Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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THE PROPHET DANIEL
REVELATION 17 – EIGHT WORLD GOVERMENTS
Revelation 17:7-11 – 7 Kings and 7 Horns
RV17:7 Now the angel told me: “Why do you wonder? Let me tell you the secret regarding the Woman-Babylon riding the wild Sea Beast
with seven heads and ten horns:
| 182 | Woman-Babylon riding the wild Sea Beast: Since this Woman (later identified as Babylon the Great in chapter 18) rides the Sea Beast with seven heads it would seem to indicate she has been associated with the corporate political beast from the first head Egypt. When one of the heads was the operating world empire or government that state religion would have been the prominent form of worship on earth. Thus the earth has seen Egyptian religion, Assyrian religion, Babylonian religion, Persian religion, Greek religion, Roman religion, and that religion of the seventh and eighth powers to rise. It is very possible that the Seventh Head-government is associated with Christianity even as Rome was for a thousand years. This Woman (the great city) is called Babylon the Great and judging from chapter 18 she is a corporate religious entity which has backed the political wild beast. Without identifying particular religions this Woman would certainly include those controlling forms of worship which keep peoples under subjugation. |
RV17:8 The wild Sea Beast you saw first existed and did not exist but is about to rise out of the abyss.
It will finally be destroyed.
But when those who dwell on earth see how the wild Sea Beast existed once, and then did not exist, and yet will become present again they will stand in awe.
However, their names have not been inscribed
from the world’s foundation in the Scroll of Life.
| 183 | Sea Beast you saw first existed and did not exist but is about to rise out of the abyss: Or, was, was not, and yet will
be. As discussed above there are several possibilities: a) Rome (the only slain beast in Daniel) is revived; b) Rome is revived in the form of the Small Power which is the Seventh Head; c) the Seventh Head is killed and yet revives as an Eighth Head. These
are only presented as possibilities. It may well be that the future will present another scenario clearer than these. See notes elsewhere on the Sea Beast or the word abyss for proof that this description here is the same as that of the beast
coming out of the abyss. |
| 184 | It will finally be destroyed: The ultimate outcome to the Sea Beast just
as the Small Power is destroyed in Daniel 7:26. |
| 185 | They will stand in awe: The revival of this head
of the Sea Beast is so clear and dramatic that global worship and submission results. This cannot be something obscure that only a few people discern. |
| 186 | Their names have not been inscribed: None of these so impressed by the revival of the Sea Beast -- and likely express themselves as shown in Revelation 13:4 -- will gain membership in the Kingdom-Church of Christ. It may not necessarily mean they are “lost” eternally, though many will. |
RV17:9 Here is something for the wise mind:
The seven heads are seven mountains, where the Woman-Babylon sits on top.
| 187 | Here is something for the wise mind: Or, KJV: here is the mind which hath wisdom; NEB: here is the clue for those who can interpret it; GDSP: here is a problem for a profound mind; BER: here is something for the intelligent to ponder. We remember the “wise” in Daniel 12:3, 10. Nothing is explained why this is necessary. There have been wise minds for two thousand years who have explored these meanings. |
| 188 | Where the Woman-Babylon sits on top: This Woman-Babylon has been riding the corporate beast since Daniel’s time and before. We view both the Image of Nebuchadnezzar and the Corporate Sea Beast of Daniel and John as one political entity with a life-span covering thousands of years. The religious powers and political powers are symbiotic and depend on one another for control of the people. |
RV17:10 There are seven kings:
five [kings] fell,
one [king] exists,
the other [king] has not yet arrived,
but when [the seventh king] does come he is bound to remain only a short time.
| 189 | There are seven kings: The angel had told Daniel ‘there are four kingdoms which shall rise in the earth.’ It seems likely the angel is here only dealing with the contemporary power of Babylon forward. Many scholars throughout Christian history have identified these seven as: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and an unknown future world power. The following explanation of the apocalyptic angel seems to make this clear. |
| 190 | Five (kings) fell: These would be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. They loose their world empires as each succeeding power conquered them. B. W. Johnson writes in The People's New Testament (1891), “It will be seen that the form of this beast varies at different times, and we must expect the power meant to assume various forms. Let us note the great world powers which have arrayed themselves against God in oppressing his people during their history. I. Egypt enslaved the Israel of God, those whom he called "My People," with a grievous bondage. At that period Egypt was the greatest of the world powers. II. Next Assyria, many hundred years later, carries the Ten Tribes into captivity, from whence they never returned. Assyria was the destroyer of the kingdom of Israel and the oppressor of the kingdom of Judah. III. Babylon, the great Empire of Nebuchadnezzar, erected on the ruins of Assyria, conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and carried the people into captivity. IV. Persia overthrew Babylon, and succeeded to the sway over the remnant of Israel and Palestine. V. Greece, or rather the [468] Macedonian Empire of Alexander, overthrew Persia, and the fifth of the great world powers became the ruler and the oppressor of God's people. Under the successors of Alexander their sufferings were terrible. Here, then, we have Five Kingdoms, or great world monarchies, which had been used by the dragon for oppression, and which had passed away before John wrote.” |
| 191 | One (king) exists: It would seem clear this is Rome before it is “killed” as Daniel predicts. (Daniel 7:11) Daniel foretells this Roman empire will divide into two (East and West) and then into Ten Powers (the European Papal States) -- until these Ten throw off Catholic control and become independent nations. The time would come when Rome, the fifth head, does not exist. VI. One now is. Rome had overthrown all before her and occupied their dominion. The Roman monarchy existed when John was on Patmos, and he was seen there by the edict of a Roman Emperor.” [B. W. Johnson The People's New Testament (1891)] |
| 192 | The other (king) has not yet arrived: Judging from Daniel and the rise of an eleventh horn, a Small Power, this would be America. But what will happen? |
| 193 | He is bound to remain only a short time: It seems fair to suggest that this may be an allusion to what is elsewhere described as a death-stroke, or going down into the abyss. If the scenario present here is correct it predicts the American world-power will seem to come to its end, but will be miraclously revived with all the world now following it. |
RV17:11 The wild Sea Beast that existed once, then did not exist, and yet exists again
is an eighth king. This eighth king is out of the seven
[former kings] and is finally destroyed.| 194 | Existed once, then did not exist, and yet exists again: We have presented some
possibilities (POSSIBILITIES): the revival of the fifth head Rome, or, the revival of the seventh head America who then becomes the eighth and final earthly world empire. Since the angel in Daniel indicates only four kingdoms it would seem after Rome the powers
that develop have al descended from Rome in one form or another. If this be Rome then after Rome is slain, it remains in the abyss of death for hundreds of centuries, to be healed or revived and come out at the Eighth Head. If this the American Seventh Head
then something very forbidding lies on the horizon for America, though a revival is foretold. |
| 195 | Eighth
king is out of the seven: This phrase may also confirm that the Seventh Empire rise from among the Corporate Beast, likely either Rome or that Small Power (America) which had roots in Rome. Whatever interpretative scenario is followed the future will see
either the rise of a new world-government associated with the original seven; or, the demise of America and its miraculous recovery or revival. On the other hand future history may reveal another scenario which conforms more closely to the one present here
in Revelation. |
Summary
Similar to Daniel various world governments or empires were to come and go with one of these seven revived after being slain. Throughout their histories the Woman-Babylon has been associated with all of them. But, as we will see this Woman-Babylon is to
come to her own horrible end at the hands of the Ten Powers.
Revelation 17:12-18 – Ten Kingdoms Fulfill God’s Will!
RV17:12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings
who are without a realm. However, for one hour they receive authority with the wild Sea Beast.
| 196 | Ten horns you saw are ten kings: There seems no reason not to see these Ten Powers as other than the same in Daniel 7.
They represent the European fragments of Rome now combining iron and clay and so without the type of world-empire attained by Rome or America. Some see these as the European Community now with its own common currency and a growing unity. |
| 197 | For one hour they receive authority with the wild Sea Beast: This would seem a union with the Eighth mode of the corporate Sea
Beast -- he head which was slain but revived. It is likely the awe and wonderment which causes this union with a power thought dead but revived from the abyss. The Eighth Power’s military and economic power no doubt adds to the reasons the Ten Powers
are willing to share what rule they have with this final manifestation of the beasts. |
RV17:13 These ten kings are of one opinion and so they share their power and authority
with the wild Sea Beast.
| 198 | Are of one opinion and so they share their power and authority: There is a common agreement or pact among the Ten (European)
Powers who add their political, economic and military support to the Eighth (restored) Power. “Opinion” here is the Greek GNOMEN. Or, KJV: one mind; KNX: a single policy; WEY: one common policy. Compare GNOMEN at 1 Corinthians 1:10. There
is a powerful union or confederation which functions in global control of the economy. (Revelation 13:16, 17) |
RV17:14 These ten kings will go to war with the Lamb.
But the Lamb – and those with him who are called, chosen and faithful
– will be victorious over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings.
| 199 | These ten kings will go to war with the Lamb: What some call “Armageddon” the final battle. Having oppressed
the Saints for three and a half years, now the Ten (European) Powers (including the Sea Beast and False Prophet) will finally attempt to battle against the Lamb. For details see Revelation 19:11-19. |
| 200 | Those with him who are called, chosen and faithful: Following the Great Oppression of three and a half years the Saints have been resurrected and raptured
and are now with the Lamb. Their marriage has occurred while that Woman-Babylon is being destroyed as we shall see. |
RV17:15 …You saw the harlot sitting upon the waters and these [waters]
are peoples,
crowds, nations and tongues.
| 201 | Harlot sitting upon the waters and these (waters) are peoples: Just as ancient Babylon sat astride the Euphrates River
so through the ages the Woman-Babylon has help control mankind in union with the current political empire. |
| 202 |
Crowds, nations and tongues: Compare Daniel 7:14, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9. Despite this control the called, chosen and faithful among the Saints have remained wheat among weeds. |
RV17:16 Now
the wild Sea Beast and the Ten Kings you beheld will hate the Harlot-Babylon.
They will desolate her
and strip her naked. They will consume her flesh and burn her with fire.
| 203 | Sea Beast and the Ten Kings you beheld will hate the Harlot-Babylon: There will be a future reversal of historical norms:
the political entities will turn on the religious. Not just the Ten (European) Powers but also the Sea Beast in its eighth and final political mode will devastate the Harlot-Religion. |
| 204 | They will desolate her: Babylon-Religion is destroyed forever. The Saints are not on earth during this period having been raptured earlier. (Revelation 11:12, 13; Revelation 15:1-3;
Revelation 19:1-8) There will those millions of “Christians” left or abandoned to the plagues to follow. Compare Luke 17:34, 35; Revelation 18:4. See notes on these texts in Nazarene Commentary. |
RV17:17 For The God gave it to the hearts [of the Ten Powers] to fulfill His own opinion,
to perform His one opinion by giving their kingdom [of Ten Powers] to the wild Sea Beast,
until the words of The God will have been fulfilled.
| 205 | The God gave it to the hearts (of the Ten Powers) to fulfill His own opinion: It is the Ancient of Days or the Most High
who implants His own purpose or will in the hearts and minds of the Ten (European) Powers. God’s purpose is to destroy the ancient “harlot” Religion. It is interesting to note that the Lamb and his Bride do not directly share in this. The
world empire of Babylon-Religion is brought down by her former patrons: the Ten Powers of ancient Rome. They have a long history with the Whore and their anger is finally vented. |
| 206 | By giving their kingdom (of Ten Powers) to the wild Sea Beast: The Ten Powers alone do not have a “kingdom” so they form a union of sorts. As a combined or corporate entity the Ten Powers are a “kingdom.” They form a union with the Sea Beast in its eighth mode to fulfill God’s purpose to destroy Babylon the religious Whore. The whole affair is one of union or confederation between the Ten Powers and between the Ten Powers and the Sea Beast. One possibility to be pursued here is whether this European confederation as a whole is what amounts to a “kingdom” like one of the Heads of the Sea Beast. |
| 207 | Until the words of The God will have been fulfilled: God’s purpose is involved in permitting these confederation of nations to turn on Harlot-Religion. Compare this phrase with Revelation 10:7. |
RV17:18 The woman whom you beheld is the Great City [Babylon]
that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” | 208 | The woman whom you beheld is the Great City Babylon: Just as the Image of Nebuchadnezzar and the corporate entity of the wild Sea Beast are abstract corporations, so that form of religion or worship that is
not from God is an ancient corporate entity including all the religions of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Seventh Head. Most of the religions are still practiced in hundreds of thousands of different forms, including fractured Christianity.
A reading of Revelation chapter 18 would confirm that Babylon the Great is a religious abstraction which is associated with the political and commercial elements of the world. |
| 209 | A kingdom over the kings of the earth: Harlot-Religion has reigned hand in hand with all the mighty powers of history, each with their own state religion, including Christianity.
At different historical moments it was often difficult to tell who was ruling a given kingdom: the state religion or the political power. |
Summary
Ten European Powers descended from Rome will combine their authority in a single confederacy to share power with the revived Eighth Head of the Sea Beast. These will finally battle with the Lamb and the Saints but before that God moves the Ten Powers
and the Sea Beast to destroy Harlot-Religion. These instruments will fulfill God’s Word.
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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