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Read Revelation 13, then reference with Chapter 17.
Revelation 17
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven
vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many
waters:
John is shown the judgment of the whore. In Revelation 14:8, the whore is understood as Babylon: "she").
2 With whom the
kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
The
kings of the earth were intimately involved with her.
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a
woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
John sees a vision of the whore,
a woman riding on the beast which has 7 heads and 10 horns. This beast is the same beast described in Revelation 13:1.
4 And
the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her
hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
The woman was rich with worldly possessions. Her cup was filled with
sin ("abominations and filthiness").
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTSAND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Her name is Babylon the Great. This verifies she is the Babylon of Revelation 14:8.
6 And I saw
the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great
admiration.
She was drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus.
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou
marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
The
angel tells John he is going to explain to him the meaning of the woman and the beast, which means both are symbolic.
8 Thebeast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on
the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast
that was, and is not, and yet is.
The beast is the first beast of Revelation 13 verses 1-3, 12, and 14 which will
later come back to life ("was and is not and yet is"). He will come from the bottomless pit.
9 And here is
the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
The 7 heads of the beast are 7 mountains
where the woman resides.
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.
The 7 heads represent 7 kings; 5 are past, 1 present , and 1 still to come (when John wrote
his letter).
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
This
beast is the 8th king. He is the king that "was and is not."
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.
The 10 horns are 10 kings which come later. They
gain their kingship from the beast that "was and is not and yet is." The beast "yet is" because it will come out of the bottomless
pit and be revived (v.8).
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
They assist the beast
however they can.
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.
They go to war with the Lamb of God (Jesus). But Jesus
will prevail and defeat them.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and
multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
The water from where the first beast comes (Rev. 13:1) and where the whore resides represents
many people and nations.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make herdesolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
The 10 kings that get their kingship from the beast will turn
against the whore that sits on the beast and will cause her destruction.
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.
God has caused them to fulfill
His will.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The woman is the
city of Babylon.
Much of Revelation prophecy has already been fulfilled. It is often believed that it is still to be fulfilled. This is because the book of Revelation is intended to be end times prophecy, which it is. However, according to the book of Acts, the end times began after Christ's ascension.
The Revelation end times prophecy began at Christ's birth (Rev. 12) and will continue to play out until the eighth day described in Revelation 21 following the final judgment day.
This chapter will describe what is fulfilled and is being fulfilled and what is still to take place according to Revelation 17prophetic events.
Events fulfilled In this chapter, an angel tells John the meaning of the beast and further descriptions as found in Revelation 13 and 14. We are told that the beasts, horns, and crowns of Revelation 13 and the whore of Revelation 14 are metaphorical and speak of people, kings, and kingdoms that would play out in history. The beast of Revelation 13 (also called the first beast) is the Roman Empire that ruled much of the world beginning 27 BC. in to the first century and going into the fifth century. The whore of Revelation 14 is the city of Rome which resides on the beast, the Roman Empire. The water from where the first beast comes (Rev. 13:1) and where the whore resides represents many people who live in the nations under Roman occupation (v. 15).
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
They are descriptive of Rome. Rome was founded in 753 B.C. on Palatine Hill (D'Orazio). It is believed the founder of Rome was Romulus. Rome extended
to 7 mountains or settlements:
Palatine Hill, Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Quirinal Hill,Viminal Hill
These settlements grouped together to become one city known as Roma (and later Rome). Located east of the Tiber
River, the 7 settlements are the 7 mountains described in Revelation.
The 7 kings are the first
emperors of the Roman Empire.
Seven kings rule the 7 Roman "heads" (mountains).
Each ruler
represents the beast and because of this is also often referred to as the beast in Scripture.
The "five fallen"
are the past rulers of the Roman Empire:
Octavian, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero.
Nero was the last
of the 5 previous emperors.
Nero was the first of imperial authorities to persecute the early Christians (Canfield). He was
the beast that was to "continue for 42 months," or 3 and 1/2 years. Nero's persecution of Christianity began in A.D. 64. It ended
in June of A.D. 68, at his death. This persecution lasted for 3 and 1/2 years, fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation 13:5.
He
blasphemed God (Rev. 13:6). He made war with the saints and had power over many nations as the ruler of the Roman Empire (Rev.
13:7). Nero was the beast that would die and be brought back to life.
The 6th beast. The beast that "one is" (v.
10). The current Roman ruler during the time of the prophecy:
Vespasian. Vespasian did not persecute the church. The
beast was to stay dead during the time of Vespasian.
Three emperors lasted only one year (Galba, Otho, Vitelius) vying
for rule of the Roman Empire. Vespasian succeeded the three in one year and began rule in A.D. 69 (Mace).
The 7th
beast. "The other is not yet come; he must continue a short space" (v. 10):
Titus.
Titus was son of Vespasian. Indeed his
time was a "short space." He only lasted two years as Emperor before his untimely death.
The 8th beast. "And the beast
that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition" (v. 11):
Domitian
Vespasian's
son Domitian ruled after Titus. As the 8th beast, he was recognized as part of the seven beasts ("of the seven") and
part of the 7th beast since he was son of the 6th beast Vespasian (v. 11) . He deified his brother Titus (Reed). Yet,
there is strong evidence he was responsible for his death.
According to history, it was believed Nero had come back to
life through Domitian (Carey).
Indeed his behavior had returned in Domitian. Under Nero and Domitian was
the persecution of the first church. Like Nero, Domitian blasphemed God and made war with the saints (Rev. 13:6-7).
Under
Domitian the deadly wound was healed. The beast had come back to life.
A second beast was brought in to existenceafter the first beast as persecutor of the church was brought back to life.
The second beast forced worship of the first beast that was brought back to life.
The Romans, under an order called the Roman Imperial Cult, established a priesthood that enforced worship of Caesar and false idol worship (Price). Its ambition was to cause separation within the Christian sect while attempting to unify them under pagan gods. Those who worshipped the emperor or an idol received a certificate, or mark of approval, known as a libellus (Rev. 13:16) ("Certificate of Pagan Sacrifice"). During the reign of Emperor Decius (A.D. 249-251), those who did not posses the certificate of sacrifice to Caesar could not pursue a trade (Rev. 13:17), a prohibition that started with the beast Nero. Nero's name in numerical code
is the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16-18).
While Titus destroyed the Temple in A.D. 70., Hadrian, emperor of
Rome from A.D. 117-138, set out to destroy anything Jewish (Horbury). He rebuilt the city of Jerusalem after the first Roman-Jewish
war of A.D. 67-73, renaming the city Aelia Capitolina after himself and Jupiter Capitolinus, the chief Roman deity. A new temple dedicated
to the worship of Jupiter was built on the ruins of the Jewish Temple originally destroyed by Titus.
Roman emperors were
deified under the Roman Imperial Cult at death, part of the Roman religion and government, and worshipped as such (2 Thess.
2:4). (Price).
"The beast that was and is not":
The beast as the Roman Empire is dissolved with the collapse of the
Roman Empire.
Prophecy fulfilled.
Conclusion
Nero to Domitian. The beast as persecutor of saints brought back to life.
Under Nero the beast lived. After Nero the beast died
and was not brought back to life until Domitian.
During the time that John wrote the Revelation letter to the churches
and early Christians, he mentioned that the beast was and is not yet is. Why? Because although the beast still existed as the Roman
Empire ("yet is"), it no longer existed as the persecutor of Christianity as under Nero until the persecution started again
with Domitian. Nero and Domitian persecuted the church.
John wrote his letter at a time when the Christian persecution had temporarily
subsided ("is not"). He knew via God's instruction it would only be temporary. God used John to warn the Christian church so
that they would be prepared for what was to come.
Event being fulfilled The gospel is preached to all the world. Revelation 14 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Read Rev. 14:6-12). It has been in the process of being fulfilled since Christ first gave the gift of salvation and it will continue to be fulfilled until Christ's return and everything is delivered to God (1 Cor:15:23-24). Events in the process of being fulfilled and will play out to Christ's return
The
beast that "yet is."
There is a bigger picture to this beast that was and is not yet is. The Roman Empire would dissolve ("was and is not"). No longer exist. Yet the beast still exists. The beast attempts to control 10 kings. Or countries. These 10 kings are the 10 horns of the beast.
The 10 kings "have one mind." To give their power to the beast (Rev. 17:13). They attempt to have a similar power over mankind as did the original beast. Because they rule for only one "hour" (God's time) their existence will be short. The beast with the rulers of this world gather at Megiddo (known as Armageddon) (Rev. 16:14,16).
They prepare to go to war with the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who will conquer them (v. 14).
The beast and the false prophet (2 Thess. 2:3-10) are thrown alive in the lake of fire.
It is by the power of the dragon that the beast rules.
The beast rules in the image of the first beast (Rev. 13). With this beast will come the false prophet (2 Thess. 2:8-9). (Compare v. 9 to Rev. 13: 13-14 and Rev. 19:20).
The false prophet is a false spiritual leader who gives homage to the beast as did the second beast of Rev. 13. The ten kings will turn against the city (Rome) and destroy it (v. 16). The city of Rome (also called Babylon) will be permanently destroyed ("shall be found no more at all") (Rev. 18:21) ("came in remembrance before God") (Rev. 16:19). The Son of Man (Christ) reaps the good harvest (Rev. 14:14-18) while evil is harvested to receive God's wrath (Rev. 14:18-19). (Compare to Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 reaping the harvest and Matthew 25:31-46 when Christ separates the goats and sheep). These prophetic events deliver a final message: Do not be deceived.
Do not
idol worship.
Revelation 20 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Obey the first
two Commandments and the rest will follow.
Exodus 20
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee
any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
And so will fulfill the time of the gentiles (Rom. 11:25).
Holy Sabbath begins and Israel will unite to worship the Savior. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further
reading:
2 Thessalonians 2
3 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;
4 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.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I
was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery
of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be
revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him,
whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Temple of God is Jesus. Son of
perdition will claim to be Christ.
Matthew 24
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he
that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Revelation 16
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of
the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits
of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that
great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked,
and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Revelation 19
19 And
I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and
against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceivedthem that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning
with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth:and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 20
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the
bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and
bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive
the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones,
and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus,
and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads,
or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand
years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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Works
Cited
Canfield, Leon Hardy. The Early Persecution of the Christians. Columbia University Press, 1913.
Carey, Greg. Ultimate
Things: An Introduction to Jewish and Christian Apocalyptic Literature. Chalice Press, 2005.
“Certificate of Pagan Sacrifice:
June-July, A.D. 250.” Oxyrhynchus Papyri Project. Oxford University.
D'Orazio, Frederica. Rome: Then and Now. Pavilion Books,
Limited, 2016.
Horbury, William. Jewish War Under Trajan and Hadrian. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Mace, James. Soldier
of Rome: Rise of the Flavians: The Year of the Four Emperors- Part II. CreateSpace Publishing, 2015.
Price, S.R.F. Rituals and
Power: The Roman Imperial Cult in Asia Minor. Cambridge University Press, 1984.
Reed, J. Eugene. The Lives of the Roman Emperors
and Their Associates from Julius Caesar (B.C. 100) to Agustulus (A.D. 476), Volume 1. Gebbie & Company, 1883.
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