Revelation 17:7

_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._ NO JFB COMMENTARY ON THIS VERSE....

7-14 The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is. It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect. This beast was seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other was yet to come. This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns, which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest....

Verse Revelation 17:7. _AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO ME, WHEREFORE DIDST THOU_ _MARVEL! I WILL TELL THEE THE MYSTERY OF THE WOMAN, AND OF THE_ _BEAST THAT CARRIED HER, WHICH HATH THE SEVEN HEADS AND TEN HORNS__._] The apostle was greatly astonished, as well he might be, at the woman's being _drunk with the blood of the saints_, when the beast which carried her abounded with sacred appellations, such as _holy,_ _most holy, most Christian, sacred, most sacred_. The angel undertakes to explain to St. John the vision which had excited in him so great astonishment; and the explication is of such great importance, that, had it not been given, the mystery of the dragon and the beast could never have been satisfactorily explained in all its particulars. The angel begins with saying:-...

AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO ME, WHEREFORE DIDST THOU MARVEL? - He was doubtless struck with the appearance of John as he stood fixed in astonishment. The question asked him, “why” he wondered, was designed to show him that the cause of his surprise would be removed or lessened, for that he would proceed so to explain this that he might have a correct view of its design. I WILL TELL THEE THE MYSTERY OF THE WOMAN - On the word “mystery,” see the notes on Revelation 17:5. The sense is, “I will explain what is meant by the symbol - the hidden meaning that is couched under it.” That is, he would so far explain it that a just view might be obtained of its signification. The explanation follows, Revelation 17:8....

EXPOSITION REVELATION 17:1 AND THERE CAME ONE OF THE SEVEN ANGELS WHICH HAD THE SEVEN VIALS, AND TALKED WITH ME, SAYING UNTO ME; _and spake with me, saying. _Omit "unto me." This and the following chapters (to Revelation 19:21) consist of visions which are really included under the seventh vial, but which, on account of their length and elaboration, may be considered apart from the other judgments of that vial. In the preceding chapters we have had placed before us a conspectus of three classes of ungodly people, and the three principles of evil in their abstract form, as represented by the world (the first beast), the flesh (the second beast), and the devil (the dragon). The personal final overthrow of the devil is described in...

AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO ME,.... The same as in Revelation 17:1 WHEREFORE DIDST THOU MARVEL? which is not said by way of reproof, as questions of this kind sometimes are, Acts 3:12 for John did not wonder at her with a sinful admiration, so as to have her in great veneration, and to do homage and worship to her, as the inhabitants of the world wondered after the beast, Revelation 13:3 but his admiration was an amazement, or stupefaction of mind, joined with indignation at her; and this is said by the angel to lead on to what he had to declare unto him. I WILL TELL THEE THE MYSTERY OF THE WOMAN; that is, what is mysteriously or mystically designed by her; for till it was made known

ANGEL (_ See Scofield) - (Hebrews 1:4). _ MYSTERY (_ See Scofield) - (Matthew 13:11). _...

CHAPTER S 17-18 Babylon, the Harlot, and Her judgment _ 1. The description of the woman (Revelation 17:1)_ 2. The angel's interpretation (Revelation 17:7) 3. The desolation of the whore (Revelation 17:16) 4. The angelic announcement (Revelation 18:1) 5. The call to separation (Revelation 18:4) 6. Her pride and destruction (Revelation 18:6) 7. Lamentation and jubilation ...

REVELATION 17:1. HARLOT. WATERS: the description of Babylon in Jeremiah 51:13, thou that dwellest upon many waters, is here transferred to Rome. [Ultimately it goes back probably still further. The many waters refer to the watery chaos, the chaos monster, so that the beast on which the woman sits is really identical with the many waters on which she is said to sit in this verse. A. S. P.] Revelation 17:2. kings. fornication: the imagery is that of OT (_cf._ Isaiah 23:17). The sin of which these kings were guilty consisted in purchasing the favour of Rome by accepting her suzerainty and with it her vices and

THE GREAT HARLOT. The sixteenth chapter presents the series of historical events that lead to the overthrow of spiritual Babylon. Our interpretation of these has been for the most part determined by the facts of history which have already transpired. The sixth vial brings to the present date. Concerning what follows the seventh vial. speak with diffidence, as it is yet future, but of this we can be certain, that it foreshadows the final overthrow of the anti-Christian powers. In Chapter s XVII., XVIII. and XIX., the downfall of these powers, the overthrow of Rome, the triumph of the Word of God, and the victory of Armageddon, are described with greater detail. The limits to which. am confined will only permit me to outline these Chapter s. Chap. 17:1-6 describes spiritual Rome under the figure of. great harlot. The true Church is described throughout Revelation as. pure woman, the Bride...