Revelation 15 / The Song of Moses
Understanding the Battle Between the Lamb and the Beast
For many of us raised to read the book of Revelation literally, the imagery of God in battle defeating enemies can feel alarming or unsettling. But it’s important to recognize these depictions are symbolic, illustrating two opposing ways of living and organizing society. These metaphors explore the contrast between two kingdoms: the kingdom of Babylon and the kingdom of the Lamb.
Babylon represents everything rooted in arrogance, wealth, military might, and oppression. It's characterized by a relentless pursuit of status, power, and economic exploitation. On the other hand, the Lamb represents humility, justice, generosity, and service, inviting us to build lives and communities based on love and mutual care rather than dominance and greed.
In Revelation, the climactic battle between these two kingdoms is not a literal war, but a vivid portrayal of where each path ultimately leads. Babylon's kingdom is headed toward destruction, while the kingdom of the Lamb leads to a restored world — a garden of peace and light, as depicted in Revelation 21. This final showdown is symbolic of the end of oppressive, self-serving empires and the emergence of God’s kingdom of justice and goodness.
The Unveiling of God’s Judgment
When we think about judgment, we might imagine a harsh, angry God. But in the ancient world, especially among the oppressed, judgment was seen as a cause for celebration. Judgment meant the coming of justice — the righting of wrongs, the lifting of the downtrodden, and the end of oppression.
Revelation describes God’s judgment not as an act of random destruction, but as the unveiling of the true nature of oppressive systems. In Revelation 15, John references the “Son of Moses,” which is a melding of different passages that tell the story of the Israelites being set free from bondage, as well as the establishment of a new authority. Symbolically, this marked the end of the reign of the oppressive and powerful structures that Rome and Babylon-like empires had built.
God's judgment is about exposing what’s wrong with the systems we've built and calling us to something better, something Lamblike. God’s judgement is about rooting out evil and tearing down what doesn’t belong in God’s kingdom — systems of exploitation, abuse, and arrogance.
The Battle Today
The battle between the Lamb and the Beast isn’t just an ancient struggle; it’s a present reality. It’s happening around us all the time whenever people choose between the ways of the dragon and the ways of the Lamb, between self-interest and restorative generosity.
We see it when whistleblowers expose corruption or when individuals refuse to compromise their principles for personal gain. We see it in acts of kindness, the pursuit of justice, and the sacrifices people make for the good of others. This is the battle between the Lamb and the Beast—the ongoing conflict between the ways of Babylon and the ways of Christ.
Revelation reminds us that even when it seems like Babylon is winning, it will eventually fall. The love of God will set all things to rights again, and the call of Revelation is to simply remain faithful in the face of it.
Small Group Discussion Questions:
What metaphors or symbols from Revelation stand out to you as meaningful in understanding our current world?
How do you see the battle between the Lamb and the Beast playing out in your own life or in society today?
What does God's judgment mean to you? Does it bring a sense of fear or hope, and why?
Where do you see glimpses of God’s kingdom breaking through in the world around you, and how can we participate in that work?