Evil’s Persistence Ending I

1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.

2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

5 This title was written on her forehead:

6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

7 When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.

9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.

10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.

11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.

13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.

14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.

16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.

18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

In Revelation 17 John records God’s truth that before new order is established, evil must be completely destroyed.

In this fallen world the saints know the cancer of evil and how hard it is to eliminate. It is only after one is born-again and filled with the Holy Spirit that the extent of evil is truly understood. When the elect are given by the Father to the Son (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:3- 14; 3:14-21; John 3:16, 36; 5:24-27; 6:37, 39, 40, 44, 65; 17:1-9) there is great joy and freedom through the Holy Spirit.

So, John now unveils further on the judgement of God on the three evils of his day and indeed in each saint’s lifetime:

Dragon = Satan (cf Revelation 13)

First beast = Power of Rome in the Emperor-god

Second beast = High priest/prophet who ensures worship of Emperor-god

A modern-day example is:

Hitler – prophet, priest, king, Stalin – prophet, priest, king, Idi Amin – despotic tyrant

For Revelation Chapter 17 only a simple comment is required. Remember the battle has already been won (Revelation 5:5-10).

Comments on Revelation 17

17:1 angel shows John “great prostitute”, namely Rome (cf 13:1) who rules kings of the earth.

17:3 John, in the Spirit, views the royal position Rome gives herself, “gold, precious stones, pearls”. Purple/scarlet clothes (v4).

17:4 Referring again to v1 – the angel shows John “the punishment of the great prostitute…” As mentioned this for John is Rome, however, for each lifetime in all ages evil rulers bent on greed and corruption inflict abominations on the saints and indeed other people. Abominations in these last days – and we have been in the last for many years.

The followers of Satan do not realise Satan hates them and the truth that they and Satan are already defeated (Rev 5:5-6,19:21)

17:6 “blood of the saints” as a result of the evil persecution of Christians. Remember, this truth applies not only to this time (see v8 below) but the   lifetimes of all Christians in every age.

17:7 “mystery” – The mystery of God – Jesus is victorious.  Jesus won over evil!

17:8 Refers to the eight emperors from Claudius (AD41) to the end of Domitian (AD96). Remember Domitian was thought to be the re-incarnation of Nero.

17:15 In John’s time Rome ruled over ‘peoples’ and ‘nations’. Today, as mentioned above and below, similar evils are thrust upon the saints, who at the end of their physical lives, will be with Jesus for all eternity. Further to the comments above about the same kind of evil caused to the saints in John’s time it is seen the same happens today and will happen until the rapture. Faithfulness and endurance through the Holy Spirit is given.

As a Christian since 1964 this author is saddened by the attitude of Australian governments (State and Federal – and Local Councils) about the moving away from our Christian civilisation and Christian heritage. The whole fabric of our Christian society is de-constructing. Family values and relationships are breaking down.