What is Christianity Wiki

Jump to: navigation, search

Revealing the Mystery of Babylon the Great and the Beast Part 2

• "8 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." Unlike the Elect, those that "dwell on the Earth shall wonder" (Rev 17:8) after the Beast. Their "names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world" (Rev 17:8). God gave them over that "they should believe a lie" (2Thessalonians 2:11) "because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved" (Rev 2:10). The angel proceeds to describe to John the "Beast that was, and is not, and yet is" (Rev 17:8). What kind of Beast can be both "is not, and yet is" (Rev 17:8), as well as "was" (Rev 17:8)?

The Beast That Was, and Is Not, and Yet Is (1) Satan is the Beast that "was" (Rev 17:8), and as Apollyon, he but again "shall ascend out of the Bottomless Pit" (17:8). This Beelzebub (Matthew 10:25), the so-called Lord of the Flies-- "the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub [Hebrew, lord of the fly] the god of Ekron?" (2Kings 1:3)-- though he is as a "roaring lion, [that] walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1Peter 5:8) and as a "serpent" (Genesis 3:4) that did "bruise [the] heel" (Rev 3:15) of the Son of Man on the Cross of Calvary, when Christ was "wounded for our transgressions [and] was bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5), at that time the LORD Our Substitute did mortally "bruise [the] head" (Genesis 3:15) of Satan, the creaturely Beast. This leaves the wild Beast in a wounded and raging condition, requiring the meek Saints to "submit [themselves] to God [and to] resist the devil [knowing that only then] he will flee from you" (James 4:7), until he shall finally "go into perdition" (Revelation 17:8). Perdition is the Greek wordapoleia, meaning destruction and utter ruin, which is the exquisite destruction designed by the Almighty to divorce the Devil from interfering with the happiness of the Godly, while preventing Satan's eternal soul from experiencing anything but the "blackness of darkness for ever" (Jude 13).

(2) The Antichrist is the Beast that "is not" (Rev 17:8)-- at least, at the time of the writing of the Apocalypse. This second person in the Trinity of Evil is the Counterfeit Christ that triumphantly enters the Tribulation Week as a Messiah-like peacemaker, speaking "great swelling words" (Jude 16), to "confirm the covenant with many [but not with all, i.e., the recently awakened Tribulation Saints] for one week" (Daniel 9:27). The character of the Antichrist can be seen in the first four Seal Judgments. He will imitate Christ the Conqueror-- Who "ascended on high... [and] led captivity captive... [to give] gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also" (Psalm 68:18)-- when he, the arch Son of Satan, goes forth "conquering, and to conquer" (Revelation 6:2) in the First Seal Judgment, gaining for himself world domination through diplomacy. Antichrist the Little Horn (Daniel 7:8) will mimic Christ the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) in the Second Seal Judgment, when he takes True "Peace from the Earth... [with] a great sword" (Revelation 6:4), no doubt to establish the peace of no further opposition to himself. Antichrist the Lawless One-- "then shall that Wicked [literally, the Lawless One] be revealed" (2Thessalonians 2:8)-- will copy the Abundant Christ-- Whose rain falls "on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45)-- in the Third Seal Judgment, when his policies and leadership introduce the world to the "black horse" (Revelation 6:5) of famine, sharing the abundance of his administration. In the Fourth Seal Judgment, the Man of Sin (2Thessalonians 2:3) will bless the world with "Death, and Hell" (Rev 6:8) in his abortive attempt to counterfeit for his people the life that comes only from Christ the Life (John 14:6).

(3) The Antichrist system of the world, i.e., the religious, political, economic, and social power structure of the world, is the Beast that "yet is" (Rev 17:8). We are informed through the Apostles John's First Epistle that even in the First Century there were "many antichrists" (1John 2:18). This system of antichrists has spanned the ages of humankind, for the human antithesis of God has always been the Antichrist. "The fool [Hebrew, nabal-- signifying the Arch Fool, Antichrist] hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1). The world system that spawns the Antichrist has always been at enmity with the Saints-- only variously employing the crafty means of Vanity Fair Friendship to confuse and disarm unwary Pilgrims. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). Why does the Antichrist system of the world have such animosity to the Holy Jehovah? "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Until the miracle of the New Birth begets a renewed heart and mind in the life of one of Satan's former serfs, the Royal Law of Love will be odious; and, the Antichrist world system will continue to persuade its benighted masses of the indispensability, and yea further, of the supreme good of self-love-- without the slightest hint of our overpowering necessity of seeking, trusting, loving, and obeying the Living God. "Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created" (Revelation 4:11).

• "9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." In the day of the Apostle John, the city of Rome was famed for its situation of encompassing seven hills, i.e., Capitolinus, Palatinus, Aventinus, Esquilinus, Coelius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis, as noticed by Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Claudian, Starius, Martial, and others. But, though this may draw the reader to correctly identify the "woman" (Rev 17:9) with Papal Rome, the identification of the "seven heads" (Rev 17:9) is that they "are seven mountains" (Rev 17:9). Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a "great image" (Daniel 2:31) makes reference to a "stone [that] was cut out without hands [Jesus Christ, the KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords], which smote the image [human government] ... became a Great Mountain [Christ's Millennial Kingdom], and filled the whole Earth" (Rev 2:34, 35). Using this understanding, the "seven mountains" (Rev 17:9) are seven kingdoms or temporal dominions upon "which the woman sitteth" (17:9). Seven, being the number of perfection or completeness, i.e., "on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day" (Genesis 2:2), the "seven mountains" (Rev 17:9) represent the totality of kingdoms and empires, which the "woman" (Rev 17:9)-- Babylon the Great-- seduces and manipulates.

Scripture reminds us that if you will not "rejoice with the wife of thy youth" (Proverbs 5:18), then the resulting apostasy, i.e., Greek, apostasia, falling away, as seen in the Professed Church's imitation of the world's pattern of marriage-then-divorce, i.e., "And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?" (Rev 5:20), will cause Professing Christians to commit adultery against God and their former spouse. "Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery" (Matthew 5:32). The door will then be wide open to embrace the Great Harlot. Why? Because, "he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10). Infidelity to the "wife of thy covenant" (Malachi 2:14) places you one step closer to committing spiritual adultery with Babylon the Great. The "MOTHER OF HARLOTS" (Revelation 17:5) is the Spiritual Harlot that has beguiled mankind since ancient Babylon, and she will continue her siren call and the spiritual ruination of Professing Christians until her soon judgment. "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the Great Transgression" (Psalm 19:13).

• "10 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." The "seven kings" (Rev 17:10) represent seven successive kingdoms or empires, i.e., Egypt (1600-1200 BC), Assyria (900-600 BC), Babylon (606-536 BC), Medo-Persia (536-330 BC), Greece (330-146 BC), Rome (200 BC-400 AD), and Revived Rome, which seems to be the European Union, that was formed from the older European Economic Community (1957-1958) through the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), which was enacted on November 1st 1993. Though the first six kingdoms fit the historical pattern, the lengthy gap between the Roman Empire and the Revived Roman Empire takes more effort on the part of the reader to interpret, but it was just such a stretch that the unbelieving Jews did not make to accept that the Messiah would make a first appearance-- to be rejected, abused, and killed, i.e., "He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken" (Isaiah 53:8).-- then, to return a second time after a significant space of time in triumph and judgment. "34 The people answered Him, We have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest Thou, The Son of Man must be lifted up? who is this Son of Man?... 37 But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, LORD, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (John 12:34, 37-38). In fact, even the early Jewish Christians were not initially clear about the necessity of a Second Advent for Christ, when they asked the Risen Messiah, "LORD, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).

"Five are fallen" (Rev 17:10) refers to Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece having come and gone-- the zenith of their power already abated. "For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?" (Proverbs 27:24). Since the Apostle John penned this Apocalypse around 95 AD, Rome was the "one [that] is" (Rev 17:10), while the Revived Roman Empire was the one that "is not yet come" (Rev 17:10). The longevity of the Revived Roman Empire will be short-lived, for "when he cometh, he must continue a short space" (Rev 17:10). Even as the Devil knows that "he hath but a short time" (Rev 12:12), the seventh king must sense a need for haste to accomplish Satan's will. "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths" (Isaiah 59:7). Again, it is certain that "he must continue a short space" (Rev 17:10), for it has been decreed by the Spirit of Christ through the Apostle John. "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Daniel 4:17).

• "11 And the Beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." At this point in the Divine Narrative, our analysis of the "Beast that was, and is not" (Rev 17:11)-- see our comments on verse 8-- is focused upon the coming Antichrist, i.e., "even he is the eighth" (Rev 17:11). The implication is that the Antichrist will come out of the seventh kingdom, i.e., "is of the seven" (Rev 17:11). Though the "seven kings" (Rev 17:10) represent successive dominions, the Antichrist will uniquely be the consummation of the seventh kingdom. Antichrist's designation as the eighth identifies him as the epitome of defilement, for: (1) on the eighth day, the male child was circumcised, i.e., "And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised" (Leviticus 12:3), since the previous seven days his mother was in her separation and uncleanness, i.e., "If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days" (Rev 12:2),

(2) the eighth day after his healing from leprosy, the healed leper was to offer sacrifice for his ceremonial cleansing, i.e., "And [the newly healed leper] shall bring [the required sacrifice] on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD" (Rev 14:23), and

(3) a woman was not considered ceremonially clean of her menstrual discharge, until she had offered "two turtles, or two young pigeons" (Rev 15:29). Even so, the Man of Sin "goeth into perdition" (Rev 17:11)-- that place of Unending Defilement-- just as his "father the Devil" (John 8:44), for "like people, like priest" (Hosea 4:9).

• "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." What are the "ten horns" (Rev 17:12)? The Spirit of God has revealed that they "are ten kings" (Rev 17:12). The interpretation that the "ten kings" (Rev 17:12) represent the European Union is appended with the thought that the Antichrist's global kingdom will ultimately-- for in the Apostle John's time, they had "received no kingdom as yet" (Rev 17:12)-- metrically divide the world into ten parts. "41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay . 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken" (Daniel 2:41-42). By comparison, the feet have ten toes, which act jointly for the benefit of their ruling body. This seems to have been the mind of the LORD, when He gave the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the "great image" (Rev 2:31) to Daniel, to designate that the final form of human government would have the strength of the Ancient Roman Empire's "legs of iron" (Rev 2:33), but its power would be diluted to have the human weakness of feet of clay, in that the feet and toes are represented as "part of potters' clay, and part of iron" (Rev 2:41). "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of Him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of Him that framed it, He had no understanding?" (Isaiah 29:16).

The Ancient Roman Empire stretched from England through Spain to Northern Africa during its nearly six centuries (100 BC to 476 AD) of marching across the then known world of Western civilization. Most of Europe, Greece, and Asia Minor fell under the control of the iron of Roman peace {Pax Romana). Syria, Palestine, and Egypt were added to the Empire, before it reached its greatest extent under the emperor Trajan (c. 117 AD). Roman law, coinage, civil engineering, roads, and communication welded together diverse peoples into the stability and security that the Living God providentially used to rapidly diffuse the message of Christianity throughout the world. "10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go" (Acts 25:10-12). By comparison, the European Union (EU) is presently (circa 2002) composed of fifteen nations, i.e., 1950: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; 1973: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom; 1981: Greece; 1986: Spain and Portugal; 1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden. There is preparation for the accession of thirteen eastern and southern European countries, i.e., Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Turkey. The EU projects to the world an image of "stability, peace, and economic prosperity." "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh" (Matthew 24:44).

What is the meaning that the "ten horns" (Rev 17:12) shall "receive power as kings one hour with the Beast" (Rev 17:12)? The "ten horns" (Rev 17:12) point to a global expansion of the EU format with ten regional governors under the Antichrist. The final form of human government before the Return of the LORD Jesus Christ will be with the Antichrist, but only for "one hour" (Rev 17:12). What does "one hour" (Rev 17:12) signify? Our comments on the Promise made to the Church of Philadelphia, i.e., "Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour of Temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth" (Revelation 3:10), are repeated: "The 'Hour of Temptation' (Rev 3:10) is equivalent to 15 days, if Daniel's Seventieth Week (1 week) equals 2,520 days. One hour would be 1/168 of a week or .0059523 of a week, which is 15 days. This would be the time equivalent to Tishri 1 to Tishri 15. If the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church occurs at perhaps the midnight hour on Tishri 1, then approximately 8 to 9 days (depending on how you count it) would be left in the Tribulation Week, which would then extend through Tishri 9. This would allow for the pouring out of about one Vial a day during the Seven Vial Judgments. Armageddon lasts 5 days from Tishri 10 (the Second Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ) to Tishri 14-- the day before Tishri 15 (the Inauguration of the Millennial Reign of the LORD Jesus Christ on Earth). 9 days (for the Vial Judgments)plus 5 days (for Armageddon) equals 14 days, which lacks only one day to complete the 'Hour of Temptation' (Revelation 3:10). That one day lacking is Tishri 15

• "13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast." Each of the "ten kings" (Rev 17:12) will be prepared to administrate their respective domains in concert with the Son of Perdition. "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast" (Rev 17:13). Satan hopes to promote the success of pan-European cooperation, i.e., the European Union, as a model for future global governance through the Antichrist-- capitalizing on the world's yearning for material well-being, as well as their fear of instability, conflict, and annihilation. "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness" (Psalm 52:7). Man is inexcusable in choosing the alternative of Antichrist, for the Almighty has given mankind the understanding that: (1) God exists, ought to be trusted, and rewards those who do so confide in Him, i.e., "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6),

(2) Man has sinned not only against God, but his neighbour, i.e., "14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves: 15 which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another" (Romans 2:14-15), and

(3) He offers forgiveness to rebels who repent, for even an Angel will ultimately herald the Good News to all surviving rebels shortly before the KING of Kings returns, i.e., "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the Everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the Earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Revelation 14:6); further, accomplishing the fact that "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and [only] then shall the End come" (Matthew 24:14), and thus, authenticating that the "grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11).

• "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." What madness! "These shall make war with the Lamb" (Rev 17:14). How unthinkable that man should fight against God! "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD" (Proverbs 21:30). It is infinitely easy for the High and Lofty One to terminate such ants as wicked men are. "By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of His nostrils are they consumed" (Job 4:9). But, have the Professed Saints realized that all sin is warfare against God? "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). And, have we learned that Jesus Christ was "manifested to take away our sins" (1John 3:5), if we will actively trust Him to be, do, and accomplish in us all that He is and is able to do. "Whereby are given unto us Exceeding Great and Precious Promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2Peter 1:4). How the best conceived weapons can prosper against God is preposterous, for the "Oracles of God" (Romans 3:2) need only to briefly assert that the "Lamb shall overcome them" ( Rev 17:14). If "no weapon that is formed against [the servants of the LORD] shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17), how much more inconceivable that the pots should rise up to outwit and subdue the Potter! "2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear My words. 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it... 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:2-4, 6).

His Name is "LORD of Lords, and KING of Kings" (Rev 17:14); and, since this truly declares His position, He leaves to the human dramatist the need to paint pictures with words, canvas, celluloid, and computer generated graphics to persuade us that a Being with such a name will deftly conquer the mightiest human foe that can be conceived. "Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? " (Exodus 15:11). His very name of "LORD of Lords, and KING of Kings" (Rev 17:14) assures us that He must conquer the "ten kings" (Rev 17:12), because when He speaks, it must come to pass. "6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O LORD; Thou art great, and Thy Name is great in might. 7 Who would not fear Thee, O King of Nations? for to Thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto Thee" (Jeremiah 10:6-7).

Notice that the King's attendants are so honoured that they would appear with Him as His "Called, and Chosen, and Faithful" (Rev 17:14). The Resurrected and Raptured Saints are His "Called" (Rev 17:14), who have the honour of conquering with the Conqueror. "5 Let the Saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 7 to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 to execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His Saints. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 149:5-9). To be elevated to this honour, is the predestiny of the "Chosen" (Rev 17:14), for the LORD Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you" (John 15:16). Though we must aspire and exert our utmost to be His "Faithful" (Rev 17:14), it is He alone that makes us faithful, for "Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it" (1Thessalonians 5:24).

• "15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the Whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." The same angel that began this chapter's narrative describing the "judgment of the Great whore" (Rev 17:1), said to John, the son of Zebedee, "The waters which thou sawest, where the Whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev 17:15). Unless the context of Scripture demands a figurative interpretation, we are to receive It's Words as literally as we would talking to one another; but here, we are specifically told that the "waters" (Rev 17:15) are to be non-literally interpreted as "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev 17:15). It is a fearful thing to be given over to a "reprobate mind" (Romans 1:28) to be accounted as one of the many upon whom the "Whore sitteth" (Rev 17:15). "7 And it was given unto [the Antichrist] to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:7-8). May such reminders of the fearfulness of the "reprobate [Greek, adokimos] mind" (Romans 1:28) should cause us to lean upon the LORD to keep us from the Great Falling Away. "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [Greek, adokimos]" (1Corinthians 9:27).

• "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." The "ten kings" (Rev 17:12) will turn against their paramour, i.e., "these shall hate the Whore" (Rev 17:16). The selfishness that Satan cultivates in his own to promote rebellion against Jehovah, causes the "ten kings" (Rev 17:12) to despise the Whore, for they can truly love only themselves. How unlike True Love, which "seeketh not her own" (1Corinthians 13:5)! Once Babylon the Great has been targeted by the Beast's hatred, he-- in concert with the "ten kings" (Rev 17:12)-- will isolate, abuse, and spoil the Great Whore, i.e., "make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh" (Rev 17:16), in the tradition of a cruel, invading army, raping and pillaging what they have come to destroy. "Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished" (Isaiah 13:16). When they have finished with her, they will "burn her with fire" (Rev 17:16). However, neither they nor the Whore have anything left, but a future of Unending Destruction. "For Tophet [literally, a place of fire, where infants were sacrificed to Molech] is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; He hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it" (Isaiah 30:33). The destruction of the False Prophet, even at this point, will be to the Religious System of the Whore, and particularly to City of Rome-- see verse 18-- but, it is the LORD Jesus Christ that will have the ultimate honour of capturing alive both the Antichrist and the False Prophet to Eternally Destroy them in the Lake of Fire. "And the Beast was taken, and with him the False Prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the Mark of the Beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a Lake of Fire burning with brimstone" (Revelation 19:20). And, that destruction will be "world without end" (Ephesians 3:21). "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44). If I AM made the burning bush not to be consumed before Moses, then He will yet again make the Whore's destruction unending. "Hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).

• "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." The Living God plays His creation like a symphony orchestra, and even His enemies "fulfil His will" (Rev 17:17). Most memorable of misjudgement was the Satanic Conspiracy to crucify the LORD Jesus Christ, who had to die in the fashion He did, i.e., "that the Scripture might be fulfilled" (John 19:24, 28); but, "none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of Glory" (1Corinthians 2:8). Luke further affirms the lunacy of the Most Wicked Action "against the LORD, and against His Anointed [Hebrew, mashiyach-- Messiah]" (Psalm 2:2): "27 For of a truth against Thy Holy Child Jesus, Whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy Counsel determined before to be done" (Acts 4:27-28). In the context of Revelation 17, these cohorts of the Antichrist destroy the Whore-- which is the Roman Harlot, the world religion of Satan, the global religion of the False Prophet. "Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked" (Jeremiah 30:23). In particular, their destruction is aimed against "that great city" (Rev 17:18) of Rome. This collaborative effort will continue "until the Words of God shall be fulfilled" (Rev 17:17).

• "18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth." The greatest clue to the identity of the "woman which thou sawest" (Rev 17:18), is that she is "that great city" (Rev 17:18)-- of Rome. Religiously and historically, no other city has so reigned "over the Kings of the Earth" (Rev 17:18). Present attempts to discount the role of the Papacy as part of the system of the Beast-- incorporating Ecumenical Christianity and probably the United Religions Initiative-- range from incredulity that any could think such a thought against the Vicar of Christ to certainty that some impostor will ultimately misrepresent Catholicism. "9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto Heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies... 45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD" (Jeremiah 51:9, 45). But, if the Spirit of God cannot awaken such understanding of the Babylonian character of Roman Catholicism, then it will be most certainly impossible to properly understand the events that must shortly come to pass. "Consider what I say; and the LORD give thee understanding in all things" (2Timothy 2:7)

Retrieved from "http://www.wicwiki.org.uk/mediawiki/index.php?title=Revealing_the_Mystery_of_Babylon_the_Great_and_the_Beast_Part_2&oldid=23804"