Revelation 17:14-18 The Harlot and the Beast

Revelation 17:14 It should come as no surprise that the beast (and those who support him) and the harlot are at war with the Lamb. But the sovereignty of the Lamb is not in doubt or in danger. He will conquer them on behalf of the chosen faithful, who are with Him, removing the power of the beast and the harlot in the lives of His chosen faithful. Substitute Wall Street and Hollywood in the appropriate places in the previous sentence. This is a promise or a threat, depending on where you stand.

Revelation 17:15-18 Cracks in the alliance. The beast and his ten henchmen turn on the harlot to destroy her. This is the first step in the Lamb's campaign. Or perhaps it is simply the natural outcome of a world-system built on human understanding and exalting sin. They are fellow-travelers down this road, but because they are both fully devoted to self-centeredness, they aren't really allies. The harlot exercises influence over all the people and nations of the earth. The beast craves total authority and power and cannot tolerate rivals or power-sharing, so the harlot has to go.