The Lamb's Conquest
12/19/25 Bible Thought (Revelation 17)
The purposes of God in history will be accomplished, and the Lamb’s victory is sure.
A Look at Revelation 17
In Revelation 17, we see a prostitute representing the great city (Rev. 17:18) and the beast. The prostitute at the time of John’s writing was most certainly Rome, following in the pattern of rebellion that was typified in Babylon. Yet, one scholar has noted:
“The city had a historical manifestation in first-century Rome, but the full significance of the wicked city is eschatological.”[1]
Apparently, there is yet a prostitute to come that will exercise dominion on the earth, riding atop the beast who will make war against the Lamb with a company of 10 kings.
While the imagery of this chapter is certainly perplexing and there is no consensus on who the kings either were or will be, one thing is clear—God is in control even when the world seems out of control.
The prostitute was prosperous, clothed in scarlet and purple, and adorned with jewelry (Rev. 17:4). She was drunk with the blood of the saints (Rev. 17:5). For a time, it would seem best to have your allegiance with her.
However, the Lamb, who is Lord of lords and King of kings, will one day return with the hosts of heaven and triumph over every rebellious power:
“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).
With His conquest, there is a subsequent self-destructive cycle of all the rebel powers.
Though once the prostitute’s steed, the beast with its kings will turn against her (Rev. 17:16). The prostitute who was formerly clothed in purple and scarlet will now be destitute and naked. Though once mighty, she will shortly be consumed by the beast.
At first glance, the reader wonders, “Why? Why would the beast turn against its rider?”
The answer comes in the next verse: God put this idea into the hearts of the kings and of the beast (Rev. 17:17). He convinced the kings to give their allegiance to the beast and then ultimately convinced them to fight against the prostitute together.
Bringing it Home
This chapter, although enigmatic in many ways, continues the primary theme of Revelation, that of the sovereignty of God over the end.
Though countless people and kings give their allegiance to the beast, though that end-time empire is operating under the beast’s control, all their efforts are futile.
As Solomon once observed, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Pro. 21:1).
No matter what earthly kings are reigning, there is truly only One who is enthroned. He directs the hearts of Kings as He pleases to do His will.
In the Old Testament, both Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, kings of pagan nations, were called servants of Yahweh.
He raised up Babylon for His purpose to bring about judgment upon His people, and when He was done with them, He raised up Persia to send His people home.
This God has not, nor will He ever, abdicate His throne.
God has never lost control of His creation—not for a moment. He is directing it every second to accomplish His sovereignly decreed ends. The road might be bumpy along the way from our perspective, but its destination is sure.
Furthermore, the Lamb will triumph in the end.
It is in vain that the kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and His Anointed. The true King of the earth laughs from His heavenly throne at the vain attempts of humankind to buck against His authority (see Ps. 2:1-6). In the words of one commentator concerning the Messiah, “There is no refuge from Him, only in Him.”
The victory of the Lamb, although awaited, is certain. To all whose names are written in the book of life, we can rejoice today that God is working all things together for good, not only in our own lives but also in creation.
His will will be done. His Kingdom will come. Good will triumph over evil. Christ will prevail.
Challenge for Today:
When I read Revelation, do I get disheartened by the beast, the false prophet, the dragon, and all the rebellion that happens on page after page, or do I find hope and joy in the certain triumph of God?
[1] George Eldon Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972), 222.
The part about how the beast turns on the prostitute only because God puts the idea in the kings hearts is a striking reminder of sovereignty in action. Even the apparent victory of evil contains the seeds of its own destruction built in by divine design. I've always found the self-destructive nature of rebellion interesting cause it mirrors what we see historically where authoritarian coalitions inevitably turn on eachother once external threats are gone. The certainty of the Lamb's conquest shifts the whole framing from 'will good triumph' to 'when will good triumph' which changes everything about how we engage the present. Holding to that while watching current events unfold takes constant recalibration tho.
I agree with everything you wrote. Babylon could also be Jerusalem, representing Israel’s unfaithfulness, which the prophets pointed out endlessly.