Revelation 17:7-18: a reflection

7The angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present. 9Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. 11The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction. 12The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” 15He said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16The ten horns which you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute, will make her desolate, will strip her naked, will eat her flesh, and will burn her utterly with fire. 17For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. 18The woman whom you saw is the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

In a vision full of strange and unsettling imagery, an angel explains to John the mystery of a beast and the corrupt power it carries. The picture is of arrogant earthly powers, kings and kingdoms that rise, rage for a while, and are headed for destruction. They gather their strength and set themselves against God. It is a portrait of the world's proud powers arrayed against the purposes of God, formidable and frightening for a season.

But at the center of the passage stands a single line of pure hope: these will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. The proud powers that seem so strong will make war on Christ, and they will lose. Even their own alliances will turn on each other and crumble, for God is quietly working out his purpose through the whole tumult. The outcome is never in doubt.

When the arrogant powers of the world seem overwhelming, this vision steadies you with its center: the Lamb will conquer, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings. However fearsome the beast, however proud the kingdoms, they are headed for destruction, and Christ is headed for victory. And those who belong to him are named simply, called, chosen, and faithful. Take your stand with the Lamb. His triumph is certain, and to be found among his faithful is to be found on the winning side.

Lord Jesus, the proud powers of this world rage for a season and seem overwhelming, but you are the Lamb who conquers, Lord of lords and King of kings. When I am frightened by the strength of what stands against you, steady me with the certainty of your victory. Keep me among your people, called and chosen and faithful, standing with the Lamb whose triumph is sure. Amen.