The Law of Retribution

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The Law of Retribution

• Commonly referred to as an eye for an eye.
• Originates from Exodus 21.24, where retribution
  is limited to repayment of equal amount for the
  damage done. (see also Lev 24.17-23, Deut 19.21)
• Jesus commands the his followers are to take NO
  individual retribution (Matt 5.38-48, Luke
  6.27-36)
• Paul says that judgment is Gods, not ours, to
  bring to our enemies (Romans 12.17-21)

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Big QuestionHow should we as Christians respond
to a messed up world?
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1. Praise God for His Justice

• Revelation 15.3-4
• Revelation 16.5
• Revelation 18.20
• Revelation 19.1-4

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Who is the Harlot?(Rev. 17-18)

• She is called the mother of harlots (17.5)
• She sits on seven mountains seven kings
  (17.9-10)
• The beast will turn on her (17.16-17)
• She is the great city which reigns over the kings
  of the earth (17.18)
• She is figuratively called Babylon (18.10)
• In her was found the blood of al prophets and
  saints (18.24)

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Who is the Harlot?Two Options Rome or Jerusalem

• In favor of Rome
• Rome had long been referred to as being founded
  on seven hills
• She is identified with Babylon. In 70 AD, Rome
  destroyed Jerusalem as Babylon had done centuries
  earlier (586 BC).
• Is tied to the merchant economy (18.9-20)
• The harlot image is applied to the pagan nation
  of Babylon in Isaiah 47

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Who is the Harlot?Two Options Rome or Jerusalem

• In favor of Jerusalem
• She is the mother of harlots, just as God calls
  Israel all through the prophetic books (e.g.
  Hosea, Ezekiel 23, Jeremiah 3.6-10)
• She represents the Jewish synagogue, which
  believers were encouraged to remain distinct from
  (e.g. in Smyrna and Philadelphia in Rev 2-3)
• In Revelation 11.8, the great city is where also
  their Lord was crucified, which would seem to be
  Jerusalem

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Who is the Harlot?Two Options Rome or Jerusalem

• The identity of the symbols would have been more
  apparent to the original audience. Perhaps the
  synagogue of Satan referred to themselves as
  coming from the great city that will rule over
  the earth. (Jesus promises the church in
  Philadelphia that it is in fact the Christians,
  not the Jews, that will rule.)
• Even if it is difficult to determine the meaning
  of the symbols, it is not difficult to determine
  the meaning of the passage dont participate in
  sinful institutions (Rev 18.4)

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2. Rely on Gods judgment alone for your
deliverance

• Revelation 16 the bowls are based on the plagues
  (especially 1, 6, 7, and 9) from Exodus
• Revelation 18.21-24

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3. Do to Others as You would have them do to You

• Revelation 16 the reason for judgment is
  reiterated with each bowl poured this is Gods
  judgment for their wicked deeds
• Revelation 18.6-8
• Revelation 19.20

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4. Do not participate in wicked systems

• Revelation 16.15
• Revelation 18.5

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