The Prostitute Destroyed
" 'This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.' Then the angel said to me, 'The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.' " (Revelation 17:9-18 - New International Version)
The angel says that the woman sits upon the seven mountains. This would seem to indicate that her headquarters will be in a city that is built on seven hills. Ancient Rome was built on seven hills. This is most likely the location. Although there are other possibilities that have been suggested, one of which is Jerusalem.
The angel then speaks of seven kings. Five are past. One existed during the time of John, One is yet to come. The Anti-Christ will be the eighth and the seventh.
These seven kings represent the seven world empires. The five that are past are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece. The one that existed when John wrote was the Roman Empire. The seventh will be the kingdom of the Anti-Christ. The eighth will be the kingdom of Satan ruling through the body of the Anti-Christ.
During the early stages of the Tribulation, there will be ten rulers who will support the Anti-Christ in his rise to power. They will be fully committed to the Anti-Christ. Many have suggested that these will be European rulers. This is a strong possibility, although one or more of these may rule in another part of the world.
Verse fourteen skips forward to the Battle of Armageddon. Then, Jesus will once and for all overthrow all his enemies and all those who oppose the truth. The saved will return with him at the time of this battle.
The ten kings who support the Anti-Christ's rise to power will see the influence of the world's religious system as a potential threat to their plans and to the authority of the Anti-Christ. They will wait for the right time to destroy the prostitute.
After the resurrection of the Anti-Christ, they will act. They will establish a new religion centered around the worship of the Anti-Christ. Once it is fully established, they will turn upon the great prostitute and destroy her. This will happen sometime after the middle of the Tribulation. During the last part of the Tribulation, all people will be required to worship the Anti-Christ or be killed.
The angel says that the woman sits upon the seven mountains. This would seem to indicate that her headquarters will be in a city that is built on seven hills. Ancient Rome was built on seven hills. This is most likely the location. Although there are other possibilities that have been suggested, one of which is Jerusalem.
The angel then speaks of seven kings. Five are past. One existed during the time of John, One is yet to come. The Anti-Christ will be the eighth and the seventh.
These seven kings represent the seven world empires. The five that are past are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece. The one that existed when John wrote was the Roman Empire. The seventh will be the kingdom of the Anti-Christ. The eighth will be the kingdom of Satan ruling through the body of the Anti-Christ.
During the early stages of the Tribulation, there will be ten rulers who will support the Anti-Christ in his rise to power. They will be fully committed to the Anti-Christ. Many have suggested that these will be European rulers. This is a strong possibility, although one or more of these may rule in another part of the world.
Verse fourteen skips forward to the Battle of Armageddon. Then, Jesus will once and for all overthrow all his enemies and all those who oppose the truth. The saved will return with him at the time of this battle.
The ten kings who support the Anti-Christ's rise to power will see the influence of the world's religious system as a potential threat to their plans and to the authority of the Anti-Christ. They will wait for the right time to destroy the prostitute.
After the resurrection of the Anti-Christ, they will act. They will establish a new religion centered around the worship of the Anti-Christ. Once it is fully established, they will turn upon the great prostitute and destroy her. This will happen sometime after the middle of the Tribulation. During the last part of the Tribulation, all people will be required to worship the Anti-Christ or be killed.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 9:40 AM
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