REVELATION
SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 17.9
Gleanings
from the Book of Revelation:
A
Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series
The
REVELATION
TO JOHN
Chapter
Seventeen
The
Great Tribulation
Parenthesis
Mystery
Babylon
(Religious
Babylon)
2. The Description of the Beast [continued]
(Vv. 7-14)
(Verse 9)
And here is the
mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman
sitteth.
Many have interpreted
the seven mountains to be Rome which has caused much confusion in the exegesis
of the succeeding verses. Therefore, the correct interpretation needs spiritual
insight - He who has a wise mind has such understanding:
1. The Seven Heads –
Rulers of seven world empires
2. The Seven Mountains –
Seven world governments
3. The Woman Sitting Upon
Them – The Harlot, i.e., the Babylonian false religious system
(Verse 10)
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and
one is, and the
other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Daniel’s Prophecy
Realized
There are seven kings
Seven Heads represent kings or rulers of historic empires. Seven kings
of ten empires ruled (will rule) as
such:
1.
Egypt – The house of bondage (cf. Exodus 20:20)
2.
Assyria – Exalted against God (cf. Isaiah 37:23)
3.
Babylon – The first part of Daniel’s statue; head of gold (cf.
Daniel 2:36-38)
4.
Medo-Persia – The second; arms and breasts of silver (cf.
Daniel 2:39)
5.
Greece – The third, kingdom of brass (cf. Daniel 2:39)
6.
Rome – The fourth, legs of iron (cf. Daniel 2:40)
7.
Rome revived (future): The fifth, feet and toes of iron mixed
with clay (cf. Daniel 2:42)
Five are fallen
The Fallen Five:
1.
Egypt – In power at the time of the Exodus
2.
Assyria - Invaded the Egyptian Empire in 671 B.C.
3.
Babylon – The hammer of the whole earth (cf. Jeremiah 50:23)
4.
Medo-Persia – Captured Babylon without a battle October 13,
539 B.C. (cf. Daniel 5:30-31)
5.
Greece – Rose to power under Alexander the Great (331 B.C.).
And one
is
In existence in John’s
writing:
A.
Rome – Empire ruling in John’s day (cf. Daniel 2:40a)
And the other is not yet come
A future one-world empire
(during Tribulation)
A.
The ten toes of iron and clay (cf. Daniel 2:41) will be
revived, i.e., the final form of the Roman Empire – A one-world (religious-political)
government (a ten-nation confederacy) under Antichrist
And when he cometh, he must continue a short
space
When Antichrist comes
into power he will remain in power but for a brief period (3 ½ years), i.e.,
the remaining time God has permitted him to reign.
(Verse 11)
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is
the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
World alliances are made
during the first half (forty-two months) of the Tribulation Period. This will
launch Antichrist as the
final world ruler in the middle of the seven years. One of the seven subdues the seven kings, rises, and appears as the
eighth kingdom - Rome revived. He and his kingdom will end in destruction at Christ’s
Second Coming (cf. Revelation 19:20).
(Verse 12)
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten
kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one
hour with the beast.
If horns are an
expression of power, then ten horns are a picture of completeness. There will
be ten future kings (translated; rulers, emperors) of ten nations,
contemporaries with each other, who will rule the last forty-two months of
Tribulation. One hour is an idiom for
a short period. Hence, they will rule together in one accord (simultaneously
and having single-mindedness) with Antichrist. But, their reign will be
ultimately short-lived.
Note: The global empire at this time will be divided into ten
kingdoms. The conjecture is that North America will be one of the ten (i.e.,
Canada, USA, and Mexico).
(Verse 13)
These have one mind, and shall give their power
and strength unto the beast.
In complete allegiance,
the ten-nation confederation pledges its power and strength to Antichrist. However,
in effect, they will only serve as puppet figures manipulated by Antichrist.
(Verse 14)
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.
In opposition to any
form of religion, their intentions are clear. The final world confederation of
ten nations is solely intent on waging war with the Lamb of God. This is a
prophetic verse revealing that Jesus Christ, Lord of lords and King of kings
(religiously, politically, economically, and militarily) will ultimately
overcome the beast and his false global system at the Battle of Armageddon. All
the forces of Satan and Hell are unable to defeat the Lamb of God. Praise is
given to the overcomers who are labeled chosen
and faithful.
Fulfillment of Daniel
7
In agreement with Daniel's prophecy, out of the
fourth kingdom (corresponding with the fifth head of the beast), ten kings
shall arise, i.e., the Revived Roman Empire):
Daniel 7:7 - After
this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast (the
Roman Empire), dreadful and terrible, and strong
exceedingly (cf. Daniel 2:40); and
it had great iron teeth: it devoured and
brake in pieces [the whole earth (cf. Daniel 7:23)], and stamped the residue (the rest or remainder) with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it
had ten horns (Horn; a symbol of power –Ten kingdoms).
The next beast will be different from all other rulers of the
earth and position himself to become a world dictator, having a universal rule for forty-two
months.
Daniel 7:23-24 - Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom (Roman
Empire, the iron legs) upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole
earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall
arise: and
another (ruler, i.e. Antichrist) shall rise after them;
and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three
kings.
Out of a ten-nation confederacy reigning during Tribulation,
there will arise one ruler called the
little horn (cf. Daniel 7:8) – Antichrist, who will conquer three rival kingdoms.
Daniel 7:26 - But the judgment shall sit, and they
shall take away his dominion, to
consume and to destroy
it unto
the end (forever).
After Antichrist’s three-and-one-half-year reign, he and the
false prophet will be judged, permanently removed, and destroyed (cf.
Revelation 20:20).
1. The Definition of the Harlot (Vv.
1-6)
2. The Description of the Beast (Vv.
7-14)
3, The Destruction of the Harlot (Vv.
15-18)
(Verse 15)
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou
sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and
tongues.
Water in the Bible is always taken literally, here is but one
exception. Hence, waters in this
passage are symbolic of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues [i.e., ethnic
groups (cf. Revelation 7:9)]. The woman John observes is the harlot (whore,
prostitute) woman, representative of the one-world church, internationally
exercising its religious control over humanity by committing spiritual
fornication.
(Verse 16)
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the
beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and
shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
At the mid-point of
Tribulation, Antichrist will become covetous of Harlot's wealth and power and
desires to become totalitarian. Kings or leaders of the ten-nation confederacy [i.e.,
the ten Horns) loyal to Antichrist will unite, abet, turn against and abhor the
apostate church (i.e., the woman or harlot (false Babylonian religious system)
riding on the beast (Antichrist)].
And shall make her desolate and naked, and
shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire
The outcome of this
endeavor is graphically stated by three extremely violent actions:
1. They will make her
desolate and naked
Analogous to stripping
her of all her power, possessions, and gold
2. They will eat her
flesh
All her spoil will be
consumed
3. They will burn her
with fire
Her remains will be
burnt to the ground, reminiscent of the law of Moses:
Leviticus 20:14 - And if a man take
(marries) a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
So, Antichrist will
become jealous, hate the harlot, and destroy her with extreme violence so that
its system is obliterated.
(Verse 17)
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his
will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of
God shall be fulfilled.
All in accord and part
of God’s determinate sovereign plan, their hearts agree to inadvertently
fulfill His plan. As a result, it is God’s will that prevails, even though the
ten kings appear to be working out their purpose by aligning themselves with
Antichrist.
(Verse 18)
And the woman which thou sawest is that great
city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Symbolic language is
revealed in this passage. Recall, Babel-Babylon was and is a rebellious
religious system against God; THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.
So, where is that
great city? Some say:
1. It is Rome
2. It is Babylon
3. It is Jerusalem in its
final form
The latter seems to be
the most appropriate since the Tribulation Temple is anticipated to be rebuilt
and then desecrated in Jerusalem.
Which reigneth over the kings of the earth
It is believed the
world church is modeled after Rome. And,
the city has kingship, powers, or religious authority over the kings of the
earth.
Summary
Recollect: Babylon
represents an accumulation of all the apostate religions under the influence
and control of Satan. In the beginning, the beast and the harlot ride together
as inseparable. This system will have a major impact and influence on the
political system of its day. Subsequently, the Neo Babylonian religious system,
seen as the harlot or prostitute - The apostate church, will flourish during
the first half of the Tribulation and remain unchanged.
However, the Bible
clearly warns:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and
that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
So, at
mid-Tribulation, Antichrist will see the harlot as a challenge and detriment to
his power and authority. At this point, he will overthrow the harlot with his
ten-nation loyal confederacy and proclaim himself to be god, and worshipped as such.
Chapter 18 details Babylon
as more a literal city than a religious one. Later it will be judged as the
political and economic entity of an evil one-world empire under the influence
of Satan.
QUESTIONS:
1. How long will Antichrist rule?
2. How does Antichrist come to power?
3. What causes people to worship the beast?
4. Name the empires of Daniel Chapter 2.
5. Who do the ten kings represent?
6. What is the meaning of the woman riding the beast?
7. How is the Great Harlot destroyed?
If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.
SAVE
AND FORWARD THIS LINK
http://breadoflifeministriesassoc.blogspot.com/
CHAPTER 17.9
Gleanings
from the Book of Revelation:
A
Weekly Bible Study Series
The
REVELATION
TO JOHN
Chapter
Seventeen
The
Great Tribulation
Parenthesis
Mystery
Babylon
(Religious
Babylon)
2. The Description of the Beast [continued]
(Vv. 7-14)
(Verse 9)
And here is the
mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman
sitteth.
Many have interpreted
the seven mountains to be Rome which has caused much confusion in the exegesis
of the succeeding verses. Therefore, the correct interpretation needs spiritual
insight - He who has a wise mind has such understanding:
1. The Seven Heads –
Rulers of seven world empires
2. The Seven Mountains –
Seven world governments
3. The Woman Sitting Upon
Them – The Harlot, i.e., the Babylonian false religious system
(Verse 10)
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and
one is, and the
other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Daniel’s Prophecy
Realized
There are seven kings
Seven Heads represent kings or rulers of historic empires. Seven kings
of ten empires ruled (will rule) as
such:
1.
Egypt – The house of bondage (cf. Exodus 20:20)
2.
Assyria – Exalted against God (cf. Isaiah 37:23)
3.
Babylon – The first of Daniel’s statue; head of gold (cf.
Daniel 2:36-38)
4.
Medo-Persia – The second; arms and breasts of silver (cf.
Daniel 2:39)
5.
Greece – The third, kingdom of brass (cf. Daniel 2:39)
6.
Rome – The fourth, legs of iron (cf. Daniel 2:40)
7.
Rome revived (future): The fifth, feet and toes of iron mixed
with clay (cf. Daniel 2:42)
Five are fallen
The Fallen Five:
1.
Egypt – In power at the time of the Exodus
2.
Assyria - Invaded the Egyptian Empire in 671 B.C.
3.
Babylon – The hammer of the whole earth (cf. Jeremiah 50:23)
4.
Medo-Persia – Captured Babylon without a battle October 13,
539 B.C. (cf. Daniel 5:30-31)
5.
Greece – Rose to power under Alexander the Great (331 B.C.).
And one
is
In existence at John’s
writing:
A.
Rome – Empire ruling in John’s day (cf. Daniel 2:40a)
And the other is not yet come
A future one-world empire
(during Tribulation)
A.
The ten toes of iron and clay (cf. Daniel 2:41) will be
revived, i.e., the final form of the Roman Empire – A one- world (religious-political)
government (a ten-nation confederacy) under Antichrist
And when he cometh, he must continue a short
space
When Antichrist comes
into power he will remain in power but for a brief period (3 ½ years), i.e.,
the remaining time God has permitted him to reign.
(Verse 11)
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is
the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
World alliances are made
during the first half (forty-two months) of the Tribulation Period. This will
launch Antichrist as the
final world ruler in the middle of the seven years. One of the seven subdues the seven kings, rises, and appears as the
eighth kingdom - Rome revived. He and his kingdom will end in destruction at Christ’s
Second Coming (cf. Revelation 19:20).
(Verse 12)
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten
kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one
hour with the beast.
If horns are an
expression of power, then ten horns are a picture of completeness. There will
be ten future kings (translated; rulers, emperors) of ten nations,
contemporaries with each other, who will rule the last forty-two months of
Tribulation. One hour is an idiom for
a short period. Hence, they will rule together in one accord (simultaneously
and having single-mindedness) with Antichrist. But, their reign will be
ultimately short-lived.
Note: The global empire at this time will be divided into ten
kingdoms. The conjecture is that North America will be one of the ten (i.e.,
Canada, USA, and Mexico).
(Verse 13)
These have one mind, and shall give their power
and strength unto the beast.
In complete allegiance,
the ten-nation confederation pledges its power and strength to Antichrist. However,
in effect, they will only serve as puppet figures manipulated by Antichrist.
(Verse 14)
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.
In opposition to any
form of religion, their intentions are clear. The final world confederation of
ten nations is solely intent on waging war with the Lamb of God. This is a
prophetic verse revealing that Jesus Christ, Lord of lords and King of kings
(religiously, politically, economically, and militarily) will ultimately
overcome the beast and his false global system at the Battle of Armageddon. All
the forces of Satan and Hell are unable to defeat the Lamb of God. Praise is
given to the overcomers who are labeled chosen
and faithful.
Fulfillment of Daniel
7
In agreement with Daniel's prophecy, out of the
fourth kingdom (corresponding with the fifth head of the beast), ten kings
shall arise, i.e., the Revived Roman Empire):
Daniel 7:7 - After
this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast (the
Roman Empire), dreadful and terrible, and strong
exceedingly (cf. Daniel 2:40); and
it had great iron teeth: it devoured and
brake in pieces [the whole earth (cf. Daniel 7:23)], and stamped the residue (the rest or remainder) with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it
had ten horns (Horn; a symbol of power –Ten kingdoms).
The next beast will be different from all other rulers of the
earth position himself to become a world dictator, having a universal rule for forty-two
months.
Daniel 7:23-24 - Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom (Roman
Empire, the iron legs) upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole
earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall
arise: and
another (ruler, i.e. Antichrist) shall rise after them;
and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three
kings.
Out of a ten-nation confederacy reigning during Tribulation,
there will arise one ruler called the
little horn (cf. Daniel 7:8) – Antichrist, who will conquer three rival kingdoms.
Daniel 7:26 - But the judgment shall sit, and they
shall take away his dominion, to
consume and to destroy
it unto
the end (forever).
After Antichrist’s three and one-half year reign, he and the
false prophet will be judged, permanently removed, and destroyed (cf.
Revelation 20:20).
1. The Definition of the Harlot (Vv.
1-6)
2. The Description of the Beast (Vv.
7-14)
3, The Destruction of the Harlot (Vv.
15-18)
(Verse 15)
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou
sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and
tongues.
Water in the Bible is always taken literally, here is but one
exception. Hence, waters in this
passage are symbolic of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues [i.e., ethnic
groups (cf. Revelation 7:9)]. The woman John observes is the harlot (whore,
prostitute) woman, representative of the one-world church, internationally
exercising its religious control over humanity by committing spiritual
fornication.
(Verse 16)
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the
beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and
shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
At the mid-point of
Tribulation, Antichrist will become covetous of Harlot's wealth and power and
desire to become totalitarian. Kings or leaders of the ten-nation confederacy [i.e.,
the ten horns) loyal to Antichrist will unite, abet, turn against and abhor the
apostate church (i.e., the woman or harlot (false Babylonian religious system)
riding on the beast (Antichrist)].
And shall make her desolate and naked, and
shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire
The outcome of this
endeavor is graphically stated by three extreme violent actions:
1. They will make her
desolate and naked
Analogous to stripping
her of all her power, possessions, and gold
2. They will eat her
flesh
All her spoil will be
consumed
3. They will burn her
with fire
Her remains will be
burnt to the ground, reminiscent of a Law of Moses:
Leviticus 20:14 - And if a man take
(marries) a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
So, Antichrist will
become jealous, hate the harlot, and destroy her with extreme violence so that
its system is obliterated.
(Verse 17)
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his
will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of
God shall be fulfilled.
All in accord and part
of God’s determinate sovereign plan, their hearts agree to inadvertently
fulfill His plan. As a result, it is God’s will that prevails, even though the
ten kings appear to be working out their purpose by aligning themselves with
Antichrist.
(Verse 18)
And the woman which thou sawest is that great
city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Symbolic language is
revealed in this passage. Recall, Babel-Babylon was and is a rebellious
religious system against God; THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.
So, where is that
great city? Some say:
1. It is Rome
2. It is Babylon
3. It is Jerusalem in its
final form
The latter seems to be
the most appropriate since the Tribulation Temple is anticipated to be rebuilt
and then desecrated in Jerusalem.
Which reigneth over the kings of the earth
It is believed the
world church is modeled after Rome. And,
the city has kingship, powers, or religious authority over the kings of the
earth.
Summary
Recollect: Babylon
represents an accumulation of all the apostate religions under the influence
and control of Satan. In the beginning, the beast and the harlot ride together
as inseparable. This system will have a major impact and influence on the
political system of its day. Subsequently, the Neo Babylonian religious system,
seen as the harlot or prostitute - The apostate church, will flourish during
the first half of the Tribulation and remain unchanged.
However, the Bible
clearly warns:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and
that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
So, at
mid-Tribulation, Antichrist will see the harlot as a challenge and detriment to
his power and authority. At this point, he will overthrow the harlot with his
ten-nation loyal confederacy and proclaim to be and worshipped as a god.
Chapter 18 details Babylon
as more a literal city than a religious one. Later it will be judged as the
political and economic entity of an evil one-world empire under the influence
of Satan.
QUESTIONS:
1. How long will Antichrist rule?
2. How does Antichrist come to power?
3. What causes people to worship the beast?
4. Name the empires of Daniel Chapter 2.
5. Who do the ten kings represent?
6. What is the meaning of the woman riding the beast?
7. How is the Great Harlot destroyed?
If this study is
blessing you, make it a blessing to others.
SAVE
AND FORWARD THIS LINK
http://breadoflifeministriesassoc.blogspot.com/
