The Great Whore's Execution

“The Great Whore's Execution” 

REVELATION 17:14-18

THEME: In highly metaphorical language the filthy religious prostitute and her judgment by the Lord Jesus are described. Be assured that God hears the prayers of his persecuted, justice is a divine priority, and martyrs will eventually be vindicated. 

INTRODUCTION: 

John describes the Lamb’s phased and progressive victory over "the beast" and his kingdom. Here the religious system is destroyed; then later the political and economic systems fall also (Rev 18). Afterwards, the Lord Jesus returns to earth; condemns Satan, "the beast" and the false prophet (Rev 19:19-20); and then establishes His kingdom.

Likewise, every age has featured a "Babylon," a rebellious political and economic system that has sought to control people’s minds and destinies. Just as the contrast to the "whore" is the pure bride, so the contrast to "Babylon" is the City of God, the New Jerusalem, the eternal home prepared for the Lamb’s wife (Rev 21:9). Each generation of believers must keep itself pure from the pollution of both the "whore" and "Babylon."

In these two chapters, John prophesies two divine judgments. In Revelation 17 and 18 John revisits that destruction and deals in detail with the fall of Babylon.

MESSAGE:

III. The Great Whore Executed (Rev. 17:14-18)

 The scarlet woman is both a religious system and a city (Rev. 17:18) which will “ride the beast” for a while. However, in the days when John’s prophecy will be fulfilled, an amazing thing will happen: "the harlot" will be made desolate by the very system that carried her!

A.  HER EXCLUSION BY ANTI-CHRIST (Rev. 17:16) 

    1. Finally, when the worship of the Beast is set in place (Rev. 13:4, 14, 15).

    2.  The coalition of kings “these will hate the whore” will resist her choke-hold on their freedom and finances and react with vengeance.

    3.  These kings will destroy the woman but will themselves be destroyed by the Lamb (Rev. 17:14-18). 

QUOTE: “It is important to note that "the beast" carries "the harlot" Satan (and Antichrist) will use the apostate religious system to accomplish his own ends (i.e., attain world power); but then he will do away with "the harlot" and establish his own religious system. And all of this will be the fulfillment of God's Word (Rev 17:17).

Since "the beast" sets up his image in the temple about the middle of the Tribulation, we can assume that "the harlot" and "the beast" work together during those first three-and-a half years. This is corroborated by the fact that the ten kings assist him in desolating "the harlot" (Rev 17:16). These are the same ten kings associated with "the beast" when he sets up the "United States of Europe" during the first half of the Tribulation.”  —W. W. Wiersbe

B.  HER ELIMINATION BY THE BEAST (Rev. 17:16)

Their antagonism to Christ will drive these 10 kings to war against Him but they will be soundly defeated (v. 14) by the Lamb—the Lord of lords and King of kings (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16). They will meet their demise in this battle.

    1.  After using the false religious system to unify the world kingdoms and gain control of all, the Antichrist—with the help of his 10 sub-rulers—will turn against the system, plunder and destroy it, and seize all power and worship for himself.

QUOTE: “Throughout history, political systems have "used" religious bodies to further their political causes. At the same time, church history reveals that religious groups have used politics to achieve their purposes. The marriage of church and state is not a happy one, and has often spawned children that have created serious problems. When dictators are friendly with religion, it is usually a sign that they want to make use of religion's influence and then destroy it. The church of Jesus Christ has been most influential in the world when it has maintained a separated position.

Compare the description of "the harlot's" desolation with that of the death of Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30-37).”     —W. W. Wiersbe

    2.  The vivid picture of evil that the angel showed John -- Beast, kings, Whore -- also displays the destructive nature of selfishness. Past and future kings give their authority and power to the Beast with greedy desire for even greater power. The whore depends (sits on) the Beast. The Beast, the kings, and the whore are allies until the Beast and kings turn on the whore and betray, humiliate, sacrifice, and consume her. Faced with doom, they turn on each other.

    3. Evil proves to be vicious and destructive. It hates everything good that God has made. Evil people may profess values such as loyalty and unity, but in the end, they will destroy their allies to preserve themselves.

    4. Compromises and alliances with evil, to accomplish a "greater good," also prove to be deceptions. Satan uses an effective tactic. He tried it with Jesus himself (Matt 4:1-11) by tempting him to use his power to make a "shortcut" to a good goal. The temptations were real. Jesus could have gained the whole world in a moment, but he would have also abandoned God's plan. Christians face the same kinds of temptations today.

     5.  But "good ends" accomplished by evil means serve Satan, not Christ. Only what we do for Christ and by his power will last.

C.  HER EXECUTION BY GOD.   (Rev. 17:14-15, 17)

 United, they will gather to make war with the Lamb, seeking to prevent Him from setting up His universal messianic kingdom (Rev. 19:19). Armageddon decides their awful fate.

    1.  The Place is Armageddon.

        A.  The kingdom of Antichrist will “make war.”

        B.  A reference to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14–16).

        C.  This is where the Lamb will utterly destroy the 10 kings (Rev. 19:17–21).

    2.  The Person is Christ, Jesus the Lord.

“The Lamb,” “Lord of lords and King of kings.” A title for God (Rev. 19:16; 1 Tim. 6:15; Deut. 10:17; Ps. 136:3) that emphasizes His sovereignty over all other rulers to whom He has delegated authority.  The Lamb will overcome and be victorious! 

    3. The People with Him are the Saints of Heaven. (Rev. 17:14)

 The King of kings will bring his chosen ones with him. We will be with Christ then, but we are also with him now. The battle will be won against Satan then, but with Christ in us, we can win the battles against Satan every day.

        A.  If we accept compromise and defeat, we surrender to Satan.

        B.  But if we trust Christ, claim his victory, and live by his power, we can defeat Satan. 

    4.  The Successes of the ‘Whore’ Once Multiplied Globally. (Rev. 17:15)

Rev. 17:1 stated that the woman “sitteth upon many waters.” These “waters” are now interpreted as “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” This indicates that there will be one ecumenical world religious system, embracing all nations and languages.

5. They Will Be Carrying Out God’s Purpose to Condemn Evil (Rev. 17:17).

Gen. 50:20. This is part of God’s sovereign purpose to bring evil leaders into judgment; He has placed it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by cooperating with the beast to give him their power to rule.

QUOTE: “What do we mean by this expression "the sovereignty of God"? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the godhood of God. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that God is God. He is the Most High, doing according to his will, so that none can stay his hand, defeat his counsels, or thwart his purpose.”  —  Arthur W. Pink 

CONCLUSION: 

Finally, note that those who trust the Lord are not influenced by "the whore" or defeated by the kings (Rev 17:14). Once again, John points out that the true believers are the "overcomers.”

Satan's counterfeit religion is subtle, requiring spiritual discernment to recognize. It was Paul's great concern that the local churches he founded not be seduced away from their sincere devotion to Christ (2 Cor 11:14).

In every age, there is the tremendous pressure to conform to "popular religion" and to abandon the fundamentals of the faith. In these last days, we all need to heed the admonitions in 1 Tim 4 and 2 Tim 3 and remain true to our Lord.

If we merely relegate the previous ideas as futuristic or place them geographically in Europe but fail to recognize the source and magnitude of these compromises, then we have missed the entire message the Lord sought to convey to us down through the ages of the Christian Faith. The religious system is a “whore,” who compromises with political systems around the world to serve Satan’s will of securing devotion to himself alone. A whore is not a wife, and she aggressively enters ‘situationships’ with various countries of the world to gain their power and impact in exchange for her control, constraint, and manipulation. These countries are motivated by greed, exploitation, wealth, affluence, power, and control! They will go to extremes to secure or maintain their strength over the masses of humanity. The “whore” will compromise, fornicate, and alley idolatry to keep and maintain her position of influence. She parades herself as useful, enduring, influential, powerful, worthy, and desirable. She can only offer carnal, worldly, temporal, and elevated enticements afforded by the various countries she already influences. Those political systems get what they want with such ‘payments,’ and manipulation is at the heart of the relationship for them. Any religious system presuming to interact with the ‘whore’ and these ‘kingdoms’ must allow the ‘system’ to control their voices and allegiances…not their beliefs or convictions. That religious component cannot say certain things, must toe the line, must stay in their pre-relegated place, and may give mere half-hearted allegiance to Jesus Christ. If certain issues surface occasionally from religious adherents, they are explained away or deem inconsequential by official sanctions, executive procedures, administrative jargon, and approved policies or laws rooted in governmental allegiance! Thus, the political system supports the great whore’s worship and loyalty to the antichrist, Satan. Many ‘Christian movements’ have been seduced into this type of compromise with governments to continue to enjoy certain political benefits, advantages, perks, and bonuses. Most of us are aware of the ‘unholy marriage of the Church and State!’ However, Jesus Christ calls us to worship God alone without any compromise of our beliefs or convictions that are rooted in the Scriptures. The freedom to which Christ calls us may actually look like bondage in the ‘eyes’ of the sophisticated organizations who punishes anyone for their complete loyalty to Jesus Christ. Beloved, it matters now who you pledge your allegiance to. Antichrist or Jesus Christ…Satan or God. There is no room for compromise.

The Great Whore's Betrayal

“The Great Whore's Betrayal” 

REVELATION 17:7-13

THEME: In highly metaphorical language the filthy religious prostitute and her judgment by the Lord Jesus are described. We are assured that God hears our prayers as his persecuted, justice is indeed a divine priority, and our Lord's martyrs will eventually be vindicated. 

INTRODUCTION: 

One reason John used symbolism was so that his message would encourage believers in any period of Christian history.  The true churches are like pure virgins (Rev 19:7-8; see also 2 Cor 11:2), but the false religious system is a "whore" who has abandoned the truth and prostituted herself for personal gain. In every age, there has been a "whore" who has used, abused, and persecuted God’s people; and this will culminate in the last days in a worldwide apostate religious system.

MESSAGE:

II. The Great Whore Explained (Rev. 17:7-13)

What follows is an angelic explanation of the judgment of ‘Mystery Babylon the Great,’ showing an anti-Christian political and religious system that is finally crushed by King Jesus. (Bible Gateway) 

A.  EXPLAINING THE BEAST (Rev. 17:7-9)

An angel explains to John “the mystery of the woman” (whore, prostitute, idolater) and the beast, as a power that is historical, presently absent, but is indeed future coming out of the Abyss before its final destruction. It points to a deceptive, blasphemous power that astonishes earth-bound unbelievers. 

   1. Notice What is Perceived (Rev. 17:7)

1. A Description.

1.     He sees a “woman” (Worldwide Religious System of Idolatry) riding a “beast” (the Empire of Antichrist) with “seven heads” (Seven historical political kingdoms) and “ten horns.” (Future Ten Kingdom Confederation in Europe).

2.     The woman represents a corrupt religious system depicted by the city of Babylon (Rev. 17:7).  This “one world” religion in the Western Europe will accompany political unification under the Antichrist and will support his drive toward power.

2. A Downfall. But when the Antichrist has achieved power, he will overthrow the religious organizational federation and insist that the entire world adore and worship him (Rev. 17:16).

   2. Notice What is Professed (Rev. 17:8-9)

       A.  Regarding the Beast. (Rev. 17:8)

The beast represents the Antichrist and his empire.  “The beast” both a king and kingdom are referred to in this term.

             1. Beast Considered as an Individual.   (Rev. 17:8)

                  A.  He Was— was alive

                  B.  He Is Not—dead, was killed

“Was, and is not, and shall ascend.” A reference to the Antichrist’s false resurrection (Rev. 13:3,4,12–14; see Rev. 13:3).

                  C.  He Shall Ascend—raised up from the Abyss

“Out of the bottomless pit.” After his “resurrection,” the Antichrist will become possessed by a great demon, most likely Satan himself, from the abyss (see Rev. 13:1,3).  This indicates that the power behind the ruler is satanic (cf. 13:4) and that Satan and the man he controls are closely identified. Their power is one.

                  D.  He Shall Go In— go into eternal punishment

“Perdition.” Eternal destruction (Rev. 17:11; Matt. 7:13; John 17:12; Phil. 1:28; 3:19; 2 Thess. 2:3; Heb. 10:39; 2 Pet. 2:3; 3:7,16). This is the lake of fire, the place of Antichrist’s destruction (Rev. 19:20).

                  E.  He Will Inspire Wonder (Rev. 17:8)

                        1. Among the Lost of the Earth

                             a. “Book of Life.” The roll of the Redeemed, written in eternity past by God (see Rev. 3:5).                  

                             b. Only the Tribulation Saints will escape the Antichrist’s deception (Matt. 24:24).

                             c. “From the foundation of the world.” See 1 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2 (“before time began”). A frequent phrase (Matt. 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; 9:26; 1 Pet. 1:20) referring to God’s pre-creation plan.

                        2. About His Resurrection

The fact that the beast “was, and is not, and shall ascend” in the future is another indication of what was introduced in Rev. 13:3. 

             2. The Beast Considered as an Empire.    (Rev. 17:8)

                 A.  It Was— The Empire Existed Before

                 B.  It is Not —The Empire Ended

                 C.  It Shall Ascend— The Empire was Revived through Satanic Power

                 D.  It Shall Go— The Empire Will be Condemned

                 E.  The Empire Will Cause Wonder

                       1.  Among its Loyalists

                       2.  About Its Revival

The supernatural survival and revival of both the world ruler and his empire will impress the world as being supernatural and will lead to the worship of the beast and Satan.      

       B.  Regarding the Whore. (Rev. 17:9)          

             1. The Wisdom (Rev. 17:9)

                  A.  QUOTE: “The truth that is being presented here symbolically requires spiritual insight to be understood, and the difficulty of correct interpretation is illustrated by the various ways it has been interpreted in the history of the church.”  — Walvoord, J. F.

             2. Remember What the Whore Is (Rev. 17:9)

                  A.  The Seven Mountains Stated.

                         1. Seven Heads Equal Seven Mountains.

                         2. The Seven Mountains Equal Seven Kings and Kingdoms. (Rev. 12:3; 13:1,3)

The 7 mountains in context likely symbolize the 7 kingdoms and their kings of Rev. 17:10.

Daniel 2:35, Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

                  B.  The Seven Mountains Explained.

                       1.  They Likely Are Not Literal Mountains–City of Rome

QUOTE:  “While Rome is often referred to as having seven hills or mountains, different writers do not necessarily name the same seven mountains.”  — Walvoord, J. F.

                       2. They Most Likely Represent Seven Kings & Kingdoms (Rev. 17:9-11)

QUOTE: “A close study of the passage does not support the conclusion that this refers to the city of Rome. Seiss, for instance, offers extensive evidence that the reference is to rulers rather than to physical mountains (The Apocalypse, pp. 391-94). This is supported by the text which explains, They are also seven kings (lit., “the seven heads are seven kings”). If the mountains represent kings, then obviously they are not literal mountains and refer not to a literal Rome but to persons.”  — Walvoord, J. F.

             3.  Remember Where the Whore Resides (Rev. 17:9) “On which the woman sitteth”

                  A.  The Religious System is Headquartered in Rome (Geographically) (Rev. 17:18).

                  B.  The Religious System Influences the Empire of Rome (Spiritually) (Rev. 17:2, 3).

                        1. It Influenced the Seven Kings and their Seven Kingdoms (Historically) (Rev. 17:9, 10).

                        2. It will Influence the Ten Kings and Their Kingdoms (Futuristically) (Rev. 17:15, 18).

While this religious system is headquartered in the city of Rome, it will grow to worldwide influence after it flourishes in Europe.

B.  EXPLAINING THE KINGS (Rev. 17:10-13)

   1. The Seven Kings Explained.  (Rev. 17:10-11)

These “seven kings” are representatives of the 7 great world empires (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and that of the Antichrist). See Daniel’s image in Dan. 2:37–45.

      A.  Considered as Kingdoms

I favor this view because it fits the total picture of the text better than the view which regards these as Roman kings.

           1.  Five are Past–World Empires—"Five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come”.

a.      When John wrote, the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek empires had gone out of existence.

b.     According to Rev 17:10, five of these kings (or kingdoms) had passed off the scene, one was present in John's day, and one was yet to come. If so, then the five past kingdoms would be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece.  All these world empires where influenced by this religious system of idolatry and false worship. While the religious systems may have had a different name and outward appearance during the time of each empire, its essential elements, nature, character, motives, and beliefs were the same.

c.      Remember this is “THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”  The system of the future will not be anything new!                

           2.  One was Present–Roman Empire

The present kingdom would be Rome, and the future kingdom would be that of "the beast." To understand Rev 17:10-11, we must consider Rev 17:12. Rome still existed; and the Antichrist’s empire had not yet come.

           3.  One Was Future—Revived Roman Empire of Antichrist

               A.  The Roman Empire is the Seventh Kingdom

               B.  The Roman Empire is the Eighth Kingdom (consisting of a 10 kings confederation)

                     1. When it comes, it will be brief (Rev. 12:12; 13:5) and

                     2. He will end in perdition (Also Rev. 17:11; Rev. 17:8).

      B.  Considered as Kings (Rev. 17:10-11)

This is a popular view also, but probably unlikely the meaning of the text. 

   2. The Ten Kings Explained. (Rev. 17:12-13)

Verse 12 informs us that the 10 horns of the beast represent 10 kings.

      A.  Ten Kings Are Yet to Rule (Rev. 17:12). See Rev. 12:3; 13:1

Daniel 2:41-42, And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. [42] And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

These are not 10 successive kings of the past, they are contemporaneous kings who are leaders of the kingdoms which will form the original alliance in the Middle East that will unite their power to support the beast (v. 13).

           1.  These kings are sub-rulers under the Antichrist, whose empire will apparently be divided into 10 administrative districts. The ten kings unanimously yield their power and authority to the beast. In other words, ten countries (or governments) surrender their national sovereignty to him.

           2.  They possessed “no kingdom as yet.” Thus, the kings cannot be identified with any historical figures.

           3.  They are Empowered after “one hour with the beast.” Symbolic of the brief 3½ year period of time (Rev. 11:2,3; 12:6,12,14; 13:5; 18:10,17,19).

Again the 10 horns are contemporaneous with each other, and as the text indicates they will receive political power for a brief time.

      B.  One King Will Be the Most Powerful (Rev. 17:13).

          1. The ten horns in Revelation 17:12, 13 are said to represent the ten-nation federation which will give its power and strength to the beast (compare Dan. 7:23, 24 with Rev. 13:1).

Daniel 7:23-24, Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. [24] And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

          2. “The beast" not only has seven heads, but also ten horns, which represent ten kings.

The Middle East ruler who will emerge in the end time and will make a covenant with Israel seven years before the second coming of Christ. This ten-kingdom empire goes to war against the Lord Jesus when He returns to earth at the end of the Tribulation.

QUOTE: “But these are very special kings: they enable "the beast" to rise to power and are even willing to yield their authority to him. Recall that at the opening of the first seal (Rev 6:1-2), Antichrist began his "peaceful" conquest of the nations. He organized a "United States of Europe," brought peace to the Middle East, and appeared to be the great leader the troubled world was seeking.”   —W. W. Wiersbe

          3.  But during the seven-year period, this ruler broke his covenant with Israel (Dan 9:27) and began to persecute the people of God as well as the nation Israel. Energized by Satan and assisted by the false prophet, "the beast" became the world’s dictator and its god. In this way, "the beast" was both "one of the seven [kings, kingdoms]" but also "the eighth." His kingdom was nothing but a revival of the Roman Empire ("one of the seven"), but it was a new kingdom ("the eighth').

           4.  The Babylonian system in is a seductive religious power that minimizes doctrinal truth, rejects the authority of the Word, and tries to unite the world’s political powers based on faith in the Antichrist.

APPLICATION: As we ponder the identity of the seven kings and the emergence of the ten kings, we must see John's theme of worldly power and its ultimate ineffectiveness against God and his people. Their authority only lasts for "one hour," symbolizing its brevity and ultimate destruction. As Christians, have we become infatuated with the worldly power of movie stars and sports celebrities, political coalitions, and world economic forces? Are you craving the power and prestige that position, wealth, and connections offer? If so, you are an easy target for Satan’s great deception. Worldly power is Satan’s trap; the desire for it can turn us away from God. Worship only God and make it your strongest desire to serve him. (W. W. Wiersbe)

 

Acknowledge Your KING

For over 400 years, the nation had not heard the voice of a prophet. Then John appeared and a great revival took place. Consider some facts about John.

John the Baptist was six months older than his cousin Jesus (see Luke 1:26, 36). He stepped onto the stage of history to serve as forerunner for the King of Israel. His unlikely auditorium was the wilderness of Judea—an arid area extending from Jerusalem to the Jordan.

The ploughman must precede the sower. It is the work of John the Baptists to break up the fallow ground. Sometimes the messenger comes in the form of a great sorrow. Men are arrested and aroused, made to feel their helplessness and their need. Then, but not till then, they may receive the kingdom. –from The Pulpit Commentary

In order to be fully prepared for the reign of Christ in our lives, we must hear and respond to John’s call of repentance.  Accepting Christ as King requires submission and loyalty on our behalf.  Jesus is not interested in reigning over great crowds who are filled with sin or shallow enthusiasm for Him. He encouraged us to move beyond the superficial interests of religion on to deeper personal commitment.  Following Christ means total submission to Him—He is not only the King, but Your King. It is essential that we understand this submission to King Jesus is not surrender, withdrawal, and certainly not apathy. Submission is an active commitment or cooperation with Him. John's message, the Word of God, helps us understand the vital elements in this journey. 

To us also John the Baptist must come if we shall properly appreciate the Redeemer. We must expose ourselves to the fire, the ax, the winnowing-fan, that we may learn what we really are, and come, like Paul, to reckon our own righteousness as loss if only we may win Christ and be found in him. –F. B. Meyer

Note these considerations from John's message and emphasis:

Consider What John Preached (Matt. 3:1-4)

The Jews were not fit to receive their Messiah; they needed the preliminary work of the prophet of the wilderness to prepare them for the new influences of the King.

The world will not welcome its Savior until the way has been made ready for Him to draw near. Individual men and women are far from the kingdom of heaven, and the landscape is wild and impassable till God provides a pathway across it. John’s message would plough the landscape of the soul to make way for the King!

JOHN'S MESSAGE (Matt. 3:1-3)

John’s message was, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” The King would soon appear, but He could not and would not reign over people who clung to their sins. They must change directions, must confess and forsake their sins. God was calling them from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of heaven.

As He Proclaimed It (Matt. 3:1-2): "Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

John's preaching centered on repentance and the kingdom of heaven.

He Proclaimed Repentance.

The word “repent” means "to change one's mind and act on that change." John was not satisfied with regret or remorse; he wanted "fruits meet for repentance" (Matt 3:8). There had to be evidence of a changed mind and a changed life.

John the Baptist's theme was Turn Around! Repentance means doing an about-face—a  180-degree turn—from the kind of self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality.

A person who stops rebelling and begins following God's way of living prescribed in his Word is a person who has repented. The first step in turning to God is to admit your sin, as John urged. Then God will receive you and help you live the way he wants.

Remember that only God can remove sin. He doesn't expect us to clean up our lives before we come to Him. John must have labored to produce repentant attitudes among his hearers; he must have made it his goal to lead his listeners to a deep sense of their sin. Until a man owns his guilt he will not seek pardon from God. John the Baptist called people to a radical turning from sin that inevitably became manifest in the fruit of righteousness (v. 8).

The unsaved man is supposed to repent. Yes, the unsaved man is told that he is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. That was the message of Paul to the jailer at Philippi (see Acts 16:31).  When an unsaved man turns from his rebellion against God and believes in Jesus, he is repenting. Faith means to turn to Christ, and when you turn to Christ, you must also turn from something. If you don’t turn from something, then you aren’t really turning to Christ. So repentance is really a part of believing, the primary message that should be given to the lost today is repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

But the idea that repentance was necessary in order to enter this kingdom was something new and became a stumbling block to many Jews. They thought that as children of Abraham they would automatically be granted entrance into Messiah’s kingdom. John’s message, however, was that a change of mind and heart (“repent”) was necessary before they could qualify for the kingdom. They did not realize how far they had drifted from God’s Law and the requirements laid down by the prophets (e.g., Mal. 3:7-12).

Repentance is also for saved people, that is, for God’s people. We are the ones who, when we become cold and indifferent, are to turn back to the Lord (2Cor. 7:8–11). That was the message to the seven churches of Asia Minor in Revelation 2 and 3, and it was the message of the Lord Jesus Himself.

He Proclaimed The Kingdom of Heaven.

The phrase the kingdom of heaven, is used thirty-two times in this Gospel. We cannot rightly understand Matthew without comprehending this concept, a definition and description of the term are in order here.

The kingdom of heaven is the sphere is which God’s rule is acknowledged. The word “heaven” is used to denote God. This is shown in Daniel 4:25, where Daniel said that “the Most High” rules in the kingdom of men. In the next verse he says that “the heavens do rule.” Wherever people submit to the rule of God, there the kingdom of heaven exists.

There are two aspects of the kingdom of heaven. In its broadest sense it includes everyone who professes to acknowledge God as Supreme Ruler. In its narrower aspect it includes only those who have been genuinely converted.  Many people are in the sphere of profession; this includes all who are genuine subjects of the King, and also those who only profess allegiance to Him. This is seen in the parables of the sower (Matt. 13:3–9), the mustard seed (Matt. 13:31, 32), and the leaven (Matt. 13:33). The true believers are in the sphere of possession this includes only those who have been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The kingdom of heaven in its inward aspect can be entered only by those who are converted (Matt. 18:3). (R.J. Sargent)

By putting together all the references to the kingdom in the Bible, we can trace its historical development in five distinct phases:

1) First, the kingdom was prophesied in the OT. Daniel predicted that God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed nor yield its sovereignty to another people (Dan. 2:44). He also foresaw the coming of Christ to wield universal and everlasting dominion (Dan. 7:13, 14; see also Jer. 23:5, 6).

2) Secondly, the kingdom was described by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the twelve disciples as being at hand or present (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). In Matthew 12:28, Jesus said, “ ... if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” In Luke 17:21, He said, “For behold, the kingdom of God is within you” or in your midst. The kingdom was present in the Person of the King. As we shall show later, the terms kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are used interchangeably.

3) Third, the kingdom is described in an interim form. After He was rejected by the nation of Israel, the King returned to heaven. The kingdom exists today, while the King is absent, in the hearts of all who acknowledge His kingship, and its moral and ethical principles, including the Sermon on the Mount, are applicable to us today. This interim phase of the kingdom is described in the parables of Matthew 13.

4) The fourth phase of the kingdom is what might be called its manifestation. This is the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth which was pictured by the Transfiguration of Christ when He was seen in the glory of His coming reign (Matt. 17:1–8). Jesus referred to this phase in Matthew 8:11 when He said, “... many shall come from the east and west, and sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

5) The final form will be the everlasting kingdom. It is described in 2 Peter 1:11 as “the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

6) The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is found only in Matthew’s Gospel, but “kingdom of God” is found in all four Gospels. For all practical purposes there is no difference—the same things are said about both. For example, in Matthew 19:23 Jesus said that it would be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Both Mark (10:23) and Luke (18:24) record that Jesus said this about the kingdom of God (see also Matt. 19:24 which has a similar maxim using “kingdom of God”).

7) We mentioned above that the kingdom of heaven has an outward aspect and an inner reality. That the same is true of the kingdom of God is further proof that the two terms indicate the same thing. The kingdom of God, too, includes the real and the false. This is seen in the parables of the sower (Luke 8:4–10), the mustard seed (Luke 13:18, 19), and the leaven (Luke 13:20, 21). As to its true, inward reality, the kingdom of God can be entered only by those who are born again (John 3:3, 5).

8) One final point: the kingdom is not the same as the churches. The kingdom began when Christ embarked on His public ministry; the first church began as He called His disciples. The kingdom will continue on earth till the earth is destroyed; the churches continue on earth till the Rapture (the catching away or removal of the saints from earth when Christ descends from heaven and takes all believers home with Him—1 Thess. 4:13–18). The church bride will return with Christ at His Second Advent to reign with Him. At present the people who are in the kingdom in its true, inner reality are also a part of the bride.

He Proclaimed The Kingdom Is At Hand.

The phrase "is at hand" portrays God as having interrupted history with a dramatic new revelation of His authority and power.  The opportunity is now…we should be deeply impressed to appreciate the chance we have been given before it is too late. For some this means it is time to be saved; for others it means it is time to get right with God and stop toying with pet sins. For yet others, it is time to continue under the authority and power of your King Jesus with complete submission and loyalty! Let Him reign in you with peace, gladness and service for His glory!

John must mean that God’s heavenly rule was about to be extended directly to earthly spheres. God’s rule over the earth had drawn near and was about to be instituted through the person of the Messiah for whom John was preparing the way. No one hearing John preach asked him what he was talking about, for the concept of Messiah’s rule over the kingdom of earth was a common thread in Old Testament prophecy. The requirement for that institution, however, was that the nation repent. –Walvoord, J. F.   

Like Israel, we all must prepare ourselves for the rule of the King, Messiah Jesus, in our personal experiences. Repentance, Kingdom Reality, and Kingdom Rule are imperatives for us all. The Word of God planted in a humble repentant heart is how it all begins. Beloved, prepare yourself for Christ your King by responding to John’s call to repentance.  Accepting Christ as King requires submission and unparalleled loyalty on our behalf.  Jesus is not interested in reigning over great crowds who are filled with sin or shallow enthusiasm for Him. He encouraged us to move beyond the superficial interests of religion on to deeper personal commitment. Beloved, this one thing is vital. Following Christ means total submission to Him—He is not only the King, but Your King. It is essential that we understand this submission to King Jesus is not surrender, withdrawal, and certainly not apathy. Submission is an active commitment or cooperation with Him. It flows out of relationship, truth, and worship.

Our LORD is a Great God!

Ever struggle with a lack of zeal or passion for obeying God? Did you know there is a link between our concept of God and our level of commitment to Him? Moses, recognizing this vital connection, challenged Israel to obey the Lord's directives on the basis of the glorious character and nature of God. Note his specific words, 

For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. (Deut. 10:17, 18)

 He enjoins committed adherence based on the splendid character of Jehovah! If we are filled with the truths of God's greatness and grandeur, it should have a motivating impact in our souls. A child of God who honestly believes what she or he knows about our glorious Lord, will be stirred and stimulated to a lifestyle characterized by obedience. Essentially this is a form of respect for who God is! It is much like happening upon a rattlesnake in the forest and this discovery is the very thing that inspires cautious and evasive behaviors. The presence of the snake provokes thoughts about the dangerous creature, and this knowledge motivates behavior alterations conducive to surviving the encounter. Likewise biblical 'knowledge' encounters with an awesome Almighty God should stimulate conduct that is commensurate with pleasing Him. The more often our minds and hearts are impressed with the grand truths of Jehovah God, the more our course of actions should conform to His will. Holy and authentic encounters with Almighty God is the key. We must see His true greatness!
So what compels you to obey the Lord? How do you overcome our natural stubbornness and reluctance to spiritual obedience? First, the hardened stiff neck heart must be ‘circumcised.’ That is, our minds and hearts must be supernaturally transformed by the grace of God rendering them sensitive and responsive to His Voice. This largely transpires during the new birth and with progress in spiritual formation. The circumcised heart delights in God's authority over one's life. As a result, we regard the loving commands of God as specifically designed for our spiritual welfare. His commands guide, lead, protect, and guard our welfare and well being. Therefore, we obey Him because we fully realize and believe His commands are wise and beneficial to us. There is nothing to fear!
Again such a course of action is deeply rooted in a respect and acknowledgement of who God actually is. Having learned of Him through encounters with Him in the Word, we respond with compliance, obedience, and adherence to His will. Deeply impressed with the awesomeness of His Person and glorious character, we live in respect of Him. Deep inward impressions are made in the soul through frequent encounters with Holy God!
We are also moved to obedience by the greatness, sovereignty, righteousness, majesty, and justice of His character. We obey Him because He is supremely awesome in all His ways! A “great,” “mighty,” and “terrible” God must be obeyed, but a tender, merciful, and impartial God who can resist?! In addition, we are motivated to diligently adhere to His Will because of His gracious dealings with us throughout our personal history. We can testify that God has been extremely good to us; how then can we be careless with His expectations? With what do we justify disloyalty to Him? Like Moses charged Israel of old, let each day be a passionate expression…a joyful execution of the will of our Great Lord.

Dear Father, please give me a heart for You. Clearly, You truly are a Great LORD and God. May I always (full of reverential fear and holy adoration) be completely enthralled with You. May my moment by moment walk with you be an explicit and implicit expression of profound respect for who you actually are. Grip my very soul with the Reality You are. My Father, allow my confidence in Your Word to result in obedience to You. May I continually affirm my love for You daily and always through my complete obedience. Gladly, I pray for Your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Not my will Lord, but Thine is to be done today. I ask these things in faith believing…in the Name of my Lord Jesus, Amen.  

Say, I Know this Great High Priest….

As a Christian, do you feel something is missing or incomplete? Are you willing to admit that the modern version of Christianity appears impotent to address the multiple complications people are grappling with? Have you privately, but officially, concluded that ‘faith’ and ‘trusting God’ seems a bit trite? After all, real problems require viable solutions…right? Yes, these are rather intrusive questions, but if you answered ‘yes’ to any or all of them, then the rest of this article is for you. What I really want to do is introduce you to an expert in your very area of concern. Without any exaggeration, he truly understands and can give viable help. Literally millions claim he has made all the difference for them. First, let me tell you about him….

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Hebrews 4:14-16, invites our attention to the reality that Jesus Christ is the believer’s “Great High Priest.” It is imperative that He arrests our attention in order that He may secure our confidence. He is far superior to all the Old and New Testament priests and orders! Furthermore, no modern priest can even remotely compare to Him. Also this biblical paragraph concludes with an invitation to approach the “Throne of Grace” to “find grace to help in time of need.” In some respects we are quite aware of numerous private needs. Others sense deep within that something is not quite right…their Christian experience is so grossly incomplete that they are spiritually crippled. Too many are oblivious to exactly what it is. They just know that something is missing…something invaluable and vital…there must be more…. Whether we identify it or not, the needs still persist as a longing for relief in the soul. A heavy conscience together with multiple failures is breeding regrets, enslavements, and more disappoint in our minds. Feeling ill equipped, an inner weakness persists and we have come to believe that this is just the way it is. Some have grown bitter because of disillusionment with God.  Apparently, He routinely disregarded their expectations, but He constantly asserts His own. There appears to be little hope or no prospect of change for something better on this side of eternity. We just need to endure to the end…right?

Although this line of thinking has become normal, it is still blatantly abnormal in God redemptive economy. In our text, Christ Jesus is portrayed as our “Great High Priest”—God’s answer to our pronounced spiritual needs as Believers. Yes, Christ occupies an office and position that enables Him to pray for—intercede (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34), service, advocate for—defend, minister to, represent, and perennially compensate for us throughout our lives. As our Priest, He sacrificed Himself (Heb. 9:26; 7:27; 9:12) for our sins to sanctify us unto God forever (Heb. 9:24). Christ simultaneously provides all these blessings for all Believers all the time! His work is so comprehensive that He actually eliminates the need for any other high priests for this entire age (Heb. 6:19-20; 10:19-22). But, what spiritual needs are so great that we Christians require this tremendous provision? Certainly it is logical to assume this God-given provision is proportionate to the deficiencies we feel deeply and admittedly yearn for in our honest private moments. If Christ is great in this context, it must be partly because He definitely addresses a tremendous inadequacy in Believers’ experiences.

This observation then raises several pertinent questions. As believers, what is our great need? What is the greatness of Christ, our Priest? How can we personally realize His greatness? What are our obligations in the light of this provision? It is needful at this point to consider each of these separately.

What Is the Christian’s Great Need?

Earlier in Hebrews chapter four the author addressed repeatedly the need for “rest” and the requirement to enter into spiritual rest (Heb. 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11). He assures us there is still a “rest” for the people of God and through faith it can be realized. The need here is for spiritual peace, assurance, and tranquility of soul based on confidence in the finished work of Christ and His current role as High Priest. The promised “rest” answers the longing of the soul for abiding inner peace. Peace is part of what is missing.

Then according to verse fourteen there is an urgent need to “hold fast our profession.” As Believers we must steadfastly confess Christ while resisting all temptations to disown, renounce or deny Him in order to avoid some form of discrimination. Expediency, convenience, and self-preservation are powerful impulses, especially to our generation. Still our prescribed response is commitment, courage, and loyalty to Christ above all else. Yes, Christ must be preeminent. Faithfulness and allegiance to Him in the form of an unblemished profession of faith in our Savior and High Priest is the acceptable recourse.

Accordingly, in verse sixteen there is a “time of need” in which we can “find grace to help.” Life’s unscheduled trials, alluring temptations, and hard circumstances are the issues that constitute our times of need. These apply tremendous pressure and generate extraordinary tension in our personal and collaborative experiences. God graciously obligates Himself to supply strengthening and empowering grace to cope with these often perplexing challenges. Bear in mind that grace does not mean God will give explanations, answers, or reasons; He promises strength to handle what we are facing as we are facing it (2Cor. 12:9). Not a moment too soon and not an ounce more than required, but completely adequate and sufficient. The word “help” (Heb. 4:16) conveys something of God’s paternal loving response to the cries of His beloved children. He actually hastens to our aid with the urgency of a good mother responding to her endangered child’s squeals for help. This is a huge help to us if we have ever wondered if God really cares! 

So what is the great need of Christians? Because Christians are sinners saved by grace, we still have a frightening capacity to sin. To heighten our complications, we are weak, vulnerable, crippled, tempted, anxious, conflicted within, and hazarded. We often sense deep within our inner most self the need for supernatural help and aid. God’s provision is a highly capable and understanding Priest interceding for us and affording assistance to us. Larry Richards (The Teacher’s Commentary) recognizing this need observed, “In the Old Testament the high priest was the man appointed to represent the people before God. He was the man who dealt with sins and weaknesses by offering the necessary sacrifices for sins (Heb. 5:3).” Hebrews 4:14, rightly affirms that in our Lord Jesus “we have a great High Priest.” Because He is both God and Man, He is the fully adequate link between us Believers and our holy Heavenly Father. So the Scriptures declare, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16). Richards also recommended that when we fail and are gripped by the ensuing shame, or when we are overwhelmed and need help desperately, we are never to give up or quit on God. Since the Lord Jesus is human like us, He does understand us. And since the Lord Jesus is God like the Father, He is able to give 360 degree help to His people all the time.

In addition, it is important when we have heard the voice of God calling us to act, but still we feel inadequate, that we turn to Jesus our High Priest for help. It is our part to realize all that He is able to do in us and for us. Yes, we Christians need our Priest; not just any priest, but our “Great High Priest” providing assistance to us from Heaven and representing us before the very Presence of His Royal Majesty.