2026-04-16 Revelation 17 Wednesday Part 2

In this episode of Today in the Word, Pastor Bob Larson continues his exposition of Revelation 17, focusing on the symbolic figure of the 'woman on the beast' and the historical and spiritual implications of her identity. He traces the origins of Babylon and the Tower of Babel back to Nimrod, interpreting him as a symbol of rebellion against God and the birthplace of false religion. Pastor Bob draws a stark parallel between ancient Babylon and modern religious systems that claim to worship God but promote idolatry, self-centeredness, and the rejection of biblical truth. He highlights the ongoing global persecution of Christians—citing Open Doors' data showing 380 million persecuted worldwide, 4,476 martyred in 2025 alone—and emphasizes that persecution often comes not from secular regimes but from religious institutions, including within Christianity itself. He interprets the 'beast' as a prophetic symbol of imperial evil, linking Nero to the number 666 and suggesting that the same demonic spirit will manifest in the Antichrist. The episode concludes with a call to vigilance, faithfulness, and spiritual discernment in light of coming judgment.