Spirit of Truth Christian Ministries
Why Many Don't Believe (cont.)
Copyright © 2009
Spirit of Truth
Christian Ministries
Verse 9, 10: This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 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.
The attributes of these seven heads will now come into focus and this is where the interpretation of this prophecy begins taking varying forms. Rather than go through those that I don’t believe in (although I’d venture to guess no harm is intended by those who state them), I’ll share the most consistent interpretation, taking all other prophecies concerning this beast and history into account.
This woman, as we’ve identified as the Catholic church is sitting in a place associated with seven hills. History has shown us that this can easily apply to Rome (“The city of seven hills”) although Rome is not the only city that fits this description (just as the official title of the pope is not the only name that adds up to “666”). The Bible does, however, go on to add more clarity by stating that these heads are also seven kings.
The five who have fallen are: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, imperial Rome and papal Rome (i.e. papacy). There is one that “is” (again, after 1798) and another that has not yet come. It’s believed that the one that “is” is the age of Enlightment or Illuminism that spawned anti-God beliefs such as secular humanism, evolution, communism and atheism. The reason these beliefs are called a “head” or a “king” is because of a direct association with the “King of the South” in Daniel 11:40 who makes an attack on the King of the North (the papacy) in the time of the end. As I mentioned previously, the study of this chapter is very deep and requires diligent study of history in addition to Scripture. The King of the South in Daniel 11 represents a transition of power from the time of Greece, through the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient times, to the age of Illuminism (the age of Reason and Enlightenment that brought forth the false religions of evolution and atheism) in the time of the end.
-Notice also that the seventh “head” will only be on the scene for a short period of time. This is believed to be when the United States will begin speaking “like a dragon” and will set up the “image” to the first beast of Revelation 13 (the papacy).
Verse 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.
This will allow for Satan to make his religious appearance once again through one of the seven heads that previously reigned. Using Revelation 13 for reference, we see that this will be when the “deadly wound” will be healed and Satan will use the papacy, and the influence established by the United States, to inflict the mark of the beast.
Verse 12-14: 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. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 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."
The ten kings are a possible representation of nations under church / state rule that will follow the influence of the United States in enforcing the worship to the image of the beast. They are as follows: 1) The North American Union (including the USA, Canada & Mexico), 2) The European Union, 3) Japan, 4) Australia, 5) Russia, 6) South & Central America, 7) the Middle East, 8) Africa, 9) India and 10) China.
Verse 15: Then the angel said to me, The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
This verse provides the definition we used in Revelation 13 to indicate that “waters” or “sea” indicates a heavily populated part of the world.
Verse 16, 17: 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. 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.
After realizing they’ve been misled by the papacy by following her and subsequently sharing in God’s wrath (Revelation 16), the whole world, as represented by the ten kings of Revelation 17:12 will wage war against the papacy. This should serve as a stern warning to those who hear the truth of God’s word but reject it in support of pagan or ungodly practices. What’s ultimately important to realize is that God is in control over all of these events. He’s given us His word and the Holy Spirit as a guide into His truth. It’s up to you to make a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ into your life so you, too, will overcome and spend eternity in glory with God, our Creator.
Verse 18: The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
This is another reference to Roman Catholic church / state rule.