INTRODUCTION This chapter will focus on Babylon. She is also known as the “great whore” (KJV) and “great harlot” (NKJV & ASV). To understand the interpretation of these symbolic terms, it is important to notice the terms that are used to describe her. In verse 2 she is described as “drunk with the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,_ A. One of the angels who poured out the plagues engages in conversation with John. He invites John to see what happens ne... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”_ A. The view that the harlot represents those who have apostatized the faith fails here. This verse states that the kings of the earth commit fornication “... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns._ A. Now John is carried away into the wilderness. John sees a woman sitting on a beast. The scarlet color would suggest r... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication._ A. The woman, immorality personified, is in purple and scarlet. She is in an alliance with governmental... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH._ A. She is clearly identified. She is Babylon. She is the “mother of harlots” and known for her “abominations.” B. Again, Babylon, symbolizes immorality and those thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement._ A. She is drunk, not with wine, but with the blood of the saints. She is guilty of the death of martyrs. She is also guilty of leading many to sp... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns._ A. The angel with John noticed his reaction. “Why did you marvel?” B. Then the angel assures John it will all become clear. A... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is._ A. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits._ A. Wisdom is needed here. Seek to understand these things. B. The seven heads are mountains. Some see this as a clear reference to Rome, a city that sits on seven hills. These seek to make the mou... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time._ A. Some seek to translate this, “And they are seven kings.” This is an attempt to make the seven heads represent individual rulers. B. The NKJV says, “There... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition._ A. The civil government that was, then was not, is the eighth. But his eighth is not a new one. It is one of the original seven. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and Holy R... [ Continue Reading ]
_12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast._ A. Remember the number “ten” represents human completeness. There are ten kings, but they do not have a kingdom. They seem to have power delegated fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast._ A. They all share power with the beast. False religions seek the support and backing of the governments. While living in Russia, the government, at the request and direction of the Russian Orthodox Church, passe... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”_ A. It is this dangerous alliance of government and false religions that will become the frontline of the war against God... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues._ A. This verse helps with some of the interpretation of this chapter. B. The “waters” represents people, nations and tongues. All the multitudes of people of all nations and cu... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire._ A. The ten horns are kings. See verse 12. B. Chapter 18 seems to be a commentary on this verse. The basic message is that the Roman Empire will collaps... [ Continue Reading ]
_17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled._ A. Woodruff makes this comment, “Since we cannot foresee the future, it is impossible to completely understand why God deals with the pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”_ A. The woman is described as “that great city.” Many assume that she represents Rome. B. However, remember, she was also called “Babylon the great.” (18:2) There are several different terms used to descr... [ Continue Reading ]