Prologue:
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
All scripture is
God-breathed,
and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for
instruction in righteousness:
that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly
furnished unto all good works
(2 Timothy 3:16-17).
But this holy book has
become an idol of men’s dogma.
The ancient city of Babylon stands as a symbol
of man’s pride and confusion in things pertaining to God.
Babylon is that
great city, or mindset, that has persecuted and slain those who were honest in
heart.
In this study, we will attempt to define man’s adversity to love
and
his willingness to worship the beast within.
We will compare Revelation,
chapters 17 and 13.
Study Eight
scottSTANLEY
(All bracketed [ ] words inserted into the following scriptures are the author’s paraphrase.)
OPENING REMARKS
In this study, we’re going to be looking at what, I think, most of the denominational groups would probably find to be the most interesting of the chapters in Revelation. We’re going to be keying on Revelation 13, discussing the beast – the mark of the beast, the image of the beast, the number of the name…I want to cover those things with you. This beast that you see in Revelation 13 is also found in chapter 12, and in chapter 17 – and, by looking at chapter 17 of Revelation, it allows us to stand back and look at the big picture of what is being discussed in Revelation 13. Revelation 13 is more fine-tuned in meaning, but if you don’t understand 17, then chapter 13 will continue to be confusion for you. Now, in this study, like I say, I want to key on the big picture first and I know, in Revelation 17, there are a multitude of symbols in this. But if we can see the big picture first, I think you – as the Lord leads you – would be able to sit down, understanding now what it’s about. You would be able to sit down and better fill in the details – and I think the Lord is impressing me to leave that up to you; to let you spend the time to make this chapter your own. Again, if I can just simply help you see the big picture, the details will become apparent.
THE WOMAN ON THE WATERS
Looking at Revelation 17, in verse 1:
Revelation 17:1
1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials [pours out the vials – one of these messengers comes to John], and talked with me, saying unto me […and he says], Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters [I’m going to show you the judgment of the whore that sits upon many waters]:
So this chapter is dealing with the judgment of the whore; therefore, he has to describe the whore and, in his description, he has to describe “the beast with seven heads” – because this is what is sustaining the woman. Now, notice I’m using the word “sustaining” her: The woman is sitting on waters but, in verse 3, John is taken into the wilderness and he sees the woman on a beast with seven heads. You see, the whore sitting on water in verse 1 is the woman sitting on the beast, so the “whore” equates to the woman – well, the “waters” equate to the beast with seven heads. Now, let’s clarify “waters.” I think, in our past studies, we have hit this enough – but here, it is key that you see this because “waters,” throughout the scripture, are a symbol of thought. It’s important that you understand this because, when you come to Revelation 17:15, John is told the “waters” are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues – and I want you to see why that would be in there; why the Lord would put that in there. In Proverbs 18:4:
Proverbs 18:4
4The words of a man’s mouth [The words of a man’s mouth…] are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom [is] as a flowing brook.
Proverbs 25:25 states:
Proverbs 25:25
25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Remember, in John 7 – let’s read it together:
John 7:37-38
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth [believes] on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Your spiritual “belly” is the mind – water flows through; “water” comes from your spiritual belly. Ephesians chapter 5, when you look at verse 26:
Ephesians 5:26
26That he [Christ] might [is going to] sanctify and cleanse it [the church] with the washing of water by the word [or, in the word; in words],
“Water” is a symbol of thought because words carry thought. So why, in Revelation 17:15, does the Lord say: The waters where the whore is sitting are people? He points to this “outward” thing. Well, as we go through Revelation 17, we’re going to discover that the whore sits on water and John has been shown a woman on a beast; hence, the “woman” equals the whore, but the “beast” and waters equate. “Waters” are thought – so are “beasts.” When you look at the heavens, the earth and the sea as levels of understanding – everything in the heavens, everything in the earth, everything in the sea – represents “thought.” That’s why birds, lions, bears, fish, the whale that consumed Jonah – those represent thought; those are thoughts on those levels of understanding. That’s why, when you go to Leviticus or you go to the Old Testament, and you read about the sacrifices, the Lord would demand a bullock here; a goat here; a turtledove, and so on. Each thing represented a different thought, a different way of understanding – a different type of thought.
So here we have a whore on water; a woman on a beast – then the Lord tells us: Well, the beast has seven heads; the heads are mountains… You see, He continues to define until, in 17:15, He says: The waters are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. In this chapter, the Lord is taking us from the “inward” to the “outward” and helping us see, inwardly, the outward manifestation of the inward truth – and when you can take these truths and apply them outwardly, and see the people that He is talking about, you begin to see the inward happening; the thought that is making them do what they’re doing. Now, think through this with me: A “woman,” a whore – on the waters – “waters” are thought:
Revelation 17:18
18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The woman, He says in the last verse of chapter 17, is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. You’ll discover that He’s talking about “Babylon.” The “woman” is a city – Proverbs, again, chapter 25. If you’ll look at verse 28:
Proverbs 25:28
28He that hath [has] no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
“City” and “spirit” equate – He’s talking about a mindset. You see, when you come to the end of the book, you have “Babylon” and you have “New Jerusalem.” Both are cities; both are ways of thinking, ways of understanding – one is “confusion,” thinking: This is the way to God, because that’s where “Babylon” comes from. If you go back and look at the “Tower of Babel” – building a tower to God – of what? Of man-made brick. You see, “stones” are concepts; “brick” is concepts made by man; devised by men. The Tower of Babel – they were trying to work their way to God.
Young’s Concordance tells us that “Babel” means: The gate to El; the gate to God. You see, had you asked the people building the Tower of Babel, “Is this confusion?” they would have said: No, this is the way you get to God. But God looks at it and says, “No, that’s confusion.” He redefines it. So you have two cities: “Babylon,” which is confusion, but you think “This is the way to God”; and you have “New Jerusalem,” which is a picture of the mind of Christ – streets of pure gold, and so on. All of these symbols add up to one being “unsanctified” or one being “sanctified,” but the unsanctified believes that they are accurate. You have a “whore” sitting on the waters…
THE BEAST OUT OF THE SEA
Now, let me tell you about the “waters of the world”; the sea. The waters of the world are based on the sin nature, which is based on feeling unacceptable to God. From our last study on the 144,000, we see a group of people who come out of the sea – as the Lord speaks to your heart and confirms in your heart that you have never been unacceptable. But for you to live your life feeling unacceptable causes you to believe things about your Father in heaven that are not true. The way you perceive your heavenly Father reflects absolutely on how you see yourself. If you can see Him as having a respect for humanity, never looking at you in this “anger” because you’re a sinner; if you’ll do some thorough Bible searching, you’ll discover that He isn’t angry because you’re a sinner – He becomes angry when you reject His love, His love of trying to correct you. Remember, He chastens all He loves (Proverbs 3:11-12). Remember, in 2 Thessalonians: “They received not the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). When the Lord would send rebuke, they rejected it. You see, this has everything to do with “the whore sitting on the water.” A whore is someone who gives her “love” to everyone but the one who deserves it – the Husband; the Lord – you see, the harlot. I want you to look at your own heart and recognize that, in feeling unacceptable to God and having the emptiness, we were finding acceptance in all of these things around us – trying to have people or things fill the emptiness; trying to feel better about ourselves. The Lord says that’s a “harlot,” but this harlot is riding the beast.
Now, before we get into Revelation 17 – at this point, to identify this “beast” – look at Revelation 13, where he says: “I stood upon the sand of the sea.” There’s “the sea,” the worldly thinking – there is that “I’m unacceptable.” There is that void, coming up out of the sea; rising up, ascending out of the sea is this “beast with seven heads, ten horns, crowns on the horns” – which we’re going to define for you. In verse 2, the beast, or this thinking coming out of the world’s understanding, is like a leopard; feet like bear; mouth like a lion – and the dragon gave him his power, his throne (seat), and the authority in his life. So much is in this. Recognize that a “leopard” has spots, sin – he cannot overcome his sin. As long as you’re in that attitude of being unacceptable to God and not letting Him fill you, you’re going to carry this attitude of finding love wherever. “Feet like a bear”; “mouth like a lion”: A “lion” represents pride. If you go back to Daniel, you’ll see the lion, the bear, the leopard; you’ll see Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece. “Babylon” is that picture of pride. Medo-Persia would pass a law and would not change it – that “bear” represents an unchanging heart – feet like a bear. Your “feet” are a symbol of the heart; you look at the “feet,” and you see the direction of the mind – you see the direction I’m going. Here is a beast, here is thought, coming up out of the foundation of the sea: pride, an unchanging attitude, unable to overcome sin. This is the “beast” that sustains the woman. You see, that is what he’s saying.
This woman, this Babylon, this confusion about God is riding on the beast – the beast is holding her up; the beast carries her – what does that mean? The only thing that is going to set you free from your sin nature is to recognize that the Son of God died to show you are acceptable to God, not to make you acceptable to God. If you can understand and believe in your heart that the Son of God – the only begotten Son of God – really is the Son of God, and He died so the Father could manifest His love, then that sin nature, the “sea,” will dissipate. Just like Isaiah 51:9-10, the prophecy about the resurrection of Christ – He’s the one who dried the sea; slew the dragon. The “woman” is sustained by the dragon, carried by the dragon. The confusion about God that people possess is there because their pride and unchanging heart refuses to see the truth. When people reject the truth concerning the Son of God, the foundation of the mountain of Zion, they can never be free from the sin nature. Again, the sin nature is defined based on feeling unacceptable to God – and when you bring them the truth, their pride rises up whether they’re defending their denominational group, relatives who believe…whatever it is, whoever…whatever causes this pride to come up, and they can’t deny “the trinity”; they can’t deny what their denomination teaches about God, whatever it is. If they cannot see Christ as the Son of God, they will never be free of their sin nature.
Do you realize how we are delivered by degrees? Think about it. Before I came to the Lord, being on drugs and the alcohol, and so on, I was accepted by a group of people that I needed that acceptance from – but, when I accepted Christ, I no longer needed their acceptance; hence, the drinking…these things stopped. In fact, all of my friends changed. Why? I didn’t need their acceptance anymore – I had found it in God, up to a point. To be completely delivered so that I don’t need acceptance at anything, so that God can be all in all, I have to believe the Son of God died for me. You know what? More than that, I have to believe He was slain from eternity past – I have to believe that because that shows I was never unacceptable and, because of Eve’s feelings being passed to humanity, that twist was put on it that brought me to confusion. And it was easy to accept all of these denominational doctrines, because I felt unacceptable to God. That’s what you’re seeing in Revelation 17, 13, 12. You’re seeing a harlot being sustained by her pride, and the Lord is giving us the warning.
ROOT AND BRANCH
Isaiah chapter 11 is key for us at this point, because he states in here – let’s read Isaiah 11:1:
Isaiah 11:1
1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Now, I’m sure if you’ve done any studying at all, you know this is speaking of Christ. Jesse, the father of David; Christ being referred to as the Son of David and, in Revelation 22, this is one way that Christ identifies Himself:
Revelation 22:16
16I Jesus have sent mine angel [my angel; my messenger] to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
So, in Isaiah 11, we see, again, a rod coming out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch appearing, growing out of the root. Christ has just said that He is the root and the offspring – you could say “the Branch.” He is the root of Jesse – what does that mean? The Creator – you could say every human being is “rooted” there. He is the root of Jesse and the offspring, the Branch, of this plant. But notice what He says in Isaiah 11:1: The Branch grows out of the root. Well, here’s my Branch, Jesus Christ – here’s my Branch – and He grew out of the root. That means the “root” produces the Branch, so, this person of Christ, we know, began as the root – but let me show you…still in Isaiah 11, come down to verse 10:
Isaiah 11:10
10And in that day…
If a verse begins “In that day,” especially this one, I feel like I need to read the verse above it, and the verse above it is key:
Isaiah 11:9
9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain [We know the holy mountain of God is Zion.]: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
So, here again, you have this “sea” and “waters” being knowledge, equivalent to knowledge – but just as we have been in confusion, with the waters of the sea covering us, God’s knowledge will cover us just like the waters cover the sea. Just like you see the “whore” manifesting Babylon, being so much in confusion, you’re going to see a group of people carrying the knowledge of God, in New Jerusalem. So, the next verse:
Isaiah 11:10
10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign…
This word “ensign” means a sign. Now, notice what it says – who are we talking about? The root; the root of Jesse – at this point now, not the Branch – the root. The Branch came out of this root; the root shall stand for a sign. Now, notice what he says:
Isaiah 11:10
10…[to the root] to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
The “rest” you find in the root, not the Branch! All of the denominational churches – what do they point to? Christ at Calvary. Listen, that is “the power of God unto salvation.” Why? Because it stems from the root. Why is that? Why is that important? Because if He died manifesting the love of God, and He’s just a continuation of the root – why, that means the root was planted to die. That means, when I come back to the Son of God born in eternity, He was born to die – to manifest the love of God. He was born in eternity past; He created all things – as the Father planned – He would become a human being and die, be raised again, and live forever as a human being. You see, the “rest” that you find in the Son as “the root” is glorious. Not only did He die for me, the root proves you’ve always been acceptable to God. The root – He was slain from the foundation of the world. It is the root that gives you a glorious rest! You can find peace in Calvary but, when you take it all the way back to eternity past and you understand God’s plan – and that His Son would become a human being forever – this rest is glorious. I don’t have to do anything to please God. I’m a human being, and I am pleasing to God – more so as I obey – and I want to obey, more than ever now. I want to remain in the mind of Christ, abiding in that place, because I see the hope of His calling…I see the purpose of what He is doing with me, with you. He brought forth a Son for me, and allowed Him to die to manifest His love – and when I take that all the way back to the root, what happens to this inward “adversity” that I have for God? What happens to this inward adversity? It’s gone.
THE ADVERSARY
Why do I say “inward adversity”? Because this word “adverse,” “adversary,” in the Hebrew is the word they’ve translated satan. You see, the effect that Lucifer had on humanity was to make us “adversarial” to God – you become God’s adversary. “Satan” is something within the way you think. You could take Lucifer and put him to death, never let him be seen or heard from again, and mankind will continue spiraling into the bottomless pit because of how they feel toward God. The effect of what Lucifer has done was erased by Calvary. God manifested His love and said: This isn’t true – this feeling you have of rejection is not true. I don’t reject you – I’ve never rejected you…Here’s my Son to prove it. By the way, I brought Him forth in eternity past to do this for you, so that you can really get it in your heart that you’re acceptable to God. “Satan,” as we see in Revelation 12 – let me show you something: In Revelation 12, we have this beast, again, with the seven heads…In Revelation 12, verse 9, the dragon, the serpent, the devil, Satan – you see, we have taken those names and applied them to Lucifer every time and said, well, it’s out there. But it’s in your own heart – he has to be cast out from between your ears. Once “Satan” is defeated inwardly, and you’re not adverse to God, it doesn’t matter what Lucifer does. There’s nothing he could do, he couldn’t get to you – but, as long as that is alive, and you feel “less than” to God, and you don’t understand the sin nature and what’s happening, you’re vulnerable…you’re vulnerable to his attacks.
THE MAN-CHILD
But I want you to catch what he says in Revelation 12. In Revelation 12, a woman is bringing forth a man child that’s caught up to the heavens, and He battles the dragon. That man child is Michael. “Michael” means One like God – who do you think that is? It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? He has to be that “root,” because it is the root who gives you the glorious rest and, when Satan – when you are no longer adverse to God – that, brother, is rest…When you know that you know that you know, “the Branch” came out of the root. You see, if you can see this, it will begin to make sense when he says Michael is the archangel in Jude :9. When we say “angel,” we think created being – no, “angel” just means messenger. That’s all it means: “arch” “angel” is the head messenger. Well, who could be more that than Christ Himself? And then, in 1 Thessalonians 4, it’s the “voice of the archangel” that raises the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16). In John, chapter 5, Christ says: They’ll hear My voice and come out of those graves (John 5:28-29). Something for you to consider – something for you to consider.
Whatever you want to call Christ in eternity past – whatever you want to call Him – that’s fine, as long as you understand that He was birthed to die. But, if you can grasp that concept, then you’ll understand it is this guy – the root – who gives you the glorious rest. Coming to Revelation, the Lord says “Michael.” The church brings forth the man child; He’s caught up to heaven – what’s “heaven”? The way God perceives a thing. This is the way God perceives the Son of God; He is the One who will cast the dragon down. Then he says: Now, if you’re still on the earth and sea, woe be to you! This feeling of adversity, this satan, is come down to you and he has great wrath. You see, we’re right back to the “woman riding the beast,” aren’t we? The woman who can’t receive the truth because of her pride, and she can’t be in any other place but confusion. If you can see this, and if you can see the Son of God as Michael and Jesus – the one who is like God; the root – but He is birthed in Bethlehem…That mind, put in that womb, combined with humanity, and becomes Savior because He manifests God’s love in His death. Raised on the third day, now with a perfect understanding – and it’s this mind, given to you, to do what? To bring you to the place where you can accept the death of the Son of God, hear and know that God loves you, and not live in this sin confusion anymore; have a new motive for life.
You see, if you can see that, then you’ll understand these two witnesses in Revelation 11. Who is that? It’s Michael and Jesus. It’s the testimony of these two men, given through the Holy Spirit, through the church – the testimony, the two experiences coming together – coming out of you to people who will reject it and slay them inwardly until God gives them life, wisdom, to see it. You’ll see the two witnesses plaguing these people, tormenting them. You know, it’s a torment isn’t it? We become fearful when someone says: Well, Michael is the Son of God, because we have this: Well, an angel is created…see, that isn’t always the case. “Angel” just means messenger – that is all it means. It’s been transliterated into the English; it’s a Greek word. If you looked it up in the Greek, you would see “angel” in that word – they just simply took it and made it English, “angel,” and all it means is messenger. Had they translated it…you know they did the same thing with “Christ.” Christ is a Greek word, the Hebrew is “Messiah” – Christ is Greek. Had they put it in English, it would have been Anointed One. “Baptism” is another one – it means immerse, but they transliterated these words. It reminds me of Proverbs 25, where it says: “The glory of God is to hide a word; to hide a matter. The glory of a king is to search it out.”
There’s nothing to fear when you look at Michael. The Son of God was not “created” – He was born in eternity past! Mi’-ka-el, “el” – He had God in His character, in His name…“Michael,” the One like God, who became a human being, became Savior, because He carried forth that plan and died. And it’s the testimony of the Son of God, all of the experience He’s had from root to branch, that will torment the people who dwell on the earth – plague them. They cannot deal with what you’re saying, because it contradicts their denomination, or whatever it be. I know you understand where I’m coming from. You have those same feelings – that fear that grips you: “Oh my God, is he a Jehovah’s Witness?” No, they say Christ was “created”; we know Christ was birthed, but we know why He was born and we see, in that birth, the love of the Father. We see that love and we hang on to it, and have a new motive for life. This “dragon” in Revelation 12 is cast down because of the work, the understanding, putting Michael in the heavens. Seeing Michael, as God sees Him, will cast the dragon down.
THE WHORE’S FOREHEAD
Now, let’s go to Revelation 17 and, in Revelation 17, again, we want to look at this big picture of things. I don’t want to be specific on all of these symbols – there just isn’t time to do it. I think, as you see the big picture, which I believe you’re beginning to see, that you’ll be able to come in and fill in all the detail of it as the Lord leads and guides you. So, looking at Revelation 17: The whore on the water – he was shown a woman on a beast; the beast has “seven heads,” “ten horns.” Let’s define what these things mean, and let’s just bring out some of the things that, I think, as you just read it one time, these things will just leap out at you. First of all, if the whore is on water – here’s the thought sustaining her – it’s a beast; it’s pride and an unchanging heart. Well, he shows you what’s on her forehead in verse 5. What’s on the “forehead,” again, is another picture of thought – you can see what the beast is sustaining. What? The first word, “Mystery” – the way they perceive God is a mystery; Babylon the great. You see this place they’re in, they have yet to see, they will not admit that they’re in error.
Let me say something to you right now: Thoughts produce feeling; feeling moves into action. Look at your own life. Do you have sin in your life? That’s because your thought is not accurate; how you’re perceiving God is not accurate. This woman says: Babylon the great – yet there will be a group of people… In Revelation 14, an angel, a “messenger,” will say: Babylon is fallen (Revelation 14:8). How can you give that message if you’re still carrying that confusion? You see, that’s another prophecy to me, in Revelation 14, that God’s church – the 144,000 – will give a message: Fear God; give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come. You see, they’ll know the time in which they live: Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, and the sea. See you can define those things: The fountains of water, “Out of your belly will flow rivers…” You see, the second message is “Babylon is fallen”; the third message is “Don’t take the mark,” which is what we’re going to define in this study. But recognize that they’re free from Babylon – it’s fallen! You can’t give somebody something you don’t have, that’s impossible. Turn – I feel impressed to read in Isaiah 18:
Isaiah 18:1
1Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
“Shadowing with wings” – that means many wings; it’s beyond the land of Ethiopia.
Isaiah 18:2
2That sendeth [They send] ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters…
That’s symbolic. Notice the next word, “saying,” is not there – it’s italicized in your Bible. In verse two, the Lord is trying to describe for you these people who live beyond this land of Ethiopia which, at this point, I don’t need to get into and put so much on the table here, that you can’t grasp it. Maybe you could contact me and we could do some studies that would help you understand that it goes right back to Genesis 2, and the rivers: A river came from God to the man’s garden; from the garden, it went in four directions – see, “earthly completeness” – and one of those rivers went around Ethiopia, the Nile; it translates out to be the Nile. “Ethiopia” is Cush. Who was “Cush”? He birthed a son named Nimrod. Who is “Nimrod”? Well, his land was “Shinar” – Babel. He was one of the builders of the “tower,” with his man-made brick. See, all of these things fit in, from Genesis to Revelation. When you come down here, there is a land beyond the rivers of Ethiopia – a “river” is a stream of thought. The word “saying” is not there – before you see this word “saying,” the Lord is describing the people but, after the word “saying,” the Lord is speaking to His people. He says:
Isaiah 18:2
2…Go, ye swift messengers,…
You see, the people in the land of Ethiopia, beyond this, they send their ambassadors by sea – but, in Revelation 14, the Lord sends His: I saw an angel flying in the midst of heaven… Which is swifter do you think, the “heavens” or the “sea”? The heavens – they have the understanding of God; they declare the everlasting gospel to the people who dwell on the earth, that are still in this confusion concerning their relationship to the Father. The message to you:
2…Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto [unto now – from their birth to now]; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
Their stream of thinking, the way they understand, the land is spoiled – because of how they understand.
Isaiah 18:3
3All ye [you] inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he [God] lifteth [lifts] up an ensign on the mountains;…
What’s the “ensign”? That’s the same word, in Isaiah 11, where the root is the ensign, or the sign – the sign of God’s love. He says here:
3All ye [you] inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he [God] lifteth [lifts] up an ensign [the sign]…
Or, Michael – that His Son died for your understanding of God’s love. He says here:
3…when he bloweth [blows] a trumpet, hear ye.
You see? That “giving of the joyful sound”; that receiving the truth and going out to broadcast it – having the everlasting gospel to preach to these people who dwell on the earth. What is your message? “Fear God; give glory to Him; the hour of His judgment is come; worship Him who made…” Well, that’s the root. Now, I know the root brings forth the branch – that means the branch is a continuation of it. But, for God’s sake, realize that Michael casts down, casts out the dragon! That is how the Lord chooses to define what has happened, and what is going to happen as you receive it – and He says here, it is His blowing of the trumpet, when we are able to hold up the sign. You see, even the feast days have a tremendous inward meaning.
7 KINGS / 7 HEADS
Back to Revelation – I want to continue in Revelation 17, and let’s just define this. I think, as we go through this, you’re going to stand amazed at what you see the Lord is warning you of – what the Lord is trying to say to us, as His church. Let’s key on this beast. First of all, we know that the beast is carrying the woman, but he says the beast has seven heads. He says this, and I’m praying that you’ve read Revelation 17 – if you haven’t, just stop this study and go read it because I’m not going to read every verse. I’m going to discuss these things with you, just to try to save some time, to get through this. Revelation 17: The beast – verse 8:
Revelation 17:8-9
8The beast that thou sawest [you saw] was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9And here is the mind which hath [has] wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth [is sitting].
So we go from water, to a beast, to heads, to mountains, to people in this chapter – Revelation 17. From water, to a beast, with seven heads which are mountains and, in 17:15, well, they’re people, nations, multitudes, tongues… He takes you from the inward to the outward manifestation of this beast, trying to help you understand it. Now, he says there are “seven heads.” Let me tell you what a “head” is: A “head” controls – the head is where the mind is; is where the control is…seven heads on this beast. There were – and I’m going to show you what they are – there were times in history, there is now, and there will be when, even the people of God, were governed by their pride and unchanging heart, and could not overcome.
What are the times? When you go back and you look at Adam, falling into sin, you see Adam being clothed with the skins – Now, do you think God just simply put animal skin around this man, or do you think He gave him explanation? Slay the animal – it’s a picture of My Son. Be clothed with His robe to cover your nakedness, or your self. So, when you see Cain and Abel, and Abel offering the “firstborn” of his flock (Genesis 4:4) – how did he know to do that? Because God had told Adam – Adam was passing it from generation to generation. Cain refused – Cain had pride and an unchanging heart, and was in confusion toward God, and slew his brother, Abel. You see, that is why, in Revelation 17 verse 6, the woman is drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. You see, after Calvary, Christians slain for their faith were martyrs of Jesus – before Calvary, they were holy ones; they were saints, meaning that this mindset has existed before and after Calvary. So, there were seven times that the people of God were overcome by the beast, and were manifesting the woman being sustained by the beast.
You see, if you go back and you look after Adam, before the flood, humanity was deceived. All of humanity was deceived, except Noah. So, from Adam’s understanding of truth, having his descendants who believed, it eventually fell into complete apostasy except for this man, Noah. God called out Noah but, eventually, they go into apostasy again – and you have the building of the Tower of Babel, and you see this confusion again from the people on the earth. And God calls out of it Abraham, but Abraham’s descendants are overcome by this apostasy; by this pride and unchanging heart, where they don’t know God – they’re in that confusion, in Egypt. And the Lord calls out of it Moses. After Moses, apostasy happens again, when the people of God are carried into Babylon – and, out of Babylon, the Lord calls Zerubbabel, Nehemiah, and so on. We can go back and read these chapters, and see what happens. Men are given dominion again; they come out of Babylon – dominion over that pride, and so on. But, by the time of Christ, it has happened again and, when Christ comes, there are very few people – very few people of God – who can recognize Him; who can lay down the pride and accept Him. Now, I want you to look at what we’ve just covered, see what we’ve covered, and recognize that the people called out – who were given dominion – could be called “kings”:
Kings have dominion, and this is what he says in Revelation 17, verse 10:
Revelation 17:10
10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come;…
When you look at the time John was writing this, you see, Christ had called out His church, or another group – you could put the apostles – and, from the writing of John, five “kings” had fallen…From Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, Moses, Zerubbabel. But at the time of John, as he is writing this, that beast head has been conquered, at least in those apostles. He says here, verse 11:
Revelation 17:11
11And the beast that was, and is not,…
But, see, when he talks about the king’s heads (Revelation 17:10), five are fallen but, right now, one is. So you have a difference between the kings and the beast heads.
At this time of John’s writing, he says there is a “king,” but that “beast,” right now, is not. That’s because the people of God were understanding the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. But, remember there are seven heads to the beast and, right now, we’ve only looked at five times when the beast had overcome. Notice, these are not beast heads – these are the times of the head, where the head was governing.
THE 6TH HEAD
When you look at John, whether or not you agree with me on the kings and the heads of the beast before John, it’s essential that we agree on the next one. Whether you agree on previous, before the apostles, is really beside the point – because God keys on the one that’s coming after John. Let’s read this again, verse 8:
Revelation 17:8
8The beast that thou sawest [you saw] was, and is not [right now it is not]; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit,…
Now, this “bottomless pit” – the word “pit” isn’t there. It’s simply bottomless; it’s the word “abyss,” and it’s referring to the mind. The “abyss,” your mind, is infinite, so they put “bottomless” – when you fall into sin, there’s no stopping; you just continue to develop wickedness…it’s bottomless. It’s the pit, until the Lord can pull you out of it. So, this next beast head comes out of the abyss – that’s where they all came from – the human understanding of God. You see, what causes you to go into apostasy? You lose sight of God’s love, and you begin to feel that unacceptableness again – therefore, coming up out of the abyss, after John, it’s going to happen again, he says, and go into perdition. Now, bear with me, open your heart – I pray that you understand what I’m getting ready to say: Everything outward expresses the inward. We have covered the study on the antichrist and, I believe, the apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, where he talks about “the son of perdition is to come” – it was in their future. Yet, John writes, in 1 John: Well, antichrists are already here (1 John 4:1-3). Paul says: Well, even now it’s working.
But understand this principle: The Lord is teaching us with outward things. I believe “antichrist” is anyone who is not abiding in Christ, and allowing the thoughts of God to consume him – that is “instead of” Christ, or another spirit instead of Christ. You’re anti Christ; that’s what the word “anti” means – “instead of.” But the Lord has allowed this outward picture to teach you the inward truth. We have seen where the papacy actually believes the Pope is God – “Lord God the Pope” – that he can forgive sins. We have been through this study on the Rapture/Antichrist, and we have seen that outward picture of antichrist. By the way, 1 John 2:22 says that he is antichrist that denies Father and Son. Well, which “Son” does the Pope deny? He doesn’t deny Jesus – he denies Michael, and he is that “outward” picture which Paul pointed to in saying it’s going to happen. But John, in 1 John, is showing you the “inward” picture of it, trying to help you see that you can look at the Pope and see that he’s sitting on the throne, claiming to be God – equal to God – that is what you do inwardly, when you take your thoughts and opinions over God’s. You are the “harlot,” being sustained by your pride.
So, if you can see John living at this time, where five of these kings have fallen, and he says: The beast head right now is not, but it’s going to ascend out of the abyss and go into perdition. Who do you think he was talking about? It’s obvious that it’s Catholicism because, when you look at the timing, when you look at where John is in history, saying: Well, right now, the beast is not – the king is, but the beast is going to come out of that abyss and go into perdition, the next great apostasy of the people of God was Catholicism!
It’s obvious that he is talking about this time frame of Catholicism, but he says there is another “king” going to come out of this – the Reformers – those who protested Catholicism. But he says that they will be a head on the beast too, the seventh head, apostate Protesters.
TEN HORNS
Now, this brings me to the “ten horns.” What is the number “10”? He says that these 10 horns are going to dwell on one of the heads, one of the seven heads. It’s interesting that he says – let’s read this, verse 12:
Revelation 17:12
12And the ten horns which thou sawest [you saw] are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet;…
So, up until the time of John, the “10 horns” have not existed, 10 kings – so that means the 10 horns have to either go on to the sixth head, which is Catholicism, or the seventh, which is apostate Protesters. Let me tell you what “10” means – we know that numbers are significant; Christ is the “wonderful numberer” in the margin, in Daniel 8 (Daniel 8:13 – margin). What is “10”? “10” is “3” + “7” – “3” is that complete number; “7” is enough; “10” is complete enough. Now, let me tell you how that applies to apostate Protesters. How many times, and to what degree, have you been convinced that you are “saved” – when you have this mental assent toward God; when you believe Jesus died and rose again, you’re saved? There isn’t a single denominational group, that I know of, that will not tell you they are “complete enough”: You’re saved if you believe our creed, and do what we tell you…you’re saved. That is why they rule like “kings” over the people in those denominations, and they use that fear tactic: If you don’t believe like we do and think like us, you’re out – you’re going to be lost. If you stay here, you’re complete enough to get to heaven. But, ask every one of them: Do you still have a sin nature? Yes. Ask them how to define it, and they don’t know how to define it: Well, it happened with Adam and Eve… Yeah, but what is it? Well, I don’t know… but they argue with you. If Christ is the Son of God, they argue with you – Can you even hear God? But…we’re complete enough. You see, the Catholic church doesn’t say that. The Catholic church says: When you die, you’re going to go to purgatory, and we’ve go to pray you out of it. We’re not complete enough yet. The Protestants say that they are complete enough.
“10 kings,” “10 horns” – why “horn”? When you go back to the Old Testament and you see Moses come down off the mountain, and his face is shining, the verb expressing that “shining” is the same word they have translated horn (Shone [7160] in the Old Testament is rooted in the noun translated Horn [7161]). “Horn” is the noun; that “shining” is the verb. So, what is “horn”? Well, the noun of “shining” is that which shines, or where you’re getting your light. See, “10”: light complete enough – our creed; this is our creed – “light complete enough”…and they go into apostasy because they’re unchanging. You see, eventually, when you get to the end of Revelation 17, they’re going to hate the whore, this mindset – but only one thing is going to bring them to the place where they recognize the folly of it. If we were to get into the “vials” and let me explain to you the meaning of those vials, you would see the last plague, the last thing that happens, is the resurrection – that is the only thing that convinces them they’re wrong. The resurrection takes place, and they realize: We’re lost – and that weight of a hundred pounds, that stone, that concept, falls on them like a hundred pound weight…and they will, at that point, hate the whore, and burn it; eat the flesh, burn it with fire, but it’s too late. The only thing that’s going to convince them they’re wrong is when the Lord gives them the last plague, and He raises the dead, and an earthquake – that quaking inside – is the greatest earthquake that’s ever been…it’s the resurrection.
WOUNDED
Take these concepts now, and turn to Revelation 13 and, in Revelation 13, we see the beast with seven heads; he has the 10 horns and the horns are now crowned – that means they’re now existent. When you read Revelation 13, the horns are existent because they’re “crowned.” In 12, they’re not crowned yet; the heads are crowned but, in chapter 13, the horns are now existent. Now, follow me – they are the people governing these denominational groups, who say: We’re complete enough, and they rule as “kings” over these people. Don’t believe me? Go ask somebody about the Son of God – give them the Godhead message and, nine out of ten times, they’ll say: Well, I’ve got to ask my Pastor; I’ve got to go ask the Elder; I don’t have enough sense to understand it myself.
But when you come to Revelation 13, one of the heads of the beast is slain – the beast isn’t slain – the head of it is. That head, that time frame, was Catholicism. You see, there was a time in the 18th century when the Pope was arrested and put in prison and, I think, died in prison…and “Protesters” thought that was the end of Catholicism. But we know that that head was resurrected. We know that the head of that beast came back and, as he says, in Revelation 17: There will be an eighth head, which is one of the seven (Revelation 17:11) – well, there it is; it’s Catholicism. You see, that was one of the seven heads, slain, and put back now with the seventh, and the two are governing together: Apostate Protesters and Catholicism, refusing to come out of their confusion because of their pride and unchanging attitude.
In Revelation 13, he says: All the world wondered after this beast – just the way he described, in Revelation 17, he’s going to come out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition, and all the world will wonder. You see, that is what has happened with Catholicism and apostate Protesters, because apostate Protesters still have that same underlying confusion in their attitude toward God. Some will tell you that you’ve got to go to church on Saturday; some will say you’ve got to go on Sunday; some will say you have to speak in tongues; some will say you don’t; some will say you have to sprinkle; some will say you have to immerse – but all of them have one thing in common: The Son of God died so that you would be acceptable to God…He died to appease an angry God. And all of the world wonders after that doctrine because it’s ingrained in you: God hates me. You see, after the time of the apostles, when the truth was being proclaimed and the church went into apostasy, all the world wondered after that head, and they’re still doing it. They all have that in common – they may not believe the same about what happens when you die, and what day…you know, keep the law or don’t keep…you know, all of those things differ. But they all say: If Jesus hadn’t died, God would destroy me because of His anger toward sin. I’m telling you, the Son of God died to prove you are acceptable; He was born to die, to prove you are acceptable. See the power that’s in this message? I’m telling you, there is power in this.
ANOTHER BEAST
This brings us to Revelation 13, verse 11:
Revelation 13:11
11And I beheld another beast [is] coming up out of the earth; and he had [has] two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon [but he speaks like the dragon].
You see a lamb, a child of God, the two lights – the Father and the Son – but he “speaks like the dragon.” There is every denomination defined – they’ll say “Father and Son,” but when it comes to spirit…and they’re not abiding; they’re speaking like the dragon, that inward resistance to God; every denomination. No one is listening and proclaiming what He is saying. They proclaim “Father and Son,” but they haven’t the inward resistance – they speak like the adversary, and they teach their own thing. Seven women will take hold of one man, saying, “Let us eat our own bread; wear our own apparel, but let us be called by your name” (Isaiah 4:1). You see, it’s happening today: They’ve written their “creed”; they think they’re safe; they think they’re “saved” – they’re complete enough – although they still sin, they can’t quit and they say they won’t, until Jesus comes. Well, how right they are. The catch is that He will come to you now, spiritually, giving you His understanding, and set you free.
But this other beast comes up out of the earth, and this other beast – I just want to point out a couple of things – in verse 14, he says they should make an image to the beast which was wounded by the sword. Well, see, that was Catholicism – it was put to death by the sword of God. But this next beast – two horns, but speaks like a dragon – that is how you define God. The two horns, the two lights, but you speak like the dragon…that is their definition of God, whatever it be, whether it’s trinitarian, the oneness thing – however you define it – coming from apostate Protesters. They’ve got the Father and Son; they’re speaking like the dragon, and they demand that you worship the first beast head, or the beast head that was slain – Catholicism. How are they demanding that you worship it? By that understanding – Christ died so that God could love me, if I would accept the death. And then you see the pictures of the poor sinner, all down-trodden, and the Son of God standing there between, protecting you from God. You see, they’re worshipping Catholicism.
It was through Catholicism that thing was changed back from the truth after the apostles, after the Son of God, taught the truth: For God so loved the world, He gave… and they’ve changed it. They’ve twisted it – they’ve put their meanings to it. And this definition, how they define God, demands that they worship Catholicism. They make an image to Catholicism – how do they do that? Let me tell you: You’re talking about the apostate Protesters; you’re talking about the denominations in this country, in this world. How do they make an image to Catholicism? There’s a lot of ways. One way is that they write a creed and say: This is what you have to believe to be a part of us. Another way is that they join hands with the state, and they say: Well, now we’re tax free – the state declares us to be a church, and now we’re an image to that. But, more than that, they say: If you’re not a part of our church, you’ll be lost – there’s another way that they make an image to that beast head that was slain. But, here’s another way they do it: We will tell you what this book means. In fact, I want you to think about this – they will hold up the Bible and they will say: This is the word of God, and then they will say: …and I’ll put my definitions to it for you. What have they just done? Instead of letting the Bible define itself, they have put their definitions to all of these meanings, making themselves “equal” to God: Here’s the word of God, but I’ll tell what it means.
Let me tell you the way the Lord defines that – that is man portraying God. You see, if I took this number “6,” which is the number of man, and I put it three times – you see, “6” is complete: “man portraying God.” But what if I put “3” six times? You see the completion first, in the man. You see, there’s a “sanctified” and an “unsanctified” to these numbers. “666” is man portraying God and, when you go in their church, if you don’t have the same attitude so that you can receive from them and share back, you cannot buy or sell the concepts you possess. They don’t want to hear it – unless you take the number; unless you’re worshipping the image, listening to them. They want nothing to do with you. If you think our government is going to put a chip in your hand, or in your head, and God won’t let you into heaven if you have a chip – I want you to think of the insanity of what you’re thinking about God. But, I want you to consider that, unless you think on the level they think on, they will not listen to you – and you cannot buy what they’re saying. You cannot buy or sell the wisdom, the true gold, the true riches of life – they don’t want it. Why? The pride, the unchanging attitude…
I am purposefully staying away from the specifics in these chapters, because there is so much here and, in order to get it out there enough for you to see it – I think we’ve done that. In order to get this out, I can’t be as specific on every verse, and helping you see – but I know the Lord would have you understand.
CLOSE
I ask you…the things I’m sharing, take it to the Lord; seek the Lord. Let Him strum that chord in your heart and say “yea” or “nay.” Those 10 horns are on the last head of the beast. It’s apostate Protestants; it’s your denominational group – they are the “image to the beast.” They have formed the image – the horns are crowned, and we are at the end of time. We’re at the end of the world; it’s going to take an effort on your part to overcome that pride. Seek the Lord – let Him have your heart; let Him change your life and be glorified in Christ, and glorify Him. I just pray for your wisdom to increase. You know, again, I think of the prayer Paul prays: That God would give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in His knowledge: The eyes of your understanding being opened; you’ll know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the power toward you who believe, that raised Christ from the dead and set Him up into the heavens, far above all principality, and power…
You’re complete in Christ – don’t be deceived.