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/

 

 

 

 REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

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/