Studies in Prophecy
The Blood of the Saints
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Rev 17:6 KJV)
The woman is drunken with the blood of the saints and of the martyrs of Jesus is symbolic of the great persecution that the tribulation saints will endure. They will be persecuted to the point that they will gives their lives for their faith. They will be martyrs for following Jesus.
Learn MoreBabylon the Great
“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Rev 17:5 KJV)
The name Babylon comes from Babel, which means confusion. Babel is the mother of the sin of false religion, rebellion, sorcery, and astrology.
Learn MoreGolden Cup
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” (Rev 17:4 KJV)
The woman is arrayed as if she were royalty- from her clothes to the cup she holds. Even though she and the golden cup that she holds is beautiful to behold, the cup shows what is in her heart- abominable sin. This shows the spiritual condition of the world and the false religion that it follows.
Learn MoreScarlet Coloured Beast
“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.” (Rev 17:3 KJV)
The best is the political system of Babylon. The world religious system is supported by the political system. The seven heads are the seven kings seen in verse 10. They represent seven kingdoms. The ten horns are seen in verse 12. They are the ten kings that do not as yet have a kingdom. They will rule with the best for a short while.
Learn MoreThe Wine of Her Fornication
“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.” (Rev 17:2 KJV)
To be drunk with the wine of her fornication is to be partaker’s of her political and religious system. The kings of the earth will enter into a partnership with the political, social, and economic system of Babylon that the antichrist will control. This gives the antichrist control over the world leaders.
Learn MoreThe Great Whore
“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:” (Rev 17:1 KJV)
The Bible uses spiritual adultery to represent apostasy and unfaithfulness to God. The great whore represents the adulterous state of Babylon and false religion.
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