How does Revelation 17:7 reveal the mystery of the woman and the beast? Setting the Scene Revelation 17:7: “Then the angel said to me, ‘Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.’ ” The Angel’s Invitation to Understand • John is stunned by the vision (vv. 1-6). • The angel moves from spectacle to explanation, assuring that God does not leave His servants in the dark (cf. Amos 3:7). • The mystery will be laid bare in vv. 8-18, proving Scripture interprets itself. Who the Woman Represents • Called “Babylon the Great” (v. 5): a literal, end-time city reviving the historic rebellion of ancient Babylon (Genesis 11:1-9). • “Mother of prostitutes” (v. 5): a global, apostate religious system seducing nations (Revelation 18:3). • “Drunk with the blood of the saints” (v. 6): a persecuting power, fulfilling Jesus’ warning in John 15:18-20. • Sits on many waters (v. 1): widespread influence over “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (v. 15). • Clothed in purple and scarlet, decked with gold (v. 4): outward splendor masking inward corruption. Who the Beast Is • Same beast as Revelation 13:1: the final Antichrist empire. • “Seven heads” = a succession of seven real kingdoms (v. 9): Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a future revived Roman form. • “Ten horns” = ten contemporaneous kings who will yield authority to the beast (v. 12; Daniel 7:24). • “Was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the Abyss” (v. 8): the Antichrist’s apparent death and satanic resurrection. • Receives power from the dragon (Satan) and deceives the world (Revelation 13:2-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Why John’s Astonishment Matters • A harlot (false religion) riding the beast (political power) shows an unholy alliance. • It looks stable, yet the beast will eventually “hate the prostitute” and destroy her (v. 16); evil turns on itself, fulfilling God’s plan (v. 17). • God exposes the system’s end so believers will not be enticed by her present allure (1 John 2:15-17). How Verse 7 Unveils the Mystery 1. It promises divine explanation—mystery does not stay concealed. 2. It links the woman and beast together, signaling they must be interpreted in tandem. 3. It previews the structural clues (seven heads, ten horns) that the following verses decode. 4. It assures that what seems formidable is already under angelic scrutiny and, by implication, under God’s control. Key Takeaways for Today • God desires His people to understand prophetic truth; confusion is not His will. • Religious compromise with worldly power ends in judgment; fidelity to Christ is non-negotiable (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). • History is moving toward the literal rise and fall of Babylon and the beast; Scripture’s prophecies will be fulfilled exactly as written. • Believers are called to discernment now (Revelation 18:4), anticipating the ultimate triumph of the Lamb (Revelation 17:14). |
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