Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 486
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
17:9–18:4
the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the
Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died.
“This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast
represent the seven hills where the woman rules. They also represent
seven kings. Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the
seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.
“The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is
like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction. The ten horns
of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be
appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast.
They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they
will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because
he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and
faithful ones will be with him.”
Then the angel said to me, “The waters where the prostitute is ruling
represent masses of people of every nation and language. The scarlet beast
and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her
flesh, and burn her remains with fire. For God has put a plan into their
minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their
authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled.
And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules
over the kings of the world.”
After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. He gave a mighty
shout:
“Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen!
She has become a home for demons.
She is a hideout for every foul spirit,
a hideout for every foul vulture
and every foul and dreadful animal.
For all the nations have fallen
because of the wine of her passionate immorality.
The kings of the world
have committed adultery with her.
Because of her desires for extravagant luxury,
the merchants of the world have grown
rich.”
Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,