Book of Revelation
By: Tom Lowe Date: 6/20/17
Lesson: IV.C.2: The Mystery of the Woman and Beast Explained
Revelation 17:7-18 (KJV)
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast that thou sawest 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.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Introduction to Chapter 17:7-18
The angel now explains the meaning of the beast and the prostitute. The antichrist empowered by Satan, controls human society, using his power to fight against the authority of God. His attacks on God’s people may die down for a period, but after he gains fresh life and strength, the attacks will be renewed. In the end God will destroy him (vs.7-8; 13:3-4). (For believers of John’s time this illustration was full of meaning. The calm that followed Nero's death was not permanent. Persecution was renewed under the Emperor Domitian, who appeared to the Christians to be a second Nero?Nero come back to life, so to speak.
First century Rome, with its advanced civilization and organized opposition to God, was a clear expression of the anti-God spirit symbolized by the beast, the prostitute and Babylon. The seven heads of the beast, explained as representing both seven hills and seven rulers, symbolize the strength and stability of Rome. But in any age or society, as people’s sense of collective self-sufficiency increases, they inevitably set themselves against God (v. 9).
Interpreting the vision becomes more difficult when the angel gives further details of the seven rulers. Most of them already belong to the past. Only one is yet to appear, though he will be replaced by an eighth, who will display even greater satanic power than the previous seven. But God will destroy him. Again, events of the first century may have given this vision special meaning for Christians who experienced persecution under several emperors. No doubt the climax of evil at the end of the age will give the vision much fuller meaning. However, in any era Christians can look back on a line of ungodly rulers and look for relief in the future, even though the final ruler may embody the antichrist more than all who have gone before him. Rulers who become too harsh in their exercise of power usually bring about their own destruction (v. 10-11).
There will always be rulers and nations who want to join forces with the antichrist. They see benefits for themselves in being part of the ungodly power system. They give wholehearted support to the antichrist, but their apparent success is brief (v. 12-13). In deciding to attack Christ, they guarantee their own destruction. Real power in the kingdoms of the world rests not with the beast (the antichrist) but with the Lamb (the true Christ) (v. 14).
In their pursuit of power and prosperity, people may develop international cooperation (v. 15), but hatred and jealousy eventually bring disunity and conflict (see James 4:1-2). As the prostitute has relied on the beast to carry her, so the human race has relied on the forces of Satan to achieve stability, growth, wealth and power. But as the prostitute is killed by the beast that supported her, so the human race is destroyed by the very forces it has used to advance itself (v. 16). People have a desire to build a society that is independent of God, and in the end God uses that desire to bring about their punishment (vs. 17-18).
Commentary
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
“And the angel said unto me”; the same angel that spoke in Revelation 17:1;”One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.”
“Wherefore didst thou marvel?” This question indicates that the amazed expression on the face of John was mixed with a puzzled look over the whole phenomenon of the scarlet woman seated on a scarlet beast (Revelation 17:1-6); and the woman being drunk with the blood of the saints, and the beast which carried her abounded with sacred appellations (an identifying name or title), such as holy, most holy, most Christian, sacred, and most sacred.
John was also astounded by something else, and it was terrible; “that a portion of the church is one with the hostile world.” The angel seems to have wondered at John's puzzled look, because “there were enough signs to identify the harlot,” for there are similar descriptions of Judah, a type of the church, in Jeremiah 2 and Jeremiah 3 that should have made it clear to John. He should have been able to read in the vision the truth that just as the old Israel had apostatized and crucified the Christ, the church of Christ also, in the years following, would fall from her high calling and become an ally of Satan. “The hint of this slumbered in the vision.”
The angel undertakes to explain to John the vision which had excited in him such great astonishment; and the explanation is of such vital importance, that, had it not been given, the mystery of the dragon and the beast could never have been satisfactorily explained in all its particulars. The angel begins with saying:
“I will tell thee the mystery (the hidden meaning) of the woman”; that is, what is mysteriously or mystically planned by her; for until it was made known to John by the angel, it was a mystery to him; and when it was revealed, the interpretation is given in such an obscure manner that it is only understood by the mind that has spiritual wisdom; and it still remains a mystery to carnal men, just as the Gospel itself does. The hidden meaning of this woman, or the mystery of her, is told by the angel in Revelation 17:18.
This passage deviates from the usual procedure used in writing this book. When the symbols are described we are generally left to ?gure-out (with the help of history) what the interpretation is. This time the angel will inform us of what institutions and persons the symbols refer to; and he will supply enough information, so that a student of the Bible and history should have no difficulty in identifying the woman and the beast. John did not wonder at her with a sinful admiration, and hold her in high regard, and he did not honor and worship her, as did the inhabitants of the world, who were in awe of the beast; [“One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.” (Revelation 13:3)] but instead, his admiration was that of amazement, or stupefaction of mind, joined with indignation at her; and this is said by the angel in order to move on to what he had to declare unto him.
More information about the beast follows in Revelation 17:7-14 and more about the woman in Revelation 17:15-18. The beast supplied the woman’s power and purpose. He had seven heads and10 horns, which the angel explained later (Revelation 17:9-10).
“And of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads, and ten horns,” said the angel, which indicates the mystical significance of the beast, its heads and horns; but this is also delivered in a mysterious manner. In revealing this and what follows, the angel would unveil the woman’s true identity and her ties to the land-beast and the sea-beast both! Above all, however, she must be tied chiefly to the land-beast. She rides the sea-beast; she is the land-beast!
8 The beast that thou sawest 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.
“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not.” In the close of the verse the phrase “and yet is” is added,?“the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” There are three things stated here: first, that there is a sense in which it might be said of the power referred to here, that it “was,” or that, before this, it had an existence; second, that there was a sense in which it might be said that it “is not,” that is, that it had become practically extinct; and third, that there is a sense in which that power would be so revitalized that it might be said that it “still is.” The “beast” referred to here is the same one that is mentioned in Revelation 17:3{14], Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:3, and Revelation 13:11-16; which means that there was one great formidable power, having essentially the same origin, though manifested with certain modifications, any one of which might be given the same name, “the beast.”
This “beast” was not created by the devil; for he, the dragon, is distinguished from this beast, but from him the beast gets his position, power, and authority (Revelation 13:1{1]); and he is not any particular emperor, such as Domitian, but he ruled the Roman Empire as if he were sent from hell. The Roman Empire itself is intended here, for as we have seen, it supported the Papacy. In fact, in the beginning it was in the hands of the Romans, but now “is not.” Rome was the great metropolis of the Empire and it was a very powerful and flourishing empire, and now “is not.” Under the jurisdiction of antichrist, it was an idolatrous empire, which encouraged the worshipping of Heathen gods. It was guilty of idolatrous practices such as the worshipping of Jupiter and Mars, and it was given to idolatry in another way; worshipping the Virgin Mary, and other saints. Rome “is not” the same as it has been, in some respects, and yet is the same with regard to idolatry, cruelty, etc. In short, the meaning is that this beast “was” the Pagan Roman Empire described by a dragon with seven heads, and ten horns, with crowns on the heads, but in the Apostle John’s time, it “is not” as yet, as Papal.
“And shall ascend out of the bottomless pit”; that is, out of hell, from where the antichristian beast gets its power; (see Revelation 11:7{2]); otherwise all civil power is from God, but not antichristian power, that is from the devil.
“And go into perdition{7],” everlasting destruction, the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; this will be the end of the beast (Revelation 19:20{3]).
“And they that dwell on the earth,” refers to the inhabitants of the earth generally; that is, the matter referred to will be so remarkable as to attract general attention.
“Shall wonder” implies that it will be so contrary to the regular course of events, so difficult to explain, so remarkable in itself, that it will excite attention and surprise among the inhabitants of the Roman Empire, earthly minded men, who hold the beast in great veneration, and follow and worship him?“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast” (Revelation 13:3).
“Whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world.” Notice how much Revelation 13:8 resembles Revelation17:8, they are so close that I have chosen to apply those same notes to this clause.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). In addition to achieving political domination all over the entire world, he also abolishes all other religions and demands that everyone worship him: “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4). “And all that dwell upon the earth” will worship “the beast,” except for those whose names are recorded “in the book of life.” In the expression “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” the words “from the foundation of the world” seem to relate to the time in eternity past when the names were “written in the book of life,” rather than to Christ’s crucifixion, since He was not crucified when the world was created. As Paul wrote, those who were saved were foreordained to salvation before Creation: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).
Some believe that “the book of life” originally contained the names of every living person to be born in the world, and that the names of the unsaved get blotted out when they die. This interpretation stems from Revelation 3:5, where Christ promised the believers in Sardis that their names would not be erased from the “book of life,” and from 22:19, where a person who rejects the message in the Book of Revelation is warned that “God will take away from him his share in the tree of life” (see “tree of life” in 2:7 and 22:2, 14 and “book of life” in 3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27). However, 13:8{16] probably means simply that those who are saved had their names written in “the book of life” in eternity past in anticipation of the death of Christ on the cross for them and that they will never be erased.
Taken together, verses 13:7{15] and 13:8{16], indicate the universal extent of the beast’s political government as well as the final form of satanic religion in the Great Tribulation. Only those who come to Christ will be delivered from the condemnation that is involved.
The Greek grammar is vague, so that the phrase may belong with “written” or with “slain.” In the former case the meaning is that Christians who choose to be faithful are those whom God has already chosen, an ironic affirmation of human responsibility and divine sovereignty, of human decision and the grace of God (Romans 8:28-30; 13:9-10). In the latter case, the meaning is that Christ’s death was not a contingent accident of history, but was a part of the divine plan from the beginning. Both understandings are true to John’s theology, but the NRSV is probably correct here, as suggested by verses 9-10.
The idea in 17:8, seems to be, that those “whose names are written in the book of life,” or who are truly the friends of God, would not be drawn away from Him by admiration for the beast, or by paying homage to it. Moreover, those “whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world” were reprobates, since not any of the elect of God, are the admirers and worshippers of antichrist.
“When they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is”; that is, the power that once was mighty?the Roman Empire in its glory, under the emperors?that had declined to such a state that it became, as it were, extinct? destroyed by the Goths?and that was revived again?in the Papacy?with so much of its original strength, that it might be said that it still exists. The fact of its being revived in this manner, as well as the nature of the power itself, seemed suited to excite this admiration.
“And yet is” in regard to that imperial power then in existence, which the pope would afterwards take for himself.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom.” This refers either to what goes before, concerning the beast, his various states, rise, and ruin, and his admirers; or to what comes after, concerning the meaning of his heads and horns, or to both; and the sense is, that in spite of the interpretation of these things by the angel, it still requires a large portion of wisdom to understand them. It is enough to exercise the mind that is well stored with knowledge and understanding; and the Arabic version renders it, “here it is required that one should have judgment and wisdom”; for to a man that is lacking these qualities, the issue will still be obscure and unintelligible. The words may be rendered, “here is the mind of he that has wisdom”; that is, let him make use of it, as in Revelation 13:18{4]. Another version renders it, “and this is the meaning, he that has wisdom.” This is the meaning of the beast, and of his heads and horns; and he that has wisdom, let him consider it, and take it in, and apply it to proper persons, things, and times. The Ethiopic version renders it, “he that has wisdom and understanding, let him know this”; or take heed of it, since it is a matter of importance, and very difficult to understand.
“The seven heads are seven mountains of which the woman sitteth.” This signifies “seven mountains,” or are symbolical representations of them; just as the seven good kine, and seven good ears, in Pharaoh’s dream, signified seven years of plenty, and seven thin kine, and seven empty ears, seven years of famine (Genesis 41:26). Since the woman is a city (Revelation 17:18), these seven mountains, on which she sits, must be the mountains on which the city is built; and what city can this be but Rome, which is famous for being built on seven hills? That’s why it has sometimes been called by writers, the seven hilled city, and sometimes Septiceps, the seven headed city, which is similar to the language here. The names of the seven mountains were these; Capitolinus, Palatinus, Aventinus, Esquilinus, Coelius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis; the first four of these were taken in by Romulus, the first founder of it, and the last three by Servius Tullius, when he enlarged it; and upon the addition of the seventh mountain there was a feast held, called Septimontium; and which was kept in seven places in the city; and was annually observed. This was the situation in John’s time; for Pliny, who was contemporary with him, specifically says that in his time the city took in seven mountains; and that this refers to a city in John’s time that was reigning over the kings of the earth, according to Revelation 17:18{4]. Now there was no imperial city in John’s time, built in this manner, but Rome: Constantinople is built on seven hills, yet it was not in existence in John's time, but was built by Constantine many years afterwards, in imitation of Rome. This confirms that the beast spoken of before, on whom the woman sat, is the Roman Empire, since she is here said to sit on the seven mountains, on which Rome, the metropolis of that empire, was built. This shows the pope of Rome to be antichrist, the great whore, Babylon, the mother of harlots, since no one but he has his headquarters at Rome.
It is interesting that there are seven kings, that is, seven forms of government, by which Rome was governed, namely, by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemviri{5], dictators, and emperors, that were Pagans. Five of these fell in John’s time, that is, made utterly extinct, namely, the government by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemviri[5], and dictators. And one is, the government by Pagan emperors, which was in power during John’s time. And the other has not yet come, that is, the government by Christian emperors was not yet in existence, and when it did come, it lasted for only a little while before the bishops of Rome wrestled the government out of their hands, and took it into their own.
Behold here! the great uncertainty of all earthly things; governments have their periods, kingdoms come to an end. Happy are they who serve God with reverence and godly fear, and have secured to themselves a kingdom that cannot be moved! “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
“And there are seven kings” [Reading the preceding verse will help in identifying these seven successive world powers that persecuted God’s people.]
This clause has been variously rendered as, “And there are seven kings” and “who are seven kings”; but it should be rendered, “and they are seven kings”; that is, the seven heads signify seven kings also, for they have in them a double depiction, first of “seven mountains,” and then of “seven kings.” As for what is meant by these symbols…
IT IS CERTAINLY NOT SEVEN AGES OF THE WORLD, like from Adam to Noah; from Noah to Abraham; from Abraham to David; from David to the Babylonian captivity; from the Babylonian captivity to Christ; from Christ to antichrist; and from antichrist to the end of the world; the first five of which were gone in John’s time, the sixth was then in existence, and when the seventh shall come it will “continue for a short time.” This is a foolish and absurd interpretation offered up by Catholics, who make the beast out to be the devil, which, so they say, has seven heads; he is the head, or god of the world.
IT IS CERTAINLY NOT SEVEN EMPERORS OF ROME, which are thought to be different, according to the various times John is supposed to have had this revelation. Some historians suppose this was written in the times of Vespasian, and place the seven emperors thus; Clandius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, and Titus; the first five of these were dead in John’s time, Vespasian, was the reigning emperor, and the other, Titus, had not yet arrived in the empire; and when he became emperor, he “continued but a short time,” two years and two mouths. Others, who correctly say that John wrote in Domitian’s time, place them in this order; Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, and Nerva; the first five of these were dead; Domitian was then living, and Nerva, the one that was to succeed him, reigned for just a little while, not quite two years; but there are objections that have been made, such as, that there were other emperors before either Galba or Claudius; and before John's time there were more than five fallen or dead. And there have been objections to the order in which the emperors are arranged, in all cases.
Perhaps the best explanation given for the meaning of the seven heads is that they represent those various forms of government which took place successively in the Roman Empire, and all of them were idolatrous heads?kings, consuls, dictators, decemvirs{5], tribunes, emperors, and popes; it is not unusual for any sort of governors, or governments and monarchies, to be called kings (Deuteronomy 33:5).
“Five are fallen.” Please note that if the death of five successive emperors had been meant, the word would have been that “five are dead.” “Fallen” is a ridiculous word for describing the death of Augustus Caesar; he did not “fall”; he died. This has been no reference at all to the death of certain emperors, whether by suicide or other means. What is meant is that Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece, the first five successive heads of the beast, have passed from history as persecuting powers, or world empires.
“And one is” the Pagan emperors; a Heathen emperor, Domitian, was reigning, when John had this vision; and these Pagan emperors continued to reign until the opening of the sixth seal, which put an end to that succession; and till the woman gave birth to the man child, or till Constantine's time. Rome, of course, is the great worldwide power when John wrote.
“And the other is not yet come,” which some believe to be a reference to the Christian emperors, who immediately succeeded the Pagan ones, and were different from them, in regard to religion, though the form of government was the same. They were not another head, for they were not an idolatrous head, on which blasphemous names were written. They were another king; for from the following verse it appears that there are eight kings, and just seven heads, and therefore one of them does not seem to be a head; and when they came they were in power for a short time in comparison to the Heathen emperors that reigned before them, and to antichrist, who was to reign after them 1260 years. But if you were to put all of the Christian emperors together, you would find that they ruled no more than 150 years; and at Rome their stay was especially short, for Constantine moved his throne from there to Constantinople, in the nineteenth year of his empire. But though these emperors differed from the others in their religion, yet their form of government and title were the same, and therefore, they must be included in the sixth head; but then, these did not have their headquarters at Rome, which seems to be a requirement for each head of this beast. It is better, therefore, to apply this to the popes of Rome, the seventh and last head of the Roman Empire; these were not yet come” to their supreme dignity and authority, in John's time.
“And when he cometh, he must continue a short space” The word “continue” means “remain.” In the language of the Apocalypse, this entire gospel age is but a little while (Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). This dispensation is indeed only “a short space” when compared to eternity and to all the things of God. This “short space” describes the remaining time of the world's existence; forty two months, or 1260 days. Though a long time in itself, and in the existence of man, yet with God, with whom a thousand years is as one day, and in comparison to the everlasting kingdom of Christ, and His people, it is but “a short space”; and so the reign of the beast, and of the ten kings with him, is said to be one hour (Revelation 17:12) and this is said for the comfort of the saints, and to keep up their faith and patience under their sufferings in antichristian nations.
One thing that must commend this interpretation is the fact of its being in full and complete harmony with what is known, historically, to have happened since it was written. See more on this under Revelation 17:11.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth”; and it is with these words that our angel transitions from speaking of the heads, to consider the whole “beast.” Some even consider the “beast” to be the totality of the entire succession of Satan’s allies leading up to antichrist. The “beast…is the eighth” should read “an eighth,” that is, “a sort of eighth”; not an eighth head, for there were, as verse seven shows, just seven heads to “the beast.” Hence, the meaning is that “the beast,” as a totality, finally goes into perdition{7]. Not one head alone—not merely all the heads—but the entire beast is destroyed. Papal Rome, the last head embodied in her, as well as the other six heads—namely, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, pagan Rome—all go into perdition with her as one whole antichristian “beast.” In John's time this was in its embryo stage, for it had not yet come to its power and grandeur as the eighth king; and this is the Papacy, which takes the name of the beast, because it is the head of the beast, and the only surviving head of the beast.
“And is of the seven”{6]; more exactly, “springs out of the seven.” The “eighth” is not merely one of the seven restored, but a new power or person proceeding out of the seven, and at the same time embodying all the God-opposed features of the previous seven concentrated and complete. That is the reason it does not say eight, but only seven heads, for the eighth is the embodiment of all the seven. In the birth-pangs of the eighth, which prepare the “regeneration” there are wars, earthquakes, and disturbances, during which Antichrist emerges (Revelation 13:1; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:9-11). He does not fall like the other seven (Revelation 17:10), but is destroyed, and sent to his own perdition, by the Lord in person.
“And goeth into perdition{7]” meaning, of course, “the beast,” who is the son of “perdition,” and is justly deserving of it; (see notes on Revelation 17:8).
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet.”“The ten horns which thou sawest” are, of course, the horns on the scarlet-colored beast (Revelation 17:3); and they stand for “ten kings,” or rather, kingdoms or powers.
“Which have received no kingdom as yet,” means that they?ten kings?were not in existence when John wrote. It is implied, that during the period represented here, they would arise, and would become allied, in an important sense, with the power represented here by the “beast.” They have not yet come to power in John’s time, when the Pagan Empire held the throne; and the beast had not risen, with whom they were to reign; hence these horns have no crowns on them (Revelation 12:3). For more about the “ten kings,” or kingdoms referred to here, see Daniel 7).
“But receive power as kings one hour with the beast,” means that these kings will receive “power,” but it does not say from what source this power is received, it simply implies that it would in fact be conferred on them.
“As kings,” implies that they only have the title of kings, but not sovereign power; they are vassals to the beast, the pope, who reigns over them (Revelation 17:18) and sets up kings in these kingdoms, and overthrows them at his pleasure; exalting himself above all that is called God, or above all civil magistrates; so that these have only the name. They are “as kings” and look like “kings”, but are not really. Whatever power they have, they do not receive it from the beast, but from God. The beast receives his power and authority, as well as seat, from the dragon; but civil power and magistracy is from God, who permits these kings to reign, and to act stupidity?to give their kingdom to the beast, and to exercise their power as he directs.
“One hour” cannot be taken literally. The meaning is clearly that the “power” and their reign as “kings” would be brief and temporary; that is, it was a form of government which would be succeeded by one that is more fixed and permanent. Anyone can see that, in fact, this is strictly applicable to the governments, which sprang up after the invasion by the northern barbarians, and which were finally succeeded by the permanent forms of government in Europe. Most of them were very brief in their duration, and they were soon altered into the forms of permanent administration. The arrangement of the ten kingdoms proposed by Sir Isaac Newton suggested the following succession:
(1) The kingdom of the Vandals and Alans in Spain and Africa;
(2) The kingdom of the Suevians in Spain;
(3) The kingdom of the Visigoths;
(4) The kingdom of the Alans in Gallia;
(5) The kingdom of the Burgundians;
(6) The kingdom of the Franks;
(7) The kingdom of the Britons;
(8) The kingdom of the Huns;
(9) The kingdom of the Lombards;
(10) The kingdom of Ravenna
“With the beast,” that is, with that rising papal power. They would exercise their authority in connection with that, and under its influence.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
“These” ten kings and their subjects “have one mind”; that is, in time, they came to have one and the same religion; first they were Arians, and then Papists; and for a long time there was great unity between them, with respect to religious outlook, being zealously attached to the Church of Rome, its principles and practices.
The overshadowing presence of Nero was pictured as standing behind them; but the single aim and common purpose was the destruction of Jerusalem, the devastation of Judea to rid the empire of Judaism, and the subsequent war against Christianity in the full power and strength of the coalition of the kings with the emperor against the church. Jerusalem was destroyed, Judaism perished, but the church survived
“And shall give their power and strength unto the beast”; the Papal antichrist, the eighth king, and seventh head. To him they have given power to exercise all ecclesiastical authority in their kingdoms?to ordain bishops, and deliver the pall{7] to whomever they will; to excommunicate offenders, and even lay their kingdoms under a sanction when they pleased. They have assisted and defended the popes of Rome with all their force, with all their might, and to the utmost of their power, and have engaged in what have been called the holy wars, at their request; they have given their riches and wealth, which are called the forces of strength in Job 36:19, which the popes have, by various methods, drained them of; hence the whore of Rome came to be decked out with gold, and pearls, and precious stones; and, they have given them their kingdoms, and have received the same from them, and become a branch of them.
This would appear to be an accurate picture of Medieval times, long after the fall of the Roman Empire, and during the ascendancy of the seventh head (The Man of Sin, etc.), during which the great nations that arose upon the ruins of the ancient pagan empire cooperated fully with the Apostate Power still ruling from Rome; the religious beast was actually the ruler during this period. There are many historical fulfillments of this prophecy, but the Spanish Inquisition is the classical example, and no other need be cited; but this “honeymoon” between the religious head of the beast and the "ten horn" kingdoms was prophesied not to last. It would end in a far different state of affairs (see Revelation 17:16); but this condition would continue for a long time, during which war would be waged against God and His truth.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them.” The “Lamb,” or Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus, will strive against “these,” that is, Jesus will be opposed by the agents of the beast, who combine with the papacy in combating evangelical religion. It does not mean that they would openly and admittedly proclaim war against the Son of God, but that they would practically do this by sustaining a persecuting power against Him. It is unnecessary to show how true this has been in history; how unequivocally they sustained the papacy in spite of all its incidents of persecution. The widespread persecutions of this era referred to earlier are indicated by this. The arrogance, pride, ambition, and greed of the harlot-beast would make the world itself a hostile environment for any who received the authority of the New Testament and attempted to follow it. It might have seemed a hopeless struggle for those caught up in it.
“And the Lamb shall overcome them,” partly through the constancy of His people, who will not love their lives until they die, but freely lay them down for Him; nor can anything separate them from the love of Christ, or prevail upon them to desert Him, His truths and ordinances, cause and interest, but are more than conquerors through Him, and so He “overcomes” partly by means of them; and partly through a reformation which He brings about in them, as He would do in some of those future kingdoms, such as Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and others; and afterwards He will do it again in others places (Revelation 17:16). So, He shall ultimately gain the victory over them. The meaning is that they would not be able to extinguish the true religion, in spite of all the opposition and persecution that would still live in the world.
Did it happen? Who can deny that it did? There came the time when one housewife with a New Testament in her hand was more than a match for all the priestly armies of the harlot-beast. The New Testament once more appeared in the hands of earth's population. The strong angel of chapter 10 held it open!
“For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings”; He is so by nature, as God and Creator, to whom the kingdom of nature and providence belongs; and by office, as Mediator, being made higher than the kings of the earth; hence He is more than a match for them. They cannot stand before Him; this is a reason why he overcomes them, and it cannot be thought it should be otherwise. This Lamb is the lion of the tribe of Judah, and when He rouses Himself, and stirs up His wrath, and exerts His power, kings and great men flee from him (Revelation 6:15). This is a proof of Christ's deity, for the same titles were given to Him, the Word and Son of God, as was given to God himself (Revelation 19:16). He has supreme power over all the earth, and all kings and princes are subject to His control.
“And they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” The reference is to the persecuted saints?His servants and His soldiers that fight under him, and abide by him?who have remained with Him as His faithful followers in all these long-drawn-out conflicts. In this clause, there are four things worth mentioning:
“They are with Him,” and they are on His side; but, it is even more important that He is with them, and on their side.
“They are called”; that is to say, they have been “called” by Him to be His followers; as if He had selected them, from out of all the people in the world to maintain His cause (See Romans 1:7).
“And chosen” In their steadfast adherence to the truth, they had shown that they were truly “chosen” by the Savior, and could be relied on in the warfare against the powers of evil. They are chosen in Christ from all eternity, to grace here, and glory hereafter, and so stand opposed to the admirers of the beast, whose names are not written in the Book of Life (Revelation 17), for this is to be understood of their eternal election, and not of their separation by the effectual calling over time, for that is expressed by their being "called"; and though here their calling is placed before election, as in 2 Peter 1:10, yet it does not precede it. First, a person is “chosen” by God the Father, then “called,” not with the plain external call by the ministry of the word, by which many are called, and not chosen; but by special grace to special benefits, and with an holy and heavenly calling, and which is irresistible, and without regret; and being called they remain “faithful.” The meaning is either that they have faith,?bestowed on them in the effectual calling, as a fruit of electing grace?or are believers in Christ; and by this they overcome the world: or else, they are persons of integrity and uprightness that are on the side of Christ.
When I was called to dinner as a child, I was chosen to have dinner and we always sat in the same place at the dinner table. We didn’t choose our parents any more than we chose God. God chooses us and those He chose He calls. They are like the left hand complimenting the right. They go together. One comes first…being , like in predestination. Next comes the calling, calling those who were chosen.
Jesus His disciples and He says that we are There are dozens of Scriptures that testify to this fact. Here are a few Scriptures that I have selected.
John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Jesus clearly chose the disciples, they did not choose Him. He even says “You did not choose me, but I chose you.”
John 6:70 “Jesus answered them, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
John 13:18 “I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’”
Acts 9:15 “But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel …”
Acts 10:41 “Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before God, even to …”
Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you, that you should …
“And faithful”?They had shown themselves faithful to Him in times of persecution, and in the hour of darkness, for they were made so by Him; and they abide by His Gospel and ordinances, and in His cause and interest, even unto death; and so this character is expressive of the perseverance of those who are “chosen” and “called,” even unto the end.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
“And he saith unto me,” that is, the angel (Revelation 17:7) who proposed to give John the interpretation of the vision. This begins the more “literal” statement of what is meant by these symbols. He went on with his explanation, as follows.
“The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth.” We must not lose sight of who this beast is; she is that gorgeously dressed whore riding the scarlet beast! The angel next helped John understand the identity of the waters? “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters” (Revelation 17:1).
“The waters…where the harlot sitteth” (Isaiah 8:7; Revelation 17:1) is an impious caricature of Yahweh, who “sitteth upon the flood.” Contrast with the “many waters,” of Revelation 19:6. These waters represent a multitude of people. This is a common and an obvious Old Testament symbol; seas that have spread out or raging floods would naturally represent such a multitude (See Isaiah 8:7-8; Isaiah 17:12-13; Jeremiah 47:2).
The harlot exercises a controlling influence over the population of the world, both the faithful (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 7:9) and the rebellious (Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:6). Thus, Babylon is the appropriate name for the harlot. The pope, as her chief representative, claims a double supremacy over all peoples, typified by the “two swords” of Luke 21:38. There will be one religious system that will encompass all nations and peoples during the Tribulation (Revelation 17:1-2), though there could be various local forms of it.
“Are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” point to the domain of the harlot-beast, which includes the whole earth. For an explanation of these terms, see the notes on Revelation 7:9.
Those commentators who reject the Apostate Church’s interpretation of this, on the basis that it is too local and restricted, applying merely to a few countries in Europe, have simply failed to understand the universal dominion of the harlot-beast. Today, some nineteen centuries after John wrote, her domain includes practically every village, town, and city on the face of the earth; and the number of her supporters is a larger percentage of earth's total population than may be claimed by any other authority in the entire history of the human race! What is local and restricted about that? There is nothing little, narrow, local, restricted, or limited in any way whatever with the interpretation received here. This harlot-beast is now, and for centuries has continued to be, the biggest thing on the planet earth!
The phrase, “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” denotes the universality of the Church’s spiritual fornication. The sense here is that the vast numbers of people would be subject to the power represented here by the woman. The vast numbers of people would be composed of different nations, and would be of different languages. It is unnecessary to show that this is applicable to the papacy. Nations have been, and are subject to its control, and those nations speak a large part of the languages of the world. Perhaps under no one government, not even in the Babylonian, the Macedonian, or the ancient Roman was there so great a diversity of people, speaking so many different languages, and having so different an origin.
The “tongues” remind us of Babel, the confusion of tongues, the beginning of Babylon, and of idolatrous apostasy coming after the flood, for the tower was without a doubt dedicated to the deified heavens.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
“And the ten horns{9] which thou sawest upon the beast”; ah yes, “the horns” (Revelation 17:3) ?that is, the ten powers or kingdoms represented by those horns. See the notes on Revelation 17:12. Several of the older versions read, “and the beast”; and then the sense becomes, ‘the ten kings who have defended antichrist, and the whole empire in general, which has bore up and supported the whore of Rome.’
For ages, “the whore” would use its horns only for goring the saints, but another age is coming, when the horns shall be turned upon the wanton whore herself. The horns had always been on “the beast,” for they were an essential element of his character; but the whore became accustomed to them and used them as long as they could be used to achieve her selfish interests; but this verse prophesies a radical change.
“These shall hate the whore”; her principles and sentiments, her doctrines, which are doctrines of devils, her wicked practices, her idolatries, adulteries, murders, and thefts. They will repent of their fornications with her, and cease from them; their love will be turned to hatred, and the latter will be greater than the former ever was, as it usually is with men towards harlots, when they see their own foolishness, and how they have been deceived and abused by them.
There seems to be some disagreement between this statement and what was previously said. In the former, Revelation 17:12-14, these ten governments are represented as being in alliance with the beast; that is, as “giving all their power and strength” to it; and as uniting with it in making war with the Lamb. What is said here must, therefore, refer to some later period, indicating some great change in their feelings and guiding principles. We have seen the evidence of the fulfillment of the former statements. This statement will be accomplished if these same powers, represented by the ten horns that were formerly in alliance with the papacy become its enemy, and contribute to its final overthrow. That is to say, it will be accomplished if the nations of Europe, embraced within the borders of those ten kingdoms, shall become hostile to the papacy, and shall unite for its overthrow. Is anything more probable than this? This is the prophesy that I mentioned earlier.
Even Apostate Christianity has far too much truth and righteousness in it for the devil ever to love it. The beast hated the harlot even while they were using each other. The godless state of individuals and nations can never willingly accept a rival.
“And shall make her desolate, and naked,” means either (1), leave her, quit her communion, no more commit fornication with her, or join with her in her idolatrous worship; but come out from that apostate church, and renounce all fellowship with her, and persuade and engage as many as they can influence to do the same; or (2), strip her of her purple, scarlet color, gold, pearls, and precious stones; cease to give their power and strength, withhold their taxes and tribute, deprive her of her power and authority within their realms, civil and ecclesiastical, and take away even her fortune from her; and not only that, but expose her shame and filthiness, her abominable principles and practices, to all the world; which has been in part done already.
Now and then, here and there, since the Reformation, evil nations have exhibited samplings of that phenomenon, which is prophesied here to become universal. Some instances from the past are: when all of the monasteries and religious institutions of France were plundered, confiscated, and liquidated during the French Revolution. The same thing took place during the current decade in China and in Russia, before that. However, the fulfillment of this will be on a far grander scale than these isolated occurrences.
“And shall eat her flesh”; not literally, but mystically; not out of love, but hatred. They shall take for themselves, and make use of everything that has fattened her, as bishoprics{11], and other benefices{10], lands, endowments (donations, gifts, bequests) belonging to abbeys, and monasteries, and other religious houses; so some understand this phrase to denote “devouring the substance of others” (Psalm 27:2); “the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean” (Isaiah 17:4); “who shall also eat the flesh of my people” (Micah 3:3); “let the rest eat, everyone the flesh of another” (Zechariah 11:9); and in Revelation 17:16, “he shall eat the flesh of the fat.”
The ultimate and final destruction of Apostate Christianity is prophesied here, an event that must be assigned to some future time. This coming destruction should not be the cause of any rejoicing on the part of the true Christian; because, in all probability, all of them will also perish (except perhaps a few) in the ensuing holocaust. One cannot help pondering the thought that if the harlot herself would repent, clean up her act, purge out the idols, give up the arrogance, and re-enthrone Christ instead of a man, and turn to the Lord, the ultimate disaster might be postponed; but it appears to be a vain thought.
“And burn her with fire” might refer indirectly to the law in Leviticus 21:9{12] which required that the daughter of a priest, that played the whore, should be burnt with fire; and this implies a literal burning of the city of Rome, the headquarters of the whore, “with fire” “Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. (Revelation 18:8). Rome has been very close to being burnt in the past by the forces of Alaricus the Goth, Attila the Hun, Genseric the Vandal, and by Totilas, and in later times by Charles the Fifth; and it would have been, had they not been talked out of it or diverted from it.
We learn from this that Rome, and the Roman antichrist, will not be destroyed by unbelievers, but by the Christians; and by the same states, and kingdoms, and princes, by which the whore of Rome has been supported in her grandeur, power, and authority, who will revolt against Popery, and embrace the pure Gospel of Christ. And this shows that the ten horns, or kingdoms, into which the Roman Empire has been divided, will subsist in this form at the destruction of Rome; wherefore, it has been rightly observed by some, that not one of these kingdoms shall ever be able to rise to become a universal monarchy. France attempted it under Napoleon, but in vain; and we may sit down easy and satisfied, assuring ourselves with the greatest confidence, that all attempts at doing it this way will be fruitless; there never will be another universal monarchy on earth but that of Christ’s (see Daniel 2:37). The ten final (understood as a symbolical indefinite number) kingdoms will at the time of fulfillment of this prophecy be finished with all religion, apostate or not, and they shall burn and eat their former mistress.
The prophecy of the Holy Spirit given through the Apostle John is that the kingdoms of the world, some day, are going to get weary of the idolatrous church. They will get tired of being told by a Papal envoy or a legate what they shall, or shall not, do. They will hate the whore, make her desolate, rob her of all her riches, make her naked and strip her of her scarlet robes, purple gowns, and of the pearls and precious stones; and they shall appropriate all of her riches. The ten final (understood as a symbolical indefinite number) kingdoms will at the time of fulfillment of this prophecy be finished with all religion, apostate or not, and they shall burn and eat their former mistress.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will” by doing the “above things” to the whore of Rome, whose destruction is according to the will of God; it is His approving will, and He will be well pleased when she is dead and gone; it is what He will order to be done (Revelation 18:6); and it is His determining will, His will of purpose, His decree, what he has decide shall be done. He has predetermined the duration of her reign, and she shall not continue to rule for a minute longer. In destroying her, these kings will not be doing their own will as much as the will of God, and God will put it into their hearts to do it. He will work in them both to will and to do; He will fill them with hatred for her; He will persuade their minds to do the above things, since it will be within their power to do them. He who has the hearts of all men, and even of kings, in His hands, and can turn them as if they are rivers of water, will cause them to do His will (Proverbs 21:1)[13]. He that turned the hearts of the Egyptians to hate His people Israel (Psalm 105:25){14] will turn the hearts of these kings to hate the whore, and to do those things to her that are predicted here; and the same God will do this, who has, already put into their hearts to do the following things.
“And to agree”: this clause has been left out in some versions, and it means the same as “acting harmoniously” and “having one mind” (Revelation 17:13); that is, “having the same religion.” God is giving them up to a reprobate mind, to believe a lie, so that they might be damned; which must not be understood to pertain to the same individuals, but to their predecessors. On the other hand, this can be taken to mean that they are in agreement when it comes to the destiny of the whore, that is, to pull her down, and set up the pure worship and service of God; for this is a blessing of grace from God, who gives His people one heart and one way, that they may show respect for Him (Jeremiah 32:39), but the former sense seems best.
“And give their kingdom unto the beast,” the eighth king, and seventh head, the pope of Rome; to whom they have given their power and strength in civil and ecclesiastical things, their wealth and riches; and have received their royal crowns from him, and have held on to their kingdoms with His help, and are now tributary to him; and this done and is how it will be.
“Until the words of God shall be fulfilled,” but not forever; not as a permanent arrangement. God has set a limit to the existence of this satanic power. When His purposes are accomplished, these kingdoms will withdraw their support, and this mighty power will fall to rise no more.
“The words of God,” which “shall be fulfilled,” are those words concerning the afflictions of His church and people, and the reign of antichrist, for the space of forty and two months (Revelation 11:2); and all of this will happen while they are fulfilling the secret will of God, which is unknown to them.
“God’s words shall be fulfilled,” and yet, the ten kings act against His revealed will, and break His commands; just as the Jews, ignorant of the prophecies of the Old Testament, fulfilled them by condemning Christ (Acts 13:27). Yet, in spite of this single horrendous act, God put it into the hearts of these kings to fulfill His will by destroying the whore of Rome. This is easily received by the people of God; but, there seems to be some difficulty relating to Him putting it into their hearts to agree to give their kingdoms to the beast, which was sinful. Now, he did this, not by infusing sin into them, which is contrary to His pure and holy nature; but by leaving them, and giving them up to their own hearts’ lusts; stirring up, and moving upon their minds, and directing their thoughts for accomplishing His purposes, which they readily and voluntarily fell in with; and yet the concern that God shows here does not, nor do His decrees about sin infringe upon the liberty of the will, or excuse the sinfulness of the action, or make God the author of sin; as the instances of selling Joseph by his brethren, and the crucifixion of Christ by the Jews, show.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city.” The “woman” represents the “great city.” In the context this undoubtedly refers to Babylon. It is the only city referred to specifically in this chapter (Revelation 17:5; Revelation 16:18; Revelation 14:8). As a system of apostate religion, which Babylon originated (Genesis 10-11) and symbolizes, it reigned over the leaders and kingdoms of the world. Though religion has always guided the decisions of political rulers, this was never more obvious than during the Middle Ages in Europe. Then the popes wielded great influence over the political leaders of the Holy Roman Empire. The religious influence of Jezebel over King Ahab is a striking parallel in biblical history.
“That great city” is mystery Babylon, not literal Babylon, but it is actually Rome. That’s confusing! The city of Rome is the capital of the pagan empire, and of the harlot-beast that succeeded her as the seventh head, the headquarters of her entire operation. She is still careful to preserve the name “Roman” in every detail of her worldwide operations. The view that makes this the literal city of Rome falls woefully short, requiring that the scope of the prophecy cannot extend beyond literal Rome's rule as a world empire, an era that ended in 476 A.D. It also requires that the radical alteration of the symbol “Babylon” through changing it to “Mystery Babylon” must be ignored. Therefore, we cannot accept the view that only the literal city of Rome is meant.
The focus of the revelation in this chapter is the age-old apostate religious system and its relation to government during the seven-year Tribulation period. During the first half of the Tribulation it will be an ecumenical, worldwide body that will stand above government and will be aggressively hostile to true believers in God. At the end of the Great Tribulation, Antichrist will terminate it and demand universal worship of himself.
"In view of the fact that there does not seem to be any religious opposition to the woman, and her authority seems to be complete except for individual saints whom she persecutes, the evidence seems to support the fact that the woman represents an ecumenical or worldwide church embracing all of Christianity religiously, and therefore including not only the Roman Catholic Church but Protestant and Greek Orthodox as well. The final form of world religion will not even be Christian in name, and will actually be an atheistic, humanistic, satanic system which denies everything related to the true God, and is the persecutor of all who fail to worship the political ruler.
“Which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” This was literally true in John’s day; but it is equally true historically, today, and ever since the words ceased to have any application at all to the literal city. “Reigneth” is used here to describe one who has kingship over the kings. The “harlot” cannot be a mere city, except in a spiritual sense (Revelation 11:8). Also the beast cannot represent a spiritual power, but a world-power. Now the harlot is ripe for judgment. Revelation 18:1-24 gives the details of it.
This verse takes us right up to the judgment day; but another view of final events will be given in Revelation 18, culminating in the final judgment recorded at the end of that chapter.
Scripture and Special Notes
[1} “The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.” (Revelation 13:1)
[2} “When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.” (Revelation 11:7).
[3} “But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” (Revelation 19:20)
[4} “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18)
[5} The “decemviri” or decemvirs (Latin for "ten men") were any of several 10-man commissions established by the Roman Republic.
[6} “And is of the seven,” the last of them and is an idolatrous one, as the rest were, requiring and encouraging the worship of angels, of the virgin Mary, and departed saints. The pope of Rome is the eighth king, and seventh head, the latter with respect to his earthly power, and the former with respect to his ecclesiastical authority; for his government is different from the rest, being of a mixed kind, partly civil, and partly ecclesiastical, and therefore is signified by two beasts in the thirteenth chapter.
[7} Perdition (in Christian theology) is a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and impenitent person passes after death. Synonyms: damnation, eternal punishment, hell, hellfire, doom.
[8} Pall (Pallium), is the name given a liturgical vestment worn over the chasuble by the pope, archbishops, and some bishops in the Roman Catholic Church. It is bestowed by the pope on archbishops and bishops having metropolitan jurisdiction as a symbol of their participation in papal authority. It is made of a circular strip of white lamb’s wool about two inches wide and is placed over the shoulders. Two vertical bands, extending from the circular strip in the front and back, give the pallium a Y-shaped appearance. Six crosses, one each on the chest and back and on each shoulder and band, adorn the vestment.
[9} The ten powers or kingdoms represented by those horns. See the notes on Revelation 17:12.
[10}Benefices; a position or post to a priest that guarantees a fixed amount of property or income.
[11} Bishoprics; the see, diocese, or office of a bishop.
[12} “If a priest's daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she disgraces her father; she must be burned in the fire.” (Leviticus 21:9)
[13} “In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” (Proverbs 21:1)
[14] “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.” (Revelation 17:3)
[15} “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:7)
[16} “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)
