Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Matthew 7:7-8
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Main Thought
You will find what you seek. Choose what you seek very carefully.
Choose Between a Prostitute and a Beautiful Bride
Have you ever wondered about the striking contrasts in the Book of Revelation? One of the most powerful comparisons is between two very different women: the Great Prostitute and the Bride of the Lamb. This article will help you understand these important symbols and what they mean for believers today.
The Power of Choice: What We Seek Matters
The main message is simple but powerful: we will find whatever we’re looking for in life. This idea comes from Jesus’s words in Matthew 7:7-8, where He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” This teaching reminds us that our choices about what we pursue in life really matter.
The Tale of Two Women
In Revelation, we see two very different paths represented by two women. Let’s look at each one carefully.
The Great Prostitute: A Warning Sign
The first woman we meet is called “the Great Prostitute” or “Babylon the Great.” She appears in Revelation 17:1-6, and her description is meant to warn us about dangerous choices. Here’s what we learn about her:
- She sits on many waters, meaning she has influence over many peoples
- Kings and rulers have been involved with her
- She wears expensive purple and scarlet clothes
- She’s covered in gold, jewels, and pearls
- She holds a gold cup full of evil things
- She’s drunk with the blood of people who followed Jesus
What does this mean? The Great Prostitute represents all the ways Satan tries to pull people away from God. These include:
- Using violence to hurt believers
- Teaching false ideas about God
- Using money and pleasure to distract people
The Beast and the Prostitute
An interesting part of this story is that the Beast (another evil figure in Revelation) actually turns against the Great Prostitute. Even though they work together at first to fight against God’s people, the Beast ends up destroying the Prostitute. This shows us how evil often ends up destroying itself.
The Bride: A Beautiful Alternative
In contrast to the Great Prostitute, Revelation 19:1-9 introduces us to the Bride of the Lamb. This represents something completely different:
- She’s pure and faithful
- She wears clean, bright linen
- Her clothes represent good deeds
- She’s part of a great celebration
- She’s connected to joy and victory
The Marriage Celebration
One of the most beautiful scenes in Revelation is the marriage supper of the Lamb. This celebration shows God’s ultimate victory and the joy of those who have stayed faithful to Him. The description includes:
- A huge crowd celebrating
- Sounds like thunder and rushing water
- Everyone praising God
- The Bride wearing pure, bright linen
- A special blessing for those invited to the celebration
The New Jerusalem: The Bride Revealed
In Revelation 21:9-26, we learn something surprising: the Bride is actually a symbol for the New Jerusalem, a beautiful city coming down from heaven. This city is described in amazing detail:
- It shines with God’s glory
- It has twelve gates made of pearls
- The walls have twelve foundations with precious jewels
- It’s made of pure gold, clear as glass
- God’s light makes it bright forever
- The nations will bring their glory into it
- Nothing evil can ever enter it
Ancient Roots of the Bride Symbol
This picture of the holy city being a bride isn’t new to Revelation. It has roots in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah 62:5. Here, God promises to:
- Change His people’s name from “Forsaken” to “My Delight”
- Rejoice over it like a bridegroom with his bride
- Transform its reputation completely
Making the Right Choice
The message becomes clear: we have two paths before us. One path might look exciting and rich on the outside but leads to destruction. The other path might seem harder at first but leads to lasting joy and beauty.
Philippians 4:8 gives us a practical way to choose the right path. It tells us to focus our thoughts on things that are:
- True
- Honorable
- Just
- Pure
- Lovely
- Commendable
- Excellent
- Worthy of praise
Practical Applications for Today
How can we apply these teachings to our daily lives?
- Be careful what you pursue Remember that what you seek, you will find. Choose your goals and interests wisely.
- Look past surface appearances The Great Prostitute looked wealthy and powerful but was headed for destruction. The Bride’s beauty came from her pure heart and good actions.
- Stay faithful in hard times The Bride’s story shows that staying true to God leads to ultimate victory and joy.
- Focus on what’s truly valuable Instead of chasing temporary pleasures, invest in things that last forever.
- Join the celebration God invites everyone to be part of His victory celebration. The choice is ours to accept.
Conclusion
The contrast between the Great Prostitute and the Bride of the Lamb teaches us an important lesson: our choices matter. What we seek and focus on shapes who we become. While the world might offer flashy but empty promises, God offers something real and lasting.
Just as Jesus said, “Seek and you will find,” we get to choose what we’re looking for. The Book of Revelation shows us two clear paths: one leading to destruction and one leading to eternal joy. The choice is ours to make.
Remember: You will find what you seek. Choose what you seek very carefully.
Key Scriptures to Remember:
- Matthew 7:7-8
- Philippians 4:8
- Revelation 17:1-6
- Revelation 17:14
- Revelation 19:1-9
- Isaiah 62:5
- Revelation 21:9-27
Revelation speaks powerfully to us today, reminding us that our choices and focus determine our destination. By understanding these symbols and their meaning, we can make better choices about what we pursue in life.
