Revelation (Written)

Friday, 28 May 2021 

The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. Revelation 17:11

The angel has been describing the seven heads on which the woman sits. In this, he noted that they are seven mountains, but also seven kings. After noting this, he said, “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” (17:10). Now, words that – at first – seem most confusing come forth. He says, “The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth.”

The gender of the terms is unusual. The words, “and the beast,” are neuter. The words, “that was is not, is himself also the eighth,” are masculine. The masculine shows that the “eighth” refers to the kings noted in verse 10. Further, there is no article before the word “eighth.” Therefore, this is not “an eighth” as if in a series of one after another in relation to the seven kings previously noted. It reads, “he also is eighth.”

This probably means that the beast is formed by, and consists of, what has been spoken about concerning the seven kings. To understand, Charles Ellicott goes to one of the parables of Jesus –

“As an illustration, we may recall her whom the seven brothers had as wife; last of all the woman, the eighth, which was of the seven, died also.”

The succeeding kings all fell, but there is one left from the beast itself. As it says, “and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.” The Greek uses the word ek, out of. The beast is “out of the seven.” Young’s translates the verse more appropriately –

“and the beast that was, and is not, he also is eighth, and out of the seven he is, and to destruction he doth go away.” YLT

This eighth, out of the seven, is the antichrist or “the son of perdition” noted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The same word of him used by Paul there is used here, translated as “destruction.” Regardless of the identification of the first seven kings, this “eighth” is certainly referring to him. As was previously seen, one possible explanation of the beast is the progression of empires that have afflicted Israel – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Because Rome faded off the scene but will come back in the future as we know from Daniel 9, this is a total of seven empires. The eighth beast is out of the same entity and specifically the antichrist who rules the final world power.

Life application: The term “perdition” is used of Judas who betrayed Jesus. As noted above, it also is used of the coming antichrist in 2 Thessalonians. The antichrist will be a partner to the false prophet. It is he who is set for destruction because of how he has conducted his life affairs. Like Judas, both led their lives in opposition to the will of God in Christ.

Although the spirit of the antichrist has been active in the world throughout the church age (1 John 2:18), the position will finally be realized in this person who is filled with the power of Satan. He will lead the world into chaos and ruin during the tribulation period, but his end is foretold in Chapter 19. Until that time, the mystery of lawlessness and rebellion against God will only increase as the world turns away from the truth of the message of Jesus Christ in preparation for the arrival of this person.

The times are progressing towards their fulfillment, and as they march on, faithful believers need to stand fast on the gospel message and not waiver in their moral convictions. But more, if you are a faithful believer, you should also be a faithful proclaimer. Those around you are already condemned (John 3:18). What they need is for you to speak. They need to hear about JESUS.

Lord Jesus, You have shown us what is right and good. Help each of us to pass on this wonderful message of peace and reconciliation with God. A day is coming for each of us when we can no longer work, and so before that time arrives, help us to be about Your business. To Your honor and glory, we pray. Amen.

Thursday, 27 May 2021

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. Revelation 17:10

The angel speaking to John just explicitly told him that the seven heads of the beast are seven mountains. Whether those are literal mountains, or whether they are representative of governments was examined. The angel now says, “There are also seven kings.” As such, this leaves several possibilities once again. For now, the angel next says, “Five have fallen.”

The Greek literally reads, “fell.” Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “Constantly used in the Septuagint of the violent fall or overthrow of kings or kingdoms. See Ezekiel 29:5; Ezekiel 30:6; Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 50:15; Jeremiah 51:8.” This would align with the idea of empires as noted in the previous verse.

As noted then, there are five of note that have afflicted or had control over Israel in the past, prior to John’s writing of Revelation – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. From there, the angel says, “one is.”

Rome was in that position when John received Revelation, thus making it a sixth empire. Eventually, it faded away. If this is correct, then the five who had fallen are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The “one that is” would be Rome (the sixth).

At John’s time, Rome held authority over Israel. Even the leaders of Israel understood this when they called out –

“But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’
Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’
The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’” John 19:15

Disregarding the ultimate authority of the Lord, the leaders of Israel noted that the control over their nation was securely in the hands of Rome. From there, the angel next says to John, “and the other has not yet come.”

This coming empire would be the revived Roman Empire. A problem with this is that it would appear to set a different standard of what reference point John is using for verse 17:8 and this verse now – meaning the beginning of the tribulation period (17:8) as opposed to John’s present time (17:10). However, it is not an irreconcilable difference because the same empire is being referred to in both cases.

This does fit the scenario quite well, and it appears to match the other confusing verses in this chapter. However, there was more than one king who ruled each of these powers during the time they afflicted Israel. This confuses the scenario a bit, but if only the empire is noted and not the individual kings who ruled them, then it isn’t a problem. If this is the correct analysis, the final words are almost self-explanatory. The angel says, “And when he comes, he must continue a short time.

This final empire with a ruler over it, and which will hold some sort of control over Israel, will exist for only a short period. Based on the timing of the tribulation period, this aligns with that notion.

A second option is that if the previous verse refers to “seven hills” rather than “seven mountains,” then it is only speaking of Rome and powers which rule from there. This makes the interpretation more difficult to understand at this time, but it will be cleared up as the world moves into the tribulation period. The mind with wisdom will be able to understand who and what is being spoken of.

Life application: It must be remembered that the great harlot rides on this beast. Therefore, there is a religious connection to the beast, even if the beast means world powers or a Roman power. There is spiritual harlotry between the two and both will be judged for their actions. It is hard to be dogmatic about a particular interpretation at this time, but in the end, the mystery of these symbols will become clear.

For now, the main thing to consider is that the events will occur. As this is so, it means that God already knows the end from the beginning. Therefore, we know that the other things that God has said in His word are also true and reliable. He has promised eternal life to those who come to Him through faith in what He has done.

As this is so, let us accept the gospel message. Christ died for our sins, Christ was buried, and Christ rose on the third day. When we believe this message and receive what He did, we are saved – once and for all time. Let us use wisdom. Here is a fuller explanation of what Christ did for you at this link: https://superiorword.org/salvation/

Let us receive God’s precious offer of peace and reconciliation. Let us come to JESUS.

Lord God Almighty, regardless of how the smaller details of future prophecy turn out, we have something far better to focus on! Give us the wisdom to read and understand Your word. Help us to never get distracted from the overall message of the Bible which is that You are God, and You are in complete control of all things. We love and praise You! Amen.

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. Revelation 17:9

This verse continues the explanation of “the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns” as noted in verse 17:7. The angel has given some detail but proceeds with more. This will continue through the end of the chapter. For now, he says, “Here is the mind which has wisdom.”

What this means is that something will be stated that requires thought in order to grasp, but it can be grasped. Further, it has to be looked at from a Christ-centered perspective. As it says in the proverb –

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Those who are not pursuing a knowledge of the Lord will not even know that what is presented here is a clue to the end times events that are being symbolized. But for those who fear the Lord, pick up His word and study it, those things that are not known to most will be discernible.

In these words, the pattern of the Hebrew aleph-bet matching the corresponding chapter of Revelation continues. The 17^th letter of the aleph-bet is pe. It is represented by a mouth. Hebrew4Christians says, “Pey follows the letter Ayin, suggesting the priority of the eyes (i.e., understanding, awareness) before verbal expression (negatively, reversing this order results in “blind consumption” or mindless chatter). The chokhmah (wise one) is swift to observe and then to offer an opinion about something.” In this, the letter/chapter connection is seen – an expression of wisdom – “Here is the mind which has wisdom” (v.9).

For now, the angel begins with an explanation of what the mind which has wisdom will be able to discern, saying, “The seven heads are seven mountains.”

This is the first enigmatic statement. The seven heads were referred to in verse 17:3 –

“And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”

The seven heads only symbolize something else, seven mountains. But this is possibly more complicated than it appears. The reason for this is that mountains in Scripture can refer to governments. This is the case, for example, in Isaiah 2:2 and Jeremiah 51:25 (among many other references). Therefore, this could be seven governments.

However, the mountains could be literal as well. The Greek word translated as “mountain” is oros. It signifies either a mountain or a hill. Some translations say, “seven hills.” Later in this chapter, it will say, “And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” (17:18).

Because of this, it may be a literal city that rests on seven hills. Throughout the years, people have attempted to fit Jerusalem into this by choosing seven “hills” and saying that this is the city on seven hills. This is fanciful, but the hills chosen to accommodate this view do not realistically fit. Rather, they are a forced attempt at making the place fit the scenario. Further, this Mystery Babylon is set to be destroyed, once and for all, in the pages ahead. On the other hand, Jerusalem will continue on as the Bible clearly indicates.

On the other hand, Rome has been known as the “city on seven hills” well into antiquity. Rome, or as known by its original name Romulus, was built upon Palatine Hill. The other identifying hills are the Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine. Therefore, this could be referring to Rome.

Another option is that it is referring to both Rome and to seven governments that will join together with a main capitol being Rome. As these things are future, only speculation is possible. Even if the speculation is correct, it can’t be certain that it is.

If the mountains are governments or empires, another possibility also arises. There are five major powers that have afflicted or had control of God’s people in the past, prior to John’s writing of Revelation – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. Rome was in that position when John did his writing and then Rome faded away. However, Rome will again come to be a great power that will afflict Israel (see Daniel 9). And so, it could be both the sixth and seventh empire to wield control over the people and the land.

This would have to assume that Israel is somehow placed under the authority of this entity. If so, this then could answer the previous verse about the beast – it was, and is not, and yet is. It does appear that Rome in particular is the center of the prophecy and because this is speaking of a harlot, there is a religious element to what is being relayed. It is a spiritual prostitution that will find its ultimate fulfillment in a complete rejection of the truth of the gospel.

Life application: In verse 13:18 it said, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” Again, in this verse, we are shown that it is possible to discern the things that are presented, but that it takes wisdom. Unfortunately, we don’t know if this wisdom will only come about during the Tribulation period or if we are thinking right thoughts about these things now.

In other words, there are patterns which exist right now which could fill the requirements of this verse – some very insightful. However, if the final fulfillment of them is to be found in the Tribulation, then only at that time will the correct interpretation be known. Regardless, the fulfillment can be known and, when it is, there will be no excuse for those during the Tribulation to reject the truth of prophecy.

God has laid out these things in a form of mystery so that those who truly seek Him out, through Jesus Christ, will be able to discern what is going on during the Tribulation. This is true even now. God has revealed the mystery of the gospel through the New Testament epistles. Therefore, the world is without excuse if it does not simply pick up the book and read it. There, we find an explanation of what God has explicitly revealed. There, we find His provision for salvation through the gospel. There, we find JESUS.

Help us, O Lord, to focus our attention on You and not to get too sidetracked by the things which we may not fully understand. In the end, You know what will occur and who will respond to the truths in Your word at just the right moment in their lives. Help us to be a part of that by sharing the truth of the gospel now before the time of trial comes on the world. Amen.

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

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. Revelation 17:8

John was just told by the angel presenting the vision to him that the mystery of it would also be told to him. That now immediately begins to take place with the words, “The beast that you saw was, and is not.”

Is this past, present, and future description from the time John was alive? If so, it would mean the entity existed prior to John’s time, was not there during John’s time, and it would again come in the end times.

It could also be a description of another time such as “prior to the tribulation, at the beginning of the tribulation, and then during the tribulation?” As such, it could speak of the Roman Empire that once was. Eventually, it faded and does not exist at that future time (to John). However, based on a futurist interpretation of Daniel 9, it will exist again.

This interpretation seems reasonable, and it would be in accord with Revelation 4:1 where John was told, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” He was told he would see things after his current age. Thus, it would refer to after the church age, during the tribulation.

No matter what, the “when” is important in the analysis, and we simply cannot know for sure. The matter is future, and speculation is needed because of this. With this understood, the angel next says, “and will ascend out of the bottomless pit.” The bottomless pit is that which was previously described in Revelation 9.

The probable meaning here is that the beast, or at least its power, is derived from the underworld. It was, but then it was dead – it is not. And yet, it is revived during the tribulation period to its former power and glory. This makes the assumption that Daniel’s description of the Roman Empire is a suitable and likely candidate. NATO failed, the EU is failing, and yet Europe still exists and is in need of suitable leadership. A description of the Roman Empire is given in Daniel 2 –

‘But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. ⁴⁰ And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. ⁴¹ Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. ⁴² And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. ⁴³ As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.” Daniel 2:39-43

As a side note for those verses, verse 2:43 says, “they will mingle with the seed of men.” This has led to some rather ridiculous interpretations, such as angels or aliens intermingling with humans and resulting in giant hybrids. We could call them Nephilim Ned and Rephaim Rhoda. This is irresponsible theology. Several translations give a much more likely reading, such as, “so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united” (NIV).

Other references to the Roman Empire are found in Daniel, and which have no past fulfillment, meaning they are pointing to a date yet future to us now –

“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. ⁸ I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” Daniel 7:7, 8

Daniel 9:27, taken in proper context, also shows that the antichrist will come from the same people who destroyed the temple in AD70 – Rome. With this a possible, and even likely, scenario, we next read “and go to perdition.”

The word translated as “perdition” means “destruction.” It is used by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 when speaking of the antichrist, saying, “and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” This then would correspond to Daniel 7:11 –

“I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.”

As these points all fit, it will be the only option given for this analysis. However, there are innumerable other evaluations of what the angel is describing to John. For now, he next says, “And those who dwell on the earth will marvel.”

This is a general reference that the beast will be remarkable enough to cause those who see it to be amazed at it. If Hitler’s Germany suddenly arose again, one could see the amazement of it in many people’s eyes. The same is true with Stalin’s Russia. Likewise, a revised Roman Empire would be considered a fantastically marvelous event. Those who will marvel at this are those “whose names are not written in the Book of Life.”

The Greek reads epi, upon. Thus, it says, “upon the Book,” or “upon the scroll.” This does not mean that there is a literal scroll with names written on it. What it means is that every name is known, and the details of that person are wholly known to God.

This involves the doctrine of predestination, but it does not negate the doctrine of free will. Just because God knows what will happen, it does not mean that He actively directs those things. Understanding this, the names are written in the Book of Life “from the foundation of the world.”

The Book of Life is a way of stating that there are those who are saved, and there are those who are not saved. Those who are saved have been recorded upon this Book of Life.

God is all-knowing. The outcome of all things, every event, and even every decision we make is known to Him. Thus, even at creation, what would occur within creation – from that time on and forever – is recorded in His mind. The term “from the foundation of the world” reflects this. This was also seen in verse 13:8.

In this, God knows that those people who are not recorded in the Book of Life are those that will marvel “when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” The revival of this great beast will be a source of amazement to those who behold it, and they will willingly want to be a part of it. It gives a good explanation of why they would be so willing to take the mark of this beast. This would then explain why they are not in the Book of Life. Each point logically fits, one after the other.

Life application: There are several verses in the Bible that are extremely hard to interpret. This is one of them. Is this beast the antichrist or is it a government system? It is hard to be dogmatic. The term is used in both ways, and which one is being referred to depends on how one interprets the other passages in conjunction with it. One may simply represent the other.

No matter what, this beast will become a source of idolatry to the people of the world – “Who is like the beast?” They will follow after it just as Germany followed after Hitler. They will put their allegiance behind it lock, stock, and barrel, and they will reject any sense of following God.

When they contemplate the beast, they will think that it is their destiny to follow it because it was, and then it wasn’t, and then it appeared again. If it is the revived Roman Empire, or another such state – Islamic perhaps – the people will think that it is the fulfillment of the original intent of that state and their allegiance to it will be complete.

How much better to put your trust in the One who has been all along. Empires come and go. Nations rise and fall. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Put your trust in God! Be saved through His glorious provision. Today is the day to come to JESUS!

Lord, let us not trade our allegiance to You for that which is both temporary and barren. There is no hope in man, nor in anything which man can do. There is only hope in calling out to You and walking in uprightness and holiness as we wait on the good things You alone have promised, and that which You alone can fulfill. Help us to focus on You and not on that which is temporary and will fade away. Amen.

Monday, 24 May 2021

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. Revelation 17:7

In the last verse, after seeing the woman (the great harlot) “drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus,” he then said, “I marveled with great amazement.” John was astonished at what he had seen, and his mind could not grasp it. With that, this verse now begins with, “But the angel said to me.”

This is the angel mentioned in verse 17:1 and who has been with John since then, while he has beheld the vision. Obviously, he saw John standing in awe and therefore asked, “Why did you marvel?” It is the same verb used in the previous verse, thaumazó. As was noted, this was the same state as Daniel was found in when he beheld his own overwhelming vision, as is recorded in the Greek translation of that verse.

The Hebrew word used in Daniel is shamem. It signifies astonishment or amazement as if one is utterly stupefied. This is the state that John was in. The angel realized this and called to him to direct his attention back to reality with the question. Then, to allay his overwhelmed state, he next says, “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.”

At times, this also happened to Daniel. He was presented with visions from others, and he had his own visions at times as well. He would be affected by them because he would have to explain the meaning of them to those who had the visions, or he would need to have them explained to him by an angel. At times, parts of the interpretation of the visions he was given were withheld from him. For John, now, the identity of the woman and the beast will be made known.

The main details will include 1) the woman, 2) the beast, 3) the seven heads, and 4) the ten horns. The rest of the details should then be understandable based on knowing what these four refer to.

Life application: Visions in the Bible are used to convey symbolism that refers to real things which have or which will come about. Every portion of the symbol has meaning, no matter how insignificant. To see a vision like this then means that an entire sweep of history may be summed up in a single display. Trying to mentally grasp what is portrayed is something that surely causes sensory overload.

The angel’s question to John was a reassuring way of letting him know that the meaning can be known and what is depicted is not beyond comprehension. Further, the knowledge will be imparted to him. In essence, “John, don’t be overloaded. Keep your attention on the big picture and the details will be understood.”

This is what we should do with the Bible as well. There are big picture themes, and there are also minute details. Together they form a whole for us to understand what God is conveying to us. The big picture themes revolve around what God will do, and has done, in the sending of the Messiah. Everything else must be taken in relation to that. God has promised, God has sent, and God will complete all things through Him.

As long as we look for Him and to Him, everything else will find its place. Therefore, let us look to JESUS.

Heavenly Father, even two thousand years after John was given the details of the book of Revelation, we still argue over its final meaning and interpretation. Help us to carefully contemplate the symbolism, but not to lose sight of the overarching theme of Revelation. You are in complete control of all things, and You know the future before it occurs. Thank you for this assurance. Amen.