A Study Of The Book Of Revelation
Lesson No. 20: Chapter 17
Date: February 11th and 18th, 2004,
Wednesday Evening Adult Bible Class
Speaker: John Phillis
Note: Much
of the information for this Study of Revelation was taken from the
book “Revelation Through First Century Glasses” by W. B. West. Other sources: “The Living Word, Study
of Revelation, Parts I & II” by Dr. Frank
Pack; “Revelation” by Jim McGuiggan; “Commentary
on Revelation” by Homer Hailey; “Commentary on
Revelation” by Burton Coffman; “The Book of Revelation
– Spiritual Sword Lectureship, October 18 – 22,
1998”; “Commentary on Revelation” by Howard
Winters; “Revelation for Christians Today” by Lonnie
Woodruff; “Unlocking Revelation” by J. Stafford
North.
Objectives in Studying this
Chapter:
1) To
appreciate the importance of this chapter in interpreting the book
of Revelation
2) To
note the significance of the fact that the beast “is
not” when the Revelation was
given
3) To
ascertain the identity of the great harlot and the scarlet
beast
A
Reading of Revelation, Chapter 17
“Then
one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked
with me, saying to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of
the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of
the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth
were made drunk with the wine of her
fornication.’
3 So he
carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a
woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of
blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was
arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious
stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of
abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5
And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE
MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.
6 I saw the
woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the
martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great
amazement.
7 But the
angel said to me, ‘Why did you marvel? I will tell you the
mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has
the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was,
and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to
perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose
names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of
the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet
is.
9
‘Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven
mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings.
Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when
he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and
is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is
going to perdition.
12
‘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.’”
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