Revelation 17:15-18

And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.  And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.  And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

John continues to receive the interpretation of the vision he was given of the harlot riding on the beast.  This explanation makes it clear that while the beast and the harlot appear to be in an alliance, the reality is that there is animosity and resentment between the two that will ultimately result in the overthrow of the harlot and her influence.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS: The waters are a symbol of the nations over which the harlot and the beast have control.  The harlot is the symbol of the world religion that promotes idolatry during the tribulation but dates to the tower of Babel.  The beast is the Antichrist who has dominion over much of the world during the tribulation.  The ten horns that are on the beast are a confederation of kings that are a sort of reestablishment of the Roman Empire that will be prevalent during the tribulation.

DESTRUCTION OF RELIGEON: There will be an unholy alliance between the harlot and the beast as well as the horns. The world religion will give support to the Antichrist and the nations that are a part of the confederation.  However, the mixture of religious power and political power is rarely successful.  The religious power will make demands of support of the political power that are not appreciated.  Eventually this alliance between the religious and political power will break and the Antichrist along with the nations empowering him will destroy the religious system.

DOMINATION OF KINGS: God has ordained the destruction of this idolatrous religion and will empower the Antichrist to accomplish His will.  God sets up authorities and takes them down.  He is ultimately in control of everything.  The political powers will delude themselves into thinking that the overthrow of the religious system is a victory over God Himself.  Little do they realize that they are instruments in God’s hands for accomplishing His sovereign plans.

APPLICATION: Beware of false religions that pretend to provide a path to God but are only promoting idolatry.  Turn away from any alliances between political and religious alliances.  Trust in God’s sovereign control over the events of the universe.  

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