Revelation Day 47 - Why a Wild Woman?

DAY 48
Why a Wild Woman?
Revelation 17:7-18

Why does John call Babylon a prostitute?

It’s fair to ask if this picture unfairly makes women look like villains. It’s true that the Bible has been used to hurt and oppress women. I would say the Bible has been misused. Revelation could be misused against women, but only if we ignore two things. First are the positive female symbols in Revelation. The Church, for example, will later be compared to a beautiful, morally pure bride. Second is the redemptive direction of the whole Bible in how it treats women. Overall, the Bible - when properly understood - encourages us to treat men and women with equal dignity.

Remember, John’s tweaking a popular Roman picture that imagines Rome as a powerful, good-willed mother of the nation. But he specifically uses the word “prostitute” to say something powerful about how we relate to God.

Here’s why: the Bible shows us God always inviting people into a relationship. God always takes the first step. God proposes! Everyone agrees to commit. God said, “I do,” and they said, “I do.” God said, “I’ll love you like my one and only.” They said, “I’ll love you like my one and only.” 

God is always a faithful spouse but most people were unfaithful. They didn’t stick to their vows. Time after time, people in the Bible that God invited into a relationship were unfaithful to God.

Guess what? Those people back then aren’t so different from people today. They’re not so different from me…or from you. We can be seduced by Babylon. We can be unfaithful to God - and often are. Our unfaithfulness separates us from God who loves us. 

Here’s the thing: God takes a relationship with us so seriously that when we compromise our commitment, God calls it “adultery.” God says, “You cheated on me.”

Revelation’s telling us that entire groups - not just individuals - can be unfaithful. Nations, societies, cultures - even churches - can be seduced by Babylon and compromise commitment to God. That voice of temptation is powerful.

This reflection isn’t about seeing how awful you are, but about seeing how Babylon can be. Babylon can set up shop in any group and its power of temptation is strong. But there’s hope! God is faithful and Jesus, the Faithful Witness, ultimately wins over Babylon. 

REFLECT
When have you seen an entire group (family, workplace, church, nation) help captive to an idea or a practice that compromises commitment to Christ?

PRAY
Lord, I love you. Thank you for loving me! You’re always faithful to us. Help us to be faithful to you. Amen.