启示录17 揭露世界体系的真面目
 
GK611晨祷生命读经
06.03.2026 
主讲：陈炎明牧师


引言：环顾今天的世界

一、败坏的宗教体系（17:1-6）

1. 坐在众水上的女人（V1）
这里的“大淫妇”并不是指某一个具体的女人或单一城市，而是象征一个迷惑世界的文明体系。这个体系由政治、经济、文化和假宗教等力量交织而成，看起来繁荣、华丽并充满吸引力，却不断把人引向远离神的价值观，例如对财富、权力和享乐的追逐。

这要提醒我们要保持属灵的分辨力，不被世界华丽的外表和价值观迷惑，而要专心追求神的国和神的义。

2. 她骑在朱红色的兽上（V2-3）
这兽与第13章的兽非常相似：七头十角代表政治权力与邪恶帝国。女人骑在兽上，说明宗教与政治结合，控制世界。列国“喝醉了她淫乱的酒”，正说明世界被这种体系所迷惑。她骑在兽上，表示这种文化与宗教思想借助政治权力来影响世界，但最终政治势力反而会毁灭她，显明这个看似强大的世界系统其实是短暂且自我瓦解的。

我们是否也在不知不觉中被世界的权力、文化与价值观影响，而让信仰变成迎合世界，而不再单纯忠于神？

3. 她充满奢华与罪恶（V4-5）
经文形容她穿着紫色和朱红色的衣服，身上戴满金子和宝石，手里拿着一个金杯，看起来非常华丽、富贵。但那金杯里面却装满了污秽和淫乱。意思是说，她外表看起来荣耀光鲜，里面却充满败坏与罪恶。这正反映出一种被物质主义、权力腐败和宗教虚伪所充满的世界体系。

我们是否只追求外在的荣耀与成功，却忽略了内心的圣洁与真实？

4. 这大淫妇逼迫圣徒（V6）
这个体系也常常逼迫神的子民。历史上许多帝国都曾出现这样的情况，例如罗马帝国、一些极权政权，以及各种反宗教的体制。当权力和骄傲掌控人心时，人往往在不知不觉中抵挡真理，甚至得罪神。

当权力、地位或骄傲影响我们的判断时，我们是否也可能在不知不觉中抵挡真理，而没有察觉自己正在得罪神？

二、兽的政治与权力（17:7-14）

1. 兽出现的无常特征（V7-8）
经文提到的“兽先前有、如今没有、将要再来”，是用象征性的方式描述一种邪恶权势在历史中的循环出现：它曾经在世界上兴起，后来似乎消失，但将来又会以新的形式出现，最终却仍然走向灭亡。这样的权势会迷惑世人，使许多人感到惊奇和被吸引，特别是那些名字没有记在生命册上的人。然而从神的角度来看，这一切不过是短暂的历史现象，虽然看似强大，却注定要归于沉沦，无法胜过神永恒的计划。

2. 七头与七山的含义（V9-11）
这里说七头就是七山和七王：
（1）七座山：也许是指古罗马城（罗马被称为七山之城）。
（2）七个王“象征历史中的七个强大帝国：埃及、亚述、巴比伦、波斯、希腊、罗马帝国、末世帝国。约翰写《启示录》的时候，罗马帝国还在，末世的帝国尚未来。

3. 十个角就是十个王（V12-14）
十角象征末世兴起的十个王，或是由多个国家组成的联盟。他们会与那兽联合起来，一同对抗神，并最终与基督展开争战。然而经文清楚宣告：“羔羊必胜过他们。”这里所说的羔羊，就是耶稣基督，万王之王、万主之主，最终的得胜者。

三、邪恶联盟的破裂（17:15-18）
兽和十角后来会憎恨这女人，并将她毁灭。也就是说，邪恶的体系最终会彼此吞吃、自我瓦解。这揭示了一个属灵的原则：罪恶的联盟不可能长久。即便如此，神仍然掌管一切，经文说：“因为神使他们同心合意。”（v17）神甚至可以使用这些邪恶势力来成就祂的旨意，最终完成祂公义的审判。从人的角度看，是政治势力毁灭了宗教体系；但从神的角度看，这一切都在祂的计划之中。

当世界局势混乱、各种权势彼此争斗时，我们要记得神仍然掌管一切，不要把盼望寄托在人的体系或权力上，而要坚定信靠神的主权与计划。

总结：教会要认定最后的终结

世界历史中会出现一个看似强大、荣耀又富有的反神体系，它凭借权力与影响力迷惑列国，甚至逼迫神的子民。然而在神的眼中，这一切不过是败坏与罪恶的表现，最终必在神的计划中走向毁灭。

真正的得胜者不是这些暂时的权势，而是羔羊基督，以及那些蒙召、被拣选并忠心跟随祂的人。


  

Revelation 17 Unveiling the True Nature of the World System
GK611 Morning Devotion
06.03.2026
Speaker: Rev David Tan


 Introduction: Looking at the World Today

I. The Corrupt Religious System (17:1-6) 

1. The Woman Sitting on Many Waters (v1)
The ‘great harlot’ here does not refer to a specific woman or single city, but symbolises a civilisation system that deceives the world. This system is woven from political, economic, cultural, and false religious forces. Though appearing prosperous, splendid, and alluring, it continually draws people away from God's values—such as the pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasure.

This serves as a warning to maintain spiritual discernment, resisting the world's deceptive allure and values, while steadfastly pursuing God's kingdom and righteousness.

2. She Rides on the Scarlet Beast (v2-3)
This beast bears striking resemblance to the one in chapter 13: its seven heads and ten horns symbolise political power and an evil empire. The woman riding the beast signifies the fusion of religion and politics to dominate the world. Nations ‘’ signify the world's ensnared by this system. 

Her position atop the beast shows how this cultural and religious ideology wields political power to influence the world, yet ultimately political forces will destroy her, revealing this seemingly mighty world system as transient and self-destructive.

Are we too, unknowingly, being influenced by the world's power, culture, and values, allowing our faith to become a compromise with the world rather than pure devotion to God?

3. She is filled with luxury and sin (v4-5)
Scripture describes her clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones, holding a golden cup—appearing exceedingly splendid and wealthy. Yet that golden cup is filled with abominations and the impurities of her adulteries. This signifies that while her exterior radiates splendour and glory, her interior is saturated with corruption and wickedness. This mirrors a world system saturated with materialism, corrupt power, and religious hypocrisy.

Do we pursue only outward glory and success, neglecting inner holiness and authenticity?

4. This Great Harlot Persecutes the Saints (v6)
This system frequently oppresses God's people. Throughout history, numerous empires have exhibited such tendencies—the Roman Empire, totalitarian regimes, and various anti-religious systems. When power and pride dominate the human heart, people often unknowingly resist truth and even offend God.

When power, status, or pride influence our judgement, might we too unknowingly resist truth without realising we are offending God?

 II. The Political Power of the Beast (17:7–14) 

1.The Beast’s Unpredictable Emergence (v7-8)
The scripture’s mention of ‘the beast that was, and is not, yet shall come’ symbolically portrays the recurring rise of evil powers throughout history. Such powers arise, seem to disappear, then reemerge in new forms—yet ultimately head toward destruction. These powers deceive the world, astonishing and captivating many, especially those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. But from God’s perspective, they are merely temporary historical phenomena. Though they appear mighty, they are destined for ruin and cannot overcome God’s eternal plan.

2. The Meaning of the Seven Heads and Seven Mountains (v9-11)
Here the seven heads signify seven mountains and seven kings:

(1) Seven mountains – Possibly referring to the city of Rome, famously known as the city built on seven hills.

(2) Seven kings – Symbolizing seven major empires in history: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and a future end-time empire. When John wrote Revelation, the Roman Empire was still in existence; the final empire had not yet come.

3. The Ten Horns are Ten Kings (v12-14)
The ten horns  ymbolize ten kings who will arise in the last days, or a coalition formed by multiple nations. They will unite with the beast to oppose God and ultimately wage war against Christ. Yet Scripture clearly declares: ‘The Lamb will overcome them.’ The Lamb referred to here is Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, the ultimate victor.

 III. The Collapse of the Evil Alliance (17:15-18) 

The beast and the ten horns will later hate the woman and destroy her. That is to say, the evil system will ultimately devour itself and disintegrate. This reveals a spiritual principle: an alliance of wickedness cannot endure. Even so, God remains sovereign over all, for the scripture states: ‘For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose’ (v17). God can even utilise these forces of evil to accomplish His purpose, ultimately fulfilling His righteous judgement. From a human perspective, political powers destroy religious systems; yet from God's perspective, all this unfolds within His sovereign plan.

When world affairs are chaotic and various powers vie against one another, we must remember that God remains in control. Do not place your hope in human systems or powers, but stand firm in trusting God’s sovereignty and plan.

 Conclusion: The Church Must Recognise the Final Outcome

World history will witness the emergence of an anti-God system that appears mighty, glorious, and wealthy. It will deceive nations through its power and influence, even persecuting God's people. Yet in God's eyes, this is merely a manifestation of corruption and sin, destined for destruction within His divine plan.

The true victors are not these transient powers, but the Lamb, Christ, and those who are called, chosen, and remain faithful in following Him.