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Revelation Chapter Seventeen

 

Revelation 17

The characters of Babylon are first portrayed. Like the beast, she is only one thing in the judgment but morally she is more important than all the rest. The general character is the great active idolatress that has gained influence over the mass of the nations; next, that the kings of the earth have lived in guilty intimacy with her, seeking her favors, while those that dwell on the earth have lost their senses through her pernicious and inebriating influence. This is the general idea first given, a character plain enough to mark the Roman or Papal system.

But more details follow. There was a woman, a religious system, sitting on an imperial beast full of names of blasphemy, having the form which marked it Roman. The woman was gorgeously and imperially arrayed, had every human glory and ornament on her, and a rich cup of prostituting yet gross idolatries in her hand. "Abominations are simply idols; " filthiness of her fornication," all the horrible corruption that accompanies it. Her cup was full of them. She was in the desert; no springs of God were there. It was not, so to speak, God's land, no heavenly country. To spiritual understanding she bore on her forehead her character (yet one known only when spiritually known), of the great city of corruption, source of all seduction to men and of all idolatry in the earth: such was Popery. But this was not all. All the blood of the saints was found in her: she was the persecuting murderess of those God delighted in, and who bore witness to Jesus. [1] The prophet was astonished-for it was what the church had come to.

The angel then describes the beast on which she rode. It had been, ceased to exist, and then it comes up again from direct diabolical sources-comes up out of the abyss. The renewed Roman Empire, which had disappeared, is blasphemous and diabolical in nature, and in this character goes to destruction: yet all but the elect on the earth will be in admiration of it when they see the beast that was, is not, and shall be present. Of itself this marks the Roman or Latin Empire, only that it will reappear more formally. But Rome is more distinctly marked. It is the city of the seven hills. Nor was this even all. It was the existing authority in the time of the prophecy: five of its governing powers had fallen; one was there; there was then one yet to come for a short space, and then the beast out of the abyss, the last diabolical state of the empire, would appear, and it would be destroyed. The last however is not a new form; it is one of the seven, though an eighth. My impression is, that the first Napoleon and his brief empire is the seventh, and we have now to wait for the development of the last. The beast, though imperial, has ten horns, ten distinct kingdoms. They have their power, and for the same period, with the beast. But they all give their power to the beast, and make war against Christ, the rejected One on earth; but He shall overcome them. For, despised as He may be, supreme authority is His, and there are others coming with Him, not merely angels but called ones, His saints.

Details are then added. The waters are explained as peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues-masses of populations in their diverse divisions. Next the ten horns, the kingdoms which are associated with the beast, and the beast (for so it is to be read) hate the whore and eat her flesh and burn her with fire (first, take all her substance and fatness, and then destroy her); for they are to give their kingdom to the blasphemous beast until God's words are fulfilled. And then we are expressly to]d that the woman (not " the whore "-the last is her corrupt idolatrous character-but the "woman"), who as riding the beast was to be such, is Rome. All this chapter 17 is description.

Footnotes

[1] It is important to remark that formal religion, which rests on ancient claims as established, and which is left behind as to the truth by others who have received it, is the regular habitual instigator of persecution, though others may be the persecutors. So it was with the Jews, so in the Imperial history of the world. It always becomes false as regards truth, though it may retain some and important truths. The truths which test theheart and its obedience are not there.

── John DarbySynopsis of Revelation

 

Revelation 17

Chapter Contents

One of the angels who had the vials, explains the meaning of the former vision of the antichristian beast that was to reign 1260 years, and then to be destroyed. (1-6) And interprets the mystery of the woman, and the beast that had seven heads and ten horns. (7-18)

Commentary on Revelation 17:1-6

(Read Revelation 17:1-6)

Rome clearly appears to be meant in this chapter. Pagan Rome subdued and ruled with military power, not by art and flatteries. She left the nations in general to their ancient usages and worship. But it is well known that by crafty and politic management, with all kinds of deceit of unrighteousness, papal Rome has obtained and kept her rule over kings and nations. Here were allurements of worldly honour and riches, pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds. Prosperity, pomp, and splendour, feed the pride and lusts of the human heart, but are no security against the Divine vengeance. The golden cup represents the allurements, and delusions, by which this mystical Babylon has obtained and kept her influence, and seduced others to join her abominations. She is named, from her infamous practices, a mother of harlots; training them up to idolatry and all sorts of wickedness. She filled herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She intoxicated herself with it; and it was so pleasant to her, that she never was satisfied. We cannot but wonder at the oceans of Christian blood shed by men called Christians; yet when we consider these prophecies, these awful deeds testify to the truth of the gospel. And let all beware of a splendid, gainful, or fashionable religion. Let us avoid the mysteries of iniquity, and study diligently the great mystery of godliness, that we may learn humility and gratitude from the example of Christ. The more we seek to resemble him, the less we shall be liable to be deceived by antichrist.

Commentary on Revelation 17:7-14

(Read Revelation 17:7-14)

The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is. It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect. This beast was seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other was yet to come. This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns, which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest. Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it.

Commentary on Revelation 17:15-18

(Read Revelation 17:15-18)

God so ruled the hearts of these kings, by his power over them, and by his providence, that they did those things, without intending it, which he purposed and foretold. They shall see their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the harlot, and be made instruments in her destruction. She was that great city which reigned over the kings of the earth, when John had this vision; and every one knows Rome to be that city. Believers will be received to the glory of the Lord, when wicked men will be destroyed in a most awful manner; their joining together in sin, will be turned to hatred and rage, and they will eagerly assist in tormenting each other. But the Lord's portion is his people; his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure, to his glory, and the happiness of all his servants.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Revelation

 

Revelation 17

Verse 1

[1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

And there came one of the seven angels, saying, Come hither — This relation concerning the great whore, and that concerning the wife of the Lamb, Revelation 21:9,10, have the same introduction, in token of the exact opposition between them.

I will show thee the judgment of the great whore — Which is now circumstantially described.

That sitteth as a queen — In pomp, power, ease, and luxury.

Upon many waters — Many people and nations, verse 15. Revelation 17:15

Verse 2

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

With whom the kings of the earth — Both ancient and modern, for many ages.

Have committed fornication — By partaking of her idolatry and various wickedness.

And the inhabitants of the earth — The common people.

Have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication — No wine can more thoroughly intoxicate those who drink it, than false zeal does the followers of the great whore.

Verse 3

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

And he carried me away — In the vision.

Into a wilderness — The campagna di Roma, the country round about Rome, is now a wilderness, compared to what it was once.

And I saw a woman — Both the scripture and other writers frequently represent a city under this emblem.

Sitting upon a scarlet wild beast — The same which is described in the thirteenth chapter. Revelation 13:1-18 But he was there described as he carried on his own designs only: here, as he is connected with the whore. There is, indeed, a very close connexion between them; the seven heads of the beast being "seven hills on which the woman sitteth." And yet there is a very remarkable difference between them, - between the papal power and the city of Rome. This woman is the city of Rome, with its buildings and inhabitants; especially the nobles. The beast, which is now scarlet-coloured, (bearing the bloody livery, as well as the person, of the woman,) appears very different from before. Therefore St. John says at first sight, I saw a beast, not the beast, full of names of blasphemy - He had' before "a name of blasphemy upon his head," Revelation 13:1: now he has many. From the time of Hildebrand, the blasphemous titles of the Pope have been abundantly multiplied.

Having seven heads — Which reach in a succession from his ascent out of the sea to his being cast into the lake of fire.

And ten horns — Which are contemporary with each other, and belong to his last period.

Verse 4

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

And the woman was arrayed — With the utmost pomp and magnificence.

In purple and scarlet — These were the colours of the imperial habit: the purple, in times of peace; and the scarlet, in times of war.

Having in her hand a golden cup — Like the ancient Babylon, Jeremiah 51:7.

Full of abominations — The most abominable doctrines as well as practices.

Verse 5

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

And on her forehead a name written — Whereas the saints have the name of God and the Lamb on their foreheads.

Mystery — This very word was inscribed on the front of the Pope's mitre, till some of the Reformers took public notice of it.

Babylon the great — Benedict XIII., in his proclamation of the jubilee, A.D. 1725, explains this sufficiently. His words are, "To this holy city, famous for the memory of so many holy martyrs, run with religious alacrity. Hasten to the place which the Lord hath chose. Ascend to this new Jerusalem, whence the law of the Lord and the light of evangelical truth hath flowed forth into all nations, from the very first beginning of the church: the city most rightfully called 'The Palace,' placed for the pride of all ages, the city of the Lord, the Sion of the Holy One of Israel. This catholic and apostolical Roman church is the head of the world, the mother of all believers, the faithful interpreter of God and mistress of all churches." But God somewhat varies the style.

The mother of harlots — The parent, ringleader, patroness, and nourisher of many daughters, that losely copy after her.

And abominations — Of every kind, spiritual and fleshly.

Of the earth — In all lands. In this respect she is indeed catholic or universal.

Verse 6

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints — So that Rome may well be called, "The slaughter-house of the martyrs." She hath shed much Christian blood in every age; but at length she is even drunk with it, at the time to which this vision refers.

The witnesses of Jesus — The preachers of his word.

And I wondered exceedingly — At her cruelty and the patience of God.

Verse 7

[7] And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

I will tell thee the mystery — The hidden meaning of this.

Verse 8

[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.

The beast which thou sawest (namely, verse 3) Revelation 17:3 was, etc.-This is a very observable and punctual description of the beast, verses 8, 10, 11. Revelation 17:8,10,11 His whole duration is here divided into three periods, which are expressed in a fourfold manner. I. He, 1. Was; 2 And is not; 3. And will ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition. II. He, 1. Was; 2. And is not; 3. And will be again. III. The seven heads are seven hills and seven kings: 1. Five are fallen; 2. One is; 3. The other is not come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. IV. He, 1. Was; 2. And is not; 3 Even he is the eighth, and is one of the seven, and goeth into perdition. The first of these three is described in the thirteenth chapter. Revelation 13:1-18 This was past when the angel spoke to St. John. The second was then in its course; the third woe to come.

And is not — The fifth phial brought darkness upon his kingdom: the woman took this advantage to seat herself upon him. Then it might be said, He is not. Yet shall he afterwards ascend out of the bottomless pit - Arise again with diabolical strength and fury. But he will not reign long: soon after his ascent he goeth into perdition for ever.

Verse 9

[9] And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

Here is the mind that hath wisdom — Only those who are wise will understand this. The seven heads are seven hills.

Verse 10

[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.

And they are seven kings — Anciently there were royal palaces on all the seven Roman bills. These were the Palatine, Capitoline, Coelian, Exquiline, Viminal, Quirinal, Aventine hills. But the prophecy respects the seven hills at the time of the beast, when the Palatine was deserted and the Vatican in use. Not that the seven heads mean hills distinct from kings; but they have a compound meaning, implying both together. Perhaps the first head of the beast is the Coelian hill, and on it the Lateran, with Gregory VII. and his successors; the second, the Vatican with the church of St. Peter, chosen by Boniface VIII. the third, the Quirinal, with the church of St. Mark, and the Quirinal palace built by Paul II. and the fourth, the Exquiline hill, with the temple of St. Maria Maggiore, where Paul V. reigned. The fifth will be added hereafter. Accordingly, in the papal register, four periods are observable since Gregory VII. In the first almost all the bulls made in the city are dated in the Lateran; in the second, at St. Peter's; in the third, at St. Mark's, or in the Quirinal; in the fourth, at St. Maria Maggiore. But no fifth, sixth, or seventh hill has yet been the residence of any Pope. Not that the hill was deserted, when another was made the papal residence; but a new one was added to the other sacred palaces. Perhaps the times hitherto mentioned might be fixed thus: - 1058. Wings are given to the woman. 1077. The beast ascends out of the sea. 1143. The forty-two months begin. 1810. The forty-two months end. 1832. The beast ascends out of the bottomless pit. 1836. The beast finally overthrown. The fall of those five kings seems to imply, not only the death of the Popes who reigned on those hills, but also such a disannulling of all they had done there, that it will be said, The beast is not; the royal power, which had so long been lodged in the Pope, being then transferred to the city.

One is, the other is not yet come — These two are remarkably distinguished from the five preceding, whom they succeed in their turns. The former of them will continue not a short space, as may be gathered from what is said of the latter: the former is under the government of Babylon; the latter is with the beast. In this second period, one is, at the same time that the beast is not. Even then there will be a Pope, though not with the power which his predecessors had. And he will reside on one of the remaining hills, leaving the seventh for his successor.

Verse 11

[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

And the wild beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth — When the time of his not being is over. The beast consists, as it were, of eight parts. The seven heads are seven of them; and the eighth is his whole body, or the beast himself. Yet the beast himself, though he is in a sense termed the eighth, is of the seven, yea, contains them all. The whole succession of Popes from Gregory VII. are undoubtedly antichrist. Yet this hinders not, but that the last Pope in this succession will be more eminently the antichrist, the man of sin, adding to that of his predecessors a peculiar degree of wickedness from the bottomless pit. This individual person, as Pope, is the seventh head of the beast; as the man of sin, he is the eighth, or the beast himself.

Verse 12

[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.

The ten horns are ten kings — It is nowhere said that these horns are on the beast, or on his heads. And he is said to have them, not as he is one of the seven, but as he is the eighth. They are ten secular potentates, contemporary with, not succeeding, each other, who receive authority as kings with the beast, probably in some convention, which, after a very short space, they will deliver up to the beast. Because of their short continuance, only authority as kings, not a kingdom, is ascribed to them. While they retain this authority together with the beast, he will be stronger than ever before; but far stronger still, when their power is also transferred to him.

Verse 13

[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth verses Revelation 17:13,14 is summed up what is afterwards mentioned, concerning the horns and the beast, in this and the two following chapters.

These have one mind, and give — They all, with one consent, give their warlike power and royal authority to the wild beast.

Verse 14

[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 — Kings with the beast.

He is Lord of lords — Rightful sovereign of all, and ruling all things well.

And King of kings — As a king he fights with and conquers all his enemies.

And they that are with him — Beholding his victory, are such as were, while in the body, called, by his word and Spirit.

And chosen — Taken out of the world, when they were enabled to believe in him.

And faithful — Unto death.

Verse 15

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

People, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues — It is not said tribes: for Israel hath nothing to do with Rome in particular.

Verse 16

[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 shall eat her flesh — Devour her immense riches.

Verse 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 it into their heart — Which indeed no less than almighty power could have effected.

To execute his sentence — till the words of God - Touching the overthrow of all his enemies, should be fulfilled.

Verse 18

[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

The woman is the great city, which reigneth — Namely, while the beast "is not," and the woman "sitteth upon him."

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on Revelation

 

Chapter 17. Punish the Great Prostitute

Lord of Lords
King of Kings

I. Description of the Great Prostitute

  1. Adultery and Luxury
  2. Power of a King
  3. Persecution and Cruelty

II. The Angel Explains the Mystery

  1. Seven Hills and Ten Kings
  2. The Eighth King
  3. The Triumph of the Lamb

III. The Punishment of the Great Prostitute

  1. The Beast Hates the Prostitute
  2. Ruin and Leave Naked
  3. Eat Her Flesh and Burn with Fire

── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament

 
Chapter Seventeen General Review
                             
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To appreciate the importance of this chapter in interpreting the
   book of Revelation
 
2) To note the significance of the fact that the beast "is not" when
   the Revelation was given
 
3) To ascertain the identity of the great harlot and the scarlet beast
 
SUMMARY
 
This is a key chapter, for the mystery of the great harlot and the
beast is explained, and one's understanding of this chapter will affect
their interpretation of the rest of the book.
 
John is carried away into the wilderness where he is shown the great
harlot "Babylon", with whom the kings of the earth have committed
fornication and the inhabitants of the earth were drunk with the wine 
of her fornication.  She is seen sitting on a scarlet beast with seven
heads and ten horns.  She is dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned
with gold, precious stones and pearls.  In her hand is a gold cup full
of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.  On her forehead
is written:
                               MYSTERY,
                          BABYLON THE GREAT,
                        THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
                 AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH
 
Seeing the woman drunk with the blood of the saints (Old Testament
saints?) and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus, John marvels with
great amazement (1-6).
 
The angel then proceeds to tell John the mystery of the woman and the
beast that carries her.  He begins with the beast first, described as
one who "was, is not, and is about to come" (NASB).  This beast will
ascend out of the bottomless pit (cf. Re 11:7) and go to perdition (cf.
Re 19:20).  The seven heads of the beast represent seven mountains upon
which the woman sits.  There are seven kings, five of whom have fallen,
one is, and the other has yet to come.  The beast is then described as
the eighth king, though of the seven.  The ten horns represent ten
kings who give their power and authority to the beast, make war against
the Lamb, and eventually turn on the harlot herself.  The harlot is
finally described as that "great city" (cf. Re 11:8;14:8; 16:19) which
reigns over the kings of the earth (7-18).
 
As indicated in the introductory material, my understanding of this 
book focuses on the fact that John is given this revelation at a time 
when the beast "is not" (Re 17:8,11).  Whatever explanation one gives
for the beast, it did not exist at the time of the Revelation!  It had
existed, and was about to come, but at the time John was shown the
vision, it "is not".
 
One plausible explanation is that the seven (actually eight) kings
represent Roman emperors, starting with Augustus.  This would make Nero
the fifth king, whose death in 68 A.D. left the empire in an uproar and
may be the "deadly wound" referred to Re 13:3,12,14.  Discounting
Galba, Otho, and Vitellius whose insignificant reigns were short-lived
during the turmoil, the sixth king ("one is") would be Vespasian who
restored order to the empire.  This would make Titus the seventh
emperor and Domitian the eighth.  The beast that "was, and is not, and
will ascend" therefore depicts the persecuting Roman emperor, seen
first in the person of Nero (the beast who "was") and later in the
person of Domitian (the beast who "will ascend").  The "ten kings" who
gave their power and authority to the beast appear to be vassal kings 
that supported the emperor in times of persecution.
 
The identity of the harlot is still an open question in my own mind.  
Many understand her to represent the commercial and immoral spirit of 
Rome (not the literal city itself, for she was never destroyed as 
described in later chapters) which was instrumental in opposing the 
people of God.  There is much to be said for this view.  Re 17:2,18;
18:3,9,11 certainly seem to fit Rome.
 
However, I lean toward the view that the harlot represents Jerusalem, 
often supported in her persecution of the church by the Roman empire
but then destroyed herself by Rome in A.D. 70.  It is interesting to 
compare such verses as Re 17:6; 18:20,24; 19:2 with Jesus' statements
in Mt 23:31-39.  As foretold by Jesus in both Matthew and Revelation,
God was about to avenge His apostles and prophets on this city "who
kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her" (Re 18:20; Mt
23:37).
 
While the identity of the beast, the kings, and the harlot might be
unclear in the minds of some, the outcome of the conflict described in
this chapter is certain.  In what may be described as the theme of this
book, we are told that:
 
   "These will make war with Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them,
   for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with
   Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Re 17:14)
 
Comforting words indeed to those early Christians who were persecuted
by both the Roman emperor and unbelieving Jerusalem!
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE SCARLET WOMAN AND THE SCARLET BEAST (1-6)
 
   A. JOHN IS APPROACHED BY AN ANGEL (1-2)
      1. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls
      2. Who offers to show him the judgment of the great harlot
         a. Which sits on many waters
         b. With whom kings of the earth have committed fornication
         c. With whom inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the
            wine of her fornication
 
   B. JOHN IS SHOWN THE SCARLET WOMAN ON THE SCARLET BEAST (3-6)
      1. He is carried away by the angel in the Spirit into the 
         wilderness
      2. There he sees a woman sitting on a scarlet beast
         a. The scarlet beast
            1) Full of names of blasphemy
            2) Having seven heads and ten horns
         b. The woman
            1) Arrayed in purple and scarlet
            2) Adorned with  gold, precious stones, and pearls
            3) In her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the
               filthiness of her fornication
            4) On her forehead the name written:
               a) MYSTERY
               b) BABYLON THE GREAT
               c) THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE
                  EARTH
            5) Drunk with:
               a) The blood of the saints
               b) The blood of the martyrs of Jesus
      3. He marveled with great amazement when he saw her
 
II. THE MYSTERY OF THE WOMAN AND BEAST EXPLAINED (7-18)
 
   A. THE ANGEL OFFERS TO EXPLAIN THE MYSTERY (7)
      1. Asking John why he marveled
      2. Saying that he will tell him the mystery
         a. Of the woman
         b. Of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries
            her
 
   B. THE BEAST EXPLAINED (8-14)
      1. The beast that John saw:
         a. Was, is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and
            go to perdition
         b. Will be marveled by those by those whose names are not
            written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the
            world when they see it
      2. The mind which has wisdom:
         a. The seven heads are seven mountains upon which the woman
            sits
         b. There are also seven kings
            1) Five have fallen, one is, the other has yet to come
            2) When the seventh comes, he must continue a short time
         c. The beast that was, and is not, is himself the eighth
            1) He is of the seven
            2) He is going to perdition (destruction)
         d. The ten horns are ten kings
            1) Who have received no kingdom as yet
            2) But receive authority for one hour with the beast
            3) Who are of one mind, and give their power and authority
               to the beast
         e. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will
            overcome them
            1) For He is Lord of lords and King of kings
            2) Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful
 
   C. THE WOMAN EXPLAINED (15-18)
      1. The waters upon which she sits are peoples, multitudes,
         nations and tongues
      2. The ten horns (ten kings) on the beast
         a. Will hate the harlot
            1) Make her desolate
            2) Eat her flesh and burn her with fire
         b. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose
            1) For them to be of one mind
            2) To give their kingdom to the beast
            -- Until the words of God are fulfilled
      3. The woman John saw is that great city which reigns over the
         kings of the earth
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The scarlet woman and the scarlet beast (1-6)
   - The mystery of the woman and the beast explained (7-18)
 
2) What did the angel tell John he would be shown? (1)
   - The judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters
 
3) How does the angel describe this woman? (2)
   - With whom the kings of the earth committed fornication
   - The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her
     fornication
 
4) List the description of the woman as seen by John (3-6)
   - Sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, full of
     names of blasphemy
   - Arrayed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones
     and pearls
   - A golden cup in her hand, full of abominations the filthiness of
     her fornication
   - Written on her forehead:  "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother
     of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth"
   - Drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the
     martyrs of Jesus
 
5) What was John's reaction to seeing the woman? (6)
   - Marveled with great amazement
 
6) What does the angel offer to tell John? (7)
   - The mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her
 
7) How is the beast described? (8)
   - He was, is not, and is to come
   - He will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition
   - Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the
     foundation of the world will marvel
 
8) What does the seven heads of the beast represent? (9-10)
   - Seven mountains on which the woman sits
 
9) What is said of the seven kings? (10)
   - Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come
   - When the seventh king comes, he must continue a short time
 
10) What is said of the beast that was and is not? (11)
   - He will be the eighth king
   - He is of the seven
   - He is going to perdition
 
11) What do the ten horns represent? (12)
   - Ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet
   - Who receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast
 
12) What else is said of the ten kings and the beast? (13-14)
   - The kings of are of one mind and will give their power and 
     authority to the beast
   - They will make war with the Lamb
 
13) Why will the Lamb overcome the beast and the ten kings? (14)
   - He is Lord of lords and King of kings
   - Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful
 
14) What do the waters upon which the harlot sits represent? (15)
   - Peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues
 
15) What will the ten horns (kings) do to the harlot? (16)
   - Hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and
     burn her with fire
 
16) Why will they do this? (17)
   - For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose and
     fulfill His words
 
17) How is the woman finally described? (18)
   - That great city which reigns over the kings of the earth

 

--《Executable Outlines

 

Punish the great prostitute

Lord of Lords

King of Kings

 

I.  Description of the great prostitute

1.    Adultery and luxury

2.    Power of a king

3.    Persecution and cruelty

II.The angel explains the mystery

1.    Seven hills and ten kings

2.    The eighth king

3.    The triumph of the Lamb

III.       The punishment of the great prostitute

1.    The beast hates the prostitute

2.    Ruin and leave naked

3.    Eat her flesh and burn with fire

── Chih-Hsin Changan Outline of The New Testament