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CHAPTER 17

1. Who is the great Harlot that sits upon many waters?

2. What does the term many waters signify?

3. What is spiritual adultery?

4. Why is the beast scarlet colored?

5. Who tried to appease God with a vegetable or vegetarian offering and why was God displeased?

6. Why are the members of the World Church left behind at the rapture?

7. Is Orthodoxy and the correct doctrinal belief system enough to be saved?

8. What is Theocracy?

9. What is pictured by the golden cup in the woman’s hand?

10. Who make up the Ecumenical monstrosity during the tribulation hour?

11. What are the seven heads of the beast?

12. How can there be an eight leader when seven are prophesied to appear?

13. Why is Communism destined to topple?

14. Why does the leadership of the one world government destroy the world church?

15. What simultaneous events makes 1948 such a challenging year prophetically speaking?

The next two chapters are extremely important. Chapters 17 and 18 form another parenthesis. They explain more clearly the two verses previously discussed. Chapters 17 explains Revelation 14 v 8 and chapter 18 explains Revelation 16 v 19.

In Revelation 14 v 8 we read “ and there followed another angel saying Babylon is fallen…”

Likewise in chapter 16 just concluded, we learn that great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine and the fierceness of his wrath. As we have already discussed the Babylon in chapter 14 is a RELIGIOUS SYSTEM and the Babylon in chapter 16 is a POLITICAL SYSTEM. The chapter before us then is the rise and fall of the ecumenical World Church, while chapter 18 describes the destruction of a political system.

Lets begin investigation of chapter 17 and discuss its prophetic implications historically.

Chapter 17 v 1 “ and there came one of the seven angels…” Here we see one of the seven angels who administered one of the seven judgments speaking to the disciple John inviting him to view the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters. This phrase “many waters” speaks of religious control over humanity internationally. Proof verse 15 “ the waters…”

Verse 2 “ with whom the kings of the earth have…” here we discovers that this world wide religious system holds both earth’s leaders and people within its grasp. The fornication committed is between the world leaders and the church. Remember that fornication spiritually speaking has to do with IDOLATRY with all its evil connotations and associations. Spiritual fornication also has to do with Christianity embracing the world, leaving out of Christ arms into those of another lover. God requires true Christians to be separated from the world. Romans 12 v 2 specifically cautions them not to fall in love with the world or anything it contains 1^st John 2 v 15. Those who disregard these commands are spiritual adulterers or fornicators. James 4 v 4. Harlotry and whoredomness speaks of idolatry and worldliness. During the tribulation hour a vast international religious system, the great whore of verse 1 creates impure alignments with kings rulers and Presidents in an unprecedented way. Her control is so overwhelming that humanity becomes mentally stupefied or hypnotically drugged as they are made drunk with the intoxicated brew of these religious, political alliances.

Verse 3 “He carried me away in the spirit….. At this point John, guided by the Holy Spirit, observes the woman or “World Church” sitting upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of Blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. We first saw this beast in chapter 13 v 1, where John reported and “ he or Satan stood upon the sand of the sea and saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. We immediately recognize him to be the Antichrist who came to power through a confederation of western nations, pictured by the ten horns and ten toes discussed previously. The only difference between the present text and verse 1 of chapter 13 is that the beast now is described as being scarlet colored. Most commentators believe this reflects his bloody assault upon the world as he rose to power. He began his reign with a fake peace pact Daniel 9 v 27, which he later broke. As a result millions were slaughtered during his rule. Now he bears the blood red color of an executioner.

Verse 4 “ and the woman was arrayed…..” as this church on earth is being described, please keep in mind that the true church, the bride of Christ is already in heaven. Chapter 4 v 1, her members were raptured from all nations and from many denominations, in fact their song was recorded in chapter 5 v 9 “ Christ thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation.” The lyrics clearly prove that they trusted in Jesus for their salvation, there is no other way, 1^st Peter 1 v 18 &19.

Cain rejected the blood and tried to appease God with a vegetable offering. Genesis 4, but God said it is the blood that make an atonement for the soul, Lev 17 v 11, one cannot get to heaven by following the commandments of men Matt 15 v 9, observing tradition Mark 7 v 9, or as a result of works Titus 3 v 5, thus those who believe and obey God’s teaching concerning the “blood of the lamb” are in heaven when the false church the “great whore” who sits upon many waters takes hold over the earth. This false religious system of the tribulation hour is a complete union of the church and the world. Its members are the left overs from ALL denominations they were either doctrinally or morally wrong.

The doctrinally wrong are described in 2^nd Peter 2 verses 1& 3. The morally wrong are pictured in Jude 8 – 21. Now we understand why morality and theology are so important, when God states in Romans 3 v 23 all have sinned, he means ALL. When he declares the wages of sin is death in Romans 6 v 23 he means punishment, when he declares the blood of Jesus Christ God’s son cleanses us from all sin, 1^st John 1 v 7 he means just that. God says what he means and means what he says. Anyone who rejects God’s word and embraces their own, will end up among this tribulation crowd of “self indoctrinated religionist”, in a World Church destined for destruction.

Second: If one says he is a Christian but continues to live in sin, the result will be the same, even though his doctrinal theories (the head) may coincide with the true teachings of the bible. Disobedience to revealed truth, as well as incorrect doctrine, keeps one from the presence of God for all eternity. See Titus 1 v 16.The members of both groups remain on earth when Jesus calls his genuine children home in the twinkle of an eye. Then the left overs from all denomination become members of the only religious body still in existence the World Church, under the false prophet.

Looking again at verse 4 we notice that the woman or mother of the United World Church is clothed in the materials of purple and scarlet color. This signifies ruler-ship, for imperial Rome decked its leaders in such fashionable elegance. Ecclesiastical rulers have always desired temporal authority. They have sought to control the world as well as the Parishioners.

Constantine became the Emperor of Rome in 12AD, he eventually became the head of the Roman Church as the first Pope. That is a perfect example of the power struggle which has continued to the present hour. “Shades of Nicolaitans”, remember the church of Ephesus in chapter 2. Is such a role scriptural? No. Jesus taught his disciples to pray “thy kingdom come” Matt 6 v 10, when that great event takes place in Chapter 19 v 16 then and only then is a Theocracy “the government of God” established upon earth. This position of leadership is reserved for the Lord Jesus Christ and no mortal has any business taking this place. The throne belongs exclusively to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The colors and jewels of verse 4 then, pictures a church composed of leaders elegantly dressed in purple and scarlet, the colors of the emperors from the line of Constantine. They are also decked in gold and precious stones and pearls a picture of wealth, and uses idols in worship, pictured by the golden cup in the woman’s hand. The cup is full of:

1. Abominations

2. Filthiness

Verse 5 “ and upon her forehead……” Here we discover that the mother church has “daughters”, her off spring are groups who either rejected the true teaching of the founder of Christendom, or they had a counterfeit experience with the son of God, they went through the motions, but were never truly converted, they never really gave him their heart. Among them are apostates, and unconverted professors of religion including Baptist, Catholics, Lutherans, Pentecostal, Presbyterians and those who were members of a host of denominations. They never really knew the Lord, personally. Matt 7 v 21-23. Now they are all united under the leadership of the False Prophet. That’s why Jesus said Mark 7 verses 7 & 13.

Verse 6 “ and I saw the woman….” As John watches all the cunning antics of persecution this woman use or uses, he wonders with great admiration. This does not mean he ADMIRES the one who has so mercilessly destroyed so many, instead the original Greek is that John wonders, with a great wonder…he is mystified. This is why?

Verse 7 “ and the angel…”The explanation begins in verse 8.

Verse 8 “the beast that thou saw…..” The angel continues unfolding the mystery of the beast in verse 8-17. In verse 18…the identity of the woman is revealed. Concerning the beast, the angel declares. “The beast that thou sawest WAS, past tense and IS NOT present tense, and shall ascend future tense out of the bottomless pit. This is the same beast found in Chapter 17 verse 3 and chapter 13 v 1, the Antichrist. The reason the beast WAS and IS NOT, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition is that, as mentioned during out study of chapter 13 v 3 he is more than likely assassinated during the tribulation hour and therefore IS NOT, Then Satan the great Imitator resurrects him, and enters the body of this human, for the final 42 months of the tribulation. This explanation fulfills the statement “and yet IS” While he is deceased the beast is in the place for departed evil spirits, the bottomless pit. At the time of his resurrection he ascends OUT of this pit, only to eventually go back into Perdition at the conclusion of his reign when Christ comes at the battle of Armageddon and cast him into the lake of fire chapter 19 v 20. Verse 8 also tells us that those persons whose names are not written in the book of life are emotionally disturbed as they see the beast that was , meaning alive, and is not, because of his assassination, and yet is because of his resurrection, ruling again.

Verse 9 “ and here is the mind…..” This is tremendous text. It locates geographically the final world power block and headquarters for the world church as well. Historically speaking Rome is the only city situated on seven hills. The names of her seven peaks are 1. Aventine; 2. Gaelian; 3. Capitoline; 4. Esquiline 5. Palatine; 6. Quirinal; 7. Viminal. There is no disputing the fact, the world churches sitting on these seven hills, heading up scores of denominations, rise to power on the back of the ten horn Western Federation or Common Market.

Verse 10 “ there are seven kings, five are fallen, one is …..” As John receives this vision of the seven kings, five of them had already fallen. 1. Julius Ceasar; 2.Tiberius; 3. Caligula; 4. Claudius; 5. Nero; 6. Domitian is the current emperor or king at the time of this revelation, he is alive and on the throne in Rome. Number 7 is yet to come, he is of course the Antichrist whose reign will last briefly or a short space.

Verse 11 “ and the beast that was and is not, even he is, the eight, and is of the seven and goeth into perdition.” This verse is a thought twister, but easily understood. If one considers it carefully, who is king number 8 if there are only seven kings in the first place. NUMBER 8 is NUMBER 7 RESURRECTED. Notice and the beast that WAS, before his assassination, and is not, because of his untimely death, even he is because of his resurrection. He is of the seven because Satan incarnated his body while dead, yet Satan also motivated the other seven throughout history ( the previous kings) please realize that all the previous kings mentioned were wicked, satanically driven individuals. As further proof that the #8 is the resurrected Antichrist, number 7 who becomes 8. We are told that he will eventually go into Perdition. This statement was also made concerning #7 in verse 8 as well as in our text verse 11. King #7 and King #8 are one and the same.

Verse 12 “ and the ten horns which thou saweth…” The ten horns have now become quite familiar to us, they may soon control the world. Communism is NOT the final power block of history. Rather it’s the ten toe western alliances. The power of these nations will however be for a brief moment.

Verse 13 “ these have one mind…..” The final ten nation Western Federation Common Market, after the Antichrist oust three of the original members and replaces them, becomes so unified that everything they possess economically and militarily is placed under the controlled by this world leader, the beast, Daniel 7 verses 8, 24 & 39.

Verse 14 “ and he shall make war…” This verse is fulfilled in chapter 19 v 11-18, when the world’s armies gather together against the Lord and his anointed as pictured in Psalm 2 v 2. “The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take council together against the Lord and against his anointed the lamb.” CHRIST he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The chosen and faithful who accompanies him are the armies of heaven, chapter 19 v 14, composed of the believers the true church who were raptured and evacuated out of the world chapter 4 v 1 and who had then waited in heaven seven years to return with the bridegroom.

Verse 15 “ and he said unto me the waters…..” as explained in our discussion of verse 1, the woman sitting upon “many waters” is the world church, who exercises who exercises religious control over mankind internationally.

Verse 16 “ and the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast…” the Antichrist eventually betrays his religious followers, they bowed to his image, but now he no longer wants to share the limelight and glory with them, thus the individual leaders of the countries of the ten nation confederacy turns against the World Church, they hate her and strips her of all her possessions. The gold the, precious stones and the pearls and of verse 4, they destroy her by burning her remains to the ground. Who places such a line of action in the hearts of these rulers. Non other than God Almighty.

Verse 17 “ for God has put it in their hearts….” This portion of scripture emphasizes the futility of politics. Despite the methods and manipulations of man, God’s plan ALWAYS come to pass. He sets up and knocks down rulers at his will. Psalm 75 v 7; they are but prawns in the game of life, Proverbs 21 v 1. God’s WILL prevails regardless of what man attempts to do. Remember the cause of Christ is eternal.

Verse 18 “ and the woman which thou sawest is that great city……” This great city in the end times is located within the Common Market nations and proves that the political and religious power brokers exist together simultaneously. Since the World Church forms at the time when ten western nations units and both the European Economic Community and the World Council of Churches began unity proceedings in 1948 Christ coming must be near.

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This site was last updated Monday June 07, 2004 01:04:54 PM -0400