"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints..." (Revelation 17:3-6).  There are two women portrayed in the final chapters of Revelation: the Prostitute and the Bride.  Recent socio-historical studies suggest that this picture is of a roman high society call girl, who is exploited by her pimp, the beast.  Her beauty is only skin deep, her splendour is only external, her liberty is really slavery, her lovers are going to be her destruction.  Most likely John has in his mind Rome with its decadent immorality, injustice and idolatry.  But Rome was only the latest manifestation of this godless spirit, first seen in Cain's city, then Babel, and in its final form yet to be seen.  However, in stark contrast to the prostitute is the bride of Christ: "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." (Revelation 19:6-8).  The story of the Bible is God taking people who are corrupt and defiled in their unrighteousness, washing them, removing their filthy impure clothing, and clothing them in His righteousness.  God is like a husband who pursues his unfaithful love in order to win her heart and redeem her from slavery. God loves us, He has pursued us, He has redeemed us, and He wants us to love, know and enjoy Him forever.  The fleeting prostitute pleasures of sin may look alluring, but it is only as the bride in covenant relationship with God that true life can be found.

Praise God Today: "Blessed Redeemer"

Pray Today:

• For God to be continuing to speak to us through the messages we heard preached on Sunday.
• For Malcolm and the community engagement ministries as they seek to connect with people in our community and build bridges into the life of the city, so we can be a blessing and reach people for Christ.
• For God to make us fruitful this week on our frontlines as we seek to live lives that bear the likeness of Christ, minister God's grace and love to others, and be messengers of Christ.