Moving toward the last section of the book of Revelation, chapter 16 recorded the final series of judgments that will take place on the earth at the end of the seven-year period that concludes with the return of Christ to earth. Very severe judgments that will bring great destruction upon the earth. The seventh bowl judgment was recorded in verses 17 to 21 of chapter 16. Just as a point for you to note, that judgment will include, verse 18 says, a great earthquake such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth. So great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. That will result in the great city being split and the cities of the nations suffering destruction. We are reminded with the relatively minor earthquakes that we see in our day, that the sovereign God will sometime in the future shake the earth to an extent and a degree that has never been experienced before, bringing overwhelming destruction. Under that seventh bowl, we are told in verse 19 that Babylon the Great was remembered before God to give her the cup of the wine of his fierce wrath." Babylon, as we have seen already, and we'll be seeing further as we study chapters 17 and 18, is a reference to the satanic system that has controlled and dominated the world since the opening chapters of the book of Genesis. It will come to a climax in a city on the earth which will be the center of Satan's earthly empire in the 70th week of Daniel. The destruction of that city and all associated with it will mark the destruction of Satan's control and domination of this world. The rebellion of Satan against God goes back before what we have recorded in the opening chapters of Genesis. The events of Satan's fall are recorded in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. We won't take time to turn there. But we're told, for example, in Isaiah chapter 14, that Satan desired to exalt himself above God. I will be like the Most High. I will exalt my throne. And as a result of his rebellion against God in attempting to usurp the place of God, Satan was cast from his position as the anointed cherub that covered the throne of God. In Genesis chapter 3, mankind joined Satan in his rebellion against God. And as Satan lured Eve with a temptation, you can be like God, Adam and Eve, followed Satan in his rebellion against God, and the human race fell into sin. From that point to this, all humanity has lived under the domination and authority of Satan. He rules over them and over this world as his kingdom. And it is a satanic world system that we see in operation throughout the world today. Several passages of Scripture point to the fact that Satan is ruling this world. He is doing it through the system that we will see in chapter 17 and 18 as Babylon. The Babylonian system is the satanic operation, religiously, politically, and commercially, in the world down through history. You can jot down these verses, but listen as I read them, we won't take the time to turn there. Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1 and 2. And you were dead in your trespasses and sin, in which you formally walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. You see that description? Fallen man walks according to the course of this world, the pattern of this world, which is according to the prince of the power of the air, referring to Satan. So he is the sovereign prince controlling this world and the inhabitants of this world. He works in the sons of disobedience, which are the unbelieving people of this world. In First John, chapter 5, in verse 19, We are told that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. The whole world lies in the power of the evil one, referring to Satan. He sovereignly rules over this world, and all the unbelieving people of this world are in his power. That's why Jesus called Satan the ruler of this world. In John's Gospel, chapter 12, in verse 31, Now the judgment of this world has come, Jesus said. Now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. With his death and resurrection, Christ defeated Satan, broke his power, but he continues to rule until the events that we're studying in chapter 17, 18, and 19, where the personal return of Christ will bring an end to the reign of Satan. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 4, Paul called Satan the God, the small g, of this world. 2nd Corinthians 4, 4. The God of this world. He functioned with power and authority over this world, this world system. Remember in the temptation of Christ in Matthew chapter 4, verses 8 and 9, Satan took Christ up into a high mountain. and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Then Satan said to Christ, All these things will I give you if you will fall down and worship me. You see, it's the God of this world, the Prince of the power of the air. He was offering to Christ the power to rule the world. under Satan's authority. You see, at the heart of Satan's rebellion is the issue of worship. Who will be God? At the heart of all man's rebellion against God is idolatry. Romans chapter 1 says, fallen sinful man has rejected God and replaced him with a God of his own making. worships and serves the creature rather than the Creator and behind all false worship is the worship of the God of this world, Satan. So at the heart of the Babylonian system, as it is unfolded in Revelation 17 and 18, the satanic system dominating this world is religion. Because at the heart of this world system is the worship of the God of this world. It's not limited to religion, but religion pervades everything. The political and commercial dimensions of the world and the empires of the world as well. That's the division Jesus talked about in Matthew chapter 6, when he says, You cannot serve God and riches. Mammon. Boy, we live in a materialistic world. That's the only kind of world there's ever been since the fall. People are so greedy, power hungry, money hungry. That's the way it's been since the fall. And particularly, since Satan inaugurated his Babylonian system in the early chapters of Genesis. In the first six verses of Revelation 17, John had a vision given him of a harlot, a great harlot, sitting on many waters. John was carried into the wilderness in verse three and saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. Full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet. Very wealthy. Verse five, on her forehead was a name written, a mystery. A mystery is something that cannot be understood apart from divine revelation. Even when there's divine revelation, it will take the supernatural wisdom of God to understand that revelation. So in verse nine, he will say, here is the mind which has wisdom. that God has divinely enabled to understand the truth that he is revealing. We want to be clear. We're studying a matter that is difficult. It is impossible to understand it apart from the supernatural revelation of God. But even as believers, we must discipline ourselves in obedience to the spirit to carefully study the word. so that the Spirit might enlighten our mind and give us understanding. One of the things that happens in the study of prophecy is it divides believer and unbeliever. The unbeliever has an impossible time understanding scripture, but he can think he understands much of it. But when you come to the study of prophecy, he soon is lost in a fog. That's why one of the concerns I have when I hear people say, oh, I don't like the study of prophecy. I just want to deal with things for today. A yellowish red light goes off in my mind. Am I really dealing with a believer? I'm not saying there are times that, you know, believers are struggling with understanding prophecy, I realize. But there may be a situation, since he can't make heads or tails of this, he doesn't want to be bothered studying it. It may indicate he doesn't have the divine wisdom that God gives only to a believer. Well, this is a mystery. The angel will explain the mystery, beginning in verse 7. The mystery is Babylon the Great, the mother of Harlots, and of the abominations of the earth. This woman, identified as Babylon the Great, has been the source that has corrupted the world. Secondly, been involved in the persecution of the people of God in verse 6. We must jump back to Genesis chapter 11. As we mentioned in Genesis chapter 3, mankind followed Satan in his rebellion against God, and the fall into sin occurred. From that point on, the human race was corrupted by sin. In fact, it got so bad that when you get to Genesis chapter 6, we're told that God said every intention of man's heart was only evil continually. So he said he would destroy the world with a flood, saving only Noah. and his immediate family. However, after the flood, Noah and his family survived by the grace of God, but Noah and his family were sinners also. So the sin nature of man, fallen in Adam, bridged the flood through the family of Noah. So the people after the flood are also sinners. Something takes place when you get to Genesis chapter 11. Satan ruled over fallen mankind from Genesis 3 to Genesis 11. Now, in Genesis 11, Satan makes his first attempt to organize the world into a unified system centering in a city that will unite the religious, political, and commercial aspects of his empire into one world government. In the opening verses of Genesis 11, people of the earth who were instructed after the flood in Genesis chapter 9 verse 7, be fruitful and multiply, populate the earth abundantly. Multiply it. After the flood, they were just scattered throughout the world. But in chapter 11, men and women decide that they want to build a city that will become the center of one world government and will keep them unified. The heart of that city is a tower whose top will reach to heaven. As God saw their intention, he intervenes, verse 7, comes down and confuses the language of the people. And this is where the different languages of the world came from. They're scattered out into other parts of the world, and the different races of the world develop accordingly. We see here from Genesis 11, it is God's intention to keep the world divided, not united. Now, it's part of Satan's intention and desire, as the god of this world, to unite the world into one world government under his control and authority. So all the successive empires of the world, and we're going to look at a number of them as we study chapter 17, are part of Satan's attempt to overthrow the plan of God and institute one world government in obedience to Satan and worshiping him. At times, Satan has been more successful, we would say from a human perspective, at times less successful. But every attempt has ultimately failed. We are moving toward the final and greatest success he will have. which will take place in the seven years leading up to the return of Christ, and particularly the last half of those seven years, when he will center the government of the world in a city called Babylon in chapter 17 and 18. And that will be a religious, political, and commercial center. All the world will be united under the authority of the Antichrist, the false Christ. See what Satan is doing. He is attempting to counterfeit and replace the plan of God. God is moving the creation toward the establishing of an earthly kingdom over which his son, Jesus Christ, will reign with his capital city, Jerusalem. Satan wants to create his own counterfeit world ruler with his own world capital, with himself as the God who is worshipped. That attempt will result, finally, in Revelation 17 and 18, in a crushing destruction which will bring to an end the Babylonian system, begun in chapter 11 of Genesis, and working as a corrupting influence through all the successive empires of the world. Recognizing this, you and I as believers ought to have some understanding of why the world is in such bad shape. why the corruption and vileness of the world spills out all around. We don't have a one world empire. We don't have a major empire like the Roman Empire or the Greek Empire in existence today. But we have the Babylonian system, the satanic system, religiously, politically, commercially corrupting this world. We ought not to be surprised. It's a while our day. Well, what has happened to the world? What do you mean? What has happened to the world? I'll tell you what has happened to the world. In Genesis chapter 3, mankind followed Satan in his rebellion. In Genesis chapter 11, Satan attempted to organize that rebellion and assert his influence. And while he was not able to bring it to pass, he continues to work his satanic system through the world. And that will continue, becoming more successful, not less successful, Until, at the end of the seventieth week of Daniel, God brings it to a conclusion with a crushing destruction. So that's the picture we're involved in, in Revelation chapter 17. All right, we're ready for the angel to interpret the vision that John has seen of this whore called Babylon the Great, the corrupter of the earth. the persecutor of the saints. The angel said to me, Why do you wonder? The end of verse six, we're told that John wondered greatly. I mean, he is in awe of this vision. It's very striking. What does it all mean? This is awesome. This is overwhelming. The angel says, Why do you wonder? I shall tell you the mystery of the woman. and of the beast that carries her. The beast and the woman are not the same thing. The beast carries the woman. She rides on his back, and we're going to see this is characteristic of the woman as she's identified with each of the major world empires. She is in a dominant position of influence and control. There's one mystery here being explained. And that entails the explanation of both the beast and the woman that is riding the beast. The beast has seven heads and ten horns. An important factor. We go back and we will later to Revelation 12. And it's mentioned there the seven heads and ten horns in Chapter 13, a beast with seven heads and ten horns in Chapter 17, verse three, a beast having seven heads and ten horns. Now down in verse 7, a beast having seven heads and ten horns. We jumped ahead in our study back in chapter 12 and back in chapter 13 and took a preview. But here comes the full explanation of what this all means. The mystery is to be explained. The divine interpretation is about to be given. The beast that you saw was and is not is about to come up out of the abyss to go into destruction. The beast that you saw was and is not the beast, as we saw back in Chapter 13, and we'll go back to Chapter 13 in a moment, is both the king and the kingdom. King and the kingdom are used interchangeably in Scripture like we do. If the president of the United States declares war, the United States has declared war. You can interchange the two, the ruler and the country or the empire that he rules. So we talk about what the Roman Empire did, or we might talk about what Julius Caesar did. They often blend together because his action was the action of the empire that he ruled and so on. So we talk about the beast here. We're talking about both the man and here in Chapter 17, it's the Antichrist. and the kingdom that he ruled, but the emphasis will be on the Antichrist as a person. We talk about the beast. He was and is not back in chapter 13. You might turn back there now. We saw that the Antichrist received a mortal wound and evidently died and is brought back to life. Now, it's true the Roman Empire is going to cease to exist, has ceased to exist for all intents and purposes as an empire, and is going to be resurrected as an empire. But it seems the focal point in chapter 13 and again in chapter 17 is on the individual man that is ruling the empire. Verse 3, I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. The whole world was amazed and followed after the beast. That fatal wound in view there, down in verse 12. of chapter 13. The end of the verse, he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast whose fatal wound was healed. The end of verse 14, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and had come to life. So it seems that the beast that was and is not, as John has carried to the future, refers to the fact that the beast lived and then died. and is going to come back to life, as we'll see in a moment. Incidentally, while you're in chapter 13, look at the end of verse 5. Authority was given to him to act for 42 months. Chapter 13 places this event in the middle of the 70th week of Daniel. So some of what we have in chapter 17 of Revelation carries us back to the middle of the tribulation so that we can understand the destruction of Babylon that takes place at the end of the Tribulation, since Babylon and the Beast are joined together, and these events are important in their connection. Come back to chapter 17. The Beast you saw was and is not. He lives, he'll be killed, he is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. So he'll come out of the abyss. In chapter 11 of Revelation, verse 7, we were told that the beast comes out of the abyss. In chapter 9, we're told that the abyss is the dwelling place of demons. In chapter 20 of Revelation, verse 1 and verse 3, Satan will be cast into the abyss for the thousand-year kingdom. So when you say he was and is not and comes out of the abyss, I think it's a reference he comes back to life. Perhaps following his death, he went to the abyss. Now he's called back to life. But he will go to destruction. This being the dwelling place of demons also indicates that the demons and Satan are behind him and empower him. But he has not come out of death as a conqueror like Jesus Christ did. Jesus Christ died and was raised never to die again. The beast will die. Be raised again to suffer destruction and an eternal hell and to go to destruction as a reference. to his condemnation in hell. The impact of all this, we read in chapter 13 just a moment ago, the people who dwell on the earth were amazed at these events. Well, we read that same thing in verse 8. Those who dwell on the earth will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life and the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that he was and is not and will come. The people on earth and those who dwell on the earth is a reference to unbelievers. the expression that's used repeatedly through the book of Revelation to refer to those who belong to the earth, who belong to this world, who belong to this earth system. They will be in awe. They will be totally taken in by this satanic counterfeit. Indication is that the elect will not be deceived, which is another characteristic, incidentally, of the people of God. They are to be a people of discernment. Now, that doesn't mean we are not susceptible to deception. Paul wrote the Corinthians and says, I'm concerned lest you be deceived from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. But nonetheless, it's characteristic of one who is a true believer that he has discernment. Here, the people of the earth, the unbeliever, will be taken in by this satanic counterfeit. Those who dwell on the earth are further defined as those whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. It's interesting to me how almost in passing. A statement is made to further clarify or identify a group of people, but it makes a strong, bold statement about the sovereign work of God in salvation. It says, these unbelievers who are deceived by the Antichrist are people whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. This is the same thing that was said back in chapter 13. verse 8, and all who dwell on the earth will worship him, the resurrected Antichrist, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. As we studied when we were in chapter 13, what this says is before the foundation of the world, which means before the creation of the world, In Genesis 1-1, God recorded in a book the names of those who would experience his salvation. He chose not to put the names of other people in that book, and they will not experience his salvation. Go back to Ephesians chapter 1, verse 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Now note this, "...just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world." In other words, God's sovereign choice of some people to be saved and experience all the blessings of heaven occurred before he ever created the world in Genesis 1-1. Now, what this means is that some people have their names in the book of life and are going to believe in Christ and go to heaven. Some people did not have their names put in the book of life. They will never believe they are going to hell. Look over in Revelation chapter 20. We have recorded the last and final judgment of Scripture. at which judgment all unbelievers will be sentenced to an eternity in hell. Verse 12 of Revelation 20, I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, the throne of Christ, who is the judge of all men. And the books and books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books according to their deeds or their works. Now, note here, there's two sets of books here, if you will. The books that contain all the works you've done, and the book of life." They say, aha, that's the way I thought it would be. When I stand at the judgment seat, he'll open up and look at all the works I've done, they'll put them on the scale, and if my good works outweigh my bad, I go to heaven. Wrong. The books are here, the books that contain all the works that a person has done. They're judged on the basis of those works, but only to determine what their sentence in hell will be. Everybody at the Great White Throne is going to hell. Nobody will escape hell on the basis of their good works because, note verse 15, if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Oh, wait a minute. The names were put in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world. What the Bible calls the doctrine of election, God sovereignly choosing men and women for his salvation. Look over in chapter 21, verse 27. So we talk about those who would be privileged to enter the New Jerusalem in the eternal kingdom. Verse 27 of Revelation 21, nothing unclean, no one who practices abomination and lying shall ever come into it. But only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. So you see the issue here, where you will spend eternity, heaven or hell. Say, well, my first response and maybe your last response is this is not fair. Here, before anybody in this auditorium was ever born, before there was ever a world, God had written in his book of life who would be saved. And he had chosen not to write other names in that book, meaning they will never be saved. How can this be fair? If God is righteous, if you're not in the book, you don't have a chance. Well, put this in the right perspective. The scripture, I believe, clearly indicates that God was making his choice from among fallen, sinful human beings. God did not select from among innocent, pure people, some to be put into the book of life and some to be excluded and go to hell. But the book of life becomes necessary because of the fall of mankind into sin. So, from among the pool of fallen, sinful, wretched, defiled people who were the enemies of God, who hated him and want nothing to do with him or his salvation, he sovereignly chose to save some. He is not obligated to save any. So once you understand the sinfulness of man, his guilt before God, then the fairness of God in sending people to hell is resolved. The reason people want to say, I don't believe that God would send people to hell, my God would never do that, and on and on, is because they've not come to grips with what the Bible says about how sinful we really are, how great our sin against the Holy God is. But once that settled, the issue of the justice of God in sentencing people to hell is settled. This was done with the angels. Remember, the angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God, sinned against God, and their destiny was settled forever. Do you realize that God never provided salvation for angels? Hebrews chapter 2, Jesus Christ did not take upon himself the nature of angels. But he took upon himself humanity because the intention was to provide salvation for humanity, not angels. Angels sinned and God never provided salvation for them. Was that righteous? Was that fair? Of course. To be righteous, all he has to do is be sure that the proper penalty is carried out as payment for their sin. You and I are sinful human beings. If God had never sent Christ to the cross, He would have been perfectly just in sentencing every single one of us to an eternal hell. But from among fallen, sinful human beings, in love and mercy, he determined he would save some. That's a testimony to his grace. That's why we don't sit around and say, my, I'm saved. Look how valuable I am to God. That destroys the whole concept of the mercy and grace of God. in his sovereign work of election. Nothing to do with your worth or value. It has to do with his grace. So that I can only sit and say, why me? Why should he select me, wretched, vile, hell-deserving sinner, to experience his grace and salvation? The only explanation given in Scripture is the depths of his love. Why did he not select everyone? Again, it's hidden in the eternal counsels of God, because it did not suit his purposes to do so. Just like why did he not provide salvation for fallen angels? Because it did not suit his purposes to do so. That's part of the flaw, and I don't want to get too far afield here from our study of the events of chapter 17. But this is the flaw in this whole doctrine that pervading the Church is, though, the more unbelievers we can get together, the better we're doing. Paul said, I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they might come to the salvation, which is in Jesus Christ. The purity of the word of God is offensive to those who are perishing, but it's not offensive to the elect or being drawn by the sovereign power of God. I don't know who the elect are, so I want to follow the pattern of the apostle Paul and endure all things so that by God's grace, the elect might come to the salvation, which is in Christ. But I don't have to help God out by altering the message or mellowing the truth. So I'm not too offensive, because in God's sovereign grace, when the elect are hit in the face with the word of God, and the timing of God has come for their salvation, they will believe. And I'm a servant to carry his message. So that's what is entailed back in chapter 17. When he says, those whose names have not been written in the book of life and the foundation of the world, some people say, oh, I believe all the names were written there. And then as people are born and die, if they haven't believed their names erased, that's not what it says. It says their name hasn't been in the book from the foundation of the world. It never appeared. They say, well, what's the purpose of evangelism then? Why don't I just sit in my chair and watch television and let God save the elect? Because he's God and you're man and you do what he tells you, right? Who am I to sit in a chair and say, well, God, if that's the way you did it, I'm not moving. You know, we're always fighting to take God's place, aren't we? I don't think I agree with what God said here. Well, who cares? Bite your tongue and get on with doing what he says. He's God, you're man. What is man that you are mindful of him? We forget that he's God. He's the potter, we're the clay. Same picture as Romans 9. If he wants from a lump of sinful clay to make a vessel of honor and want a vessel of dishonor, that's his business. He can do with the sinful clay as he pleases. Well, that's all an expansion of what is just mentioned here as a clarification point. So I hope you won't get lost in my expanded clarification, but come back to Revelation 17. These are the people that fall for the deception of the Antichrist. One more word. I think this may explain why so much of the professing church of Jesus Christ falls for satanic deception today. Much of the professing church is comprised of those who are not the people of God at all and lack the discernment that only the Spirit of God can give. and so are deceived. Here is the mind which has wisdom. Now, we see the reaction of the world. Now let's get explanation. Here is the mind which has wisdom. So, believer, it's going to take spiritual discernment to understand and comprehend. That's why you can read commentary after commentary on the book of Revelation and not get any help. Because the writer of it is totally lost. Lost literally and lost in his understanding of the book. I'm not saying my understanding of every detail is correct. Please accept my acknowledgement of humility. I did make one or two mistakes, but I've corrected them. No. Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, and they are seven kings. The seven heads are seven mountains. are seven games so you could write on a piece of paper you're taking notes seven heads equal seven now equal seven games of the a literal translation of the Greek text the seven mountains the seven heads are seven mountains are seven games so they had the mountains and the king all refer to the same thing as we get the explanation in verse ten Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come. He only gives one explanation of the seven. He doesn't give an explanation of what the seven heads are, an explanation of what the seven mountains are, an explanation of what the seven kings are. But there's only one series of seven, pictured as heads, mountains, or kings. But all three are picturing the same seven things, seven items. You'll note at the end of verse 9, the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. This has caused some to make the identification with Rome. The woman is sitting on seven mountains. You can go to secular and biblical works as well and see maps lay out the seven hills of Rome. Rome was noted as the city built on seven hills, a hill and a mountain. Word can mean the same. Three chords can mean the same, a hill or a mountain. Some say, well, this is the identification here. The woman is the city of Rome, because everybody would have realized that Rome was the city on seven hills or seven mountains. However, the problem with that is we're told that the seven heads are seven mountains and they are seven kings. Now, if we're going to break into this and say the seven heads are seven mountains, well, then are the heads literal heads or the mountains literal mountains or aren't the heads mountains? And if the heads are literal heads and also represent something else, then maybe the mountains are literal mountains and also represent something else. But that's not the way to go. You can go either way. You could say, let's identify what the heads are. And then we'll know what the mountains are, and we'll know what the kings are. You can go the other way. Let's find out what the kings are, and then we'll know for sure what the mountains are, what the heads are. Let's start with the mountains. Whether Rome is the city you're in view here or not, we may talk about it a little bit further. Some take it from verse 18. It's the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth, and that would have been Rome in John's day. I don't think that the seven mountains on which she sits refer to Rome sitting on the seven hills. Because he says the seven heads are seven mountains, are seven kings. A mountain in scripture is used to represent a kingdom. That's true in Old Testament prophecy. For example, just jot it down, Daniel 2.35. Daniel 2.35. All the kingdoms of the world are now crushed by a stone that's cut without hands. Referring to Christ and his kingdom. It pulverizes the kingdoms of the world and grows into a great mountain that encompasses the world. What do you mean a great mountain that encompasses the world? We're talking about the messianic kingdom. The mountain represents a kingdom. That's true in Isaiah chapter 2, verse 2, and multiplied passages through the Old Testament. So that fits. A king and a kingdom. Well, the seven heads or seven mountains are seven kings or kingdoms. Well, that fits. A mountain is a king or a kingdom. And the heads, they're kings or kingdoms. So they all refer to the same thing. Look back in Revelation chapter 12, verse 3. Another sign appeared in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, and the great red dragon is Satan. He's interpreted for us down in verse 9. The great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old, who was called the devil and Satan. We have in verse 3, another sign appeared in heaven, a great red dragon, Satan. having seven heads and ten horns." There's those seven heads and ten horns again. It's on the beast in chapter 13 and chapter 17. But it's on Satan in chapter 12. Why? He's the god of this world. He is the power and authority behind the earthly empires that come and go. Well, this is not a reflection contrary to the sovereignty of God. because God is sovereign over all, and Satan is functioning by the permission of God. But nonetheless, he is the power and authority and source behind all these empires. So here you have the seven heads, and you'll note at the end of verse 3 of Revelation 13, on his head were seven diadems. A diadem is the crown of a ruler, because the heads represent kings or kingdoms that are empowered and controlled by Satan. The ten horns, as we'll see later in chapter 17 of Revelation, are the final ten kingdoms that form an empire, the seventh empire that we're talking about. In chapter 13 of Revelation, verse 1, I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were diadems. So the diadems are seen on the horns now, not on the heads. But both the heads and the horns are kings and kingdoms. And on his heads were blasphemous names. So they're kingdoms that are blasphemous. Why? Because the corrupt satanic system, the Babylonian system, has corrupted all the empires of the world. All seven of these empires that we're going to focus on, that are the empires that are significant in Scripture and have been directly involved in persecuting God's people Israel. When we come over to chapter 17, there's fuller explanation of a breakdown of explanation here, but it's not new material. It comes from the book of Daniel, which we will review in the next study. Verse 9 of Revelation 17, the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, and they are seven kings. So we're talking about empires or kingdoms here, and you'll note The woman sits on these mountains. So we have different pictures to get a more complete picture, different analogies, different metaphors. She's sitting on the mountains, but you know, she sits on all seven mountains. Which represent the kingdom, which portrays that this mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, didn't just come into existence in the 70th week of Daniel. But Babylon the Great has been the mother of harlots with whom the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality. In verse 2, the Babylonian system, which is Satan's system, has sat on all the empires of the earth, been the dominant controlling influence in all the empires of the earth. Going back to Egypt and right on down, to the end of the seventieth week of Daniel. That's why, in chapter 12, verse 3, the heads portraying the same thing, the empires of the world, are seen on Satan the dragon. Because Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, is the satanic system. They go together. That's the picture. So the woman is not limited to one period of time. So you can't pull the mountains out and say, oh, well, they represent empires, but they're also the seven hills of Rome. No. That's just like saying, well, the heads, they are seven empires, but they're also seven literal people. That leads to some real difficulties. And then you have seven kings or kingdoms. Five have fallen. One is. The other has not yet come. So what we're going to do is get then where we are. Five have fallen. One is. That would be identifying point for us. What is? Well, as John writes, Rome is. Then, that'll be the sixth. Five have fallen. One is that sixth. Another is yet to come. That's the seventh. And out of the seventh, there's even going to be an eighth, which isn't one of the seven in its representation. There are only seven heads, seven mountains, seven kingdoms, because the eighth is really one of the seven. So the 70th week of Daniel is a unit, but it's broken down into two specific parts. First half. where the Ten Horn Confederacy will dominate, and the last half where the Little Horn will dominate. But the Little Horn is really one of the seven. He comes to power by replacing three of the seven. All of this is drawing our attention to the fact that God is sovereignly at work in the world, in all of its affairs. All the empires that have come and gone have been satanically controlled and motivated have been attempts by Satan to oppose the plan of God. But in it all, we see that prophetic scriptures have laid down clearly what would take place, what empire would follow another empire, and what the climax of all earthly empires will be. Two things should come out of that for us as believers. Number one, an awe of our God and his sovereign control over all. And number two, it ought to put an end to the ridiculous foolishness that sometimes infects the Church, that there are godly, earthly empires, or particularly that the United States is an exception. Now, we're not one of the empires, we're not an empire like we're talking about, but these empires represent what is true of the world. The whole world lies in the evil one. There are some preachers and speakers like, well, the United States is, you know, that unique island. This is Christian America. Or at least it was. No, it never was. I'm not saying there weren't times when the corruption was not as evident as it is today. But the whole world lies in the evil one. That's the condition of the world. I take great comfort in knowing my God is in control and this world is functioning under the control of Satan's influence. It is corrupted. religiously, politically, commercially. That's why I think Jesus made the distinction in Matthew chapter 6, you cannot serve God and men, and you can't serve God and riches. The serving and worshiping of riches is part of the Babylonian system. We're going to see that in chapter 8. For the destruction of Babylon, the world is crushed because the commercial system is destroyed. How out of character it is for believers to be wringing their hands about the natural catastrophes in the world, or about the corruption of our government, about the overflowing pollution. Well, God put us on the world to be lights in the midst of darkness. So I see that clearly come through when I study a passage like we've looked at in Revelation 17. God is on the throne. Empires come and go, but God's purposes are being accomplished. But understand, until the events of Revelation 17, 18, and 19 are come to pass, Satan will rule this world, religiously, politically, commercially, and every other way. It is a reflection of his character, not God's character. So don't burn up any energy or time trying to improve Satan's system. What we are called to do is be lights in the midst of darkness, to proclaim The glories of the one who called us from light from darkness to light to be testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that by his grace from among fallen mankind, he might call the elect to the salvation that they will find in Christ. It takes a lot of the frustration out of our lives as believers. Oh boy, what's going to happen to the next generation? Oh boy, what about my grandkids? Well, let me encourage you. When all said and done, God will still be reigning. Nothing will get out of control. By His grace, His purposes will be accomplished, even using the sinfulness of man and the rebellion of Satan to accomplish His purposes. You and I rest secure in the care of an eternal God. Doesn't mean there won't be a lot of pressure. In the world you have tribulation, be of good cheer. I have overcome the world, Jesus said. We are a people who call the living God our Father. He's fully trustworthy. Nothing but nothing is out of control. May God keep us from wringing our hands, from showing our frustration at a world that is just manifesting its character. Rather, may God give us the boldness to turn up the light. Not to tell unbelievers they ought to stop sinning. We ought to tell unbelievers they ought to repent and turn to the living God who can set them free from sin. who can set them free from Satan, then they will stop sinning and live by his power and his grace. May this church be a testimony to that end. Let's pray together. Thank you, Father, for your greatness. Lord, a greatness and a majesty and a glory and a power that goes beyond what our finite minds can comprehend. or in comfort. But Lord, we bow as created beings, redeemed by your grace, and offer to you the worship and praise that is due you, not only as the sovereign God, the creating God, the sustaining God, but the God of all grace, the saving God. Lord, we don't understand why, in your purposes and plans, before the world was created, you should choose us from among fallen humanity to experience your grace. But Lord, we lift our voices. We say thank you. We give you all the glory and all the honor and all the credit. Amen.