The judgment of the great whore (part 3)
After the midnight cry 27
Meditate about these things.
Rev. 17:15, “And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” This indicates, both the historical and worldwide influence and authority of the whore. The blood of many saints and martyrs of Jesus are in her hands. This woman rules and dominates in every part of the earth. In verse 7, it talks about the beast that carrieth her, which hath seven heads and ten horns. She sitteth on many waters, sitteth on the beast, and sitteth on seven mountains. In verse 18, the Bible clearly states that this woman, (the whore) which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” This perhaps refers to a worldwide, idolatrous, pagan system anchored in Rome.
She rides in the chariot or back of the beast. What is this beast upon which the whore rides? In verse 7 the angel tells John, “I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.” Verse 8, “The beast 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.”
Verse 9, “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” There are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”
The Seven heads of the beast represent seven mountains on which the woman sitteth. The city of Rome all through the history of the ancient world was a city built on seven hills or mountains. John notes that the wise mind will make the proper identification. The woman on the seven hills represents an idolatrous, anti-God civilization, centered at Rome but with worldwide influence.
The seven kings may represent ancient empires or kingdoms that have ruled over Israel and the rest of the world at one time or another. Starting with Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (pagan Rome) and the revived Roman Empire. Five are fallen (past); the sixth is the pagan Roman Empire in the days of John. The seventh is the revived Roman Empire. Then Verse 11, states that, “The beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. There is coming, the little horn, and he will exist as a major power for only a short time: Since it will give his power and authority to the beast, the antichrist, (Rev 17:10-11). The scarlet-colored beast, having seven heads and ten horns, had the woman sitting upon it. Verse 12, “The ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, (of future revived Roman empire) which have received no kingdoms as yet; but receive power as kings one hour ( this indicates it will be for a short time) with the beast. God is winding up. (Part 4 next).
The judgment of the great whore (part 3) – Week 64c