Woman on Scarlet Beast
“Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 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’ ” (Revelation 17:3-7).
John was carried away in his vision into the wilderness by an angel who had poured out one of the seven last bowls of God’s wrath, where he saw the woman sitting on a scarlet beast covered with blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns. First, let’s look at the location where John was carried off to. The wilderness (midbar in Hebrew) often represents a place beyond human control, symbolizing scarcity, danger, and God’s training ground. In the wilderness, God uses this place to refine those He chooses for service to Him by taking them away from worldly distractions, teaching them to rely totally on Him, preparing and testing them, and transitioning and transforming them. The Children of Israel learned many lessons in the wilderness, but they ultimately failed due to their rebellion and were killed off. The Bible says, “But they continued to sin against him even more, by rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their hearts by demanding food for their cravings. Then they spoke against God. They said, “Is God able to set a table in the wilderness? …Then the Lord heard, and he showed his anger. Fire broke out against Jacob, and his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and they did not trust in his salvation. (Psalm 78:17-19, 21-22).
This was also the same description given in Revelation 13:1-3 that we covered in lesson 7. Here is the breakdown again, but because this is closely connected to Daniels’s Vision, we will cover the historical aspects of this in our next series, Daniel: Discovering the Vision.
These seven governments were part of the Roman Empire. They are:
1.) Babylon
2.) Persia
3.) Greece
4.) Turkey
5.) Syria
6.) Egypt
7.) Rome
There were also ten horns on this beast. During John’s time, the Roman Empire was in power. However, after the breakup of Rome’s dominance, five main parts remained, which are:
1.) Britain
2.) France
3.) Spain
4.) Italy
5.) Germany
In addition to these five, four kingdoms arose after the reign of Alexander the Great. They are:
1.) Greece
2.) Turkey
3.) Syria
4.) Egypt
Now, this brings the total to nine kingdoms. However, there was a tenth kingdom and the emergence of an 11th kingdom according to the book of Daniel (Daniel 7:20)
In John’s vision, the woman sat on a beast with blasphemous names representing a kingdom or nation that had turned against God. She curses God in everything she does. This sounds a little familiar with what is taking place in the United States right now. There is a total disregard for God, and whoever stands up for the principles of God is considered to be a bigot. One can’t say that abortion is wrong or interferes with a woman’s right to choose. One can’t say that sexual immorality is wrong or that they are being discriminatory and speaking hate. One can’t teach their children that homosexuality is wrong, or they may soon be imprisoned for what they consider “conversion therapy.” However, God has told us in His word that we must take a stand regardless of what the government says, even when it makes it law. The Bible says: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil’ ” (1 Peter 3:14-17).
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet with pearls, gold, and precious stones. This signifies the wealth that the woman had. She was adorned as royalty. The United States has been blessed with an abundance of wealth. This wealth has allowed other countries to seek her shores to trade goods and services. Unfortunately, the United States forgot who was responsible for the blessings it received as a nation, just as King Nebuchadnezzar did prior to being turned into a beast for his lack of humility. The Bible says: “Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, ‘This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.’ Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird” (Daniel 4:31-33). This is what will happen to the United States if it does not turn its heart back to God as a nation. She will be dethroned.
On the woman’s head was written: Babylon the Great, mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. The United States has been the leader of the world, but it has led other nations into sin by its many idolatries. Other countries have had her as a role model. She has set a poor example of what a country is supposed to be due to her ungodliness on the land. The woman was drunk off the blood of God’s holy people. The United States has been responsible for nearly 57,000,000 abortions since 1973. The terrorist group, ISIS, has killed thousands of Christians, while the United States has not done everything in its power to help. Christians in the United States are now being fired and worse because they choose to make a stand for Christ. Persecution is coming to this prostitute country, which will do all it can to attack Christians nationwide.
The Beast
“The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come. This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is his destruction. ‘The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers’ ” (Revelation 17:8-14).
John was shown the beast that was, is not, and is to come, which will come from hell to be given power for just a short time. The people of the earth will be amazed at the rise of this beast, who will suddenly become powerful. Only those whose names have not been written in the book of life will be astonished. God will never allow His people to be fooled, but He will send a delusion to those who refuse the truth. The Bible says: “For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11). John said that this calls for a mind with wisdom that only comes from the Holy Spirit. It would be safe to say that anyone whose name is not in the Book of Life during this time does not have the Holy Spirit who gives wisdom. The Bible says: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17).
God will grant temporary power to the ten nations who will give their power to the beast. Now, remember that the beast is under the control of the dragon (devil), which we learned in previous lessons. The beast is also the antichrist, which will rally the nations to worship the dragon and the false prophet who has given him power. However, this power is only allowed to be given by permission of God because the devil cannot do anything that God doesn’t allow. They will try to fight the Lamb of God, but will be defeated because He is King of kings and Lord of lords. All who follow Him will be at His side in all His glory. The Bible says: “In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:13-16). Let us remember that regardless of what takes place on earth, our God is more powerful than any demon from the depths of hell. He is more victorious than the devil could ever be, and if the devil was as powerful as he thinks he is, he could have never been kicked out of Heaven. This shows that his power is nothing in comparison to God.
The Prostitute
“Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:15-17).
The angel told John that the waters where the prostitute was seated represent people on the earth. The beast and the ten horns will hate the prostitute. Many nations hate the United States of America. They despise her for the power that she has had over the entire world. However, in John’s vision, he had seen that they destroyed her and burned her with fire. Due to America’s rebellion against God, she will be destroyed. There will be multiple nations that will ban together to destroy America. Many people believe that Russia and China will be part of the ultimate destruction of America, and due to what is being reported in the headlines, this could very well be the case. The Bible says: “This is what the Lord says:
‘See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Leb Kamai, I will send foreigners to Babylon to winnow her and to devastate her land; they will oppose her on every side in the day of her disaster’ ” (Jeremiah 51:1-2).
God is going to hand the United States over to the other nations. This is a battle that she will not win because of her defiance to God. He is going to hand over her royal authority to the other nations. God’s word will not return void because she has refused to repent and turn from her wicked ways. Who is the woman who rules over the kings of the earth in Revelation? The United States of America. Only repentance of the nation could cause God not to execute the utter destruction of this country. Unfortunately, due to the prophecies covered in Revelation. This nation will not recant and turn from its evil ways; therefore, resulting in the ultimate destruction. The Bible says: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). The nation needs healing. The nation needs repentance. The nation needs humility. The nation needs God.
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