Chapter 17 starts off by taking John back to a time when the judgment of the beast, the harlot, Satan, and those who helped took place. One of the angels asks John if he wanted to see this judgment and why it came about.
Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Rev 17:1-2 |
The fornication talked about here is not one of a sexual content, it means fornication as in separating doing what is right in the eyes of God and doing what is wrong, and separating oneself from God to worship other things. John was then carried away into the wilderness, which is the domain of Satan and the absence of God. There he sees the woman sitting on a beast with seven heads and ten horns.
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. Rev 17:3 |
The woman he saw was drunk from the blood of the saints and martyrs, which doesn't mean she actually drank their blood and became drunk. It means she was in a drunken stupor because she was overwhelmed with her ability to take away from others. In other words, she was mentally high on doing bad things to good people.
John was amazed with what he saw, but the angel questioned him as to why and then goes on to explain more.
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 |
Keep in mind, even though this is in chapter 17 doesn't mean it comes after all the other chapters. John was shown something that had taken place in the past, back to a point in time where the woman and beast were judged. Therefore, although the beast is mentioned here it is still in the bottomless pit, unlike when it was said the bottomless pit was opened in chapter 9 and where it came out in chapter 11.
And he opened the bottomless pit, Rev 9:2 |
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. Rev 11:7 |
The beast that comes out of the bottomless pit is the same beast found in chapter 13. The difference is chapter 13 doesn't tell us that it is locked up in the bottomless pit. As in chapter 13, the seven headed beast will not be given a kingdom. Instead, it goes into perdition because it is not what will rule just before Jesus returns.
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. ... they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Rev 17:8 paraphrased |
What John was being told is the beast exists, and it will be released back into the world at the appointed time. But what it will do is cause the world leaders not to follow in its footsteps and create another version of the same thing. Thus the beast with two horns like a lamb mentioned in chapter 13 will be born.
The influence behind this will be Satan, and like now, no one can see or hear him or know that it is him who is making them follow the thoughts of their mind. In other words, the leaders of the world will be in search of a way to bring peace to earth. In the process of doing so, the abomination comes into play. The world leaders will then have a change of heart and allow the abomination of desolation to rule the world.
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. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. Rev 7:12-13 |
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. 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. Rev 7:16-17 |
This happens during the time Jesus is about to return or has returned, with me leaning more towards after he has returned. This is because they make war with the lamb, who is Jesus, and in order to do that Jesus has to be back on earth.
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 7:14 |
So John was taken back in time and shown the judgment of the harlot and how the beast that is in existence, but not in power, will ascend from the bottomless pit and create a leadership, only to have it given away to the second beast, which is the eighth kingdom, who will then go up against Jesus and the 144,000.
And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. Rev 7:11 |
And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth. Rev 7:18 |
The great city raises a question as to whether or not it exists here on earth or if this is a spiritual reference to the kingdom of God. That part is really unclear, but if it is the physical location of a city here on earth, then it can be no other than Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the only city in the bible that has had so many different historical events happen there.
But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Mat 5:34-35 |
Therefore, by all regards, the harlot is Jerusalem, and in the end before Jesus returns it is also the place where the abomination of desolation will be, which means that Satan will be the ruling power when Jesus returns. The mark of the beast will begin there as well. Which again makes me wonder about the modern nation of Israel. The whole word is wondering if the bible prophesies will come true and what will be the signs if they do. Well, this chapter is one of those signs.