17:3
The whore puts on a great display of being impressive and beautiful. In much the same way great nations put on a display of splendour. This can be in terms of military strength, or great financial wealth, scientific advancement or engineering achievements. But this outward display can hide an inner corruption. John is taken by the Spirit into the desert to see what is really going on with Babylon. There he sees her sat upon a scarlet beast covered with blasphemous names. The world’s strength and power comes from the devil. Now I think we should make a caveat here, and about comments I made above about America and Britain. This does not mean everything about a nation is bad! Rather it is the dominant or driving power behind the nation or power.
17:4
The woman is described as being dressed in purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold and precious stones. Like a prostitute she made a show of appearing alluring. But the cup she held, the things she would give to her clients, were filthy and full of abominations. We need to be careful that we do not sup with the devil.
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