Revelation, Day 4 Readings

The Seventh Trumpet & The Whore of Babylon  

Today's first reading describes the period just before the seventh trumpet sounds and just after.  According to the vision, there will be a period of prophecy during the chaotic final months of Jerusalem.  After this, the beast will kill the prophets.  But after three days, they will be resurrected.  Then the seventh trumpet will sound, and the glory of heaven will be revealed.  Taken together, this is a promise of tribulation, followed by judgment for the wicked and reward for the faithful in heaven.

Read Revelation 11:1-19  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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The second reading describes the final powers of earth, who will offer increasingly awful and despotic leadership.  The first is the most famous, the Great Whore of Babylon, which many people think represent the Roman Empire.  Evidently (though the vision is a bit confused and open to much interpretation), this will be followed by ten kingdoms, who will each have short periods of power.  Somehow they will ally themselves with the Beast and fight against the powers of heaven; ultimately, heaven will defeat them.

Read Revelation 17:1-28  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 15-18 today.