By As diversity in life seems flourishing immensely nowadays, so as the essentiality of women. They are facing with so much confusions and challenges to keep up their identity. Especially Biblical women in their pursuit to serve as they confess their faith. The modern women tend to compromise in order to be counted and prized. Haven’t you wonder who are these end times “Revelation” women? Haven’t you think to whom you’re identified? We are told women will be included as end-time messengers of His gospel message. How good or bad end times messengers be this four mysterious women in the book of Revelation?
1. JEZEBEL : Revelation 2:20-23
“But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.”Revelation 2:20-23 ASV
The center of the corruption at the church at Thyatira was a woman Jesus called Jezebel, the spirit of this wife of king Ahab is alive and consuming churches in this last days. The name Jezebel had a powerful association. If we call someone a Judas or a Hitler it means something strong. It was also a strong thing to call this woman Jezebel. “She was one of the most evil characters of the Old Testament, who attempted to combine the worship of Israel with the worship of the idol Baal… Jezebel herself had a most unenviable record of evil.” (Walvoord)
This first woman mentioned in the book of Revelation represents a religious Christian woman in the church and active in church ministries but involves in sexual impurity . Heavily indulged in sexual culture at the same time call herself a servant. She was an immoral and ungodly influence on others, and led others into sin. Jezebel led others into fornication, immorality and idolatry. This shows how terrible Jezebel’s sin was. She corrupted the servants of Jesus and she did not repent.
Jezebel characteristics:
1. Calls herself a prophetess
2. Teaches in the church
3. Seduces to fornicate
4. Seduces to eat food sacrificed to idols
2. A Woman clothed with the Sun: Revelation 12:1-2
“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars”. Revelation 12:1
The woman is described in celestial images. This second woman in Revelation appeared in the tribulation. “A woman clothed with the sun”: Because John plainly said this is a sign, we don’t expect this woman to appear literally on the earth. God will use this sign to communicate something to John and to us. This is the first of seven signs that John relates, and is described as a “great sign appeared”. In Revelation chapters 12, 13, and 14 the main figures of the Great Tribulation are described, and this great sign introduces the first of the seven:
• The woman, representing Israel.
• The dragon, representing Satan.
• The man-child, referring to Jesus.
• The angel Michael, head of the angelic host.
• The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation.
• The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist.
• The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist.
A woman clothed with the sun: Roman Catholics claim this woman is Mary, pictured as the “Queen of Heaven.” It is common in Roman Catholic art to represent Mary as standing on a crescent moon with twelve stars around her head. Scripturally, this woman clothed with the sun should be identified with Israel, according to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11). In that dream, the sun represented Jacob, the moon represented Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars were the sons of Israel which bowed down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now among the other tribes of Israel. Women often represent religious systems in Revelation. As agreed in other Old Testament passages, Israel (or Zion or Jerusalem) is often represented as a woman (Isaiah 54:1-6, Jeremiah 3:20, Ezekiel 16:8-14, and Hosea 2:19-20).
This woman gives birth. “Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain”. Later in the chapter, it is clear that this child born of Israel is JESUS (She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, Revelation 12:5). The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression). Genesis 37:9-11, in Joseph dream many believed this woman represents the nation of Israel . We know the Israel people are very pious they claimed to be spiritual and religious but they have rejected the Messiah Lord JESUS born in that place. If you identify with this second woman place your faith to Jesus Christ now for He is the Only Way to Heaven.
3. The Great Harlot or Prostitute: The Mystery Babylon. Revelation 17-18.
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”Revelation 17:4-5 ASV
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT: This title is not for literal Babylon; but its spiritual (mystery) representation, which is the source (mother) of all idolatry (abominations) and spiritual adultery (harlots).This harlot must be larger than any one branch of a religious institution. She is the embodiment of Satan’s own ecumenical movement — the religion of the world system. The harlot mystery Babylon sits on many waters; that is, she presides over many nations (compare with Revelation 17:15). She has a universal, international character. This is unification of all false, idolatrous religion, with representatives from apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, as well as a smorgasbord of other religions of the world. “The woman pictures false religion that will dominate the world in the TRIBULATION PERIOD.” (Hocking) . Many people like to identify this great harlot with the Roman Catholic Church, but false religion is not limited to any one church.
“And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:18 ASV
She represents a 1world religious system present in the 7years of tribulation period. In the outside she appears to be religious, spiritual and even claimed to be Christian but when you dig deeper look at their beliefs and behaviors they are closer to false religion. All the nations will be unified by a fake faulty religious system. In Babylon all false religions had been set up. The mothership of ultimate false religion that rules the world. A one world religion that accepts and encourages sexual immorality and abominations to the Lord. A group of people that expresses true expression of Christianity but tolerate sexual immorality among their members .
Sitting on a scarlet beast: The harlot rides the same beast (seven heads and ten horns) that was previously seen in Revelation 13:1 — the Antichrist and his dictatorship. Her association with blasphemy and the dragon’s beast are clearly seen from God’s perspective. But to the people of the earth she will look quite religious, and have the “faith” everybody wants.
“Her position, that of riding the beast, indicates on the one hand that she is supported by the political power of the beast, and on the other that she is in a dominant role and at least outwardly controls and directs the beast.” (Walvoord)
This is a 1 world religion that will be in great conflict with Christianity. This will gonna persecute Christians even to the point of murdering them. there are those who are willing to compromise their Christianity because they’re afraid to take a stand . This system of false religion this great harlot is contaminated by sin, by impurity through this false religion. The Lord commanded all to: “come out of her!”
“And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues:” Revelation 18:2, 4 ASV
4. The Bride of Christ: Revelation 19
“And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:9 ASV
Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband: John used the most striking, beautiful image he could think of. The most beautiful thing a man will ever see is his bride coming down the aisle, ready to meet him. John said that this is how beautiful the New Jerusalem will be. The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them: this tabernacle of God is the reality of His presence. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people: This is the greatest glory of heaven, and the ultimate restoration of what was lost in the Fall.
The bride of Christ has been made pure wearing white robes that has been washed because Jesus the Bridegroom has cleansed and purified them . After the destruction of the great harlot the Bride of Christ been glorified. This is the moment the marriage supper of the Lamb. If you are identified with the Bride of Christ you are blessed.
The Lord reveals His message in the last days mostly through representations. In the end times these mysterious representation of women was given to apostles John to give warnings in the midst of the great tribulation. It’s for you to take heed or remain untouched by the intensity of the call to wake up. Which of these women best describes you? Discern! Pray!
“Man comes into the world with a cry; and goes out of it with a groan, and all between is more or less intoned with helpless wailing… But the Halleluias of the renewed world will drown out the voice of woe forever.” (Seiss)
References:
https://youtu.be/h87RQXcER1c?si=fxISUZGGIZO6HB77.
Blue letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/. David Guzik Bible Commentary
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