Chapter 17

The Harlot and the Beast -5

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” This final kingdom of Satan will rule with absolute power and authority during the second half of the Tribulation in full opposition to Jesus Christ and His people with nothing on earth able to prevent it, and only the Lamb, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, can overcome it (which He will, see–Rev.19:19-20).

v.15-18 And he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Here, the angel associates the ungodly “religious system” called “the harlot” with a literal city—which is Babylon (see notes—Rev.18:1-3).

I believe that some event during the first half of Tribulation will bring about a consolidated Arab alliance that unites their people, causes, and religion with Babylon as their capitol. The Arabs currently possess half of this planet’s oil reserves and Islam is the largest, fastest growing, and most influential religion in the world. So a merger of these economic and spiritual blocks of powers could certainly result in Babylon having undo economic control over the world (including the European government of Antichrist) as well seating a global religion (perhaps headed by the False Prophet). We certainly can’t deny the ability of spiritual forces to arrange it.

During the first half of the Tribulation this will be acceptable to Antichrist. For he will co-exist with the harlot, and in fact will probably use their religion (with help from the False prophet) to build his prominence. Things will change during the second half of the Tribulation, however.

“And the ten horns…will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked…and burn her with fire. For God has put it in their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast.” Namely, God will motivate the decision-makers to give their kingdom to Antichrist and to hate and subsequently destroy the harlot that controls him. In order to achieve absolute world dominion Antichrist will seize control of the oil reserves, the wealth that goes with it, and will destroy her global religious influence so that all men seek, serve, and worship him as god (and none other).

I believe that Antichrist will make Babylon his capital at this point as a display of power and domination over all that is economic and religious.

[Babylon’s literal destruction is revealed in the next chapter.]