(continued)
Political Babylon.
The picture we see is of this religious system that has persecuted believers and killed many. It is in a close relationship with a beastly entity.
`And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. `And when I saw her, I marvelled with great amazement. 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 7 heads and 10 horns.` (Rev. 17: 6 & 7)
The `beast,` is Satan who comes out of hell and is the power behind the Global Government. He takes possession of the Anti-Christ, who seemingly died and came to life again. This is what the phrase `was, and is not and yet is,` refers to.
`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.` (Rev. 17: 8)
We are now given details of the leadership of this Global Government. The 7 heads, are symbolically 7 mountains meaning they have the highest position in the world: its leaders. They are the `7 kings,` the 7 Political leaders who arise consecutively one at a time.
`Here is the mind which has wisdom: the 7 heads are 7 mountains on which the woman sits. and they are 7 kings. (NAS)` (Rev. 17: 9)
There were five leaders prior to the tribulation and the 6th rules during its beginning. Finally the Anti-Christ rises to power and rules for the last three and a half years. Satan is the 8th entity but becomes part of the 7 when he enters the Anti-Christ.
` 5 have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the 8th, and is of the 7, and is going to perdition.` (Rev. 17: 10 & 11)
`And the 10 horns which you saw are 10 kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.` (Rev. 17: 12)
They (Islam) believe that the Anti-Christ is their long awaited Messiah and thus even make war with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
`These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 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.` (Rev. 17: 13 & 14)
Before this climatic event though, the 10 kings of the Islamic confederation destroy the religious system. They have no more use for it as they desire that all peoples worship their Messiah, the Anti-Christ. Thus all buildings and people associated with the religious system are destroyed.
`And he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. And the 10 horns will hate the prostitute, make her desolate, and naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfil His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.` (Rev. 17: 16 & 17)
`And the woman whom you saw is (in) that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.` (Rev. 17: 18)
