The End Times - Pt 10 "The 7 Dooms": 1st Doom - Rev Chapter 17

The Seven Dooms

1st Doom- Revelation Chapter 17

Revelation 17:1-2

1 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.”

Many mysterious symbols used in both Daniel and Revelation (written about 600 years apart) are clarified in Revelation Chapter 17 and 18.

Chapter 17 deals with the religious system whilst Chapter 18 with the political system.
The two main figures are a Harlot and a weird, seven headed, ten horned Beast.
Throughout the Bible, women portrays spiritual purity or defilement.

Proverbs has two distinct female profiles the adulterous wife (Proverbs 5) and the faithful wife (Proverbs 31).

In Hosea Israel is pictured as the wife of Jehovah. Hosea relationship with his adulterous wife Gomer models God’s relationship with adulterous Israel who seeks after other gods. The prophesy refers a country or a group that is impure due to spiritual adultery, as a 'harlot' or ''whore''. The two words are especially to connote a religion that is counterfeit.

Revelation 17:3-4
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.

Who is the beast? This is the same beast seen in Daniel and Revelation. The beast has distinct characteristics having 10 horns, seven heads and blasphemous names. The meaning of the 10 horns and 7 heads is revealed in Daniel and Revelation.

In all the references in Israel's history of seductions, each time she is lured away from her Jehovah God it was by a perversion of religion.
And so it is with the great Harlot which John sees.

She symbolizes an enormous false religious system that is so appealing that she been able to seduce all the kings of the earth with her deceptions. Not only will this seductive religious prostitute wield control over the leaders of the nations, but even the common man will be intoxicated with her.
What kind of religious system will this Harlot be?

The answer to this dilemma is unveiled in the "mystery" of the whore's name on her forehead.

Revelation 17
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 marvelled with great amazement.

The following from truth net.org explains Babylon in detail.
"Babylon….The city built by Nimrod from which mankind was scattered throughout the Earth. (Gen 11:1-9). According to scripture Babylon as a capital city will be rebuilt. The rebuilt city will be the “Religious” and “Economic” capital of the world in the last days. This very day several significant events are taking place. One is the world working in unison to rebuild and reconstruct the nation of Iraq. Baghdad is located 60 miles to the north of the ancient city of Babylon. And could become the New Babylon as the countries of the Earth begin reconstruction of the land where man first assembled after the flood. (Gen 10)

Babylon was the first nation city-state, from which the kingdom of the Earth was headquartered. And Babylon will be the last city-state from which the kingdom of the Earth will be headquartered.

In Isaiah 14:4, 12 Lucifer is called the King of Babylon.
In Zechariah 5:5-11, the woman, called “Wickedness” is flown to the valley of Shinar (Babylon) where a base will be built for her. When it is built, she will be set there.

Zechariah 5:5-11
5 Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, "Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth."
6 So I asked, "What is it?" And he said, "It is a basket that is going forth." He also said, "This is their resemblance throughout the earth:
7 "Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket";
8 then he said, "This is Wickedness!" And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth.
9 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.10 So I said to the angel who talked with me, "Where are they carrying the basket?"11 And he said to me, "To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base."

Babylon was never destroyed but gradually faded from history as a major city after the fall of Babylon in 539 BC after the conquest of Cyrus the Great. (Daniel 5). In the book of Jeremiah and Isaiah we view the eternal destruction of the city. The defeat of Babylon in 539 BC was a foreshadowing of the future eternal destruction of Babylon.

Isaiah 13:19-20
"19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride,
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
20 It will never be inhabited,....”

The religious system was set in motion in Babylon and has continued to this very day in one form or another throughout the world. After tower of Babel, when man tried to build a tower out of rebellion, and the Lord scattered humanity by families, through the earth. These tribes took with them, the religious system established in Babylon. The various religions of the earth have similarities because they have a similar origin, Babylon."

....Nor will it be settled from generation to generation;
Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there,
Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there."

Babylon Today!!

Today several significant events are happening in the land formerly known as Babylon. The world as of October 25, 2003 at the Madrid conference on rebuilding Iraq has pledged 33 Billion dollars toward the effort. The Madrid conference logo featured the “Tower of Babel” behind the speaker’s podium. In addition to the world rebuilding the land of Babylon the new currency features an old face from history. Hammurabi, one of the most well known kings of Babylon (1795-1750 BC), known for the written code of law, the “Code of Hammurabi”. If the name of Iraq is changed to Babylon, Christians should not be surprised.

Is the city of Baghdad the coming, “New Babylon” or is a new city to be constructed? At this time we don’t know. Zechariah 5 tells of building a house for “Wickedness” in the land of Shinar. But the house must be built first before “Wickedness” is placed there.
Zechariah 5:10-11
So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?” 
And he said to me, “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”

The harlot that rides on a Beast is therefore the false religious system that would have as its main teachings the same occult practices as the ancient Babylon.

It would include black magic, demon contact, seances, miraculous materialization's, witchcraft, astrology, and sorcery.

Her luxurious external appearance  of jewels and royal clothes meant that she would have a great appeal to the sensual nature of men.

Babylon therefore symbolizes occultism in every form.

The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast

Rev 17:7-8

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 (Roman Empire), and is not (Roman Empire would no longer exist), 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 (Revived Roman Empire).

The Beast in John's vision here represents the Antichrist some time in the future. Looking from this perspective, he says that the Beast was and is not, and then will exist again and be destroyed. This probably is referring to the fact that Rome existed in his day, but that the day was coming when it would no longer exist. Then it would rise again (EU) and be destroyed.

"Thus the Revived Roman Empire is referred to as a Beast, as is the scintillating world leader who will control it and is also known as the Antichrist.

Now to reveal the rest about the 1st Doom, the Antichrist (Beast) and the part he plays in the end times. Bear in mind that this Prophecy/vision was given to John around AD 90!

"Rev 17:7-11
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 (non-believers) 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 (some claim this to be the 7 hills surrounding Rome) on which the woman sits (where the religious system is located. The Vatican?).
10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen (Assyria, Egypt, Babylonian Empire, Medo-Persia, and Greece), one is (Rome in 90 AD when the prophecy was given to John), and the other has not yet come (EU or Revived Roman Empire). And when he comes, he must continue a short time (The Revived Roman Empire will not last for long).
11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.”(The eighth king is of the Revived Roman Empire, and obviously identical to the final world ruler, the Antichrist, the man who heads up the final world empire destroyed by Christ at His second coming)

Verse 9 is a tremendous text. The late, Dr Jack Van Impe interprets it as follows. “..it locates, geographically the final world power block and headquarters for the world church as well. Historically speaking Rome is the only city situated on seven hills. The names of her seven peaks are 1) Aventine, 2) Caelian, 3) Capitoline, 4) Esquiline, 5) Palatine, 6) Quirinal, 7) Viminal. There is no disputing the fact. The world church, sitting on these seven hills, heading up scores of denominations, rides to power on the back of the ten-horned Western federation of nations.”

Rev 17:12-18
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 (Antichrist).
13 These are of one mind, and they (EU Heads) will give their power and authority to the beast.
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb (Christ) 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 (could this mean the the city is not Rome but some other like New York?).
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. (this again sounds like the US. It is no surprise as currently there is little love for the EU let alone the controlling currency threat. Many claim that the US is not referred to in Revelation. I believe that the Harlot refers to it and the EU/ Revived Roman Empire would cause destruction of  the US?)
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"( (that great city? Cannot be Rome? New York?)

The Book of Daniel Chapter 7:7-8, relates to with Revelation Chapter 17:11 above.
Dan 7:7-8
7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, (revived Roman Empire) dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 
8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots (10-3=7). And there, in this horn (the 8th), were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words (the Antichrist or the Beast in Revelation 17).

This "little horn" speaks of both the Antichrist himself and his kingdom, which will emerge full-bloom during the last half of the Tribulation period. It will be an extension of the revived Roman Empire which comes into existence when the Rapture takes place and seems for three and one-half years to be the answer to the hopes and dreams of the world peace and prosperity.
When the Antichrist becomes indwelt with Satan at the middle of the Tribulation (ie middle of the 7 year period), his kingdom from that point on will take a different tone!
The whole world will worship the beast  instead of the harlot. He will rule with force and deception, but the people will be completely spellbound by his clairvoyant abilities.
It should not be hard to relate the present world situation with these end time prophesies when we consider, the formation of a United Europe and a one world government; the emergence of dominant world leaders; anti Israel sentiments; a united Arab league; the turmoil in the Arab nations; and the collapse of financial stability in some nations.

Another amplification of Chapter 17 is from Hal Lindsay in his book “There's a New World coming”:

"Babylon's Doom
To bring into focus what we've said so far, Babylon the Harlot symbolizes the great religious system which seduces and dominates the government of the world with her black arts. The seven-headed beast represents the, six great powers which have had dominion over the world and a seventh kingdom which has not yet risen. When it comes it will be a ten-nation revival of the sixth head (the old Roman Empire), and is pictured by the beast's ten horns.
For the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation the Antichrist of Rome finds it expedient to go along with the Harlot. He's her biggest paramour, but they are strange bedfellows. Each is trying to use the other, and there's no love lost between them. The fact that the Harlot rides the beast indicates that his religious system dominates the kingdom.
But at the middle of the Tribulation the Antichrist, working with the False Prophet, finds that he no longer needs the support of the religious system. He is now a clairvoyant and wonder worker himself. Possessed by Satan, he proclaims himself God in the Temple in Jerusalem. One of his next acts will be to turn on the great Harlot and destroy her.
God's judgments are all so poetic: since this great religious whore becomes drunk with the blood of true believers, God put it in the hearts of her paramours to turn on her and destroy her!" Hal Lindsey

“God's judgments are all so poetic: since this great religious whore becomes drunk with the blood of true believers, God put it in the hearts of her paramours to turn on her and destroy her.

In Chapter 16 the Book of Revelation closed.

All the cities of the world were destroyed, and the Battle of Armageddon was about to trigger the personal appearance of Jesus Christ back to this earth to restore it to its original beauty. This important event, which we call "the second coming of Jesus Christ," is described in detail in Chapter 19 of Revelation.

Between Revelation 16 and 19 we are given a parenthetical description of the destruction of two cities, each called Babylon. One is a religious system and the other is an economic metropolis.

As we saw in Revelation 17, the religious system was not really a city at all in the sense that it had a specific geographical location. It was instead a religious influence which had attached itself to many cities during its long and blasphemous history since the days of its origin in ancient Babylon. The point that John makes in Revelation 17 is that this occult religious system will attach itself to the last world empire during the Tribulation. For approximately three and one-half years "Babylon" will be synonymous with the kingdom of the Antichrist, until he finally rises up, throws off its control, and destroys it." - Hal Lindsey

“What will happen to the 'Harlot' (the ecclesiastical Babylon) after the first doom?
"The question that logically comes to mind is, "When the Antichrist destroys this Harlot in the middle of the Tribulation, does he destroy some geographical (Babylon) location from which she rules? I personally don't think so, since that would mean destroying his own kingdom, for it is in the Antichrist's kingdom that the Harlot has dominated.

When the Antichrist destroys the false ecclesiastical system that seeks to smother him. He will purge its leaders and confiscate all its wealth. Then he will establish himself as the religious leader of the world and consolidate all worship in himself."