Rev 17:9 | KingComments | STEP | . The religious feelings which are propagated by the adulterous church and which are expressed, are received with devilish gratitude by demons. Scripture makes clear that satan is hidden behind idolatry ( ). Any admiration for what is visible and tangible ends up with him. Babylon is called for a reason “mystery”. Although she displays her name for all “on her forehead”, her true nature is still hidden for all who are under her control. ‘Mystery’ means that insight is necessary to get to know the true nature of Babylon. That true nature is that she is “the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth”. A (Bible book as) Revelation is necessary to see through her true nature. The rapprochement of the protestant churches to the roman-catholic church shows that it is still a mystery to many. By the way, this rapprochement is also more and more found with evangelical Christians. In the light of the rapprochement of protestant and evangelical churches and groups, also her other name, ‘the mother of harlots’, is significant. This name indicates that the roman-catholic church has children who follow her in her connection with the world. She is the mother of daughters who have the same traits as her. It can be recognized in all those churches that are connected to the world council of churches, including many protestant churches. You also see it in the state churches that emerged from the roman-catholic church. With them certain characteristics of spiritual harlotry are visible which are also visible in the roman-catholic church. As a result, they should morally be labeled as ‘daughters’. That she is also ‘the mother of the abominations of the earth’ means that she has brought forth idolatry, that she is its origin. Look again at the explanation of the previous verse. The blindness of the mass for the true nature of the roman-catholic church is also caused by the lack of personal Bible study. And in case people read in the Bible, then it is often because they want to have a ‘practical’ benefit of it or to have some kind of emotion. It must feel good. Roman-catholicism, with all her rituals and icons, fits in perfectly with this. That is why its appeal is so great and why these things are finding more and more followers. That there is a warning written in large letters on her forehead does not penetrate. . John sees how the woman completely indulges in killing of believers. These “saints” are not the saints that are canonized by the roman-catholic church, but they are the true saints in the sight of God. Such saints arouse her bloodthirstiness. Her bloodthirstiness is also aroused by “the witnesses of Jesus”. These believers do not testify of the roman-catholic church as the only true church, but of Jesus. Jesus is the name of the Lord that refers to the time that He was on earth in humiliation, in complete poverty and insignificance. That is in huge contrast to the lavish opulence in which the roman-catholic church bathes. The blood that the woman sheds makes her drunk. With devilish pleasure she sucks up the blood until she is excessively saturated by it. The sight of it makes that John ”wondered greatly”. Such massacres and the lascivious and devilish pleasure that go together with it would not have marveled him if they were attributed to the Roman empire. This is why we too should not be amazed when the world hates us. What marvels John is the cruel nature of the woman who claims to be the substitute and representative of Christ. Instead of being a protector of God’s people she persecutes and murders the very ones who belong to Christ. That is the cause of his great amazement. . In response to John’s amazement the angel says that the fact that the woman reveals herself like that, must not wonder him that much. Nor do we have to be very wondered. After all, man is capable of anything. Is it not exactly religious people who killed the Lord Jesus, the Son of God? And how did that come about? Because in Him they saw a threat to their position. This is why every religious system wants to cast out or resist everyone who even has any doubt about their right to exist. What is according to the flesh always persecutes what is according to the Spirit ( ). The angel is going to reveal the mystery. In the mystery only concerns the woman, but here he adds the mystery “of the beast” and his characteristics. This mystery is opposite a mystery of a totally different character. That is the mystery of Christ and the church ( ). While that mystery is associated with complete purity, holiness and unity in the good, this mystery speaks of darkness, destruction and deception. . John receives a more detailed explanation of things that have been earlier described or to which is already briefly referred ( ). Then the angel starts to tell him what the images represent. He starts with the beast. He first mentions four periods in the history of the beast, which is the Roman empire. These periods are described in this verse as follows: “was”, then “is not” and then “is about to come up out of the abyss”. The fourth and last period is “go to destruction”. 1. The first period, “was”, starts when Rome is established in 753 BC. Since then, it has undergone a steady and great development, culminating in the acquisition of world domination in about 168 BC. The Roman empire possessed world domination indisputably for several centuries until in the fourth and fifth centuries AD a decline starts which finally resulted in the fall of Rome in 476. 2. Then the second period begins, which is the period in which the empire does not exist, “is not”. This is the period in which we still are since the fall of Rome. At this moment, the Roman empire does not exist. During this period many have tried to establish this empire, such as Charlemagne and Napoleon). This period has had its longest time. 3. The time is coming when the beast will “come up out of the abyss”. That will be the third period. Here the restoration is indicated of the Roman empire that was considered to be lost and that this restoration has a particular source. Never before has an empire risen from the abyss. It is not an empire given by God, but by satan and his demons. It is of demonic origin. This origin is new. Until now there had been no authority but from God ( ; cf. ). The beast receives his authority not from God, but from the dragon. The abyss is the territory of demons ( ). The restoration of this empire will provoke admiration all over the world ( ). You have already seen these aspects in Revelation 13. 4. The fourth period of this empire is that of destruction, “and go to destruction”. His government will come to an end and that happens through the judgment that will be executed by the Lord Jesus ( ). That is described in more detail in Revelation 19 and we will pay attention to it later. . To understand these things you need “the mind which has wisdom”. The angel explains it further. The “seven heads” represent the “seven mountains” on which Rome lies. That makes clear that Rome is the political center of the empire. Rome is also the center of the church, represented by “the woman” that sits on the seven mountains. . But there is second meaning of the seven heads. The seven heads do not only represent seven mountains, but they also represent “seven kings”. How does that reconcile with the ten horns of which we know that they also represent kings ( ; )? The explanation is that the seven heads are seven kings or governments that have exercised power one after the other. That appears from this verse. We read about “five” kings or forms of government that have taken place, “the one” that is now – the imperial form, at the time of John –, and “the other” that is to come. Of the ten kings or rulers, however, we read in that they received authority for one hour as kings together with the beast, which means at the same time . What in is called a period of ”one hour”, is here called ”a little while”. From Revelation 13 you know that it is about the relatively short time of three and a half years. At the time of John there have already been five forms of government. It cannot exactly be determined which forms are concerned here. To mention some possibilities we may think of forms as kings and consuls. In any case, in the days of John the sixth form existed, which is the imperial form. Now read Revelation 17:5-10 again. Reflection: What is the explanation of the mystery?

‏ Revelation of John 17:9

The Mystery Explained

Rev 17:5. The religious feelings which are propagated by the adulterous church and which are expressed, are received with devilish gratitude by demons. Scripture makes clear that satan is hidden behind idolatry (1Cor 10:20). Any admiration for what is visible and tangible ends up with him. Babylon is called for a reason “mystery”. Although she displays her name for all “on her forehead”, her true nature is still hidden for all who are under her control. ‘Mystery’ means that insight is necessary to get to know the true nature of Babylon. That true nature is that she is “the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth”.

A (Bible book as) Revelation is necessary to see through her true nature. The rapprochement of the protestant churches to the roman-catholic church shows that it is still a mystery to many. By the way, this rapprochement is also more and more found with evangelical Christians. In the light of the rapprochement of protestant and evangelical churches and groups, also her other name, ‘the mother of harlots’, is significant. This name indicates that the roman-catholic church has children who follow her in her connection with the world. She is the mother of daughters who have the same traits as her.

It can be recognized in all those churches that are connected to the world council of churches, including many protestant churches. You also see it in the state churches that emerged from the roman-catholic church. With them certain characteristics of spiritual harlotry are visible which are also visible in the roman-catholic church. As a result, they should morally be labeled as ‘daughters’. That she is also ‘the mother of the abominations of the earth’ means that she has brought forth idolatry, that she is its origin. Look again at the explanation of the previous verse.

The blindness of the mass for the true nature of the roman-catholic church is also caused by the lack of personal Bible study. And in case people read in the Bible, then it is often because they want to have a ‘practical’ benefit of it or to have some kind of emotion. It must feel good. Roman-catholicism, with all her rituals and icons, fits in perfectly with this. That is why its appeal is so great and why these things are finding more and more followers. That there is a warning written in large letters on her forehead does not penetrate.

Rev 17:6. John sees how the woman completely indulges in killing of believers. These “saints” are not the saints that are canonized by the roman-catholic church, but they are the true saints in the sight of God. Such saints arouse her bloodthirstiness. Her bloodthirstiness is also aroused by “the witnesses of Jesus”. These believers do not testify of the roman-catholic church as the only true church, but of Jesus. Jesus is the name of the Lord that refers to the time that He was on earth in humiliation, in complete poverty and insignificance. That is in huge contrast to the lavish opulence in which the roman-catholic church bathes.

The blood that the woman sheds makes her drunk. With devilish pleasure she sucks up the blood until she is excessively saturated by it. The sight of it makes that John ”wondered greatly”. Such massacres and the lascivious and devilish pleasure that go together with it would not have marveled him if they were attributed to the Roman empire. This is why we too should not be amazed when the world hates us. What marvels John is the cruel nature of the woman who claims to be the substitute and representative of Christ. Instead of being a protector of God’s people she persecutes and murders the very ones who belong to Christ. That is the cause of his great amazement.

Rev 17:7. In response to John’s amazement the angel says that the fact that the woman reveals herself like that, must not wonder him that much. Nor do we have to be very wondered. After all, man is capable of anything. Is it not exactly religious people who killed the Lord Jesus, the Son of God? And how did that come about? Because in Him they saw a threat to their position. This is why every religious system wants to cast out or resist everyone who even has any doubt about their right to exist. What is according to the flesh always persecutes what is according to the Spirit (Gal 4:29).

The angel is going to reveal the mystery. In Rev 17:5 the mystery only concerns the woman, but here he adds the mystery “of the beast” and his characteristics. This mystery is opposite a mystery of a totally different character. That is the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph 5:32). While that mystery is associated with complete purity, holiness and unity in the good, this mystery speaks of darkness, destruction and deception.

Rev 17:8. John receives a more detailed explanation of things that have been earlier described or to which is already briefly referred (Rev 11:7 ; Rev 12:4 ; Rev 13:1-9). Then the angel starts to tell him what the images represent. He starts with the beast.

He first mentions four periods in the history of the beast, which is the Roman empire. These periods are described in this verse as follows: “was”, then “is not” and then “is about to come up out of the abyss”. The fourth and last period is “go to destruction”.

1. The first period, “was”, starts when Rome is established in 753 BC. Since then, it has undergone a steady and great development, culminating in the acquisition of world domination in about 168 BC. The Roman empire possessed world domination indisputably for several centuries until in the fourth and fifth centuries AD a decline starts which finally resulted in the fall of Rome in 476.

2. Then the second period begins, which is the period in which the empire does not exist, “is not”. This is the period in which we still are since the fall of Rome. At this moment, the Roman empire does not exist. During this period many have tried to establish this empire, such as Charlemagne and Napoleon). This period has had its longest time.

3. The time is coming when the beast will “come up out of the abyss”. That will be the third period. Here the restoration is indicated of the Roman empire that was considered to be lost and that this restoration has a particular source. Never before has an empire risen from the abyss. It is not an empire given by God, but by satan and his demons. It is of demonic origin.

This origin is new. Until now there had been no authority but from God (Rom 13:1-6; cf. Dan 2:37 ; Dan 5:18). The beast receives his authority not from God, but from the dragon. The abyss is the territory of demons (Rev 9:1-11). The restoration of this empire will provoke admiration all over the world (Rev 13:3). You have already seen these aspects in Revelation 13.

4. The fourth period of this empire is that of destruction, “and go to destruction”. His government will come to an end and that happens through the judgment that will be executed by the Lord Jesus (Rev 17:14). That is described in more detail in Revelation 19 and we will pay attention to it later.

Rev 17:9. To understand these things you need “the mind which has wisdom”. The angel explains it further. The “seven heads” represent the “seven mountains” on which Rome lies. That makes clear that Rome is the political center of the empire. Rome is also the center of the church, represented by “the woman” that sits on the seven mountains.

Rev 17:10. But there is second meaning of the seven heads. The seven heads do not only represent seven mountains, but they also represent “seven kings”. How does that reconcile with the ten horns of which we know that they also represent kings (Rev 17:12; Dan 7:24)? The explanation is that the seven heads are seven kings or governments that have exercised power one after the other. That appears from this verse.

We read about “five” kings or forms of government that have taken place, “the one” that is now – the imperial form, at the time of John –, and “the other” that is to come. Of the ten kings or rulers, however, we read in Rev 17:12 that they received authority for one hour as kings together with the beast, which means at the same time. What in Rev 17:12 is called a period of ”one hour”, is here called ”a little while”. From Revelation 13 you know that it is about the relatively short time of three and a half years.

At the time of John there have already been five forms of government. It cannot exactly be determined which forms are concerned here. To mention some possibilities we may think of forms as kings and consuls. In any case, in the days of John the sixth form existed, which is the imperial form.

Now read Revelation 17:5-10 again.

Reflection: What is the explanation of the mystery?