Mystery, Babylon, Part Three

Revelation 17:12-18 (KJV) And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Introduction

In this seventeenth chapter, John is “let in” on the mystery concerning the woman and the beast. The Woman in this chapter is not a woman but a world religious system. The beast is the worlds leaders, kings, and kingdoms, that support the woman.

Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings” – There are kings over government or nations that fall in line with the Antichrist and are associated with the woman during the Antichrist’s reign for the duration of the Tribulation. In Daniels dream, he saw a figure that had “…ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings” (Dan. 7:24). These kings represent a worldwide puppet confederation ruled by the Antichrist.

“…which have received no kingdom as yet” - In this case, these ten kings have not come to power and have no kingdom to rule, yet. Remember, this book was written to the seven churches which are in Asia.

“…but receive power as kings one hour with the beast” – During the tribulation period, the woman, in association with the Beast, will come to power. “One hour” represents a very short time frame, not literally one hour. It is likely that the “one hour” is the second three and a half years…the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

“These have one mind” – In the original Greek this phrase means, “they have one mind.” Seriously, it means that these ten will be of one purpose and resolve and that is to give their power and influence to the beast.

“…and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” – And who receives the combined allegiance of these kings? The Beast.

The Harlot, working together with the kings are united in promoting the Antichrist. Consider the impossibility of this act. Throughout history, countries and nations have been at odds with all other nations. Each has its own needs and desires. But at times, like in World War I and World War II, countries pool their resources to fight for the greater good. In this case, they will throw their might and influence on the Antichrist through Babylon the Great.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

“These shall make war with the Lamb” – These 10 kings will wage war with the Lamb, identified as Jesus Christ (5:6). The war is not a declared, open war against Jesus, per se, but open persecution and martyrdom of His followers. This war should not be construed as the Great battle at Armageddon. Armageddon is later in the time line than the Tribulation period being spoken of here. Through the influence of Babylon, these kings will wage war within the countries of their authority, for the Beast.

The King James Study Bible says:

The purpose of Satan through the Beast and fellow kings is to establish an invincible kingdom that Christ cannot overcome when He returns.

Wiersbe writes:

Throughout history, political systems have “used” religious bodies to further their political causes. At the same time, church history reveals that religious groups have used politics to achieve their purposes. The marriage of church and state is not a happy one, and has often spawned children that have created serious problems. When dictators are friendly with religion, it is usually a sign that they want to make use of religion’s influence and then destroy it.

“…and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings” – Overcome in the Greek is “nikáō” which means conquer, prevail, vanquish. The kings and kingdoms that are supporting the woman will meet their match when the time comes as they will be confronted by the Lord of all lords and the King of all kings. The Lamb is the rightful ruler and the conqueror.

“…and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” – The overcoming of Babylon and the kings is through the work of Jesus the Christ. Those that are “called and chosen and faithful” will overcome this false religious system. People who become believers during this great tribulation are not “hoodwinked” by the False Prophet and the religious system duping much of the world. They are not influenced by the government’s decision to embrace a state religion. The true believers defeat Babylon and the kings as they deny this false, state religion. Even in death, the believer overcomes Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, Babylon and the world powers, as they do not bend the knee!

In the Apostles first epistle, he writes:

1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

“And he saith unto me” – The angel gains Johns attention.

“The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” – The angel refers back to the first glimpse of the “great whore that sitteth upon many waters.” The great whore is the false worship of the Beast. The “waters” are not oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers, but are the people, multitudes, nations, and tongues of the world. The population of the world is divided into four different categories to emphasize the totality of the influence and authority of the woman.

People – refers to people that are of the same stock and language gathered anywhere.

Multitudes – refers to men who have gathered without order. It can also mean a gathering of people opposed to rulers and leaders of men. In this case, it is like a mob.

Nations – the human race, particularly the Gentiles.

Tongues – language or dialect of people of distinct language compared to other nations.

Revelation 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

“And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” – Shocker! We understand that the hatred of Satan and his system of the Antichrist would be at war with God and His believers. But the angel lets us in on a big surprise. I don’t think we would have anticipated that the system would turn on Babylon, the great prostitute. After all, the Antichrist used this false religion to lead people away from the One True God.

The “ten horns” turn on the Harlot. It begins with hatred for all she stands for. They have listened and tolerated her. Now they hate her, she is no longer needed or wanted. Those that have used her to further their agenda will destroy the Harlot.

They begin by making “her desolate and naked.” Where she was once “arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand”, her wealth, power and influence will become bankrupt and exposed for all to see what she really is.

The king’s next step is “eat her flesh.” – Given enough time, all unjust and inhuman systems will fail. They die from the same method as they rose to power. The Apostle Paul’s words to the churches in Galatia ring true:

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Finally, the king’s will “burn her with fire.” – In New Testament times, they did not have waste disposal as we have today. In Jerusalem for example, all refuse was taken outside the city and be burned in the valley of the sons of Hinnom. This deep and narrow gorge was the place where idolatrous Jews burned their children alive to Molech (2 Chron. 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:2–6). In the New Testament, Gehenna (valley of the sons of Hinnom) was where all the refuse of the city was taken to be totally consumed by fires that were perpetually kept burning. Dead bodies of animals, criminals, and all refuse were cast and consumed by fire.

Note: In the King James Version New Testament, “gehenna” is translated as “hell” (Mt. 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mk. 9:43, 45, 47; Lk. 12:5; Jas. 3:6). This thought of total destruction in a place where fire burns day-in and day-out carries the image of the place of everlasting punishment and destruction.

The final step of the kings is the removal and destruction of the Harlot. Anything that remained of the Harlot will be removed and destroyed. The complete takeover by the Antichrist will no longer need the trappings of religion. He has set himself up as God and nothing, including religion was going to interfere with people worshiping him. All that remained was the total annihilation of the woman, and the kings took this task on with savage results.

Revelation 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will” – Evil people, bent on destruction can be used by God for His purpose to be fulfilled. As you read the Bible, you will see that repeatedly God used the wicked to His end. For example:

God used the Egyptians to form a mighty nation for God. God later judged them.

God used Babylon to judge the Children of God for their disobedience, then God judged them.

God used a donkey to get the attention of Balaam, to keep him from doing wrong.

“…and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast” – God purposed in the hearts of the kings to throw in with the Beast’s agenda and forfeit their right to rule.

“…until the words of God shall be fulfilled” – This was all accomplished as prophecies were unfolding in the Revelation. Unwittingly, the wicked were playing into the hands of God. God’s word is always accomplished.

Easley writes:

God has built into the universe a law of sowing and reaping that cannot be violated. Paul stated it the clearest: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction” (Gal. 6:7–8). The final ruin of the prostitute city demonstrates this law. John put it this way: God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose. Those who thought they were serving their own ends—or the ends of Satan the dragon—will ultimately serve God’s ends. He cannot be frustrated. God’s words are fulfilled always and without fail. In context, “God’s words” are all the prophecies and visions John wrote down in the Book of Revelation. The entire book’s subtitle is “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (1:2).

Walvoord elaborates:

With the beginning of the second half of the week, the ruler of the revived Roman Empire, who is the political head of the world empire and is himself designated also as “the beast,” is able to proclaim himself dictator of the whole world. In this capacity he no longer needs the help and power of the church.… Many find a parallel revelation in Daniel 11:36–39 where the willful king likewise puts aside all other deities in favor of the worship of himself.

Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth” – The angel closes this portion of scripture by a quick review. We know that the “woman” is the “Harlot” and the same as “Babylon” and in this chapter represented a combination of religious and political powers.

The woman is not a literal city as we have reviewed in this chapter but is described in a spiritual sense (11:8). Ancient Babylon worshiped many gods, and this reference is to the religious center for a world-wide false religion. The next chapter will concentrate on the other aspect of Babylon: the center of a world political power.

Conclusion to Chapter Seventeen

This chapter’s focus on Babylon is a harsh reminder of man’s failed attempts to find themselves acceptable to God, on their terms. Man seeks achievements that are opposed to God’s grace. Genesis 11 tells the story of man trying to get to God. Their emphasis was on what they could accomplish instead of works that would be acceptable to God. The scriptures are filled with men and women who have submitted to God’s will and in turn, God blessed and prospered them.

The Lamb was sent to mankind as a gift from the Father. It is not works of the flesh that God seeks. A relationship with the LORD can only be found through grace. It is through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, that man will be acceptable to God.