Revelation Study 23. Revelation 17:1-18:24
5. The angel's explanation of the "mystery" (secret) of the beast (17:7-17) may leave us more perplexed than before. Still, what do we know about the beast (his identity, character, and actions) from these verses? Scarlet, full of blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns (v.7, cf. the dragon in 12:3 with seven diadems, the second beast in 13:1-9, with ten diadems) it was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction (v.8, cf. 13:3 and the healing of its mortal wound) Those "whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world" (v. 8, cf. 13:8) will marvel, just as they worshipped. They experience wonder and awe. They are 'impressed'. The beast's seven heads are seven hills, also seven kings (v.9-10) The beast itself is an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.(v.11) The beast's ten horns are ten kings who have not yet received royal ...