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A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
JUDGMENT ON BABYLON THE GREAT
[“A Hated Mistress and a Victorious King”]
Key Word: Babylon
Theme Verse: 1
Revelation 17:1-2 – Judgment on the Great Harlot
RV17:1 And one of the seven angels having the 7 bowls694
came and spoke to me, saying: “Come here, I shall show you the judgment695
on the Great Harlot,696
the one sitting
upon many waters,697
[Jeremiah 51:13]
694
7 bowls: May it be assumed this is sequentially after the pouring out of the 7 bowls? Or, is there an overlapping of the 7th bowl
with the vision that follows in chapters 17, 18?
695
I shall show you the judgment: That judgment the martyred
Saints were told to wait for in Revelation 6:9-11.
696
The Great Harlot: This Woman, or Harlot, as been referenced
already in Revelation 9:14; 11:8; 14:8; 16:12, 19. All things considered, including that description in chapter 18, the Great Harlot, Babylon the Great, is a religious empire with her roots in Shinar and that first kingdom of Nimrod. Some would limit this to the Roman Catholic Church and thus it would be part of that “man of lawlessness” of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Others would expand it to include all those religions traceable back to the Indus Valley and the Tower of Babel along the Euphrates River. Thus, the Harlot is “Religion.” See notes on Revelation 11:8 and the suggestion the Great City is apostate Christianity.
697
Many waters: These are explained in Revelation 16:15 as international crowds. These are the same people mentioned in Revelation 13:7, 16. The expression HYDRATON POLLON is found in the LXX at Jeremiah 51:13 and is an illusion to the protective flow of the Euphrates around and through Babylon.
RV17:2with whom the kings of the earth committed prostitution. And these kings
made earth’s inhabitants drunk698because of the wine of her prostitution.”699
[Jeremiah 51:7; Isaiah 23:17]
698
These kings made earth’s inhabitants drunk: These kings of the earth no doubt include more than
the 10 kings or horns later mentioned. Here it is virtually all of the political kings who have ever ruled. These kings have been affected in some way by the Great Harlot. It is not possible to study history and not become aware of the religious influence on all governments who have ever existed up to modern times. The kings have used and been used by the Great Harlot. The political powers of history have intoxicated earth’s inhabitants by their use of religion. The Greek here for drunk, EMETHUSTHESAN, is from the LXX at Jeremiah 51:7. The Jewish atheist Marx put it: “Religion is the opium of the people.” With him, the Bible here agrees. Present conflicts throughout the world are largely religious wars, including wars between Christians and Muslims.
699
Her prostitution: Though there has been much literal fornication between kings and religionists, immoral intercourse between the Babylonish Church and the political leaders of history, this “fornication” is that spiritual corruption between politics and religion with poisonous and intoxicating influences. (James 4:4) Compare similar metaphors in the Prophets. (Ezekiel 6:9; 23:11, 29; 43:7, 9; and the Book of Hosea)
Revelation 17:3-6 – Babylon the Great
RV17:3 And the angel carried me by inspiration700
into a desolate place.701
And I saw a Woman sitting upon a scarlet
Wild Beast,702
[Daniel 7:7] the Beast full of blasphemous names.703
The
Beast
had 7 heads and
10 horns.704
[Daniel 7:20]
700
The angel carried me by inspiration: Compare Ezekiel 37:1. Others: WMS: he carried me away in spiritual rapture; TCNT: he bore me
away in a trance.
701
Desolate place: Or, wilderness, desert. Note this is a similar location to where the Woman
of chapter 12 escapes the Dragon.
702
A Woman sitting upon a scarlet Wild Beast: The Great Harlot rides the Wild
Beast. Judging from the following description this beast may be the same as the wild Sea beast. It may be rightly assumed that this includes the 8th-mode of the Beast, the revived 7th Head. The Beast carries her where she wants to go; or, the Beast carries
her because it uses her. The Beast is under her direction and lead. See Revelation 17:18 and Revelation 18:9.
703
Blasphemous names: Compare Revelation 13:1, 5, 6. These may be various titles which rightfully belong to God. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
704
7 heads and 10 horns: These are described in Revelation 17:9, 10, 12. Compare Revelation 13:1.
RV17:4 The Woman was clothed in purple and scarlet705
and gilded in gold and precious stones and pearls.706
She had
a golden cup
in her hand,707
[Jeremiah 51:7] full of disgusting things708
and the unclean things of her prostitution.
705
Clothed in purple and scarlet: The colors of royalty. This Woman Religion may be found in all the royal courts and palaces of the
world. Very few who participate in this Woman Religion are free from guilt in taking advantage materially of their flocks.
706
Precious stones and pearls: Compare the adornment of the Lamb’s Wife in chapter 21. The literal treasures which reside in Harlot Religion: buried finances, great properties, art treasures. Compare the list of treasures at Revelation 18:7, 11-14.
707
She had a golden cup in her hand: It has the appearance of heavenly things but Harlot Religion has magnificent whitewash. (Matthew 23:27, 28)
708
Disgusting things: These may include idols. The “disgusting things” done by and in the name of Religion fill the history books. One may judge that much of these “disgusting things” have gone unrecorded, save by God. These disgusting things would include “plunder and immoderateness” and “hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:25-28) There are strong links to idolatry and those anti-God forms of worship in the word BDELYGMATON. TCN: idolatrous abominations. Possibly this Harlot Religion is somehow involved with the Image of chapter 13.
RV17:5 And upon her forehead a name written:709
MYSTERY:
BABYLON THE GREAT,710
[Daniel 4:30] THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS711
AND THE DISGUSTING THINGS OF THE EARTH.
709
Upon her forehead a name written: As elsewhere, certain people are clearly identified with a “name” in the forehead. Compare Revelation 7:3; 9:4; 13:16; 14:1.
710
MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT: A great deal of mystery has always surrounded organized religion in all its forms. Usually this takes the form of a hierarchy that is the total depository of hidden truths and religious secrets so that the “waters” must come to the priesthood to know divine truths. These take the forms of prophets and channels. Or, a mystery because of John’s amazement and therefore no part of the name. KJ: Mystery, Babylon the Great; NEB: a name with a secret meaning; WMS: a name with a symbolic meaning. BABYLON HE MEGALE occurs in the LXX at Daniel 4:30. The full name occurs 5x in the Apocalypse. (Revelation 15:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 21) The occurrence in Daniel 4:30 would make it a strong political monarchy. However, Nebuchadnezzar was surrounded by priests and magi. (Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 27; 4:7, 9; 5:11) This must refer to more than just the ancient kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar. It should include all the realm of Babylonish teachings and practices beginning with Nimrod’s Babel. The hierarchy of religious institutions which have borrowed doctrines and religious practices from this Babylonish source. (See the work by Hislop, The Two Babylons)
711
THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS: Babylon, Harlot Religion, has produced a multitude of “harlots.” As mother, Babylon the Great has produced thousands upon thousands of individual “harlots.” These may be understood to be religious offshoots, but all those religiously disgusting practices from the standpoint of God. (James 1:27) Ancient Jerusalem had her “daughters,” that is, outlying towns and villages.
RV17:6 And I saw the Woman was drunk712
with the blood of the Saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.713
And having seen her, I wondered a great wonderment.714
712
The Woman was drunk: Not an occasional imbibing, but thoroughly drunk with shed blood. Since the term “saints” would hold its most important meaning from the time of Christ, Babylon the Great would include
all those religious institutions responsible for hateful persecution of the “saints” throughout the last 2,000 years. Compare the occurrence of “saints” in the Apocalypse. Compare Revelation 18.24 where this bloodguilt goes back even
before Christianity and also includes ancient prophets and others who were slaughtered.
713
The martyrs of Jesus:
Or, witnesses. Remember the cry of the martyrs at Revelation 6:9-11. Regarding the possibility of “Jesus’ Witnesses” compare Acts 1:8 and elsewhere. (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39, 41; 13:31) This refers to Christian disciples of Jesus and
that body of Saints throughout 2,000 years who have been slaughtered by the Great Harlot Religion. Three prominent parts of Babylon have shared in this: Jews, Muslims, and Catholicism (including its Protestant “harlots” traceable to Luther and Calvin). Other pagan and Asian religions have likewise been responsible. Those who had shed martyrs’ blood are part and parcel of Babylon the Great. Some of this “blood” was shed during the Great Oppression which Harlot Religion must have had a hand in.
714
I wondered a great wonderment: KJV: wondered with great admiration; ASV: great wonder; TCN: amazed beyond measure; RHM: astonished with great astonishment. Compare Daniel’s reactions to various visions.
Revelation 17:7-11 – 7 Kings and 10 Horns
RV17:7 And the angel said to me: “Why do you wonder?715
I shall tell you the mystery of the Woman716
and the
Wild Beast
carrying her, the one with 7 heads and
10 horns.
715
Why do you wonder: John would have been aware of Babylon’s history Biblically and possibly historically. So, his wonderment
must involve other questions.
716
The mystery of the Woman: The Woman may be interpreted by explaining the 7 heads and 10 horns. What follows in chapter 18 clearly deals with the Woman here. The overall mystery from John’s standpoint may have involved the developing situation predicted for the future.
RV17:8 The
Wild Beast
which you saw:717
it was and it is not,718
and it is about to ascend out of the Abyss,719
and it goes off into destruction.720
And all earth’s inhabitants will wonder in awe.721Not one of them has a name written in the Little Book of Life722
[Psalm 69:28] from
the founding of the world of humankind.723
[Matthew 25:34] That is, those looking at the
Wild Beast724
because it existed, then did not exist,725
but became present again.”
717
The Wild Beast which you saw: Possibly also a reference to that Beast already seen in Revelation 13:1.
718
It was and it is not: This is so similar to the cured deathblow of chapter 13 as not to be coincidental. In chapter 13 this is “one
of the 7 heads” and is most likely a form of the Roman Head if one take into account Daniel 7:11, and the “slain” beast. Judging from Revelation 11:7 and Revelation 13:3-7 the revived Beast is the same as the Sea Beast, or at least one of
its Heads. In Daniel there are ten horns that fragment out of Rome; and then, another horn rises. It is likely this Little Horn is the same one here: the Sea Beast, or that one Head of it, which had the sword stroke and yet revived. That is, the one who ascended
out of the Abyss. This ascent out of the Abyss, or this healing of the death-blow, must occur before the Great Oppression in order for this self same Beast to persecute the Saints. If we viewed the Sea Beast as the same as the Image of Daniel chapter 2, a conglomerate whole, or an entire political complex dating from Daniel’s time, then we may view the Image of Daniel 2 and the Sea Beast as the same. We may view it collectively or corporately; or, we may view it just from the standpoint of the current political model. For example, if we were to view the Image or the Sea Beast from the moment of Alexander the Great it would have only three heads and the current “head” would be Greece. So, what the current Head does represents the whole. What happens to one affects the entire political matrix. So, one may speak of the Sea Beast as a whole, or the individual parts, such as the current “head.” Now, one of these “heads” has a historical experience in which it ceases to exist, but then is revived. Though this experience befell only one of the heads, it is as though the whole beastly matrix experienced it. Some have applied this experience to the League of Nations and the United Nations. Others would look to the experience of Nazi Germany and Hitler. Others may see Russia reviving as a dominant world power.
719
It is about to ascend out of the Abyss: If we place ourselves in John’s perspective, at that prophetic moment when the Beast is still in the Abyss, this apocalyptic context is before the Great Oppression, and likely before the Dragon is ousted from heaven. The Dragon’s anger against the Saints is what causes his resuscitation of the Beast and thus the three and a half years of the Great Oppression begins. The Devil revives a former instrument that worked effectively for him in past centuries. So, here it is at that moment before the Head is cured or steps up out of the Abyss. But, when the Beast is cured or revived, it returns with old Babylon, the Harlot Religion, riding the back of the Beast, the Political Throne of Satan.
720
It goes off into destruction: Compare Revelation 13:11. The ultimate outcome is described in chapter 19. This cured state must be over a short period, possibly slightly more than three and a half years, for it is associated with “one hour” in Revelation 17:12. Note the final outcome is “destruction” (APOLEIAN) here. This is described in Revelation 19:20 as the “lake of fire” or the “second death” proving the symbol “lake of fire” means “destruction.”
721
All earth’s inhabitants will wonder in awe: Or, “wonder,” means amazed, dumbfounded, utterly astonished. (THAUMASTHESONTAI) This is the same “wonderment” of John, but here it is in a bad light. TCNT: amazed. This is the same “wonder” at Revelation 13:3, 4. As in chapter 13 the wonderment is over the revivification of the Head which had the deathblow and was cured. This would place the moment of the vision of the Harlot at that future time following the restoration of the 7th Head in its 8th (or restored) mode. Wonder may lead to awe, which can lead to worship.
722
The Little Book of Life: This is the same as Revelation 13:8 where those who wonder over the revived Beast are not written in the Book of Life. The Book of Life is that record of the “righteous” who have God’s approval. The term occurs at Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27. Compare also Malachi 3:16.
723
The founding of the world of humankind: A term in Greek KATABOLES KOSMOU which occurs in various forms at Matthew 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:8; 9:26; 11:11; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8; 7.8. It generally refers to the first children born of Adam, for KATABOLES alludes to the throwing down of “seed” in reproduction, or planting.
724
Those looking at the Wild Beast: “Looking at” is the rendering of BLEPONTON. As part of the wonderment, amazement, or awe. This emphasizes the danger of wonderment over those political matters which influence earth globally. The Christian Saint is no part of the world. (John 15:19; 17:14) The Saint’s wonderment or awe is of a divine sort that embraces only God with those feelings experienced by worshippers of the Sea Beast. This may be a subtle warning to John who also wondered. The sudden restoration or revivification of this slaughtered “head” of the Sea Beast must influence the globe in a powerful way. Patriotism or nationalism can arouse gooseflesh on the skin of those holding certain ideologies or nationalistic thoughts.
725
It existed, then did not exist: Or, was and was not. Variously rendered: KJV: was, and is not, and yet is; ASV: how that he was, and is not, and shall come; ALF: and shall come again. The Greek PARESTAI is the root for PAROUSIA and may echo faint hints of the Christ’s own parousia as if this were a counterfeit.
RV17:9 “Here is the mind, the one having wisdom:726
The 7 heads are 7 mountains727
where the Woman sits on top.728
726
Here is the mind, the one having wisdom: Variously rendered: KJV: here is the mind which hath wisdom; NEB: the clue for those who
clan interpret; GDSP: here is a problem for a profound mind; BER: here is something for the intelligent to ponder. Compare Revelation 13:18. In chapter 13 it deals with 666 and here with the mystery of the 7 heads and the revived 7th in its 8th mode. The need
to figure this out is not explained beyond an exercise of “mind.”
727
7 mountains: Some would apply
this to the seven “hills” of Rome. This may be quite an exaggeration. The Greek is ORE. “Mountain” occurs 8x. (Revelation 6:14, 15, 16; 8:8; 14:1; 16:20; 17:9; 21:10) It can mean a place of safety or a sizable body. In the Psalms and
the Prophets “mountain(s)” is used of elevated places of worship or royal establishment. The possibilities of these particular 7 Heads or Mountains are found in what are called the March of World Powers: Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece,
Rome, etc. Some may try to find these “seven heads” in Daniel chapter seven which lists two heads with Babylon and Persia and four (or, five) with Greece, making six or seven. But, this does not seem to harmonize with what follows, though some will search to find the harmony in Daniel chapter seven. It would seem at the moment that the March of World Powers fits the historical circumstances.
728
The Woman sits on top: The Woman sits or rides upon the seven-headed Beast, controlling it as Revelation 17:18 suggests.
RV17:10 And the 7 kings are: 5 have fallen,729
the 1 is,730
and the [7th] has not yet arrived.731
When [the 7th] should arrive it will only remain a little time.732
729
5 have fallen: There are some possibilities with the traditional March of World Powers fitting well: the five “fallen”
are Assyria (Syria), Egypt, Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), Greece. Some may look for another combination in Daniel chapter seven.
730
The 1 is: This moment that “is” may be understood to be in John’s own contemporary times when he was in prison on Patmos, that is during the rule of Rome. Thus, “the one who is” is Rome. One must assume the Apocalypse is adding
Assyria and Egypt to the list of powers in Daniel chapter seven.
731
The [7th] has not yet arrived: The previous
Head, Rome, existed (“is”) for many centuries and then fragmented at last into the “ten” European Papal States from the Eighth Century. This fragmentation of the Republic metamorphosed into the American Experience, and continues to this day. Has this “7th” head arrived now, in the days before the year 2,000? Many would say so. In what form? In that remnant of the Roman fragmentation, the 11th Little Horn, or America. In John’s day this would still be far into the future, allowing for the slow process described in Daniel chapter seven: the fragmentation of Rome, the formation of Ten Horns, the rise of an 11th Little Horn, the “putting down” or “plucking up” of three of the original ten.
732
A little time: When the 7th Head comes into existence it is to remain a “little time.” This is not the same word of the “short time” in Revelation 12:12. Can “little time” be viewed from the prophetic standpoint? As a world power, America has existed only a short time compared to Rome, Greece, Persia, or Babylon. One might feel that America has only attained the status of absolute world power in the mid-1980s. It should be understood this is only one of several possibilities and future events may well change this current view. Is this 7th Head the one who has the death-stroke experience, existing for a while, and then ascending into the Abyss?
RV17:11 The Wild Beast which was, and is not,733
[the 7th king] is an 8th [king]. The 8th is out of the seven[th]734
and goes off into destruction.735
733
The Wild Beast which was, and is not: This may be the 7th Head.
734
The 8th is out of the seven[th]: The Greek here is interesting and may have several possibilities that will not result in universal agreement. This is rendered literally, word for word, by The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament: AND THE BEAST WHICH WAS AND IS-NOT EVEN HE IS AN EIGHTH AND OUT OF THE SEVEN IS. The Interlinear Bible (J. P. Green): “And the beast which was, and not is, even he eighth is, and of the seven it is.” Benjamin Wilson’s Diaglott: “And the wild beast, which was, and not is, even he eighth is, and out of the seven is.” This whole phrase is variously rendered: TCN: So must the Beast that was, but is not, He counts as an eighth king, although he is one of the seven; KNX: And the beast which lived once and now is dead must be reckoned as the eighth, yet it is one of the seven. We see two possibilities: a) the eighth is one of the seven; or, b) is the seventh restored. Either way, it may be inferred that it is the Seventh which expires, enters the Abyss, and then is revived or cured. This new form of the Seventh is now an Eighth.
735
Goes off into destruction: For the second time the final outcome is foretold. “Destruction” is what happens in the “lake of fire” or Second Death. Where in the Apocalypse is the Eighth King destroyed? Read as we may, this exact king is never described as being destroyed. The Beast, the Image, and the False Prophet are all destroyed in the “lake of fire.” This may argue that the Eighth King is the same as the wild Sea Beast with a new head, an Eighth.
Revelation 17:12-14 – 10 United Kings Battle the Lamb
RV17:12 “And the
10 Horns
which you saw736
they are
10 Kings737
[Daniel 7:24] who have not as yet received a kingdom.738
But they are receiving authority as kings one hour739
with the wild Sea Beast.
736
The 10 Horns which you saw: The Greek is TA DEKA KERATA, the same as the LXX at Daniel 7:24. Judging from Daniel, where three of the ten are “plucked up,” leaving seven, the ten here must be literal as the toes of Daniel 2:41. The number 10 can mean a totality or universality as it seems from Zechariah 8:23. Compare Genesis chapter 10. Many see the European Union here.
737
They are 10 Kings: In this they are similar to the 7 “heads” or “kings” though they lack the historical power and extensive domain, like comparing France with the Babylonian empire. Some explanation of this follows in the angel’s interpretation.
738
Who have not as yet received a kingdom: In the historical framework of time, these “kings” have not yet received a “kingdom.” Perhaps in the sense of the first Seven Kings; that is, they have not become a world power. If the timing is the same as in verse 8, then just prior to the reviving of the Seventh King in its Eighth restored mode, these 10 kings lack any serious rulership on the level of the previous heads of the Dragon. Perhaps they are included in the rhetorical question: “Who can do battle with the wild Sea Beast?” (Revelation 13:4) Judging from Daniel 7:8, 20 “three” of these Ten Kings were humiliated by the Little Horn, the Seventh Head of the wild Sea Beast. However, they are still functioning monarchies.
739
They are receiving authority as kings one hour: This is likely the “one hour” of Babylon’s judgment. (Revelation 18:10, 17, 19) The time period is centered on that moment after the beast has been revived and by its agency compels the globe to accept a commercial mark. (Revelation 13:1; 17:3) The Ten Kings must be supporters of this agenda and they back the beastly intention.
RV17:13 These
10 Kings
have one opinion740
and they give their power and authority to the wild Sea Beast.
740
These 10 Kings have one opinion: Or, one thought; one mind. Variously rendered: KNX: a single policy; WEY: one common policy. They
possess some power and authority as kings and they agree to give this support to the wild Sea Beast in its Eighth manifestation. Perhaps this is in connection with what occurs as a global pressure in chapter 13. These kings or political powers are united and
one is reminded of the European Union.
RV17:14 These
10 Kings
will war with the
Lamb741
and the Lamb will conquer them742
(and those with him: those called, chosen, and faithful)743
because he is
Lord of lords
[Deuteronomy 10:17] and
King of kings.”744
[Daniel 2:37]
741
These 10 Kings will war with the Lamb: A preview of chapter 19 and Armageddon. How this “war” is fought is nowhere explained. Might nuclear equipped armies suspect they can deal with this alien Cubic City from outer space? Do they think they can surround it even as Satanically led “nations” after the Thousand Years? (Revelation 20:8, 9) Does their radar, listening devices, satellite telescopes pick up the approach of this extra-terrestrial threat? Can they use their “fire from heaven” in defense of their global territory?
742
The Lamb will conquer them: Compare the final victory of Revelation 6:1, 2.
743
Those with him: those called, chosen, and faithful: Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Before Armageddon, before the final plagues, the living Saints have been snatched out of danger and joined their Master. (Revelation 11:12, 13; 15:2)
744
King of kings: Compare the phrase at Ezekiel 7:12; 26.7; Daniel 2:37; 1 Timothy 6:15. This may be one of the blasphemous names used by the Beast.
Revelation 17:15-18 – Babylon Desolated by 10 Kings
RV17:15 And the Angel is saying to me: “The waters745
[Jeremiah 51:13] which you saw, where the Harlot is sitting, are
peoples, crowds, nations, and tongues.746
745
Waters: An allusion to the protective and commercial river Euphrates. (Revelation 9:14; 16:12) The Euphrates was at the same time
the source of wealth of Babylon as well as its protection. Thus, the peoples of the globe have in the historical past supported, protected, and nourished the Harlot Religion. Earlier these same peoples become involved in the political worship the restored Sea Beast. This would amount to drying up the protection and support of these citizens of Babylon. The idea suggests a large portion of the Christian Church will not faithfully endure.
746
Peoples, crowds, nations, and tongues: The same global peoples of Revelation 13:7, 16. They have been made “drunk” by Harlot Religion’s “kingdom,” her political fornication with the beasts of the earth.
RV17:16 And the
10 Horns
which you saw, and the wild Sea Beast will hate the Harlot.747
They will desolate the Harlot, stripping her naked,748
eating her flesh,749
and burning her in fire.750
747
The wild Sea Beast will hate the Harlot: Earth’s politicians have used the intoxication of Harlot Religion over Mass Man to
control and bleed them. Some beasts have loved the Harlot, but now she has grown old and her “waters” have dried up. The religious awe once reserved for Harlot Religion has now swung over to the wild Sea Beast. Mass Man has turned in his religious
idols for one single colossal political Image and a one-world government. Religion has little respect or power now. However, compare their attitude once this has actually happened and the smoke of the burning city of Babylon the Great rises. (Revelation 18:9,
10)
748
Stripping her naked: Compare something similar at Ezekiel 16:39-41.
749
Eating her flesh: Violent cannibalism. There is an echo of Jezebel here. (1 Kings 14:11; 21:24)
750
Burning her in fire: In Israel, under the Law, such a woman was stoned and then her body burned at the stake. The Harlot Religion, having compromised during the Great
Oppression and the wild Sea Beasts one government commercial control over the globe, is now destroyed. This occurs before Armageddon. (Revelation 18:9; 19:20)
RV17:17 The God will put into
their hearts His opinion751
to give their kingdom to the wild Sea Beast,752
until the words of The God will be finished.753
751
The God will put into their hearts His opinion: Or, thought. Compare Jeremiah 51:11. Can God have any feeling other than hate for
the Harlot Religion which is responsible for the holocaust upon the Saints.
752
Give their kingdom to the wild Sea
Beast: The Ten Kings combined have one “kingdom” and these unified monarchs throw in their support with the wild Sea Beast in its Eighth mode.
753
Until the words of The God will be finished: Compare Revelation 10:7.
RV17:18 And the Woman you saw is the Great City,754
the one reigning over the kings of the earth.”755
754
Great City: First mentioned at Revelation 11:8; 11:13; 16:19; 18:10.
755
The
one reigning over the kings of the earth: This Harlot Religion has ruled through her political maneuvering and occasional outright domination, using the power of the Masses as her protection and support. The Woman is “queen.” (Revelation 18:7)