Much of what we have studied thus far has included references to this ‘little horn’. But, we need to now look once more at them as a subject to make sure we can recognize him and will not be deceived by him.
We will need to add one more passage to gain some new confirmation of both the end times, the first beast, and the other beast, the ‘little horn’, the antichrist. As we read through these verses take note of again the number 7 & 10, the references to a beast, and the way this passage describes major participants.
Revelation 17:1 And one of the seven angels who had the seven vials came and talked with me, saying to me, Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot sitting on many waters, 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and became drunk with the wine of her fornication, those inhabiting the earth.
Daniel is once again receiving prophetic revelations. We are now in the period of God pouring out His wrath at the closing end of the great Tribulation.
17:3 And he carried me away into a desert by the Spirit. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, filled with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet. And she was gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.
Women are often used to describe religions or belief systems, just as true believers are referred to as the ‘bride’ of Christ. This is God’s divine way of referring to these entities in the feminine.
17:5 And on her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
17:6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with a great marveling.
This religion kills true believers, saints, and is referred to as a harlot. Remember, God does refer to false believers as adulterers. Since that is true, the harlot is their partner in sin.
17:7 And the angel said to me, Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, that has the seven heads and ten horns. 17:8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to ascend out of the abyss and go into perdition. And those dwelling on the earth will marvel, those whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Who is soon going into judgment; Satan and his demonic followers and helper.
17:9 And here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. 17:10 And there are seven kings; five have fallen, and one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
Now it once again gets a little confusing. We begin with 10 crowns or kingdoms. We have read before there is a reduction to 7 from 10 as the ‘little horn’ has subdued 3, which would leave 7 intact. But, here we read a little further into the 7. Five have fallen, one is (not fallen), and one is still to be revealed or come out into plain view.
17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes into perdition.
The beast, the antichrist, comes out of the ten and is counted as one of the surviving 7. So what does this mean? The antichrist is the one who suffers a deadly blow, but to everyone’s surprise, he comes back into total, dominating power.
17:12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have received no kingdom yet, but will receive authority as kings one hour with the beast. 17:13 These have one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
These 10 are rising to power, but they will give all their “power and authority” to the antichrist. They are all agreed and will act as obedient servants to the demands of the antichrist.
17:14 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 with Him are the called and elect and faithful ones.
The whole world will try and fight God, as they believe that the beast is god, even perhaps as the resurrected son of god. This confirms that the Devil is the god of this age.
17:15 And he says to me, The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues,
17:16 and the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked. And they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
Well, as the antichrist now redirects worship from this original deceptive religion, he now attacks it as he positions himself as god.
17:17 For God gave into their hearts to do His mind, and to act with one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast until the Words of God will be fulfilled.
17:18 And the woman whom you saw is the great city which has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.
What is this great city? It is Jerusalem, as we have already studied.
More on what is coming through the revelation of the antichrist next time.