We
continue our study of Mystery Babylon and her destruction as revealed by John
in Revelation 17-18. I am revising this
post due to input from my Mom, since it became clear that I didn’t address
some obvious questions.
Revelation 17:7–8 “And the angel
said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the
woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten
horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the
bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall
wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of
the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”
The
angel doesn’t understand why John was so surprised at what he saw. Implied—it was only to be expected from a
time in which evil predominates. The
angel declares that he is going to explain the mystery of the woman and the
beast that carries and sustains her. He
begins with the beast; without him, there would be no woman.
The angel goes on to explain to John that the beast carrying her “was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless
pit, and go into perdition.” In our study we’ve already learned that the
scripture uses the term “mountains” to describe both kings and kingdoms.
Later in the chapter, verse 18 tells us that the woman is synonymous to a city,
so it would make sense for the beast to represent not only Satan in the person
of Antichrist but the kingdom he rules on his behalf. Reminder—Her sphere
of authority is spiritual or religious, but her influence is powerful and extends
to affect economic prosperity as well according to chapter 18.
Previously, I made a connection with the prominence
of Babylon on the world scene as part of her mystery. Maybe this thought also connects with the
phrase “was, and is not and shall ascend…and go into perdition” in reference to
Babylon as the originator of the false religions established through Satan’s
deceit that will once again emerge as Satan’s seat of the final false religion
that will dominate the world. Babylon
was not the recognized seat of satanic power at the time of John’s revelation.
It’s also interesting to note that
point is made that those whose names are not written in the book of life will
be in awe of the beast. Why?
Because of His miracles.
This implies that those whose names are
in the book of life will not be so awestruck. Why? I think it is
because they will understand what is happening and will be expecting him to do
miracles in light of scripture.
2Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of
Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…
I think this wording concerning the Book of Life is
a bit confusing. It’s obvious to me from
other scriptures that all names are written in the Book of Life until they are
blotted out due to unbelief and rejection of God as LORD. However, God knew the end from the beginning
for every person ever born before He created the first thing. In that regard, those whose names are not
included in the Book of Life at the final judgment of sinners were known to God
“from the foundation of the world.”
The angel continues to try to clarify our thinking
by identifying the heads with mountains or kingdoms and the kings that ruled
them.
Revelation 17:9–11 “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The
seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are
seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must
continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the
eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”
Regarding the kings, we are told that “five are
fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh,
he must continue a short space (v10).” It would seem that this woman has
held sway in each of these kingdoms—each one rooted in the false religion of
Babylon of old. From John’s perspective, five of the kings are fallen, one is, and the
other is yet to come and allowed to rule a short time. Now he identifies
the beast that was, and is not as the eighth king that rules one of the seven
mountains and will end up in perdition.
This description makes it clear to me that we are talking about
mountains as representative of kingdoms—not the city of Rome (as I know many
believe). Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece were the great
empires of the past from John’s perspective. The Roman Empire would represent
the ruling empire of John’s time. Then there is the kingdom yet to come
that according to Daniel will emerge from the ruins of the Roman Empire.
The king that rules the seventh kingdom only continues “a short space.” John
tells us that the beast will rule the seventh kingdom. Actually, the
final king is one of the seven kings but is actually the eighth (which I think
refers to the fact that Satan indwells the antichrist in the middle of the
tribulation after his miraculous resurrection from the dead). In other words, Antichrist is the 7th
king, and Antichrist indwelt by Satan is the 8th because at that
point he becomes the person through whom Satan rules.
Why were other great kingdoms/empires of the world (e.g., the Ottoman’s)
not included in Daniel’s or John’s visions? Because God is using the
scripture to tell His-story as reflected through His dealings with the nation
of Israel. After 70 AD that nation no longer existed. When Israel
reemerged as a nation on the world scene in 1948, the stage was set for the
rise of the last world kingdom that will precede the coming of Jesus as King.
(to be continued…)
7 comments:
Sharon, I think that you are bang on the identification of the 8 kings/kingdoms. That is exactly what I believe. The Jewish Antichrist (#7) and/or the Jewish Antichrist resurrected and possessed by Satan (#8) may both rule over Israel. The seven mountains refer to Israel. We learn this from the figures of Genesis 1, which run through the Bible. Things related to the heavens (e.g., birds) and the earth (e.g., mountains, vegetation) refer to the Jews. Things related to the seas and waters (e.g., fish) refer to the Gentiles. For example, note how the earth rose out of the seas in the third "day" (year). Israel rose out of the nations in the third millennium. Note how living creatures were created in the seas and waters on the fifth "day" (year). These are the Gentile Christians of the fifth millennium. Note too how in those 7 years Satan possessed the serpent (a dinosaur of some type?). This is a figure for the beast, the Jewish Antichrist, who will deceive the woman, a figure for Israel. Clive Campbell
Sharon, I might just add that I believe that as the Jews go, so go Satan and the demons. The Jews were bound in their dispersion in 70 AD. I believe that Satan and the demons were bound in hell, the abyss, at that time too. That is why John writes that the beast "is not" at the time of his writing in perhaps 90 AD. The Jews were released from their bondage to begin returning to Palestine somewhere around 1850-1900. I believe that Satan and the demons were released from hell at this time too. Look at what they accomplished in the 20th century. Most Jews, except for a remnant, will "go into perdition," as will Satan and the demons.
Clive, I hear your enthusiasm for God's word, but I have to say that I think that you are reading some things into what is there at times. I don't believe Satan has been bound in hell at any time. Check out 1Peter 5:8 & Ephesians 6:12. I commend your desire to learn and will be praying for you to have discernment and wisdom in line with the context.
Sharon, Reformed theology actually argues that Satan was bound at the crucifixion. However, that doesn't jive with the fact that there was demon possession in the apostolic times. Revelation 9 speaks of "locusts" (figure for both demons and Jews) coming out of the abyss upon the "earth" (figure for Israel). Verse 11 says that Satan is their king. So, in my view he has come out of the abyss at the same time. Revelation 21 refers to Satan being bound for 1000 years. If you interpret the book chronologically, then you are going to think that Satan will be bound at the Second Coming and then released 1000 years later essentially to bring another Armageddon. I believe that is an incorrect interpretation. I believe that he was bound a full 1000 years--from 70 to 1070--but not a full 2000 years. He was released from the abyss at the same time as the Jews were released from their bondage to begin returning to Palestine. From then until he goes into perdition is the "short time" of Revelation 20:3. 1 Peter 5:8 and Ephesians 6:12 were written in apostolic times before Satan and the demons were bound.
Clive, Again I appreciate your desire to study God's word; however, again we will have to agree to disagree about many things. I do not adhere to a specific denomination. I trust in the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit as I personally study God's word. Though I research many sources and listen to many different teachers, I make my own conclusions since I will have to answer personally to the Lord for what I believe. I pray you will join me in continuing to seek the truth with an open heart before the Lord.
Sharon, do you think that I haven't joined you already? I also seek the Spirit's guidance and then make my own conclusions. This will be my last post. Your condescension in both your posts is a little much. Blessings anyway, Clive
Clive, I'm sorry you read condescension into my comments; none was intended. I feel a need to make sure that any reader the Lord brings to this blog understands that though I allow other opinions to be expressed from those who are seeking the truth along with me, I am clear about what I do not agree with. Silence is often considered agreement. May God bless you in your continued studies.
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