Babylon, the Beast, and the Lamb's Triumphant Victory

Devotional

Day 1: The Lamb Who Conquers as King of Kings

In the midst of spiritual battles and earthly chaos, there is a definitive hope found in the person of Jesus Christ. While the world may seem overwhelmed by powers that oppose the truth, the Lamb of God remains the ultimate authority over every kingdom. He is not merely a historical figure but the reigning Lord of lords who will one day bring all rebellion to an end. You can find peace knowing that the final victory does not depend on your strength, but on His finished work. His triumph is certain, and those who belong to Him share in that eternal victory. [01:02:48]

"These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

Reflection: When you look at the challenges facing the world today, how does the truth of Jesus as the "conquering Lamb" change the way you process your fears?

Day 2: The Eternal Kingdom That Will Never Fail

Throughout history, many great empires have risen and fallen, yet none have possessed the staying power of the Kingdom of God. While earthly governments may offer temporary security, they are ultimately brittle and destined to pass away. We are reminded that God will one day set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or left to another people. This eternal perspective allows us to live with confidence, knowing our true citizenship is in a realm that endures forever. You can find strength today by anchoring your hope in this unshakable future. [55:38]

"In the days of those kings, the God of the heavens will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever." (Daniel 2:44)

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to find security in earthly systems, and how can you shift that focus toward God’s eternal kingdom?

Day 3: Ensuring Your Name Is Written in Life

There is a profound distinction between those who are spiritually lost and those whose names are recorded in the Book of Life. This identity is not earned through good works or religious activity but is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Admitting our need for a Savior and repenting of our sins allows us to enter into a secure relationship with the Father. This assurance provides a foundation that cannot be shaken by the shifting tides of culture or the trials of the end times. You are encouraged to reflect on the state of your soul and the grace that is freely offered. [50:51]

"The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present." (Revelation 17:8)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are still trying to "earn" God's favor instead of simply resting in the grace that writes your name in His book?

Day 4: Discerning the True Christ from Worldly Imitations

The world often presents systems and leaders that mimic the power and promises of God but lead only to destruction. These imitations can be deceptive, appearing to offer solutions while drawing hearts away from the one true living God. True wisdom is required to recognize the difference between the temporary allure of the world and the eternal truth of the Gospel. By staying grounded in the Word, you can develop a mind that discerns the subtle lies of the enemy. Focus your worship on the Alpha and Omega, the one who was, who is, and who is to come. [48:23]

"“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”" (Revelation 1:8)

Reflection: When you feel pressured to follow the "crowd" or worldly trends, what spiritual practice helps you refocus on the truth of who Jesus is?

Day 5: God’s Sovereign Plan and Our Faithful Response

Even when the world seems to be moving toward chaos, God is working out His divine purposes behind the scenes. He is sovereign over the hearts of leaders and the movement of nations, ensuring that His word is ultimately fulfilled. This reality should lead us to a place of deep trust rather than fear or anxiety. As we see His plan unfolding, we are called to remain faithful and active in the community of believers. By leaning into prayer and mutual encouragement, we participate in the work He is doing in our midst. [01:07:18]

"For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled." (Revelation 17:17)

Reflection: How does knowing that God is sovereign over global events help you trust Him with the "small" details of your personal life?

Sermon Summary

The congregation is urged into focused worship, prayer, and practical outreach while the Scriptures are opened to Revelation 17 for careful exposition. A call is given for corporate disciplines — an evening gathering for the worship-pastor search team, a regular prayer meeting, and a concrete evangelistic goal (an average of 300 in Sunday school) — alongside lighthearted pastoral encouragement to men to sing faith into their families. Turning to Revelation 17, the vision is unwrapped soberly: the prostitute represents a false, idolatrous religious system rooted in Babylon, and the beast is identified with the antichrist who will mimic Christ’s patterns of death, apparent defeat, and a counterfeit authority that arises from demonic power.

The exposition connects Revelation 17 with Revelation 13 and Daniel’s visions to trace a sequence of empires (seven heads) and the coming of a revived, end-time power. The antichrist is described as a short-lived, violent authority who ultimately serves God’s enacted purposes even as he leads many astray; the ten horns are seen as contemporaneous rulers who hand their power to the beast for a brief season. The preacher emphasizes the certainty of Christ’s victory: the Lamb is Lord of lords and will conquer the beast, with Revelation 19 portraying the triumphant return of Jesus and the participation of the redeemed. Amid warnings about widespread deception and judgment, God’s sovereign hand is stressed — even evil is woven into the divine timeline so that final justice and renewal can be accomplished.

Practical application presses in: believers are reassured of deliverance (the church is not left to endure the worst), the lost are warned of aligning with the beast, and a clear gospel invitation is extended. The assembly is urged to respond now — confessing sin, trusting Christ’s atoning work, and committing to communal life and witness — because the stakes are eternal. The service closes with an invitation to come forward for counsel and prayer, and a reminder of the evening meeting for continued corporate discernment and fasting.

Key Takeaways

1. God's sovereignty governs even evil God does not merely tolerate the brokenness of history; he ordains the permitted actions of hostile powers toward a redemptive end. That means apparent chaos is not evidence of divine absence but of divine direction toward final judgment and renewal. Confidence in God’s sovereignty calls for both holy urgency and measured peace. [67:18]
2. Antichrist mimics Christ to deceive The end-time adversary will copy Christ’s hallmarks—death, apparent defeat, astonishing signs—to seduce those who refuse the truth. Discernment requires familiarity with Christ’s genuine character and gospel, not just fear of spectacle. Spiritual formation and scriptural grounding are preconditions to resist a faith that is counterfeit. [45:07]
3. The Lamb will decisively conquer The portrait of Christ in Revelation is not merely passive suffering but sovereign warrior-king who returns to execute justice. Believers are promised participation in that victory, not as conquerors themselves but as witnesses and companions of the risen Lord. This reshapes courage: endurance is not futile because ultimate triumph is certain. [62:48]
4. Respond now; eternal destiny awaits The narrative’s urgency is pastoral and evangelical: choices in time have irreversible consequences beyond time. Repentance and faith are the decisive acts that transfer a person from alignment with the beast to being written in the book of life. The present mercy of God should lead to immediate, concrete response rather than deferred hope. [71:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:56] - Worship team update & prayer call
[36:47] - Sunday school goal: 300
[38:21] - Encouragement to men to sing
[39:04] - Reading: Revelation 17 explained
[45:30] - Antichrist and Revelation 13 connection
[52:31] - Seven empires and Rome
[56:25] - The eighth king: destruction foretold
[61:00] - The Lamb’s victory and return
[65:09] - Peoples, false religion, and judgment
[70:29] - Gospel invitation and response
[79:37] - Closing and logistical reminders

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Revelation 17:7–18 (CSB)
7 Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the ten horns, that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: 10 Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. 12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” 15 He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16 The ten horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman you saw is the great city that has royal power over the kings of the earth.”

Observation questions

In Revelation 17:8, how does the angel describe the past, present, and future of the beast, and what is the final destination mentioned for it? [39:04]
According to verses 9 and 10, what do the seven heads represent, and what was the status of these "kings" at the time John was writing this vision? [39:43]
What is the specific "one purpose" of the ten horns mentioned in verses 12 and 13, and how long is their authority said to last? [39:59]
In verse 14, what specific titles are given to the Lamb, and what three words are used to describe the people who are with Him? [40:21]

Interpretation questions

The beast is described as one who "was and is not and is to come" [47:43]. How does this phrasing mimic the description of Jesus found in Revelation 1:8, and why would an end-time adversary use a counterfeit identity to deceive people?
The beast is identified as an "eighth king" who belongs to the seven [39:43]. Since this power arises from the abyss and is headed for destruction, what does this reveal about the temporary nature of worldly empires compared to the kingdom of God?
Verse 17 says that God "put it into their hearts to carry out his plan" by having them give their kingdom to the beast [40:38]. How can God use the actions of rebellious or evil rulers to ensure His own divine words and purposes are ultimately fulfilled?
The ten horns and the beast eventually turn on the prostitute, destroying the very system they once supported [40:38]. What does this tell us about the ultimate loyalty and stability found within false religious or idolatrous systems?

Application questions

God’s sovereignty governs even the most broken and chaotic parts of history [01:07:18]. When you look at the news or face "chaos" in your own life, do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, or are you able to rest in the fact that God is in control of the timeline? [01:08:17]
The enemy often seduces people by mimicking the hallmarks of Christ—like performing signs or appearing to overcome death [45:07]. How are you currently grounding yourself in the "genuine character" of Jesus so that you can discern the difference between the truth and a spiritual counterfeit?
The Lamb is the Lord of lords who will decisively conquer all hostile powers [01:02:48]. How does the certainty of Christ's "ultimate triumph" change the way you handle discouragement or opposition in your workplace or neighborhood?
There is a clear distinction between those whose names are written in the book of life and those who are led astray [48:43]. Have you reached a point of absolute certainty that you have repented and trusted in Christ, or is that a decision you find yourself putting off for "later"? [01:11:27]
Being "called, chosen, and faithful" involves active participation in the life of the church and reaching out to others [40:21]. What is one practical way you can invite someone into your "community" or Sunday School class this week to help reach the goal of engaging more people with the gospel? [36:47]
There is a powerful impact when families and men "sing their faith" during worship, even if they don't feel like they have a great voice [38:21]. How can you more intentionally use your "songs of praise" to model trust in God for the younger generation watching you? [38:39]

Sermon Clips

For God has put it into their heads to carry out his plan by having one purpose and to give, their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman you saw is the great city and his royal power over the kings of the earth. Lord Jesus, you are the almighty king. In this passage in Revelation seventeen fourteen, we're reminded you're the lord of lords, the king of kings. You are the lamb. [00:40:44] (25 seconds) #LordOfLordsKingOfKings

woman. But we note here in verse seven, it mentions not only the woman but also the beast. We've referenced the beast before. We'll reference it a few moments in a few moments in Revelation chapter 13. But the beast is referencing the antichrist. And so we're introduced to him in Revelation 13. But the beast here, we're reminded of the antichrist because he is mimicking the death, the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:44:41] (30 seconds) #BeastMimicsChrist

``Are you positive that your name is written in the book of life? I can't write it down for you. You must admit your sin. You must confess your sin. You must repent of your sin. You must believe that Jesus Christ is the absolute only way to heaven. And you must ask him to save you so that then your name is written in the book of life. [00:50:30] (32 seconds) #NameInBookOfLife

But these folks are not. They are the lost. They are the ones that are just hook, line, and sinker worshiping the beast. And you might argue, we see stuff all over the news today. Well, yep, that person's worshiping the antichrist. Well, they are worshiping Satan for sure because if they're not going after the lord, they're worshiping Satan. And and we argue what in the world's going on in our cities across this land, confusion, chaos. Well, who is kind of the, the one behind all of that? Well, that would be Satan. [00:51:01] (29 seconds) #SatanBehindTheChaos

But the lamb will what? Oh, come on now. We gotta say that better than that. But the lamb will what? Them. The lamb, Jesus, will conquer them. Why? Because he is the lord of lords and king of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful. Let's go over quickly to Revelation 19. It begins to play out exactly what Jesus is gonna do. [01:02:53] (28 seconds) #LambConquers

But for us in the church, if god is sovereign over this, certainly, god is sovereign over any and everything you're dealing with right now. And I have no idea what all of you are dealing with. You have no idea what I'm dealing with. But if you're a follower of Jesus and I'm a follower of Jesus, why shouldn't I and why shouldn't you rest in the sovereignty of the holy God, the one who's in control of everything? We should stop fretting. We should stop with the anxiety. We should stop with the worry. [01:07:47] (35 seconds) #RestInGodsSovereignty

You know, what we hear today that so many young people are so very anxious about any and everything. Young people, if you're a follower of Jesus, rest in him. But you know what? Anxiety isn't just for the young people. We got some other folks seated in this room right now. If you're really honest with everyone, you'd say, hey. I'm anxious about such and such. If god is truly sovereign in Revelation 17 verse 17 and he is, then he's also sovereign with you. Rest in him. [01:08:23] (34 seconds) #StopAnxietyRestInGod

a great takeaway. Another takeaway, the lost are here, Revelation seventeen eight. The lost are aligned with the antichrist. The halfway point of the tribulation, he becomes the ruler, and the great tribulation begins. And the lost, if you're a part if you're alive during this and you're lost, you're a part of this. But I wanna give you some great news. You don't have to be. [01:10:16] (25 seconds) #YouDontHaveToBeLost

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Babylon, the Beast, and the Lamb's Triumphant Victory

Devotional

Day 1: The Lamb Who Conquers as King of Kings

Day 2: The Eternal Kingdom That Will Never Fail

Day 3: Ensuring Your Name Is Written in Life

Day 4: Discerning the True Christ from Worldly Imitations

Day 5: God’s Sovereign Plan and Our Faithful Response

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Babylon, the Beast, and the Lamb's Triumphant Victory

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