There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
· Seven sorts of government (MH)
· Five of these were extinct, one was then in being, and the other was yet to come (MH)
Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed..
Psalm 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.
“Here is the mind which has wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
· We will see in this scripture that the city of seven hills is where this evil system has its headquarters. (DR)
· This is a marvel to the world who are not fully aware of the implications of the Bible it shows. Of course the bride of Christ, the Christians who have their names written in the Lamb's book of life since the world began, are aware of all of this and why it happened. (DR)
Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.
Proverbs 6:16 These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him.
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
· It was a seat of idolatry, persecution, and tyranny (MH)
· The false religious system of the end times will be very convincing and popular among the unsaved, but those who have committed themselves to Christ will understand that anything idolatrous is not of God. (DR)
Psalm 9:15 the nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
Psalm 40:7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
· The focus of the explanation is on the beast. (DG)
· It appeared that the harlot ruled (rode) the Antichrist’s system, but he is the dynamic factor, using her as tyrants have always used religion - as a mere tool to accomplish their purposes. (DG)
Psalm 73:22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; …..
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
· The more she kills the bolder she will become in killing the saints (Rev. 6:10; 12:11; 16:6; 17:6; 18:24; 19:2).
· The greatest enemy of the Harlot religion is the Bride of Christ.
Psalm 72:14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; and precious shall be their blood in His sight.
Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY,
BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
· This title is not for literal Babylon; but its spiritual (mystery) representation, which is the source (mother) of all idolatry (abominations) and spiritual adultery (harlots). (DG)
· This harlot must be larger than any one branch of a religious institution. She is the embodiment of Satan’s own ecumenical movement - the religion of the world system. (DG)
Psalm 137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
Nahum 3:4 Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot. The mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries, and families through her sorceries.
The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
· The kings of the earth (political leaders) will be privy to some of the lies that empower the Harlot system, yet ascribe to it for money, honor and power. They will support her agenda and knowingly promote her lies to the masses for the sake of their own gain. In this way, they will knowingly “prostitute themselves” or “commit fornication” with her in knowingly supporting her deception for money (Rev. 17:2; 18:3, 9).
· Her “wine” is the false ideas or beliefs that come from her “fornication” or compromises with biblical truth. Her seductions offer great benefits, including humanitarian aid, unified religion (that minimizes wars) and a prosperous world economy, but come at a great cost of God’s judgment. The nations will “get drunk” (intoxicated and euphoric) about this new religion and ideology that brings unity and peace without any restraint or accountability for their actions (Ps 2).
Daniel 11:38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.
Nahum 3:4 Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot. The mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries, and families through her sorceries.
