader system.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Three): Who Is the Woman?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIn Revelation, the Beast is depicted with seven heads and ten horns, a formidable entity composed of the strongest parts of a leopard, bear, and lion, symbolizing vicious and powerful wild beasts. A woman, identified as Mystery, Babylon the Great, is shown riding this Beast, indicating a position of control, much like a rider on a horse. This imagery suggests a relationship between the two, as they are part of the same general Babylonish system, yet God portrays them with distinctly different characteristics and approaches within that system. Despite the Beast's apparent overwhelming strength, the woman, at this point in the prophecy, holds a position of superiority, appearing greater, more powerful, and more influential than the Beast itself. The prophecy further elaborates that the woman sits on seven mountains, which symbolize a complete sequence of seven kings or kingdoms, understood as the last seven revivals of the Roman Empire. She is shown riding the Beast during the days of the sixth revival, and it is clear she will also ride the eighth Beast, which has its roots in the previous seven. This positioning underscores her dominance and influence over the Beast across these significant periods of revival.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Five): The Great Harlot
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIn the intricate web of prophecy, the relationship between the Beast and the Woman, identified as the great harlot, emerges as a symbol of profound influence and authority. The Woman, representing a powerful and unified entity, is depicted sitting upon the scarlet Beast, which is full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. This imagery conveys her dominance, as sitting symbolizes authority and power over others in biblical language. She also sits on many waters and seven mountains, further illustrating the extensive scope of her control over numerous nations and peoples. The Beast, in contrast, is composed of diverse multitudes, nations, and tongues, lacking the unity that characterizes the Woman. This disparity suggests that the Woman holds a unique position of influence, capable of directing the Beast and making it serve her purposes. Her ability to hold sway over such a fragmented entity underscores her significant political, economic, and military power, positioning her as a formidable force in the prophetic landscape until the time appointed by God for her humbling.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Eight): God, Israel, and the Bible
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThough she transgressed every commandment in multiple ways, the sin through which Israel's unfaithfulness is most frequently demonstrated is gross idolatry.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2013) (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because Babylon is a system, we cannot physically flee it. We have to flee by keeping our minds clean from the customs, traditions, and cultural influences.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2013) (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Babylon's way is the culture of the Western world, having the same religious, economic, and political systems, enslaving people to the state.
The Christian and the World (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must realize we are walking on a razor's edge, with the Kingdom of God on one side and the world with all its sensual magnetic charms on the other side.