Revelation 17:7-18
In verse 7 the Angel/Christian sees John watching with such amazement and perplexity that he tells John not to be concerned; he will narrate for him.
When we all get to Heaven, I suspect that we all will look around in amazement as John did and will hear the same comforting words. We most certainly will be given a guided tour and answers to an abundance of questions we will have!
In verse 8 we see the Angel/Christian begin the explanation concerning the beast. As stated in our study of chapters 12 and 13, this beast represents the seven empires of history as seen in the Book of Daniel. The seventh ceased to exist for a season but has risen again as our present day current events reveal to us and is currently in power.
The Seventh Empire was the Ottoman Empire that encompassed all the previous empires and ceased to function in 1924; review the study of chapters 12 and 13 for more information. Today the Ottoman Empire has risen throughout the Islamic nations, the southern part of the former Soviet Union and in parts of Europe. Islam has a large presence in France, England and throughout many European Countries.
Notice in this verse the fascination the peoples of the earth have with the beast system. Today, there is more and more push for adoration and conformity to Islam as well as sharia law repeatedly working to establish itself in our own Country and others around the world.
Verse 9 references mountains. The western view of this verse holds that these mountains represent Rome and the Catholic Church. However, mountains in the Bible are symbolic of ‘rule and power’, so we will continue our study using that understanding; Jeremiah 51:25 and Daniel 2:35 are examples of this symbolism.
This woman whom we have yet not revealed sits upon, or we could say, has a form of rule over these other rulers or kingdoms.
In verse 10 we have a description or the timeline that John presently lives in. Five of the Empires have already fallen and the one he is subject to at the present time is the Roman Empire mixed with the Islamic Empire. Nebuchadnezzar’s statue had two legs, one being the Roman and the other being the Islamic. The one yet to come was the Ottoman Empire.
It states here that it will continue a short space of time. The Ottoman Empire was the longest active empire of the seven, however compared to Heavens time clock; it is still a short space of time.
In verse 11 we notice that the eighth empire mentioned here is of the other seven as we have already discussed concerning the Ottoman Empire and is alive again today!
In verse 12 these ten horns which represent rulers are apparently given a larger responsibility than they presently have within their own Countries. There is information out that a ten territory division of the world is in the works.
This means that all the countries of the world are going to be grouped together into ten separate divisions which could be called kingdoms. This could be the kingdom that each of these horns (kings) is given to rule with the beast.
The one hour indicates that the time will be short concerning how long this will all last. Since the Tribulation period is only seven years, this hour would represent a small fraction of time in comparison to Heaven’s time clock.
Verse 13 demonstrates the unity of purpose among these ten and that they are subject to the beast system. The anti-christ and false prophet are also of this system.
Though there are many Islamic sects and they fight among themselves, they do have a unified cause to eliminate Israel and rule the world.
Verse 14 is a preview of what is to come concerning the War of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation Period when the anti-christ and beast system thinks it will oppose Jesus returning with his armies, (that’s us). We are the called, chosen and faithful bunch, aka the Church.
Verse 15 is another illustration of the symbolism of how waters represent all people groups. The whore has the temporary rule of them; “one hour!”
Verse 16 gives us a picture of how Satan operates. Isn’t it just like the devil to have his kingdom implode? Strife, envy, malice and confusion are always functioning in the kingdom of darkness and that is why it cannot stand for very long as Jesus stated in Matthew 12.
So the ten kings turn on the whore that rules over them. Notice that she will be burned with fire. That will play out in our study of the next chapter.
Verse 17 is a revelation of God’s plans and purposes being ultimately fulfilled. Even though He has given man a free will to destroy himself, God has His way of turning hearts when need be to fulfill prophecy. God’s Word must come to pass for He is a faith God!
In verse 18 it is revealed who “the woman” is. She is the “great city” which chapter 18 is devoted to. Who this city is will be revealed as we study chapter 18.
