Revelation 17:13-14 KJV — These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Chuck Missler gave me a lot of homework for this reading (see the Blue Letter Bible app): Isaiah 13-14, Jeremiah 59-51, and Revelation 17-18.
Revelation 18:7 KJV — How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Revelation is a challenging book to understand, but this character of Babylon speaks deeply to me.
She denies the inherent suffering of the world, lives in pride, and portends to be a monarch free of God’s command.
These temptations are ever present in widowhood. In our suffering we find great strength in ourselves. The key is to remember that all strength comes from God.