FRIDAY
Yesterday we started reading chapter 17 with the image John saw of a prostitute riding a beast, likely the first beast from chapter 13. Let’s continue on and hear the explanation of this vision. Thank you Lord for the explanation, so I don’t have to try to figure it out on my own.
Revelation 17:6b-14 6b When I saw her, I marveled greatly. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. 11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. 12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Verses 9 and 18 clearly indicate that the woman is a figure for Rome. Rome is the city of seven hills and rests on seven hills. The woman is sitting on the beast with the seven heads and the ten horns, indicating that the city of Rome is supported by the political and military strength of the empire. Verse 18 says the woman is the city “that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” This is readily recognizable as a description of Rome in the 1st century.
What’s with the “was, and is not” in reference to the beast? In 1:4 God is described as “him who is and who was and who is to come.” This, then, is likely a reference to the beast (the Roman empire or the power of the Roman empire) that is trying to position itself like God but it falls way short. By saying it “is not” John also may be reminding the reader of Christ’s victory over the beast at his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The fullness of this victory, although not yet fully realized, is assured.
The number of the kings is difficult to interpret and quite honestly I’m running out of time and space, here. Suffice it to say that it most likely points to this pattern of rulers in the spirit of Nero and Domitian, empires in the spirit of Rome, and cities in the spirit of Rome that will continue to rise and fall until the end when Jesus returns and judges creation.
The war on the Lamb in verse 14 is likely the same image as the battle of Armageddon, which we talked about a few weeks ago in our devotional on the seven bowls. Some take this as a literal battle in the end times, and this interpretation is fair. I, however, think it’s best to take this as a symbol of God defeating evil in the final judgment when Jesus returns.
The application for the church of this section is in verse 14. Jesus is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” We will see this same image in chapter 19. Jesus has conquered the prostitute, the beasts and the dragon. His victory is assured but yet to be fully realized.
Those who are with him are called “chosen and faithful.”!These are the same as the 144,000, the heaven dwellers, the woman from chapter 12, etc. The church, the people of God, are chosen and they will remain faithful. On this Tom Schreiner writes:
“The most dangerous aspect of the Roman influence is not its military power, its economic influence, or even its hostility against Christians, but rather the fact that all humankind is seduced or even compelled to worship the beast, so that also the Christians are in danger of falling. If they can remain steadfast, this can only be explained by divine protection or predestination in the book of life from the beginning of the world.” - Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation, 583.
Revelation 17:15-18 15 And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”
The most interesting aspect of these verses is that the Roman Empire, or the power of the empire (the beast and its horns), will hate and destroy the city of Rome (the prostitute). This speaks to the self-destructive nature of evil and evil empires. On this Schreiner writes:
“Evil implodes on itself and is fundamentally destructive since it is built on hate, aggression, narcissism, and self-absorption. Thus the kings and the beast can’t stand seeing the harlot glorified (cf. also Caird 1966: 221). They are driven to cut down what is exalted since they can’t tolerate the prosperity and flourishing of others.” Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation, 594.
Again, we get an assurance of the sovereignty of God in verse 17. He has put it into their hearts (the beast, i.e., the people of the empire of Rome) to destroy the city. The wealth and luxury of Rome was established on the subjugation, intimidation, economic exploitation of other peoples it had conquered (empire). One day the empire will turn on the city and its wealth, luxury and power will be no more. Evil has a way of self-destructing. But it is not self-destruction. This is what God had decreed would happen. It is according to his word and it will be fulfilled. Just like in Jesus’ crucifixion, Herod and Pilate, along with the Gentiles and Israel, did what God’s hand and plan had predestined to take place. (Acts 4:27-28)
Reflection
Again, the emphasis here is that the people of God are chosen and faithful. Take comfort in the fact that if you genuinely believe in Jesus, you are elected to the people of God. God will preserve you to be faithful to him amidst the pressures of idolatry that threaten to pull you away from Jesus. Trust Him Fully!