In Revelation 1 John has a vision of Jesus and writes a description of what he saw. John is in exile on the island of Patmos for being a faithful witness for Jesus. In Revelation 2 and 3 Jesus has John send letters to 7 churches in Asia Minor. Each church was an existing church in Asia Minor at the time of John’s exile around 95AD. But each letter has applications in our modern day lives and churches.
In Revelation 4 we saw John’s vision or visit to God’s throne. In Revelation 5 we saw the scroll with 7 seals. And that the Lamb, Jesus, was the only One worthy to receive and open the scroll. The scroll represents God’s will and the deed or title of the universe.
Only Jesus is worthy to receive and open the scroll. And to bring on God’s wrath and punishment for Satan, his demons, and for sinners that refuse to repent and believe in Jesus.
Then in Revelation 6 we saw the Lamb, Jesus, open the first 6 of 7 seals of the scroll. Revelation 6 is the beginning of the 7 year Tribulation, and shows a progression through the first half of the Tribulation and into the 2nd half, known as the Great Tribulation period. And of God’s judgement and punishment of Satan, his demons, and anyone who rebels against God and refuses to repent and bow down to Jesus.
In Revelation 7 we saw a continuation of John’s vision of heaven and God’s throne. Revelation 7 is a break between the opening of the first 6 seals in Revelation 6 and the 7th and final seal in Revelation 8. And we saw 4 angels and the 4 winds of the earth, 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel, and a great multitude.
In Revelation 8 we saw Jesus open the 7th seal of the scroll, which is the start of the 7 trumpet judgements of God. This takes place in the 2nd half of the 7 year tribulation, which is known as the Great Tribulation.
Then in Revelation 9 we saw the terrifying 5th and 6th trumpet judgements that God pours out on His enemies. The people that still refused to repent and bow down to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And in Revelation 10 we saw John’s vision of a mighty angel with an opened scroll with a voice of 7 thunders. This takes place in the break between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgements.
Then in Revelation 11 we saw a continuation of John’s vision of the break between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgements in the final 3 1/2 years of the tribulation, known as the Great tribulation. We studied the 2 witnesses from God in Jerusalem, and the 7th trumpet judgement.
In Revelation 12 we saw a woman, a dragon, and a baby. The break between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgement continued in John’s vision. And John introduced 3 more main characters in the tribulation, and in the war between Satan and God.
Then in Revelation 13 John introduced 2 more of the main characters or players in the tribulation, and in the war between Satan and God. The beast of the sea or the antichrist, and the best from the earth, the false prophet.
In Revelation 14 we studied John’s vision of the 144,000 witness in the tribulation. And 3 angels flying high in the sky with 3 different messages. And more details about the day of the Lord and God’s wrath.
Next in Revelation 15 we study how John the 7 angels with 7 bowl judgements or plagues getting ready to pour them out on the world.
In Revelation 16 we studied the final 7 bowl judgements or plagues of God’s wrath. These will be the ending of God’s wrath and judgements being poured out onto the world and on those that will refuse to repent and turn to Christ.
Now in Revelation 17 we will take a break in the chronological order of events in the book of Revelation. We will look at John’s vision of a prostitute and the beast.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
An Interval Or Break Between The 7th Plague And The Final Events
Revelation 17 and 18 are a break or interval between the chronological order of events in Revelation 16 and 19. Revelation 17 will go into greater detail in describing Satan’s and the antichrist’s spiritual system of false religion in the end times and tribulation. And Revelation 18 will describe in greater detail Satan’s and the antichrist’s economic and government system in the tribulation.
The Great Prostitute Or Harlot
“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” – Revelation 17:1-5
When God Talks About A Prostitute In His Word
In some Old Testament books like Isaiah and Jeremiah God talks about prostitutes. It is symbolic for when God’s people turn away from Him and turn to something else, or to idols.
“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown.
3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the Lord…. Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. 12 Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror,” declares the Lord… Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, ‘I will not serve you!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute. – Jeremiah 2:2-3, 11-12, 20
“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers— would you now return to me?” declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 3:1
It Is A Personal Relationship Not Religion
It is personal for God. When people turn away from God He takes it personally. In many verses in the Bible God describes our relationship with Him as a marriage. A spiritual marriage, or a committed relationship.
God calls His people His bride. And in the New Testament Jesus’ followers or church are called His bride.
So when people turn away from God He sometimes calls it adultery.
“During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. 7 I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. 8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.” – Jeremiah 3:6-8
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
The Prostitute Is Seated On Many Waters
One of the angels that had one of the 7 bowls in Revelation 16 shows John the judgment of “the great prostitute “.
The first thing the angel shows John is that the great prostitute is seated on many waters. Later in Revelation 17 the angel explains things about the prostitute, and about the scarlet beast she is riding on in verse 3.
In Revelation 17:15 the angel explains that the many waters that the prostitute is seated on represents all the peoples and nations and languages in the world. In other words the prostitute will have an affect on the whole world.
“And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.” – Revelation 17:15
Idolatry And Immorality
In verses 2, 4, and 5 John’s description of the prostitute gives us a clearer picture of what she represents.
“with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” – Revelation 17:2
The great prostitute will also have an affect on the world’s leaders and kings. They will all take part in the prostitute’s idolatry, or worship of false gods or idols, and immorality.
“The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” – Revelation 17:4-5
The woman, or prostitute, was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls. This suggests that the prostitute will have great material wealth and power and influence in the world.
A Name Of Mystery – Babylon The Great
“And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” – Revelation 17:5
John shows that there is a name on the prostitute’s forehead. It is a name of mystery. This indicates that it is something the world has not seen before, at least in the size and magnitude and worldwide influence she will have in the end times.
The name of mystery? Babylon the great. And John says that she is the “mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
What Is Babylon The Great?
The woman or prostitute in John’s vision is symbolic of something. It is not a specific city like the city of Babylon in ancient times. Revelation 17 and 18 describe the end times “great Babylon” as something else.
Back in Revelation 14 we saw an angel declaring that Babylon the great has fallen. This was a preview of what we will see in Revelation 19.
The Second Angel In Revelation 14
“Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” – Revelation 14:8
After the first angel in Revelation 14 that preaches the Gospel to the whole world from high in the sky, John sees a second angel. And this angel has a very different message.
This second angel will also be seen by the whole world high in the sky. And he is talking about Babylon.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
Babylon
Babylon is a symbolic name the angel uses for the antichrist’s world kingdom and global government, religion, and economic system. There will be more details about the symbolic Babylon and the antichrist’s world kingdom in Revelation 17 and 18.
In ancient days Babylon was a godless kingdom started by Noah’s great grandson Nimrod.
The History of Babylon
In Genesis 10 and 11 you can read about Nimrod and his kingdom. It started in Babel and spread from there.
“The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.” – Genesis 10:6-12
“Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” – Genesis 11:4-9
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
Idolatry And Worship Of False Gods
Babel was the beginning of idolatry and the worship of idols and false gods, mixed with immortality. It was one of Satan’s earliest ploys to get man to turn from the Living God and worship false idols and gods.
Rather than living to glorify God and worship Him, they set out to glorify themselves. And to worship their own idols and gods.
When God sent them into confusion by making them speak many languages, so they could not understand each other, He dispersed them all around the earth. Their immorality, idolatry and worship of false gods spread around the world also.
Babylon Is Fallen
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” – Revelation 14:8
The second angel John sees in the sky is proclaiming that it is almost time for Satan’s and the antichrist’s world kingdom of idolatry and immorality and evil to end. He is proclaiming that it is almost time for the final part of God’s wrath and judgment to come. And for Satan and God’s enemies to be defeated for all of eternity.
One World Religion in Babylon The Great
In Revelation 17 the mystery name of Babylon the great refers to the future Satanic system of false religion, immorality, and idolatry in the tribulation. It is called Babylon the great because it will be a worldwide system of false religion and idolatry led by the false prophet.
And many people will be deceived and forced to take the mark of the beast, and worship the antichrist and Satan. There will be one official world religion, and it will be a combination or a uniting of all false religions of the world. Under the leadership of the false prophet.
All of the world’s religions that do not serve and worship the True Living God and His Son Jesus Christ will come together for the sake of unity. And under the guise of religion they will be deceived by the antichrist and the false prophet to worship Satan and the antichrist.
Religion is one of Satan’s strategies to deceive people into thinking they are spiritually ok and heading in the right direction. And to turn them away from repenting and turning to the One who can save them, Jesus.
Jesus Warned Against False Christs And False Religion
In Matthew 24 Jesus described the events in the end times or tribulation that will take place. When He gets to the Great Tribulation, the second half of the 7 year tribulation, Jesus talked about the abomination of desolation. When the antichrist will declare himself to be god. This is at the midway point of the tribulation.
Then Jesus warned about false christs and religion. He was talking about the antichrist and his false prophet and false worldwide religion.
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.” – Matthew 24:23-26
Revelation 18 will detail the other part of Babylon the great in the tribulation. The one worldwide government and economic system of the antichrist.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
The Blood Of The Saints And Martyrs
“And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” – Revelation 17:1-6
Satan’s worldwide false religion, led by the antichrist and the false prophet in the end times, will be responsible for killing most of the people that turn to Jesus during the tribulation. They will directly be responsible for their blood and deaths.
As we saw in Revelation 16 and the 7 final bowl judgements and plagues, all will be held responsible for the martyrs’ blood and deaths.
The Prostitute And The Beast
“But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.” – Revelation 17:7-8
The angel in John’s vision explains more about the prostitute and the beast she is riding on.
The beast has 7 heads and 10 horns or crowns. Horns are symbolic of power and authority in the Bible. John previously talked about the beast in Revelation 13.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
A Beast Out Of The Sea
John’s introduction of the main players in the end times continued in Revelation 13. John introduced 2 more main players. The beast of the sea. And the beast from the earth.
“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.” – Revelation 13:1-2
In various places the Bible uses language such as “the sea of humanity “. The sea represents the peoples of all nations.
“Ah, the thunder of many peoples; they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations; they roar like the roaring of mighty waters!” – Isaiah 17:12
“But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” – Isaiah 57:20-21
In Revelation 17 John also sees waters or the seas.
“And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.” – Revelation 17:15
The “beast of the sea” is an indication that the antichrist in the GreatTribulation, or the day of the Lord, will come from humanity. Or in other words, he will be human.
Daniel’s Vision And Prophecy
Daniel had a very similar vision of the antichrist (the 4th beast in his vision), or the beast of the sea that John saw in his vision in Revelation 13. Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7 was about 4 kingdoms, of which the 4th kingdom was the antichrist’s reign in the final 3 1/2 years of the tribulation.
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots…Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.” – Daniel 7:7-8, 19-22
Other clues that show that the antichrist will be a powerful human world leader are found in Daniel’s visions.
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.” – Daniel 7:8
“and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.” – Daniel 7:20
“eyes like the eyes of a man” , and a mouth speaking great things. This will be a very intelligent man that will be a great and influential speaker.
The Beast Has 10 Horns or Crowns
“But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.” – Revelation 17:7
Daniel and John both describe the beast, or antichrist, as having 10 horns and crowns, or diadems.
Horns in the Bible represent power. Crowns represent dominion. The multiple heads and crowns are symbolic of the antichrist having great power and authority over the whole earth. In the history of mankind no previous king or world leader will come close to the antichrist.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
10 Regions or Kingdoms In The Antichrist’s World Kingdom
The 10 horns or crowns point to the antichrist’s world kingdom being divided into 10 regions or kingdoms under his control.
The angel gives John more details and information about the beast or antichrist in Revelation 17:12-14
“And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” – Revelation 17:12-14
The angel tells John that the 10 horns are 10 kings who have not yet received royal power. Meaning that this will take place in the future tribulation period, not in John’s time. They will receive power together with the beast for one hour means their time in power will be short lived.
More About The Antichrist And His Kingdom
“These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.” – Revelation 17:13
The angel also describes how the 10 kings will unite and be persuaded to give power and authority to the beast, or antichrist. The final world kingdom of the antichrist will have 10 regions or territories.
The angel also reveals that the 10 kings and the beast will “make war against the Lamb” and the Lamb will conquer them. This refers to the battle of Armageddon that is coming in Revelation 19. The final event at the end of the world, when Jesus returns and defeats God’s enemies. And then reigns on earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20).
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
The Beast From The Bottomless Pit
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction.” – Revelation 17:8
The angel tells John that the beast, or the antichrist, is “about to rise from the bottomless pit “. What does this mean?
Remember from our study of Revelation 9 that the bottomless pit is where some of the worst of Satan’s demons were imprisoned by God in the abyss, or the bottomless pit. And these demons were allowed by God to be released by Satan to torment the unrepentant people on earth for 5 months.
The demonic creatures appeared like a huge horde of locusts with scorpion tails that sting and inflict pain. That was the 5th trumpet judgement.
The angel is telling John and us that the antichrist will be a human man that will be demonically possessed, and empowered and led by Satan.
We saw this in Revelation 16 and the 6th seal judgement.
“And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.” – Revelation 16:13-14
The Beast Will Go On To Destruction
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction.” – Revelation 17:8
The angel tells John that the beast, the antichrist, will “go to destruction “.
Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2 calls the future antichrist “the man of lawlessness “. And he also calls him the “son of destruction “.
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
We will soon see in Revelation 19 the final fate and destruction of the antichrist, and his false prophet, and those that choose to follow and worship him.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
Beast With 7 Heads
In John’s vision in Revelation 13 he also describes the beast as having 7 heads. Now in Revelation 17 John sees the beast with 7 heads again.
“I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.” – Revelation 17:7
The angel gives John and us more details about the 7 heads in verses 9 and 10.
“This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.” – Revelation 17:9-11
We will get to the part when the angel says “This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated” in the next section.
For now we will focus on the part in verses 10 and 11.
Seven Kingdoms & Then The Eighth And Final Kingdom
“they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.” – Revelation 17:10-11
The angel says that the 7 heads are 7 kings – 5 of whom have fallen. One is. The other has not yet come, and must remain only a little while. And the beast is an eight, but belongs to the 7th.
The 7 heads of the beast are 7 kings or kingdoms. 5 of which have fallen.
Most scholars agree that these are 5 fallen kingdoms of the world that existed before the time John wrote the book of Revelation. These past kingdoms were Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and Greece.
The kingdom that was in power when John wrote the book of Revelation was the Roman Empire. That is the 6th kingdom.
What about the 7th kingdom, the one yet to come? Most believe that it will be a modern revived version of the Roman Empire.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
Daniel’s Visions And Prophecies
In Daniel 2 and 7 he prophesied about future kingdoms.
“And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, in as much as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others.” – Daniel 2:40
Daniel is describing the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. This is the Roman Empire during Jesus’ and John’s time. The Romans possessed superior iron forging technology and methods. And it ruled the world with an iron fist. Rome was the iron empire. And Daniel prophesied about it and predicted it 500 years before the Roman Empire existed.
The Seventh Kingdom
Daniel’s explanation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream continues in Daniel 2:
“Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.” – Daniel 2:41-43
The kingdom of iron mixed with clay is a variation of the iron kingdom, or the Roman Empire. Daniel is describing the future 7th kingdom that the angel is showing John in Revelation 17.
The 7th kingdom in Revelation 17 is yet to come, at the time John wrote the book of Revelation. And it is still yet to come. Most scholars agree that it will be a revived version of the Roman Empire, based somewhere in the old Roman territory. Probably Rome.
The Eighth And Final Kingdom
“the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.” – Revelation 17:10-11
The angel tells John that the 7th kingdom will last only a little while. So the revived version of the Roman Empire or kingdom will last a short time.
And then the eighth kingdom will come. It will belong to the 7th kingdom, according to the angel. What is the eighth kingdom?
It is the antichrist’s world kingdom in the tribulation. It will belong to the 7th kingdom means that the antichrist most likely will come from the region where the 7th revived Roman kingdom will be for a short time.
In the middle of the tribulation and the antichrist’s kingdom, the eighth kingdom, he will declare himself to be god. And he will deceive many and force them to worship him and not God. This is the “desolation of abomination” that Daniel and Jesus spoke about.
Notice what the angel also says about the eighth kingdom of the antichrist.
“and it goes to destruction.” – Revelation 17:11
The antichrist and his false prophet, and their master Satan, and all in his kingdom that worship Satan and the antichrist will go on to destruction. We will see that soon in Revelation 19 and 20.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
The Beast That Was And Is Not Is The Eighth Kingdom
“As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.” – Revelation 17:11
The angel tells John something very curious and interesting about the antichrist, who is the leader or king of the eighth kingdom.
What does “he was and is not” mean?
Back in Revelation 13 John introduced 2 of the main characters involved the tribulation. One was the beast of the sea, which represents the antichrist. Here is what John saw in Revelation 13.
“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” – Revelation 13:1-4
John describes the 10 horns or crowns, and the 7 heads, just like here in Revelation 17. Then in verse 3:
“One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.”
A Counterfeit Death And Resurrection
Notice that John says that one of the beast’s heads “seemed to have” a mortal wound. Not that it had a mortal wound, but its seemed to have a mortal wound. And that what will seem to be a mortal wound will be “healed”.
This indicates that most likely the antichrist and his false prophet, the leader of his one world false religion, will contrive a scheme to deceive people. And their scheme or ruse will make it appear that the antichrist will be killed. And then they will make it appear that the antichrist will miraculously healed or brought back to life.
In other words, their scheme will be a counterfeit version of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Satan always tries to counterfeit the things of God.
The purpose of their fake death and resurrection scheme? To deceive many people, and to get them to worship the antichrist and Satan.
“One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” – Revelation 13:1-4
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.” – Revelation 17:8
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
Seven Mountains Or Hills
“This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated.” – Revelation 17:9
The Greek word for mountain in Revelation 17:9 is orē. It does not always mean a large mountain. It can also mean a hill.
The seven “mountains” or orē the angel is telling about most likely is the city of Rome. Rome is known as the 7 hilled city.
The city of Rome has 7 hills. Notice the angel says that the woman is seated on the 7 mountains or hills. Remember the woman, or prostitute, represents the antichrist’s and the false prophet’s false religion.
It is highly likely that the one world false religion in the tribulation will be based in Rome. The Catholic church fits the description about what the prostitute wears in verse 4. They possess many riches, art collections, and fine material luxuries. And it is a very influential religion in the world. And it is based in Rome.
Interesting Eccumenical Recent Events
In the last few years there have been some very interesting events in the religious world. Started and headed by the Catholic church there have been efforts to unite various religions.
In early 2019 the Pope and the leaders of the Catholic and Islam religions signed a peace declaration called the Document on Human Fraternity. There are other religions represented on the head committee for this new one world movement. Hindu, Jewish…
Included on the committee and in the movement is a Jewish rabbi, a Buddhist representative, and other religions as well. The president of the committee, Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, stated the purpose of the new agreement. “To propose in a positive way that the human family can live fraternally together”.
Abrahamic Family Center
The Abrahamic Family House opened in 2023. This is the first concrete implementation of the Document on Human Fraternity. They have a church, a mosque and a synagogue all on the same site in Abu Dhabi UAE. Three different houses of worship are united with a single foundation.
Here are some articles directly from the Vatican news website with more information:
And here is the website for the Abrahamic Family House – https://www.abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae/
Religion News propaganda for the new religious unity site – https://religionnews.com/2023/02/17/abrahamic-family-house-changes-all-the-rules-of-interfaith-understanding/
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
The One World False Religion
“And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.” – Revelation 17:16-17
The angel finishes explaining to John about the beast and the prostitute in these verses. He tells John that the beast, the antichrist, and the 10 horns, or regional leaders under the beast, will hate the prostitute.
The prostitute is the worldwide system of false religions that will somehow be united by the antichrist and his false prophet. This uniting of the world’s false religions with false gods and idols will take place early in the tribulation. Right after the antichrist and the false prophet appear in Revelation 13. And most likely it will be based in Rome.
At this point in time in our world there are a great number of religions with many false teachers, false teachings and doctrines, and false gods and idols. Somehow the antichrist and his false prophet will get them all to unite early in the tribulation. Except the true church and true believers of the True Living God Jesus.
At that point in the tribulation the worldwide united false religion will be very influential, and also have great wealth and material luxuries. And the antichrist is going to hate it for that reason. And he is going to want all of that power and influence and riches.
The Antichrist Will Take Over The False Religion
At the middle of the 7 year tribulation the antichrist will fake his death and deceive many by staging a fake resurrection. And then he will declare himself to be god. And force people to worship him.
The world’s system of false religion will have served it’s purpose in helping the antichrist to gain worldwide power and dominion. And to deceive a great number of people in the world.
At the middle of the tribulation, in what Jesus called the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24, the antichrist will take over the one world religion.
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.” – Matthew 24:15-21
And the antichrist will loot the great riches and wealth from the worldwide false religion.
“They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire.” – Revelation 17:16
And the antichrist will declare himself to be god. And the false prophet, the leader of the worldwide false religion, will go along for the ride with the antichrist.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
God Is Sovereign And In Control
Notice what verse 17 says.
“for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.” – Revelation 17:17
Even though the antichrist is a powerful and cruel world leader. And even though he has 10 powerful and influential kings or territory leaders under him. Notice who is still really in charge. God.
Nothing is going to stop God’s prophecies and will from happening. He placed in the 10 kings’ and the antichrist’s hearts a hatred for the worldwide false religion and their false gods and idol worship. God is the One who will get them to loot and strip the false religion of it’s wealth and power and influence.
And ultimately God will get the antichrist to declare himself to be god. So that God will ultimately bring on his destruction. And all those that will rebel against God and follow and worship the antichrist.
The Capitol City Of The Antichrist’s Kingdom & Religion
“And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” – Revelation 17:18
We have discussed already how the one world false religion will most likely be based in Rome. At least in the first half of the tribulation.
Then at around the middle of the tribulation the antichrist and his 10 kings will loot and pretty much destroy the false world religion. And the antichrist will make people worship him as God. He will be the world religion from that point on.
Most likely when he does that he will move the headquarters of the world religion in Rome to his world government capitol city. Babylon.
Babylon is ancient days was a kingdom. And a system of false gods and idols, and of evil and immortality. And the capitol city of the kingdom was also called Babylon. It was located in modern day Iraq, on the Euphrates River.
Revelation 17 – The Prostitute And The Beast
Babylon In The Book Of Revelation
There are references in the book of Revelation to Babylon being a city in the future tribulation. In Revelation 18 the kings and people of the earth will mourn at the destruction of the great city Babylon.
“And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” – Revelation 18:9-10
The merchants and businesses that will get rich in the antichrist’s kingdom and world economic system will also mourn the destruction of the great city Babylon.
“The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, 16 “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! 17 For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” – Revelation 18:15-17
And verse 18 as well talks about the city of Babylon.
“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more” – Revelation 18:18
Old Testament Prophecies About The City Of Babylon
There are various prophecies in the Old Testament about the ancient city of Babylon, and the future city of Babylon. Isaiah 13 and 14, Jeremiah 50 and 51, and Ezekiel 26 and 27.
One scholar and historian wrote:
“Babylon, indeed, will be permanently destroyed as described in Revelation18. But this has not happened yet. The prophecies of Isaiah (13 and 14) and Jeremiah (50 and 51) also refer to this future destruction not merely to Babylon’s present-day condition, as is evident from the following considerations among others.”
“One, the destruction will take place in the time that the stars and the sun are darkened, as it says in Isaiah.
Two, the city will become as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah, burned completely, with no remains whatever, according to Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Three, it shall become desolate forever with neither man nor beast entering it anymore. So say the two prophets (Isaiah and Jeremiah).
Four, it will be a time of judgment not only for Babylon but for all the nations of the world.
Five, it’s destruction will be followed by universal rest and permanent peace.
Six, it’s destruction is directly associated with the casting of Lucifer into Sheol, Isaiah 14.
Seventh, Babylon’s stones will never be used in future construction elsewhere; whereas the present-day ruins of Babylon have been frequently plundered and reused in later constructions.”
Most scholars believe there will be a capitol city of the antichrist’s worldwide kingdom. And it will be called Babylon.
And the name Babylon also represents the antichrist’s worldwide kingdom and system of government, economic system, and false religion.
In our next study of Revelation 18 we will study the other parts of the antichrist’s world kingdom. The economic system and government of his world kingdom.
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Kevin Bart has been a Jesus follower for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God after many years of seeking God and studying His word.
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For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led an international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had 51 mission trips to 36 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
