The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast Part B
Please remember, Babylon is a city. The Scriptures plainly tell us so: Revelation 17:18 (NKJV) “ And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
Revelation 17:12-18 (NKJV) “ The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.” 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the 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.”
15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
The angel continues:
V12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.” These 10 kings are underlings to the antiChrist. These kingdoms are administrative areas. Their kingdoms will be short-lived.
V13 “These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.” These kings are 100% in agreement with the antiChrist. Whatever strength, ability, and authority they have, they willingly surrender to the antiChrist.
V14 “These will make war with the 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.” This confederation will wage war with the Lamb—Jesus Christ. Jesus will overcome (Zechariah 14:1-9). The method Jesus uses is found in Zechariah 14:12-15). Compare Ezekiel 38:14-16 and Luke 21:20. All believers who had died are those following the Lord Jesus (Zechariah 14:5). If that is not enough, all the holy angels follow as well. A king shows his glory by His army (Proverbs 30:29-31). All believers are called (the work of the Holy Spirit—John 16:8-9), then chosen (because they believed—2 Thessalonians 2:13-14), and faithful (tested and tried—1 Thessalonians 2:4 (examines) and Hebrews 11:17).
V15 “Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” The angel is interpreting the vision. The peoples, etc., is the crowd of humans on Earth. It shows antiChrist’s temporary authority. Nonetheless, the Kingdom is God’s (Luke 11:2, Daniel 2:44, Matthew 26:29, and Romans 14:17).
V16 “And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.” These 10 kings began to hate the harlot (the woman rider) who rides/controls the beast (antiChrist). So antiChrist and his 10 kings fight this controlling monster and destroy her. This harlot is both a religious and money-loving business that is headquartered in a city—Babylon.
Others believe Revelation 17:16 (Walvoord Prophecy Commentary) “These graphic words clearly picture the downfall of the apostate world church of the future.”
And
Revelation 17:16 (Walvoord Prophecy Commentary) “However, 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. He no longer needs the help and power of the church, which he destroys and replaces with the worship of himself. According to 13:8, all people will worship the beast except true believers in Christ. 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.”
See also from Precept Austin: https://www.preceptaustin.org/revelation-topics-babylon#4.1.4.2.2
V17 “For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.” God is a great king and can override any action or thoughts of His creation when He wants to. Because God specifically states that He does this indicates that not everything done by every person is decreed and rendered certain (theistic determinism).
V18 “And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” The definite identity of the woman: Babylon is a city. The antiChrist doesn’t need her anymore.
Revelation 17:18 (Holman Commentary) “In his day—the time of the sixth head of the monster—the form of the woman was Rome. During the days of the seventh head of the monster, another great and wicked city will rise. As Antichrist’s splendid capital, she will have no rival. Like Memphis, Nineveh, Babylon, Persepolis, Antioch, and Rome before her, she will be the pinnacle of civilization. Like them, she will fall into judgment. How far she will fall is the subject of the next chapter.”
We learn:
- People think they are free, but there is always some human power over them.
- God can override anything and anyone whenever He wishes to.