Interactive Revelation Timeline​

The Roman Empire is generally considered to have started in 27 BC, when Octavian, later known as Augustus, became the first Roman emperor. However, 168 BCE is a pivotal moment in the rise of Roman power and the decline of the Greek Empire. The Battle of Pydna, fought between Rome and Macedon during the Third Macedonian War, marked a significant increase in Roman influence in the Hellenistic world and led to the fall of the Antigonid dynasty, which had its origins in the era of Alexander the Great.

Symbolism: The beast's heads represent dominant politico-religious powers that persecuted God's people and led them into spiritual adultery by encouraging worship practices that deviate from God's commands.

Prophetic Application: The 6th head refers to the head described in John's time as the "one is" power. Since John lived during the Roman Empire, we can infer that it is 6th head.

The difference between a beast head and the beast, is that the beast is the entire system of politico-religious powers throughout history (it has many heads and horns), while a head is the current politico-religious power active in a certain point in time.

Bible Texts: Revelation 17:10, see also Revelation 13:1-10, Daniel 2, Daniel 7, and Daniel 8.

Study: #8​​6, More Coming Soon Interactive Chart of Beast Power Systems

Symbolism: pregnant woman about to give birth, clothed with the sun, standing on the moon and wearing a crown with 12 stars.

Prophetic application: Jesus was born as a human being to a virgin named Mary around 4 BC. Prophetically, He was born from God's chosen people, Israel.

Bible Texts:   Revelation 12:1-2, see also ​Jeremiah 2:2 (God's people described as a woman)

Study:  #78

Symbolism: The red dragon stands before the pregnant woman, ready to devour her child. The dragon has 7 heads with crowns, and 10 horns. He swept away 1/3 of the stars of Heaven.

Prophetic Application: Satan sought to prevent Jesus from completing His mission to save humanity. To achieve this, Satan enlisted other fallen angels and established a system designed to deceive and manipulate both governments and religious institutions. This system is symbolized by a set of multiple heads and horns. Throughout history, from the time God chose His people to the end of time, Satan has continuously devised strategies to interfere with human governments and faith systems. At any given time, one of these heads has been active, or in the process of becoming active, representing the dominant government of the era. A key characteristic of this government is its global influence and its integration of a religious element, allowing it to oppress God's faithful people on all fronts—political, social, economic, and religious. 

The angel tells John he lives in the time of the 6th head, which is the 'one is' head. This means, the 6th head was the Roman Empire. The horns are not the focus in the description of the dragon, but the fact they are described means Satan already has a plan in place for the future.

The focus of this passage mentioning the dragon, is that the heads are seen with royal crowns. These kingdoms are key players in driving the oppression against God's people.

Bible Texts: Revelation 12:3-4. See also Revelation 13:1-10, Daniel 2, Daniel 7, and Daniel 8.

Study: #79 Interactive Chart of Beast Power Systems

Symbolism: Woman gives birth and child is snatched up to Heaven. 

Prophetic application: After completing His ministry on Earth, Jesus died in 31 AD, resurrected,  ascended to Heaven, and took His seat on the throne at the right hand of the Father.

Bible Texts: Revelation 12:1-2, Revelation 5, Jeremiah 2:2.

Studies: #33​​​​ #34 #35 #36 #37 #7​​​​8 #8​​​​0

Symbolism: After the child was snatched up to Heaven, the dragon followed Him there, waged war against Michael and His angels, and lost.

Prophetic Application: Furious with Jesus after the Cross, Satan attempted to fight in Heaven, but Jesus' victory was clear and perfect, and Satan and his angels completely lost access to Heaven.

Bible Text: Revelation 12:7-9.

Study: #79​

Symbolism: After being thrown down from Heaven, the dragon persecuted the woman that had given birth.

Prophetic Application: After his access to Jesus was cut off, Satan could no longer personally attack the Savior. Satan was furious and still wanted to try and diminish Jesus' victory. His plan was to attack Jesus' reason for dying on the cross: His bride—Jesus' faithful followers. A fierce persecution started about 3,5 years after Jesus'death. Stephen's stoning marked this event.

Bible Text: Revelation 12:13, Acts 8:1.

Study: #79​​​

Symbolism: A white horse and its rider, carrying a bow and wearing a crown, went out to conquer.

Prophetic Application: The gospel spreads throughout the world, gathering followers for God after Christ's ascension. The key element that identifies the rider, is that he comes from goes out from Heaven to complete the mission. The color white represents purity and victory, and the rider's mission aligns with the spread of God's Word, which began after Pentecost. This conquering is spiritual, as the message of salvation reaches people, and those who accept it begin the journey of overcoming. The rider is identified as Jesus, the living Word of God, riding in His majesty, made possible by His sacrifice on the cross, which enables believers to overcome the world just as He did.

Bible Text: Revelation 6:1-2.

Study: #​​​​38​​​

The fall of Jerusalem marked the devastating destruction of the Second Temple by Roman forces, culminating in a significant moment of Jewish history and the dispersal of the Jewish people. The city's destruction signaled the end of Jewish political autonomy in the region for nearly two millennia.​

John was sent to Patmos, a prison island, for being a faithful servant of the Lord. There, he received a message from God, through symbols, about Jesus and His work to save humanity. The message is to be sent to seven churches in Asia Minor.

Bible Text: Revelation 1:1-2, 9-11.

Studies: #​​4 #7

Symbolism and Prophetic Application: The church was beginning to lose its first, pure love for Jesus, yet it continued to reject false doctrines. Those who overcome are promised to eat from the Tree of Life, symbolizing their spiritual nourishment and sustenance through Jesus' power, leading to eternal life.

Bible Text: Revelation 2:1-7.

Studies:  #​​13  #14

Symbolism and Prophetic Application: This church endured great tribulation and poverty but was rich in the truth of God. Those who overcome are promised not to experience the second death but will receive the crown of life, meaning they will endure the temporary first death while awaiting the resurrection of the faithful. The second death is the eternal death reserved for those who did not choose life in Jesus.

Bible Text: Revelation 2:8-11.

Studies: #​​​​15  #16

Symbolism: Red horse and horseman received power to remove the peace from the world and a great sword. People would kill one another.

Prophetic Application: Accepting the Gospel may bring about persecution because the Word of God prevents His true followers from blending in with the people following false teachings. The Truth highlights His people, and so they stand out from the crowd.

The fighting, killing, and persecution described in this section can be understood both literally and spiritually. Wars fought in the name of religion and conflicts within the church reflect this. Christ teaches that when individuals prioritize their opinions over compassion and love, they commit spiritual murder (Matthew 5:21-26). The second seal aligns with the persecution faced by the church during the second and third centuries, but the pattern is timeless and personal.

This horseman also comes out of Heaven to complete his mission. He is on a heavenly assignment. The blood of Jesus is what paints the corners of the believer. Jesus is also the second horseman, wielding the Word of God, and people's response to His message determines their place in the spiritual war. God's main concern is the spiritual battle fought with His truth, not earthly warfare. Accepting Jesus' sacrifice protects us, while rejecting it leads to eternal death. For those who accept His redemption, eternal life is the promised reward.

Bible Text: Revelation 6:3-4.

Study: #39

Symbolism and Prophetic Application: Although most members held fast to the truth, some had begun to introduce false doctrines into the church. Those who overcome are promised to eat of the hidden manna and receive a white stone with a secret new name, symbolizing their reception of Jesus, the Truth, and their new identity through His redemptive work on the cross.

Bible Text: Revelation 2:12-17.

Studies: #1​​7  #18

Symbolism: Black horse and horseman with a pair of scales in his hand. Grain prices were set at inflated prices but wine and oil should not be damaged.

Prophetic Application: Rejecting the Gospel brings about spiritual famine. Yet, even then, God has promised to keep the Holy Spirit and His salvation available for anyone who seeks Him.

The third horseman symbolizes a spiritual famine, where access to God's Word is limited, likely due to the rejection of the Gospel. This follows the pattern of the first horseman, representing the spread of the Gospel, and the second, depicting the consequences of accepting or rejecting it. Just like the famine, described in Amos 8:10-13, this is not physical but spiritual—people will seek God's Word but will not find it.

Oil represents the Holy Spirit, and wine symbolizes salvation through Jesus' blood. The third seal parallels the church of Pergamum, where false doctrines diluted the Gospel, leading to division and spiritual drought. Despite this, Jesus promises to the faithful that they will receive the "hidden manna," representing spiritual fulfillment in Christ.

The black horse and rider, identified as Jesus, come with scales to show the consequences of rejecting His message, yet He ensures that salvation and the Holy Spirit remain unaffected by human actions. While spiritual famine results from rejecting the Bread of Life, Jesus' promise of eternal life and the Holy Spirit is always available to those who believe.

Bible Text: Revelation 6:5-6.

Study: #40

Symbolism and Prophetic Application: This was a lukewarm, self-absorbed, and self-sufficient church that believed it needed no external help for salvation. Jesus is outside, knocking at a closed door, inviting them to share in the meal of His Truth, but their theology of Self keeps them in their comfort zone. Those who overcome are promised to sit with Jesus on God’s throne, sharing in Christ’s victory through His sacrifice, being made worthy by His grace.

Bible Text: Revelation 3:14-22.

Studies: #26 #27

Symbolism: The beast's heads represent dominant politico-religious powers that persecuted God's people and led them into spiritual adultery by encouraging worship practices that deviate from God's commands. The 7th head had received a mortal wound causing the beast to go through its 'is not' phase during its healing process. At the time of complete healing, the beast is now in a new phase, the 'is to come' out of the abyss and go to destruction.

Prophetic Application: The 7th head of the sea beast received a mortal wound during the time of the 5th Trumpet, specifically at the end of the French Revolution, when the Roman Church lost its dominance over the European kingdoms. The beast that emerges from the earth, also known as the false prophet, appears to play a role in the healing of this mortal wound.

The 6th Trumpet has sounded at this point, and the wound is fully healed. The world is about to experience the full strength of the fully active sea beast head. The 8th head is now in place of the previously injured 7th one, and the beast is once again complete with 7 heads. The beast is now ready to once again exert his global political and religious dominance on a scale that persecute and oppress God's people just as it did during the Middle Ages.

The healing of the wound occured between the 5th and 6th Trumpets, indicating that once fully healed, Satan is able to launch his final attempt to deceive the world before the Second Coming. The beast​ will completely emerge from the depths of the restrains God had in place and ultimately go to destruction. The beast's 'is to come' phase is a counterfeit of Jesus' Second Coming, who is the true 'Is to Come' divine being.

The difference between a beast head and the beast, is that the beast is the entire system of politico-religious powers throughout history (it has many heads and horns), while a head is the current politico-religious power active in a certain point in time.

Bible Text: Revelation 17:8, Revelation 13:3. See also Revelation 13:1-10, Daniel 2, Daniel 7, and Daniel 8.

Studies: ​​#94  More coming soon Interactive Chart of Beast Power Systems

Symbolism: The earth beast performs great wonders, even causing fire to descend from heaven to the earth in the presence of people.

Prophetic Application: The earth beast's ministry is characterized by "great wonders," including miraculous acts designed to deceive everyone on earth. One of its key end-time activities is making fire come down from heaven in front of all people, indicating that the beast's miracles are aimed at deceiving everyone, regardless of whom they serve—God or the dragon.

Among the earth beast's end-time activities, the most astonishing is making fire come down from heaven, a powerful act of deception aimed at leading people astray. This act is significant because Jesus warned in Matthew 24:24 that false Christs and prophets would perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. The symbolism of "fire coming down from heaven" in Revelation 13 represents a counterfeit of God's genuine acts, as seen in biblical events like Pentecost and Elijah's challenge at Mount Carmel. At Pentecost, fire symbolized the Holy Spirit's presence, while at Mount Carmel, it demonstrated God's justice and truth. The earth beast's fire, however, promotes a false spirituality based on the dragon's principles, misleading people globally and pushing them towards allegiance to the false Christ. This deceptive fire is a turning point, influencing the final decisions about spiritual allegiance in the last days.

The earth beast acts as a counterfeit Holy Spirit, guiding people toward worship. However, as this power is counterfeit, so is the worship it directs people to offer.

Bible Text: Revelation 13:13-15​.

Studies: ​​#94 

Symbolism: The earth beast instructs those who dwell on the earth to create an image of the beast that had the wound of the sword and was revived. It was granted the power to give breath to this image, so that the image could even speak and cause those who refuse to worship it to be put to death.

Prophetic Application: The earth beast commands the people to create a revival of the politico-religious oppressive system of the 7th head (the one who received the mortal wound), which once persecuted those who resisted its altered values. The earth beast, wielding significant political power, breathes life into this image, symbolizing a divine act that only God can truly perform, thus falsely claiming divine authority. The people are compelled to worship this recreated system, echoing the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3, where he commanded the worship of a golden statue that defied God's prophecy.

This image of the beast represents the false spiritual values and religious system of the end-time government, and just as in the Medieval period, those who refuse to follow these doctrines will face severe persecution, even death. This passage paints the picture in vivid colors of who this 8th head really is: a modern copy of the pre-mortal wound 7th head.

The earth beast acts as a counterfeit Holy Spirit, guiding people toward worship. However, as this power is counterfeit, so is the worship it directs people to offer. Commanding people to worship anything other than God directly violates God's Law, forcing individuals to choose a side: either break God's Law to avoid being killed by the beast's powers, or serve God and face death. The challenge arises because the command won't appear as an obviously wrong choice. Worshiping as directed by the beast will seem natural and desirable, while the right choice may seem unconventional and the wrong one.

Bible Text: Revelation 13:13-15​.

Studies: ​​#94

Symbolism: The Lamb, representing Christ, is seen standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 followers who bear His name and the name of His Father on their foreheads. A powerful voice from heaven is heard, accompanied by the sound of harps, as the 144,000 sing a new song that only they can learn. These followers are described as pure and faithful, having not defiled themselves, and they follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are presented as the first fruits to God and the Lamb, blameless and truthful.

Prophetic Application: The 144,000 represent the group of faithful followers of Christ at the end times, but the number is symbolic rather than a literal count. They serve as a "job description" for God's faithful people. This group, however, has always existed, fighting a spiritual battle against the forces opposing God, a war that began in Heaven and continues on Earth. The 144,000 are those who have accepted God's solution to sin through belief in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. They are seen in an army formation, as once the ancient Israel army was described, the thousands of Israel. The group of 12 x 12 x 1000 highlights the totality of God's chosen people, engaged now in launching God's counterattack to the enemy's strike attempt on God's Law. By directing people to false worship, the enemy army is aiming to cause major damage to God's camp. But God sends His army with a final message, reminding people to worship only God, that the system of apostate faith will be destroyed, and for people to repent before it's too late.

Bible Text: Revelation 14:1-13.

Studies: #47 More coming Soon

Symbolism: In a vision, John is told to eat the little scroll. It was sweet as honey in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. John must prophesy but not reveal the message that the Seven Thunders had spoken.

Prophetic Application: John assimilated the message from the little scroll when he received it in the vision about the 6th trumpet. The actual worldwide spreading of the Truth from his own time onward would prove to be challenging. John, however, was not to reveal a specific portion of what God had spoken. God will only reveal that content during the 7th Trumpet. However, the content of what John needed to prophesy again correlates to the preaching that should occur during the time leading up to the Second Coming, a period before the 7th Trumpet where there would be 'time' no longer.

The bitter-sweet experience that comes with engaging so profoundly in preaching the Gospel has always been true throughout History, and we can see this as the Two Witnesses go about prophesying during the Middle Ages, ultimately being killed with no dignity during the Enlightenment period. They eventually came back to life around the time of the Protestant Revival of the 1800s, and so they must continue their work. In that sense, like John, they must prophesy again.

The eating of the scroll illuminates the journey of the Two Witnesses, and vice versa. The intense work of the Two Witnesses sheds light on the meaning of the scroll’s consumption. Placing the eating of the scroll at the beginning of our Interactive Timeline Chart highlights the ongoing need for prophesying throughout history, especially since the message of Revelation was received. However, it's important to understand that this scene actually takes place at the end of the 6th Trumpet, when God’s people will face a very difficult trial in their final attempt to call people to God before it’s too late.

Bible Text: Revelation 10:4, 6, 9, 10.

Studies: #66 #67 #68 #69

Symbolism: God calls His people to come out of Babylon, urging them to avoid participating in her sins and the resulting plagues. Babylon's sins have reached heaven, and God has remembered her offenses. She will be repaid double for her deeds, and the luxuries she enjoyed will be met with equal torment and mourning. Despite her arrogance and belief that she is untouchable, her downfall will come swiftly, with plagues, mourning, famine, and destruction by fire, for God's judgment is powerful and decisive.

Prophetic Application: Before destroying Babylon, the apostate faith system that has been active throughout history and acting prominently during the end times, God is calling His people, who are still trapped within it, to come out while there is still time. Babylon's destruction is imminent, and as Jesus said, He has a flock from many folds that He must gather before the end. Those who belong to Him will listen.

Bible Text: Revelation 18:4-8, John 10:16.

Studies: Coming Soon

Symbolism: After the two witnesses were brought back to life, a great earthquake occurred, causing a tenth of the city to collapse, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Prophetic Application: Here we see an earthquake that destroys a tenth of a great city and kills 7,000 men, which is interpreted as a significant spiritual event rather than a literal one. This earthquake is different from the ones seen in the destruction of Babylon in chapter 16, and different from the one seen during the 6th Seal. The one in the 6th seal shook every island out of place and people hid themselves under rocks wishing to die. The one in chapter 16 split Babylon in 3 parts, and people blasphemed God. Here, a smaller part of the city was affected, and the survivors praised God instead of cursing Him.

The earthquake symbolizes a spiritual shaking with profound impact, representing God's presence and judgment. The great city, symbolizing spiritual immorality and self-importance, experiences partial destruction (10%), indicating that God's final judgment has not yet occurred. The 7,000 who died represent a complete rejection of God's truth, contrasting with the 7,000 faithful in Elijah's time. Meanwhile, those who survived the earthquake recognized God's authority and gave Him glory, similar to King Nebuchadnezzar's experience of acknowledging God's sovereignty after his period of tribulation.

This spiritual shaking seems to have brought people to God, and they gave Him glory, answering the call of the 3 angels: 'Fear God and give Him glory.'

Bible Text: Revelation 11:13-14, Revelation 14:7.

Studies: #77

Symbolism: This passage describes how everyone, regardless of status, is forced to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead, symbolizing allegiance to the beast. Only those with the mark can buy or sell. The passage also mentions that wisdom is needed to understand the number of the beast, which is identified as 666, the number of a man.

Prophetic Application: The triple number 666 symbolizes the beast and his image, representing the false trinity that has spread false teachings throughout history. The number 6 reflects humanity and the elevation of Self over God, contrasting with the divine perfection symbolized by the number 7, which is associated with God's creation and His Law. This contrast underscores that humans, symbolized by the number 6, fall short of God's perfection. The number 666 also echoes the first deception in Eden, where Satan tempted Eve to aspire to be like God, leading her to disobey Him.

Revelation 13:18 urges us to interpret the number of the beast with divine wisdom, understanding it through Scripture. The number is described as "the number of a man," as in menkind, not a specific individual. The number 666, written out as "six hundred sixty-six," symbolizes mankind and represents human history and governments aligned with the dragon's agenda. This number should not be seen as mystical or specific to one person but as a measure of human governments' support for false religious-political systems.

Receiving a mark is like wearing a team jersey that identifies your allegiance. In the end times, there are only two teams: those who follow God and His commands, marked by God's seal, and those who do not, marked by the beast. This mark on the forehead or hand signifies one's decision to side with the beast, either by belief in the false system (forehead) or by practicing it (hand).

Bible Text: Revelation 13:16-18​

Studies: ​​#95 ​​#96 ​​#97 

Symbolism: The 144,000 are described as having the name of Christ and His Father on their foreheads. They sing a unique song before God's throne that only they can learn, symbolizing their special status. These individuals are pure, having not defiled themselves, and they faithfully follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are considered the first fruits to God and the Lamb, blameless and without deceit.

Prophetic Application: The one who overcomes will bear God's name on their forehead, signifying their acceptance of God's true message and the sealing by the Holy Spirit. This seal differentiates the citizens of Heaven from the inhabitants of Earth. God's people, who keep His commandments and have the faith of Jesus, have their sins forgiven and are recognized as His own. The sealing process, which was already happening in Paul's time, concludes in the last days before the harvest. This sealing is conditional upon accepting God's truth, and in the end, everyone will bear either God's seal or the mark of the beast.

Bible Text: Revelation 14:1; Revelation 7:1-8.

Studies: #46 More Coming Soon

Symbolism: The opening of the sixth seal reveals a series of cataclysmic events: a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon appearing as blood, stars falling from the sky, and the heavens receding like a scroll. Mountains and islands are displaced, causing terror among all people, from kings and the powerful to slaves and free men. They hide in caves and among rocks, pleading for the mountains to fall on them to escape the wrath of the Lamb, as the great day of His judgment has arrived, leaving them fearful of who can withstand it.

Prophetic Application: The descriptions in the Bible about this time period suggest that the planet will undergo convulsions and changes, almost as if it were reversing the process of creation. In Genesis, we see the progression from a formless and empty world to one filled with atmosphere, light, celestial bodies, vegetation, and animal life. The Biblical descriptions of the Day of the Lord seem to mirror this sequence, but in reverse. The focus of this passage isn't on determining whether these prophetic elements have already been fulfilled or if they will occur closer to Christ's Second Coming. Rather, it emphasizes that the Lord's return will bring about a purification from sin, affecting not only the people but the entire planet.

Bible Text: Revelation 6:12-17. See also Isaiah 2:12-21, Matthew 24:29-30, Luke 21:25-27.

Study: #43​​

Symbolism: The Son of Man sits on a cloud, wearing a golden crown and holding a sharp sickle. An angel from the temple urges Him to reap the harvest, as the time has come and the earth is ripe. The Son of Man then reaps the earth. Another angel, also with a sharp sickle, is instructed by the angel with power over fire to gather the grapes from the earth’s vine, as they are ripe. The grapes are thrown into the great winepress of God's wrath, where they are trampled, resulting in a flow of blood that reaches up to the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Prophetic Application: This passage describes a time after the preaching of the everlasting gospel has been completed by the power of the Holy Spirit. People have made their choices, deciding which side of the harvest they will be on. Jesus, who has the authority to gather His elect, swings the sickle to do so. In chapter 15, we see the faithful gathered as the victorious group over the beast and his image, and in chapter 7, they are described as the great multitude. Both texts depict them as having come out of the great tribulation. Although they are still physically on Earth, they are described as being in the presence of God, because they are completely under His protection. We know they are still on Earth because the scene of their being taken up into the sky occurs after the seven plagues and after Jesus's return.

Another angel with a sickle gathers a different group—grapes destined for the judgments of the winepress. These are the people who have not chosen Jesus and will bear the consequences of sin themselves. The winepress symbolizes the seven last plagues that the seven angels with seven bowls are about to pour out on those who bear the mark of the beast.

Bible Text: Revelation 14:14-20. See also Revelation 15:1-4, and Revelation 7:9:17.

Studies: Coming Soon

Symbolism: The group of those who were victorious over the beast, his image, and the number of his name stand on a sea of glass mixed with fire, holding harps. They sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, praising God for His great and marvelous works. They declare His righteousness and holiness, acknowledging that all nations will ultimately come to worship Him because His righteous acts have been revealed.

Prophetic Application: This group was first seen in chapters 7 and 14 as the 144,000, standing in army formation, prepared for the enemy's attack described in the 6th trumpet. In chapter 15, they appear after the great tribulation, celebrating their victory. Though no longer in an army formation, they are the same group now emerging triumphant. In chapter 7, they are referred to as the great multitude, dressed in white. They are God's city, Jesus's bride. While still physically on Earth, they already enjoy Heaven's full protection and are described as standing in God's presence. We know they are still on Earth because their ascension to Heaven occurs after the seventh bowl and the Second Coming of Jesus. The scene of the saints standing on the sea of glass takes place just before the angels pour out the last plagues on the enemy camp.

It's important to note that this great multitude has a description that the enemy attempts to imitate in chapter 17, where John is shown a vision of Babylon, who sits on many waters. While God's city is protected, Babylon awaits her judgment.

Bible Text: Revelation 15:2-4.

Studies: Coming Soon

Symbolism: John is shown the judgment of Babylon, the great prostitute, who sits on many waters and influences the kings of the earth through immorality. She is depicted sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, adorned in purple, scarlet, and gold, holding a cup of abominations. Her name is "Babylon the Great," and she is drunk with the blood of saints and Jesus' witnesses.

The angel explains that the beast "was, is not, and is to come," destined for destruction. The seven heads are seven mounts that represent seven kings. Five of them have already fallen, one is ruling, and one is yet to come. The ten horns are ten kings who will later briefly share power with the beast and give him their authority.

Prophetic Application: There are some parallels we can draw between the two groups divided during the harvest. Just as the great multitude is described in chapters 7 and 15, we also receive a description of Babylon—what it wears, where it is located, and its activities. God's city is located in Heaven, standing on the sea of glass and fire, victorious before Him, dressed in white, holding golden harps, and praising the King of the nations. In contrast, Babylon, the counterfeit city of the enemy, is depicted as a prostitute sitting on many waters and on the dragon's power system, the beast. She wears Israelite priestly colors, except for blue, and holds a cup filled with abominations and the blood of the saints. Both cities are made up of peoples from every nation and tongue. However, while God's city preached the everlasting gospel to the whole world, Babylon has poisoned the kings of the earth with her lies and idolatry. 

She is an apostate faith system that has led people astray throughout history, causing them to abandon God's teachings and true worship. Now that the two cities are clearly divided, and God's city is fully protected by His hand, Babylon will go through God's winepress and face the full measure of His wrath. The city is about to be destroyed.

The angel takes time to describe the beast system to John, situating him in his present reality by identifying the active head at that time—"one is." The angel helps John recognize that the 6th head represents the Roman Empire, while five heads have already fallen, and one is still to come. The beast mirrors Jesus in its "was," "is," and "is to come" phases, aspiring to counterfeit Him. Like Jesus, the beast will experience a mortal wound, then resurrect and return as an 8th head that will take the place of the 7th.

The angel further explains the system to John, noting that most of it had either already passed or was still in John's future. The only part current to him was the "one is" head. The angel also describes how the beast will transition from the "is not" to the "is to come" phase after the mortal wound. Ultimately, this explanation serves to show both John and us who is about to be judged and destroyed: the counterfeit enemy city, Babylon.

Bible Text: Revelation 17:1-13.

Studies: Coming Soon Interactive Chart of Beast Power Systems

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