Theme of God removing sin from His people (Zechariah 5:5-11)

Zechariah’s ephah vision aligns with a consistent biblical storyline. God does not tolerate wickedness among His people. He actively removes, judges, and ultimately destroys sin so His people can live in His presence.

Babylon becomes the symbolic destination where human rebellion is gathered for final judgment.

Zechariah: 5:1-4 (God's judgement of sinners), thieves who swear falsely by my name. 

Salvation in Christ: Romans 3:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13

Zechariah 5:5–11 communicates God’s removal of sin

The vision shows an ephah (a measuring basket) containing a woman who symbolizes Wickedness. A lead cover seals her inside. Two winged women lift the ephah and carry it to Shinar—the historic center of organized rebellion against God.

The message is direct. God does not just forgive His people. He removes the presence and influence of sin from among them. Wickedness is quarantined, transported away, and “set on a pedestal” in the land that represents human arrogance, idolatry, and self-exaltation.

This matches the broader biblical pattern: God restores His people by removing, judging, and banishing sin to preserve holiness.

Genesis 10:9–10 — Nimrod and Shinar’s foundation

Nimrod is described as a “mighty warrior before the Lord,” a phrase implying defiance. His kingdom includes Babel in Shinar, the birthplace of organized human rebellion. This passage connects Shinar with a culture that elevates human power over God’s authority.

Genesis 11:1–9 Tower of Babel

Humanity gathers in Shinar to build a tower “to make a name for ourselves.” God disrupts their rebellion by scattering them. The episode defines Shinar as the symbol of collective pride and self-salvation. Zechariah’s vision sends wickedness back to where it belongs.

2 Chronicles 36:15–21 Judah’s sin leads to exile in Babylon

Judah repeatedly rejects God’s warnings. God finally brings judgment by sending Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and carry the people into exile for seventy years. Babylon/Shinar represents the moral rot that comes from persistent disobedience. Zechariah’s audience knew this history. Wickedness must be removed or it corrupts the whole community.

Revelation 17–18 The fall of “Babylon the Great”

Babylon is the final, climactic symbol of human arrogance, false religion, exploitation, and sin. God judges and destroys it to purify the world before the final kingdom arrives. This completes the arc that began in Genesis. Sin is quarantined, judged, and eliminated.

God removes sin completely from His people. Psalm 103:10–12 “removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west.”

God purifies the unclean so they can stand in His presence. Isaiah 6:5–7 coal from the altar, removing guilt before commissioning him

God calls His people to separate from what defiles. Isaiah 52:11“Depart… touch no unclean thing.”

God removes obstacles and restores the contrite. Isaiah 57:14–15 "God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity. The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts."

God cleanses His people and gives them a new heart. Ezekiel 36:25–27

God removes iniquity and clothes His servant in purity. Zechariah 3:1–5: Rags to Riches, how the Holy Spirit changes us everyday

God refines His people and burns away impurity. Malachi 3:2–3

Jesus removes the sin of the world. John 1:29 Jesus is the Lamb “who takes away the sin of the world,” not merely forgives it.

Believers are freed from the dominion of sin. Romans 6:6–7

Sin no longer rules those led by the Spirit. Romans 8:1–4

God transfers His people from darkness to Christ's kingdom. Colossians 1:13–14

Christ cancels the record of sin and disarms spiritual powers. Colossians 2:13–15

Nothing impure will enter the new creation. Revelation 21:27

Read More ->>

Among the weeds of my heart with the Master Gardener

John 15, Matt 5 if eye or hand causes sin - cut it out.

Gluttony the desire for more, excessively "over-doing it" in every category in life.
Lust: protect my eyes, keep me sensitive to the shock of loose sexuality pervasive in our culture.

The problem with trying to look better than we are is that we Carry God's name in vain:
I noticed in Psalm 139:20 these words. I struggled with the unpardonable sin of Blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Can blasphemy be forgiven?

• who invoke you deceitfully. Your enemies swear by you falsely. (Christian Standard Bible)
• They are always rebelling and speaking evil of you. (Contemporary English Version)
• They say wicked things about you; they speak evil things against your name. (Good News Translation)
• who invoke You deceitfully. Your enemies swear by You falsely. (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
• who speak against you with evil motives, your enemies who are acting in vain. (International Standard Version)

Sin Types: Iniquity, Transgression-trespass, Apostasy-backsliding
10 types of people, those who understand binary and those who don't

2 Corinthians 6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— for He says,
“At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

Read More ->>

Jesus demonstrates the importance of forgiveness (Luke 5:17-26)

Coming to God for forgiveness

Sins have a root or a starting place.  Ideas and thoughts embraced and repeated become like building blocks that become structures in our hearts and mind.  Our purpose here is to expose the root or foundation of sin that has escalated and grown. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “bad company ruins good morals." Jesus famously said, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart... (Luke 6:45)".  So how do we expose sin to remove it and bring healing?

Jesus demonstrates the importance of forgiveness (Luke 5:17-26)

1.  What problem did the man on the bed have (Luke 5:18)? Luke 5:20 says Jesus saw their faith, what was it that Jesus saw them doing (Luke 5:19)? How did their faith impact that man (Luke 5:20,24-26)?

2.  What came first for the man, forgiveness of sins or physical healing? Why were the scribes and Pharisees upset about Jesus forgiving the man’s sin?

3.  What did Jesus want to prove and how did he prove it (Luke 5:23-24)? What impact did Jesus’ words and actions have on the man and witnesses (Luke 5:25-26)?

Read More ->>

Can blasphemy be forgiven?

Jesus said only one sin won't be forgiven, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31

At church today I was reading 1 Timothy and saw yet another example of God's grace in the apostles Paul's life. He says, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus." - 1 Timothy 1:12‭-‬14 NLT

I found this great resource which says,
"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is any sin that a person clings to by continually resisting the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that there is not one specific sin that is unforgivable, such as lying, stealing or murder, but rather a perpetual hardening of the heart and willfully sinning against God and man (1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15). In Acts 7:51, Stephen says the following to the Pharisees, "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” In a nutshell the unpardonable sin is any sin that a person doesn’t want to give up, confess, or even ask forgiveness for and additionally doesn’t want to hear any more about it from the Holy Spirit."

The article continues, "Any sin mankind wants pardon for is forgivable. However, if we turn our backs on the voice of the Holy Spirit we begin to silence His convictions and eventually we cannot hear His convicting power. This effectively blocks the working of God in our lives because we have reached a point where we are unable to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit."

Read More ->>

Righteousness, knowing we're wrong and believing in God's promises (Romans 3)

Romans 3

Romans 3 is about law and faith, about unfaithful people and our faithful God. Paul argues about benefits of law in showing that no one is righteous showing old testament examples that righteousness is through faith and how that culminates into faith in Christ. Focus verse, the pivoting point is Romans 3:19-20: "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."

Culminates in Romans 3:21-22, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe."

A) God is faithful, true and good - condemnation for unfaithful disobedience is just
1-2) Jews benefited greatly by circumcision, entrusted with the whole revelation of God
3-4) Some unfaithful, but God is faithful even if everyone is a liar - Scriptures say "proved right, prevailing judge (Psalm 51:4)"
 - "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge."
 - Jesus illustrated in the prodigal son (Luke 15:21) "The son declared, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"
5-7) human view: sin is good in showing how righteous, truthful, glorious God is, not fair to punish us
8) some slander, "let's do evil, good may result?" their condemnation is just.
 - Jesus' death on the cross is good for everyone (John 1:28-29, 1 John 3:5). Only one sin left that won't be forgiven, to blaspheme/slander the Holy Spirit. Sometimes called Eternal Sin or Unforgivable/unpardonable sin.
 - “I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.” — Mark 3:28-29 (CEV)
 - in Matthew 12:31-32: “And I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
 Quote from https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/10/what-is-the-unforgivable-sin/ What is the unforgivable sin, and how do I know I haven’t committed it?

Blasphemy against the Spirit evidently is not just a one-time offense; rather, it is an ongoing attitude of rebellion – a stubborn way of life that continually resists rejects and insults the Holy Spirit. This is what makes it, in effect, an eternal sin (Mark 3:29). Blasphemy against the Spirit is not unforgivable because of something done unintentionally in the past, but because of something being done deliberately and unrelentingly in the present.”

B) Everyone under power of sin, law makes conscious, not righteous
9-11) Everyone under power of sin, not righteous, understanding or seeking God
12-14) All turned away, become worthless, not good, throats, tongues, mouths full of cursing bitterness
 - Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7
15-18) feet shed blood, ruin, misery make their ways, way of peace unknown, no fear of God
 - Isaiah 59:7,8, Psalm 36:1
19-20) law shuts the mouth of people when they see they are accountable to God, brings sin into consciousness

C) Righteousness granted through faith, by grace, in Christ - not earned (Romans 3:21-26)
21-22) apart from law righteousness of God, law and prophets testify - righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
23-24) All sin, fall short of glory of God, justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus
25-26) God presented Christ a sacrifice of atonement, through shedding blood, received by faith - demonstrated righteousness presently - justified by faith in Jesus.
27-28) no boasting, our acquittal is not based on obeying law, made right through faith
29-31) Only one God, makes all right with him by faith. Forget the law? No! Only, when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
 - Application/prayer: 

Read More ->>

Jesus Illustrates God's plan as a Door and Good Shepherd

John 10:1-42
AIM: Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Good Shepherd
A) Jesus uses figures of speech to eluding to the truth of Ezekiel 34:1-30
(1-2) To Pharisees, Sneaking over the wall = thief, One enters through gate = shepherd of sheep

• Compassion and Conviction: sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34, Jude 1:12)

(3) Gatekeeper opens for him, sheep recognize his voice coming to him - he calls them, lead them out
(4-5) Shepherd gathers flock, follow him knowing his voice, run from stranger don't know his voice
(6-7) figure of speech they didn't understand, he explained it: I Am the Gate
(8-9) Before were thieves, sheep didn't listen to them, I Am the Door anyone enters by/through me saved, freely go in and out

• John 14:6: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through him.
• Revelation 7:7, "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

(10) Thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

B) Jesus is the true shepherd of God's people because he lays down his life, to take it up again.
(11) I Am the Good Shepherd, lay down his life for sheep

• Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd...
• Matthew 2:6, Bethlehem comes a ruler who will shepherd Israel, fulfilled with witnesses (Luke 2:15-18)

(12-13) Hired hand, no ownership/doesn't care,sees wolf flees wolf snatches and scatters them
(14-15) I Am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me, like my Father knows me and lay life down for sheep

• “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them." Ezekiel 34:11
•  I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:16
• ‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. Ezekiel 34:17, Matthew 25:31-32
• Matthew 26:31, "strike the shepherd, flock will be scattered"

(16-18) Other sheep, must bring them also - lay down my life, only to take it up again, my accord, authority, command received from Father.

• Jews and Gentiles Reconciled through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-22)
• Application: The role of the church, "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." - Acts 20:28, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, when the Chief Shepherd appears receive a crown of glory" 1 Peter 5:2, 4 
• Application: We also lay down our lives and take it up again by His authority and command. "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep," Hebrews 13:20. "For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:25. We offer ourselves as living sacrifice, dying daily - yet taking up our cross and following him (Romans 12)

C) Jesus proves he is Messiah by word and works but only those who believe and trust with whole life receive him.

(19-21) Jews (unbelievers) divided, "demon-possessed, raving mad", "no, demon open eyes of blind?"
(22-23) Jesus walking temple/Solomon's Colonnade Festival of Dedication/Hanukkah Jerusalem, winter
(24-26) Jews, "tell us plainly if your Messiah", Jesus "I did you didn't believe me, my works cause your not my sheep
(27-30) My sheep listen, I know them, follow me, eternal life, protected, given by Father, I and FAther are one
(31-33) Opponents try to stone him for blasphemy, mere man claims to be God
(34-36) Psalm 82:6, to whom word of God came Scritpure calls "gods", the one whom Father set apart as his very own, sent into the world, accuse me of blasphemy because I am God's Son?

• Ps 82:6 is addressed to the ruling judges of Israel, who were supposed to serve as God’s representatives on earth. Jesus’ argument (v 36) is that since He is in fact proving Himself to be the Father’s representative on earth, He is entitled to be recognized as the Son of God. - John 10:35 AMP

(37-38) Works of Father, only God could perform/Jesus does - believe him/Miracles, Father in me/I in Father

(39-42) tried to seize him, he went across Jordan where John first baptizing, John no miralcles but everything he said about Jesus was true and accurate. Many believed and trusted him

• Application believing means Accepting Him as Savior and following his teaching.

https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&vertical=default&q=%23bsfjohn14&src=typd
Our Doctrine for the week is Eternal Security
Our Attribute is Preserver

Read More ->>

"Chuck-it list", 12 things to stop doing before I die

I came across a humor book called the chuck-it list, it's got funny captions for journal pages like, "monuments I'll never visit, road trips I'll never go on, events I'll never compete in" it's meant to inspire like writing a bucket list but with a lot less pressure to follow through on the ideas. I was disappointed because I thought it was brilliant to actively think about attitudes, behaviors and habits that we should strive to "chuck" out of our lives. So I've made my list of 12 things to stop doing before I die. The Bible calls this "putting off the old man"

12. Independence - The is one of life's grand illusions. No matter how much success I experience or what I have above and beyond my needs - I'm not independent from God and people. My goal in life is to live and breath acknowledging God who gives life and can take it away and people he's brings into my life to help me (that I might help them too).

• We all depend on God for life (Job 33:4;10:12;12:10;27:3;32:8; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 42:5) our life is sustained by God (John 15:5) and our spirit returns to God when we die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
• We depend on each other by God's design (Romans 12:4-5)

11. Lying - This is a problem for most people have because it seems like an effective coping mechanism for areas that we fall short in. It's even worse for Christians because when we are dishonest in any way we are knowingly sinning against God and he hates it (Proverbs 6:16-19). I need to be truthful to God, myself and others.

• Lying comes from the devil (John 8:44) and exposes what is in our heart (Matthew 15:18-20
• Don't lie to one another, see you've put off the old self and put on the new self - being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10). 
• Lying never pays off, only hurts myself and others (Luke 8:17, Exodus 20:16)

10. Insensitivity - Insensitivity really shows itself in the lives of people around me. I'm reminded of my kindergarten fish, my good intention of feeding him (with a months worth of food while I went to school) didn't matter. The fish was dead. I need to be sensitive to God, his call and to people around me (loved ones, friends, neighbors and strangers).

9. Brashness -By this I mean arrogance, cockiness, self-assurance, self-confidence to the point of being disrespectful, insolent and rude. I would do well to slow down sometimes and take on modesty leading to civility, courtesy, graciousness and good manners. Being brash is like being the unrighteous "revilers" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I need to chuck it.

8. Nearsightedness - as long as I can remember I've been nearsighted. The good thing is that if I was interested in something I'd have to get closer, but corrective lenses fixed that issue. I like the idea of outliving enemies in that after a while they can come around and be friends. The best way to live is beyond our own lives. I want to think about my legacies, legacy. I want to spend my moments with eternity in mind.

7. Powerlessness - I won't walk by a person in need when I have the ability and means to help and I won't hold back a friendly smile. I will live in the truth of Christ in me and be filled with gracious power of God. I will view problems and opportunities with the attitude of what can I do.

• I can give freely of my time, treasure and talent with peace and blessing of God (Proverbs 11:24; 1 Peter 4:7-11)

6. Greed - By this I mean wearing "golden hand cuffs" that may keep me away from the calling that would better utilize the skills, abilities and desires received from God. Greed can also show itself in holding back parts of my life from God.

• Preoccupation with riches leads to temptations/cravings and strife (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Proverbs 28:25)
• Contentment with God, being heavenly minded is key (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:24; )
• Greed is a sin like sexual perversion found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

5. Lust - This is covetousness, wanting what others have and wanting more of everything for myself (Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15), "Build a bigger barn for all my stuff" is the wrong way (Luke 12:16-21). Put to death these desires that lead to sin and death (Colossians 3:5; James 1:14; 2 Timothy 3:6). Regarding 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Matthew Henry says, "God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure...All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus."

• She who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive (1 Timothy 5:6)
• We've all been enslaved by all sorts of desires, yet God in loving-kindness saves us with grace and mercy (Titus 3:3-15)

4. Doubt - The opposite of doubt is faith, meaning trust in the Lord with all my heart and not my own understanding. Chucking doubt will show itself when in all my ways I acknowledge him and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:5-8). Trusting in the Lord means asking him in faith with no doubting (James 1:6; Matthew 21:21). While I'm chucking doubt, I need to have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 1:22) - serve others as Jesus commanded, in the way he commanded.

3. Guilt - Guilt can take the form of anxiety. The bible says that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1). The way to chuck guilt is to confess sin to God, submitting myself to him in fear and true repentance (James 4:7; Psalm 103:11-12). I need to cast my cares onto him knowing that he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), I need to patient with myself and others believing in God (2 Peter 3:9)

2. Disobedience - Could be the hardest thing of all. I was raised in a "grace" focused church, where it was drilled into me that we don't earn our way into heaven but that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). I'm enticed by my own desires and lured into sin (James 1:14-15), Jesus said plainly if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). We live in times of difficulty and the Bible warned us about this (2 Timothy 3:1-7). I need to listen to Jesus and not my culture and put my action where my heart is. So I'm chucking disobedience and obeying God (Acts 5:29).

1. Blasphemy - There is one unpardonable sin in the whole of the Bible. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29). My friend brought up the meaning of the unpardonable sin. Hebrews 10:29 that says, "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" This shows itself when we hear the word of the Lord and are convicted - yet refuse to receive the gift of salvation. This is the reason that at the end of time those not listed in the book of life will be throne into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-11,12-15), they worship the beast who blasphemies God (Revelation 13:1-18). Definitely on the "chuck it" list.

Putting Off The Old Man
Job 33:4
31 Bible Verses about Dependence
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Lying, Greed, Covetousness, Lust (2 timothy 3:6) Commentary, Doubt,Commandments of Jesus, Guilt, Disobedience, Blasphemy
brashness

Read More ->>

Doom of the great prostitute and beast fulfills God's Word

Revelation 17
AIM: Satan deceives people for their eternal destruction

A) John is show a great prostitute on a beast
(1) one of seven angels, who poured the bowls - "Come I'll show the judgement/punishment/doom going to great prostitute/harlot, rules many waters (influencing nations)"

• Isaiah 46-47, Ezekiel 16:23

(2) kings committed adultery, people who belong to the world, drunk by wine of her immorality
(3) angle took John to wilderness, woman sitting on

• scarlet beast, 
• seven heads, 
• ten horns, 
• blasphemies against God written all over it

(4) woman

• wore purple/scarlet clothes, 
• gold, precious stones, pearls, 
• held a golden cup filled with abominable/obscenities/filth/impurities of her immorality/adulteries
• (5) Mysterious name: Babylon the Great, Mother of all prostitutes (false religions, heresies) and Obscenities/Abominations in the World/of the earth 
• (6) she's drunk with blood of God's holy people, witnesses/martyred for Jesus (bore testimony to Jesus), Rev 13:1-10
• John's starred/marveled/ completely astonished/amazed

Application: How am I compromising my testimony with immorality, false religion and wealth?

B) Angel explains who the woman and beast are

(7) angel "wonder/marvel/amazed/astonished? I'll explain the mystery.."

(8) beast, once was, now is not, will come from abyss

• bottomless pit, dwelling place of demons (Matthew 8:28-34 Demon possess with legion)
• go to destruction/perdition/ eternal destruction (Hell)
• Inhabitants of earth, who belong to this world, not in the book of life from the creation of the world...amazed at the reappearance of this beast who died yet is

(9) This calls for mind [with/which has] wisdom/understanding

• Seven heads of beast represent seven hills where woman sits/rules, also seven kings
• (10) five kings already fallen, sixth now reigns, seventh yet to come but for reign will be brief
• (11) Scarlet beast (from Rev 17: 3,8) is the eight king of/belongs to the seven heading to destruction/perdition/hell
• (12) ten horns, ten kings not yet risen to power, will reign with beast a brief moment
• (13) One purpose/mind, all agree - give their power/authority to beast
• (14) wage war against the Lamb (Christ) - Lamb overcomes/defeats/triumphs over them - He is Lord of lords, King of kings (Hallelujah - Messiah (Handel) and those with him called, chosen, faithful followers

Application: How do I use wisdom and understanding to help people be freed from Satan's deception?

C) Angel explains the beast hates and devours people, fulfilling God's word

(15) Angel said, "waters you saw...peoples, multitudes from every nations and languages

(16) Scarlet beast, his ten horns hate the prostitute, 

• strip her naked (stripped of power/influence), eat her flesh, burn her remains with fire (Luke 16:19–31 Rich man and Lazarus)
• (17) God put a plan into their hearts/minds (Rev 17:13) to accomplish his purposes - they give authority to scarlet beast so/until the words of God are fulfilled

(18) the woman is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth/world

Application: Who will I share the truth about eternal hell with?

Read More ->>