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                  THE BOOK OF REVELATION

CHAPTER.17.

RELIGIOUS BABYLON DESTROYED

Archaeologists tell us the Babylon is the cradle of
civilization.  Located on the shores of the Euphrates River,
the ruins of this city have revealed some of the most ancient
documents of past generation.  This city begun by Nimrod, who
was a rebel before the Lord, authored some of the greatest
evils ever to fall on mankind.  Two of these evils will be
destroyed during the Tribulation Period, according to
Revelation 17 and 18.

In ancient days Satan seemed to make Babylon the capital of
his evil operation.  From this headquarters was started false
religion, man's attempt for self-government in defiance of
the will of God, and city dwellings for commercial and social
purposes contrary to the commandment  of God to `be fruitful
and multiply and replenish the earth'.  These great evils,
which have damned the souls of millions by substituting
counterfeit solutions to man's natural problems that would
ordinarily lead him to God, will all be destroyed at the end
of the Tribulation period.  Chapter 17 describes the coming
judgment of God on the religious system that has enslaved men
in superstitious darkness for centuries.

THE GREAT HARLOT
Rev 17:1-7.

It must be noted first of all the Rev 17 is a parenthetical
passage, and the eight such passage in the book of
Revelation.  It deals somewhat with the identification and
character of Mystical, or Ecclesiastical Babylon.

The first six verses of our text reveal to us a most
astounding and awful scene, portraying through symbols two
great forces, one religious, the other governmental.

This vision comes from `one of the seven angels who had the
seven bowls'.  Though it is not stated by John, the context
locates this judgment scene as taking place in the middle of
the Tribulation.  It is a description of the ecumenical
religious system powerful enough to gain a controlling
influence in the antichrist's government.

It might be well to add some points of contrast between the
two Babylons of Rev 17 and 18.  In 17:1, one of the seven
angels shows John the complete mystery of the woman, and in
18:1 , `another angel' gives the other message.

The woman and the beast in Rev 17:1-18 are symbolic, while
there is no indication whatever of Rev 18 being symbolic.
Explanations are given for chapter 17 but none are needed for
chapter 18, which is very definite and clear.

The angel talks to John directly in Rev 17, but in chapter 18
he only hears voices announcing certain facts
(18:1,2,4,10,16,18 & 21).  In chapter 17 one angel speaks but
in Rev 18 both men and angels speak.

Babylon  (chapter 17) is called `the woman' and the
`great whore'.  Other similar references are made to her, but
the Babylon in chapter 18 has no such reference.  John
wonders `with great admiration' over the one in Rev 17:7, but
there is no such reaction in chapter 18 because he is well
acquainted with the literal city of Babylon.

There is no announcement concerning the fall of Mystical
Babylon in chapter 17, but there are many predictions
regarding the complete destruction of literal Babylon in the
latter days ( Is 13: 19-22, 14:4, 21:9; Jer 50:39-41, 51:6-
11, 24-29, 36-57; Rev 14:8, 16:17-21, 18:1-24).  There is no
warning for the one in chapter 17, but the other one is given
a warning 18:4.  There are many other contrasting points of
conversation, but we'll finally note that the beast and the
ten kings will rejoice over the destruction of the Mystical
Babylon (17:16-17), while they will mourn when Literal
Babylon is destroyed (18:9-19).  It might also be pointed out
that the woman and the beast are explained quite fully in
chapter 17, and this is all completed before the description
of Literal Babylon is begun.

We conclude that we are dealing with two Babylons: the first
is Mystical and the second one is Literal.

The Vision of the Woman:

Ten details delineate this woman:
     1.  the great harlot
     2.  that sitteth upon many waters
     3.  with whom the kings of the earth have committed
     fornication
     4.  and the inhabitants of the earth have been made
     drunk with the wine of her fornication.
     5.  a woman (in the wilderness) sitting upon a scarlet
     coloured beast.
     6.  arrayed in purple and scarlet
     7.  bedecked with gold and precious stones
     8.  having a golden cup in her hand, full of
     abominations and filthiness of her fornication.
     9.  upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY,
     BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF
     THE EARTH.
     10.  drunk with the blood of the saints and with the
     blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

Even before we come to the angel's interpretation of this
vision, it is clear that we are not dealing with a human
being, for no one woman could commit fornication with all
the kings of the earth, nor could a woman be `drunk with the
blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of
Jesus'.  Our rule for Bible interpretation is that when the
plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other
sense.  In this case the plain sense, `a woman', does not
make common sense; therefore we must seek another sense.
Fortunately, the angel gave John the interpretation to this
vision, which we will consult after examining the vision of
the beast.

It has been said that perhaps the most enigmatic of the
visions of the apocalypse is that of the great harlot.  Even
John himself registered considerable astonishment, according
to verse 7, "And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou
marvel?"  The angel goes on to say in that verse that he will
reveal the mystery of the woman and the beast that carried
her.  Although the question of her identity has always been a
matter of great controversy.

Nimrod, the mighty hunter, built the city of Babylon (Gen
10:8-10); and it was here that the first great apostasy
against God came after the flood, thus effecting the
Babylonian cult developed by Nimrod and his queen, Semiramis.
This religious activity concerned the divination of secrets
and mysteries and various priestly functions.  Under Nimrod's
reign, this cult gained an influential stronghold on the
human race.  It counteracted the truth of God, and as it
spread and developed, Babylon came to be known as the seat of
Satan.  Eventually the power emigrated to the Roman emperor
and Rome succeeded Babylon as the centre of the cult, with
far-reaching effects.  There are still apparent practices
existing today in Romanism, and even some other Christian
circles, which indicate this initial influence.  Countless
historic observations could be noted, but will not be
included here.  Although some of the arguments are
enlightening as to the history of the Roman church, they do
not veritably prove that the great whore is a symbol of Roman
Catholicism.  They leave too many questions unanswered.  One
such question would be why the city of Rome would be called
Babylon since there is no special connection between  the two
and they are over 2 000 miles apart.
It has often been suggested that Rome being built on seven
hill would be the meaning of the seven heads of the beast
since there is reference to seven mountains, but this is not
evidenced by the passage as a whole.  The explanation clearly
confirms that five of the mountains existed when he saw the
revelation, that the seventh was yet to come, and that there
was to be an eighth.  Now, of course, this would completely
repudiate the possibility of Rome and her seven hills as
being an explanation of the passage.

Roman Catholicism places a strong emphasis on the virgin
birth, the death, burial and resurrection, and ascension of
Jesus to the right hand of God.  It teaches the blood
atonement and forgiveness of sins through Christ, and other
basic Christian doctrines and biblical facts.  There may be
some intermingled rituals and rites which relate to Babylon,
but it is not an anti-God religion.  The religion of Mystery
Babylon will be anti-God, completely and totally.

The terms `the great whore' and `the woman' are often used
in scriptures in connection with Israel, Babylon, and various
pagan nations with whom Israel committed fornication long
before there were Christians (Is 13:8, 54:6; Jer 3:9, 4:31,
6:2, 24, 31:27; Lam 1:17; Ezek 16:17-36, 20:30, 23:3-44,
43:7-9; Hos 4:10-12).  These terms are never used regarding
professing Christians in any respect.

The religion of Babylon in the days of the antichrist can
best be described as relation to witchcraft, demon worship,
and manifestations of demons ( Rev 9:20-21, 13:2; Dan
11:37,38; Matt 24:24; 2 Thess 2:8-12).  The religion
championed by Satan and given to the antichrist will be the
object of worship in the last three and one-half years of the
Tribulation (2 Thess 2:3-4, 8:12, Rev 13).

The word `abominations' is used many times in scripture.
this goes back a long way and has reference to such practices
in Babylon as idolatry and whoredoms.  They are associated
with demon worship, sorceries, and witchcraft of all kinds as
practiced by many pagan nations (Deut 18:9-12, 29:17-18,
32:16-17; 2 Kings 16:3-4, 17:1-18, 21:2-11; Ezek 16:22-58).
The religious system referred to here is of Babylon and it
involves ancient magism, spiritism, witchcraft, sorcery ,
idolatry, and paganism.

There is a revival today in the area of witchcraft,
astrology, black arts, and black magic.  There are circles
where human sacrifices are being offered.  The world is ripe
for a religion in which demon spirits are thoroughly
involved.

This Mystery Babylon is really not a city but a mystery, and
in a figurative sense of terminology it has reference to a
religion that will hold sway over hundred of millions of
people in this world.  It will be a diabolical religious
system consisting of the above-mentioned things which relate
to witchcraft and sorcery.

The parenthetical matter of Mystical Babylon is inserted
between these two passage to explain the religious aspect of
Babylon.  The great whore is called `mystery Babylon', a
definite indication of a connection with Literal Babylon
(17:5).  Just as Babylon was the site of the first great
rebellion against God after the flood of Noah (Gen 11), so
will it be the site of the last rebellion ( 14:8, 16:17-21,
18:1-24).  Demon religions and idolatry in scripture are
always associated with the Literal Babylon (Is 21:9, 47:9-10,
Rev 18:2-3, 23).  There are numerous prophecies concerning
Babylon in the Bible which must still be fulfilled (Is 13:1-
22, 14:1-27, 43:14, 47:1-15, 48:20, Jer 50-51, Rev 14:8,
16:17-21, 18:1-24).  Babylon is the city of the last days
that will serve as the headquarters for demons and unclean
spirits (18:2).  It will also be the centre of sorceries,
enchantments, and other related things (18:23, Is 47:9-10,
12-13).

The city of Babylon is singled out and named as the object of
God's wrath and plagues (16:19, 18:4,6), and she is also
named to be judged in the last days for martyrdoms (18:24).
The antichrist will be king of Syria, and Babylon will be
its capital (Is 14:1).  The great whore will ride the beast;
that is, the antichrist's kingdom, in his rise to power over
the kingdoms (17:3,7).  She symbolizes the religion in his
capital, even prior to his dominion over the ten kingdoms
(17:12-17).

The headquarters will be in Babylon, but the antichrist will
move his headquarters to Jersualem.

THE BEAST WHICH CARRIES HER
Rev 17:8-18

In Rev 17:3 and 7-17, a description is given of the beast
that carried the great harlot.  This symbol of the beast is
referred to several times in chapter 11-20 of Revelation and
it is explained rather fully in the seventeenth chapter.  The
Greek word therion is translated `beast'.  Used 37 times in
the book of Revelation in connection with this symbol, it
pictures a wild, untamed and dangerous animal; and symbolizes
the powers that will come against Christ in the latter days
seeking to destroy Him.

The vision that is given here is not primarily for the
purpose of revealing history.  It serves rather to identify
the eighth and last kingdom which is to be formed after the
rapture.  The seven kingdoms that precede it will be
identified and this last one will reign over all the
territories and the peoples of the first seven.
FIRST of all, it must be noted that the beast symbolizes
three different things.  The first is a human being, the
antichrist, and is the beast that comes out of the sea
(chapter 13). He is, of course, the one in charge of the
armies and the kings of the earth who gather at Armageddon to
fight against the forces of Christ (19:19).  Cf Zech 14:1-5,
Rev 16:13-16, Ezek 38-39.  The antichrist, a mortal man at
the time, will be slain by Christ (19:20), and his armies
destroyed by Christ (19:20-21, 17:14).  This beast is
definitely called `a man', and he is the antichrist, the
beast that comes out of the sea.

The SECOND thing symbolized by the beast is a supernatural
being.  He is the beast out of the abyss, and will be
discussed in the next section.  Several things prove that a
satanic prince is seen in this symbol.  In Rev 11:7, 17:8, it
is indicated that he comes out of the bottomless pit.  He
makes war on the two witnesses during the last part of the
Tribulation (11:7).  Overcoming and killing them, this
beast, possessed with demon powers, will be involved in
gathering the forces together at Armageddon (16:13-16).  In
Rev 17:8, two things can be observed:  that he `was' on the
earth before John's time, and that he `is not', that is, at
the time that John was receiving this vision.  It is further
stated that he `shall ascend out of the bottomless pit'
(17:8).  He will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ
and `go into perdition' (17:8, 19:19-21, 20:10).

The THIRD thing symbolized by the beast is an empire.  This
is the eighth kingdom, and it immediately succeeds the seven
heads or kingdoms.  There are several things proving that a
kingdom is indeed symbolized by the beast.  First of all,
there are seven heads with the timely characteristic names of
blasphemy written on them (13:1, 17:3).  Then, we see that
the beast has ten horns on which are ten crowns (13:1).  Cf
Rev 12:3, 17:12-17.  It is this beast that carries the woman
referred to as the great whore (17:3-7).  Verse 9 reads that
the `seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman
sitteth.  And there are seven kings'.  This refers to
kingdoms.  It further states that 'five are fallen'.  This
apparently refers to the first five of the seven kingdoms
that had passed away before John saw the revelation (17:10).
The kingdoms involved are : Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-
Persia, and Greece.  Fourthly, in that same passage we see
that `one is'.  This one was the sixth of the seven
kingdoms, and it was the old Roman Empire which existed in
John's day.  it continues on to say that `the other is not
yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short
space', referring to the seventh kingdom inside the old Roman
Empire.  This is future.

When these ten kingdoms are formed, they will continue a
short time before a `little horn arises from among then and
takes control over them' (17:10).  Cf Dan 7:7,8.  When the
antichrist comes out of the ten kingdoms, he will take power
over them by the middle of the Week.  This will form the
eighth kingdom and will, of course, continue for forty-two
months.  this is `the beast that was, and is not, even he is
the eighth' (17:11, 13:5).  This one that arises is out of
the seventh kingdom but is not necessarily the seventh one.
He would be out of one of the first five that had fallen
before John (either of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia,
or Greece) because it states that the beast `was', which
means he had been in existence before the sixth kingdom
existed and was to come between the sixth and the eighth to
actually become the eighth kingdom.  That would be the one
that would fight against Christ at Armageddon.

In interpreting the book of Revelation, some have recognised
only a kingdom and not a human being or a supernatural person
in the beast.  On the other hand, there are those who
recognize only a human being, while others acknowledge only
an earthly king and kingdom, failing to see the satanic
powers controlling the kingdom.  Each of the applicable
passages have been noted.  Some apply to all three, while
other passages may apply only to one or two.  But, first,
there is the beast out of the sea - that is, out of humanity
- which is a human being, the antichrist. Secondly, there is
a supernatural being - the beast out of the abyss - a satanic
prince who will be dealt with next in our discussion.  The
third symbol of the beast is the empire or the eighth
kingdom.  All of these are different things, but all three
are recognised in this symbol of the beast.

The Beast Out Of The Abyss (11:7, 17:7-8).

There are many reasons, too, for believing that the
Antichrist and the beast out of the abyss are two separate
individuals.  As has been pointed out, the beast represents
three things: a human being coming out of the sea of people,
a supernatural being coming out of the abyss and referred to
as the beast out of the abyss, and the eighth kingdom
composed of many peoples and making up that empire
(17:1,3,7,9-11,15).  The antichrist, as explained, is an
ordinary human being.  He will die at the second coming of
Christ.  He will be slain and his body destroyed and given to
a burning flame (Dan 7:11, Rev 19:20).  This is one of
several indications that the antichrist must be mortal.

A very significant and revealing passage of scripture
regarding the influence and activity of supernatural princes
under Satan is found in Dan 10:1-11:1.  Princes under Satan
reign over different kingdoms, and this scriptural passage
gives evidence as to why the spirit in the abyss was
confined, and here his identity is given.

When Daniel was to receive a vision of the kingdom from
Gabriel, the spirit ruler of the kingdom of Persia hindered
him.  In that case, Michael, one of the chief angels of God,
came and gave assistance to him (Dan 10:12-14).  Supernatural
princes are referred to in numerous places in the book of
Daniel.  In Dan 10:20-21, the angel mentions that the prince
of Persia detained him, but he declares that the prince of
Grecia will come.  This has reference to the spiritual prince
under Satan that controls the kingdom of Grecia.  He will
come and rule these territories and fulfill scripture.  It is
predicted in this chapter that Persia will fall and that
Grecia will come, I feel that the spirit out of the abyss is
this prince of Grecia.

Scripture states that the body of the beast is `like a
leopard'.  The leopard symbolizes the Grecian kingdom in the
book of Daniel, proving that his kingdom of the antichrist-
the eighth and last kingdom - is Grecian and it is of the
Syrian division (Dan 8:9-14,20-25, 9:27, 11:21-12:7, Rev 13).
There are two prophecies of the Grecian Empire - in Joel
3:6 and Zech 9:13 - concerning the last days under the
antichrist, and it involves the deliverance of Israel from
other nations at the return of Christ.  All these passages
exact that existence of Greece as being under the antichrist.
So we conclude that the prince of Grecia is the demonic
spirit that will return from the abyss.

The Seven Heads.

The angel states, "The seven heads are seven mountains on
which the woman sitteth, and they are seven kings" (Rev 17:9-
10).  The seven heads here symbolize seven mountains, which
are kingdoms, or kings.  The words kings and kingdoms are
sometimes used interchangeably (Dan 2:37-38 with 2:39 and
7:3,23,24 with 7:17).  The seven kings must actually be an
interpretation of the seven heads or else they would be
completely out of place.  The seven heads are not the seven
hills on which Rome is built.  It further explains that five
are fallen, and these hills would not have been flattened and
Rome moved to a seventh hill.  John was told that only `one
is', and that another was to come.

There is considerable debate over the word `fallen'.  The
language is most appropriate for kingdoms and the best
interpretation is to see the five fallen kings or kingdoms as
Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.  The sixth
kingdom, `the one that is', is the Rome of John's day.  The
last, or seventh, "The other that is not and is yet to come",
is the one that comes from the old Roman Empire and forms the
ten kingdoms.   The beast itself is the eighth and final
empire.

The seven heads on the beast, representing seven kingdoms all
have a special relationship to Israel.  The first kingdom,
Egypt, was the first to oppress Israel.  It was in Egypt
where Israel began to multiply and grow, and it was there
where she suffered her first great oppression by an empire
(Gen 15:13-14,37 to Ex 15).  Six hundred years later, during
the time of Solomon, Egypt is mentioned again ( 1 Kings 3:1-
3, 9:16, 11:1-40, 21:1-33).  In the time of Rehoboam, Judah
was chastened by Egypt (1 Kings 14), and later invaded by her
( 2 Chron 14 : 9-12; 16:7-9).  Other interrelationships
existed as recorded in 2 Kings 17-25.  There are also
prophecies relating to Egypt's downfall and some of them
refer to the latter days  (Ezek 29-32).  And, as has been
noted, Egypt is to be a part of the antichrist's kingdom (Dan
11:42-43) and part of the division of Greece that will be one
of the ten kingdoms in the last days (Dan 8:21-25).

The second mountain kingdom, Assyria, had many relationships
to Israel, as recorded in 2 kings 15-18.  Assyria invaded
Israel and formed alliances with Judah against Israel.
Because of her oppression of Israel, Assyria's downfall is
prophesied (Isa 10:20-27, 14:25, 31:4-9, Mic 5:5-6).  Egypt
and Assyria will , however, be blessed in the Millenium with
Israel (Is 11:16, 19:23-25).

The third mountain kingdom, Babylon, was involved at various
times against Israel and Judah (2 Kings 17:24-30; 2 Chron
33;11).  Babylon captured Judah and held her captive for
seventy years (Jer 25 9-14), after which she was punished.
When Christ comes again, Babylon will be under the
antichrist.

Medo-Persia, the fourth mountain kingdom, helped to overthrow
Assyria.  This empire has several symbols in Dan 2,7, and 8
and is mentioned again in Dan 10:13,14,20 and 21 as being
ruled by satanic princes.  Several activities and
relationships regarding these countries are brought out in
the book of Ezra.

The fifth kingdom to oppress Israel in the time of the
Gentiles, and the third one recorded in the book of Daniel,
was Greece.  There are many references in the Old Testament
apocryphal books to this relationship in 1 and 2 Maccabees.
This kingdom is symbolized in Dan 7:6 as `a leopard' with
`four heads', which would indicate that the kingdom itself
was an entity and later would have four divisions.  A number
of scriptures relate to the Revived Grecian Empire and the
Antichrist and his persecution of Israel (Dan 7:17-27, 9:26-
27, 11:35-45, Exek 38-39, Zech 9:7-13, 12:4-14, 13:1-9, 14:1-
9, Rev 12:6, 14-17, 13:1-18).  These five kingdoms are the
ones referred to as the five heads on the beast that had
fallen before the time of John.

Rome, the sixth kingdom to oppress Israel, is the fourth one
mentioned in Daniel, and it is the kingdom that was symbolized
on the beast by the head `that was' at the time of John.  At
that time the Roman Empire was in control and as strong as
iron (Dan 2:31-45).  It follows Egypt, Assyria, Babylon,
Medo-Persia, and Greece as the one that oppresses Israel.
This kingdom is seen as dreadful and terrible, and very
strong, having ten horns Dan 7:7-27.  Another reference to
Rome as the destroyer of Israel and the temple is found in
Dan 9:26-27.  Jesus referred to this in Matt 24:1-3, Luke
21:20-24.  The Roman General Titus came against Jerusalem in
70 A.D. and during a four-month siege thoroughly destroyed
the city and the temple, killing one million Jews and taking
100 000 captive.

The seventh mountain kingdom to stand against Israel is the
Revised Roman Empire, and it is still future.  Under the
leadership of the great whore, ruling the ten kingdoms, will
be a severe persecutor of Israel.  This great whore, the
Mystery Babylon, will attempt to stop every religious
activity that is not her own and will murder the followers of
Jesus.  Israel will be involved in the persecution by the
great whore, and this persecution will be continued by the
antichrist when he gets full power over the ten kings (Matt
24:4-13, Mark 13:3-13, Rev 6:9-11, 17:3-6).  The persecution
of the Christians will persist, and the antichrist will break
his covenant with Israel and try to eliminate them ( Dan
7:21, 8:24-25, 9:27, 12:1-7, Matt 24:15-31, Rev 7:9-17, 13:1-
18, 14:11-13, 15:2, 20:4-6).

The Ten Horns And The Beast.
Rev 17:12-17, Dan 2:40-45, 7:7-27, 8:8,9,17-25, 9:26-27,
11:1-45, 12:1-13, Rev 12:3, 13:1-3, 17:8-11, 19:11-21.

The old Roman Empire is going to exist in a revised form
known as the ten kingdoms in the last days.  This will be the
seventh kingdom, or head on the beast.  Rome will exist as
two separate kingdoms, as pictured in Dan 2:40-45.  The
figure of two legs of iron and ten toes of iron and clay
represent the two divisions - the eastern and western
divisions of the Roman empire.  The ten toes are ten
kingdoms, with five from the eastern and five from the
western.  Dan 7:7-27 also indicated that ten kingdoms will
exist at the same time as the ten kings referred to.
Reference is made to the `little horn' called the `beast'
(Dan 7:11), that will arise `after them'.  This speaks of the
antichrist arising.  The ten toes and ten horns of Dan 2 and
7 correspond to the ten horns and ten kings of Rev 12,13 and
17.  Christ will destroy them at His second coming.

As has been ascertained, the beast itself will be the eighth
kingdom.  This kingdom is to be ruled by a mortal human being
who is personal and visible, the Antichrist, and by the
personal but invisible and immortal angel, the prince of
Grecia.  This satanic prince will be freed from out of the
abyss, or pit, and will aid in the human antichrist's rise to
power over the Grecian Empire, which was not in existence in
John's day.  This Grecian Empire will include the ten
kingdoms, which will comprise the revised Roman Empire.  This
will transpire during the first part of the tribulation.