The Women Of Revelation

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Behind Closed Doors

When I lived in Houston, I met up with an organization that rescues women from sex-trafficking. A friend and I went on a tour they provide, and saw brothels, where they kept woman, and clubs where much of this evil took place. My heart broke as I saw places I drove by weekly and never knew the horror happening behind closed doors.

The feeling of disgust deep in the pit of my stomach was more than I thought I could take and then we saw where they kept children. Knowing they kept people in cages, for such purposes, and I could do nothing about it, broke my heart on so many levels. Many questions about the evil in this world made their way through my prayers.

The Whore Of Babylon

As I studied Revelation seventeen and the ‘Whore of Babylon,’ that feeling in the pit of my stomach returned. This character we read of seems to envelop all evil of humanity.

“There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.”

Revelation 17:3b-4 NIV

The Woman Clothed In The Sun

The Whore of Babylon is a stark contrast to another woman we read of in Revelation several chapters earlier. We know this woman as the ‘Woman Clothed In The Sun.’

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.”

Revelation 12:1-2 NIV

We don’t get a lot of information on the women in Revelation, but we get a few clues. Let’s look at what we know about each one.

Who Is The Whore Of Babylon?

In chapter seventeen, we learn she sits by many waters, and she has many evils about her and draws others to follow her. John tells us she sits on a scarlet beast that is covered with blasphemous names and has seven heads and ten horns. He then proceeds with her attire of purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.

John finished by describing the golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. We later read that she gets drunk off the blood of God’s people. The sin that surrounds her is beyond comprehension.

Theologians differ in their beliefs about who this woman represents. Some believe this is Rome or Babylon, others say this could be the anti-christ, and so on. Most scholars I have studied lean towards the idea that she represents all the people that turn from God and take on the mark of the beast.

Who Is The Lady Clothed In The Sun?

We read in chapter twelve of the woman clothed with the sun. She has the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. We learn she is pregnant and cries out in pain while giving birth.

Those from a Catholic tradition will most likely see this woman as Mary, mother of Jesus. Other traditions see her as Israel. Most scholars believe she represents the body of Christ.

How The Enemy Deceives

We read throughout scripture of the wonderful things of God and then many of the ways the enemy likes to mimic Him. Satan wanted to be God, and that led to his fall. Ever since he has done whatever he can to deceive us and have us follow him.

God gives us beautiful gifts like prophecy and dreams. Satan distorts them and offers psychics and nightmares. From the beginning of the scriptures, we have a beautiful picture of the Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Revelation, we find a false trinity of Satan, the anti-christ and the false prophet. Between these two women, I believe we are seeing a similar contrast.

The Body Of Christ

We have this woman who represents the church. God protects her by sending her to a place in the wilderness prepared for her. Then the archangel Michael comes and fights on her behalf to overcome the dragon, Satan.

Those The Took The Mark Of The Beast

The Whore of Babylon is everyone who opposes God. Those that take the mark of the beast and blaspheme God. As a result, we see the false trinity draw her in, use her, and then devour her.

Be Alert

We have to be alert, so not to get blindsided by the enemy or the ways of the world. We must be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16 NIV

Satan will do all he can to deceive us. He will mimic God and distort the truth, just enough to pull our focus away from God. The more we stay in the Word, keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and pray, the more we will see the enemy for the deceiver he is.

The Battle Of Armageddon

In the Battle of Armageddon, we see Satan wage war against God. But those with Jesus will overcome.

“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.”

Revelation 17:14 NIV

Doesn’t this make you want to celebrate? God, who loves each one of us, already has a plan to protect us, and win the war over evil with Him. If you do not already know the love of Jesus, I would love to tell you about the One who loves you more than you can imagine. Message me here. I would love to talk to you.

Prayer

I pray for each of you that you know who Jesus is and have accepted Him into your heart, that you are with those that the Woman Clothed In The Sun represents. I pray God gives you discernment to know when the enemy is trying to mimic the ways of God and tries to deceive you. Above all else, I pray you keep your eyes focused on the One who knows you inside and out and loves you no matter what.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 NIV

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