Revelation 17 may seem to make very little sense unless you are familiar with the book of Daniel. However, when studying the book of Revelation, keep in mind that all of the symbols can be found in the Old Testament such as the scarlet colored beast in verse 3.

"I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." (vs. 1-3)

The great whore, who rides the beast with seven heads and ten horns, is Babylon. Keep in mind here that Babylon is not the beast- she is riding the beast, and is said to be drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus.

The prophecies of Daniel were somewhat shaded and enigmatic up until the last century but due to the increase of knowledge in these last days, which was also prophesied by the prophet Daniel, we have been able to better understand it.

Ancient Babylon, according to most Bible scholars, is linked to the Vatican; which is a whole other study. Click here for a study by Dave Hunt. Don't let the cheap theatrics at the beginning of the video discourage you. It really is an informative study.

Babylon is mentioned many times in the Bible so it is obviously significant. It was the seat of Nimrod who built the tower of Babel where God intervened and confused their language. More importantly, however, is that Babylon, in the Bible, represents the city of man while Jerusalem represents the city of God.

Additionally, the woman in chapter 12 is not to be confused with the one in chapter 17. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, she represents Israel and not the church. She is in labor and about to be delivered. The church is always referred to as a chaste virgin.

In Revelation 17, Babylon sits upon many waters, and is the mother of harlots. Clothed with purple, she reigns over the kings of the earth. The many waters represent vast multitudes of people and nations. The ten horns represent ten kings who ultimately turn on her.

For a better understanding, read Isaiah 13&14, Jeremiah 50&51 and the book of Daniel which explains the last ten kingdoms, or click here for an informative video on the whole book.

When Constantine adopted Christianity and made it legal, many of the Roman traditions blended into it. This corrupt system will be a key player in the end time events.

"And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." (vs.11)

This beast that was, and is not, and is the eighth, and is of the seven, suggests the rise of a past world dictator. The great deception Jesus warned us about could involve the rise of this beast who could very well claim to be a reincarnation of one of these historic tyrants.

There is also the theory of the Nephilim.

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus said, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. (Matt. 24:37-38)

Up until recently, these verses were taken to mean that it was business as usual. However, when the days of Noah are examined more closely, we begin to see much more.

"And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose... There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." (Gen. 6:1-4)

Noah's genealogy was not corrupted. He was "perfect in his generations," and he walked with God. The flood wiped out the wickedness of the land, but apparently, the genetic manipulation began again because the people that Israel were sent out to slaughter (men, women & children) were hybrids.

"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." (Num. 13:33)

Therefore, it is quite possible that the beast in Revelation 17:11 could be one of these "giants, mighty men, men of renown," or better known as the Nephilim.

Revelation is filled with bizarre images and a close study of the book of Daniel will give the reader a better understanding of the entire book.

Let us be diligent in seeking the truth.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." (Prov.25:2)

Learn more about this author, Pat Lunsford.
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