Interpretive Study of Revelation 17-18

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, God.

Revelation Chapter 17

links to sentences in this chapter:

C17-S1 (Verse 1-2), C17-S2 (Verse 3), C17-S3 (Verse 4-5), C17-S4 (Verse 6), C17-S5 (Verse 7), C17-S6 (Verse 7), C17-S7 (Verse 8), C17-S8 (Verse 9), C17-S9 (Verse 9), C17-S10 (Verse 10), C17-S11 (Verse 11), C17-S12 (Verse 12), C17-S13 (Verse 13), C17-S14 (Verse 14), C17-S15 (Verse 15), C17-S16 (Verse 16), C17-S17 (Verse 17), C17-S18 (Verse 18)'.

Chapter Summary: the system of false religion.

C17-S1 : John is shown the great religious whore.
C17-S2 : John left his body to see what the angel showed him.
C17-S3 : the appearance of the great whore.
C17-S4 : the next thing that John was shown..
C17-S5 : the angel questions John's lack of true understanding.
C17-S6 : the angel explains this thing to John and us.
C17-S7 : the angel explains Satan's second beast.
C17-S8 : God has John write this to make us seek spiritual wisdom about what is reported here.
C17-S9 : the angel explains the seven heads.
C17-S10 : the description of Satan's second beast.
C17-S11 : the description of Satan's ten kings which are controlled by his first beast.
C17-S12 : the reaction of Satan's forces to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C17-S13 : Our angel adds further explanation of the symbolic meaning of the vision.
C17-S14 : the reaction of Satan's forces to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C17-S15 : Our angel adds further explanation of the symbolic meaning of the vision.
C17-S16 : the reaction and actions of the ten horns.
C17-S17 : Why the ten horns act like described in the prior sentence.
C17-S18 : the angel adds the spiritual interpretation of what the woman symbolically represents.

In Revelation 17 we see a new vision described. Revelation 17 tells us about religion joining up with government to increase the power of each. In the end of the chapter, we see the kings of the earth (government) destroy the woman/whore (religion). Revelation 18 tells us about the destruction of the devil-controlled economic system and the reaction on Earth. Revelation 19:1-4 tells us about the reaction In Heaven.

in this chapter, God has one of the seven angels which had the seven vials show John a vision about the one-world religion (a woman) riding (sitting upon) Satan's first beast) (a scarlet coloured beast). Our chapter tells us more about the one-world religion and about the governments which carry her so long as it helps them. However, it tells people: 'We're all going to the same place. Therefore, you can worship whoever you want and however you want and it will be OK'. And, ten horns want everyone to worship Satan and Satan's first beast. Satan's second beast (whom men call 'the Antichrist'), created the idol of Satan's first beast and did miracles to get everyone to worship Satan and Satan's first beast exclusively. However, the one-world religion refuses to go along with their demands. And, history tells us that Caesar started killing everyone who worshipped any being except himself as their god. Therefore, these ten horns repeat that attempt, which is why our sentence tells us that the ten horns shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

C17-S1 (Verse 1-2) John is shown the great religious whore.

Equivalent Section: John is told to come and see.

First Step: John is told to go with the angel.

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials,
and talked with me,
saying unto me,
Come hither;.

Second Step: John is told why.

I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:.

Equivalent Section: What makes her a spiritual whore.

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,
and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds this chapter to the prior chapter. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. The prior chapter told us that God will pour out His wrath. And, this chapter is adding a major reason for God's wrath.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us about the great whore, which is a system of false religion. The Second Equivalent Section tells us that the kings of the earth have committed fornication with this religious system. Now, all wrong sexual sin is a form of fornication, but fornication is not limited to sex. In truth, fornication is: 'the violation of a spiritual covenant relationship.'. These kings of the earth have a wrong spiritual relationship with the false religious system which is called the great whore.

There is a whole lot written about this great whore and I am not going to go into all of those opinions. In 17:18 we are told the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. In 18:2, the government which supported the false religion is called Babylon the great. In Daniel 3 we read about the idol that the king of Babylon put up and demanded that people worship. Thus, Babylon is an important Biblical example of the combination of human government (king) supporting a false religion.

In our current sentence, the great whore that sitteth upon many waters commits fornication with the kings of the earth. The great whore tells them that is they do what the religion says, then God has to forgive any sin that they do. They can murder many people. They can starve the masses and treat them like slaves. They are told that they can do any sin that they want and God still has to take them to Heaven, if they do what the religion says. And, the kings of the earth give this much money for those promises. Further, all around this world, the kings of the earth do this. That is why the great whore sitteth upon many waters.

This great whore is a major religion that committed spiritual fornication with the kings of the earth by allowing the kings of the earth to control the spiritual beliefs of men so that they received the glory, honor and power that belongs to the Lord God Almighty. The fornication spoke of in this sentence is the combination of religion and human governments. A lot of commentators have said similar things and then gone on to name a city and religion and have been proven wrong on many of their points of interpreting prophecy to say that they know future events. Many have claimed that this great whore is the Roman Catholic Church. And, there are Biblical reasons to believe it is part of the great whore, but not necessarily all of it. No, the religions of the world will combine to create a one-world religion, which will be the true great whore.

In the second phrase, of our Second Equivalent Section, we read: and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. People who are drunk have lost control of themselves. All sin is addictive and takes away self control. Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking or quit drugs or stop eating after becoming obese, knows the truth of that statement. And, the great whore justifies ongoing lifestyles of sin by saying if people have a wrong spiritual relationship with the religion then God has to take them to His personal home called Heaven and give them a mansion and a life of eternal bliss. People live lives of sin while believing this lie while they participate in this false religion. That is the true meaning of this phrase.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The first two questions that come to mind are who is this great whore? and what are these many waters? Well, later in the chapter during the angel’s explanation of what John has seen, we are given the answers to these questions. First we are given the meaning of these waters in Re 17:15 And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and ongues. the waters are the inhabitants of the earth, mankind. that’s simple enough, it’s the men of the earth that are deceived and follow her and the beast, for did not the antichrist come forth from the sea, from the multitudes of humanity as well? Re 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea.
But who is this woman that the angel calls the great whore?
Who is it that the kings of the earth and the inhabitants of the earth have committed spiritual fornication with? Men that might have professed belief in God yet were pulled into this false worship and deceived to follow this faith? Some may have even been coerced or forced to believe the lies of this great whore. forthey have drunk of the wine from the cup she holds and have become intoxicated and influenced and blinded by the power and seduction of this great whore. Here we are told this whore has influenced global events, has nations tied around her little finger, has duped millions to give allegiance to her all to their own detriment. this woman is alluring and attractive to the worldly, she has a pull, a spell upon her to lure many to their doom, she is wise and ambitious in her craving and search for power, for that is her main drive, she wants more and more power, and she is so wicked, so deceptive, she will do anything to get that power, even sell herself to the highest bidder, let herself be used while she uses others all to achieve her personal goals, all for her own personal gain. this woman, this great whore, is given a name, and bears it upon her forehead, V5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON thE GREAT, thE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF thE EARTH. Her name is Babylon, do not confuse this with the city of old, or the rebuilt city in the tribulation, this is a system, a religious, ecclesiastical system, that has caused many to commit spiritual adultery, fornication, against God and has even brought forth other false daughters of idolatry due to that spiritual fornication.'.

Please see the note for Matthew 15:34 about the word seven. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Ge 2:2-3). the division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. this number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. "Jacob's seven years' service to Laban; Pharaoh's seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who sounded them; the seven days' siege of Jericho; the seven churches, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, seven vials, and many others, sufficiently prove the importance of this sacred number" (see Le 25:4; 1Sa 2:5; Ps 12:6; 79:12; Pr 26:16; Isa 4:1; Mt 18:21-22; Lu 17:4). the feast of Passover (Ex 12:15-16), the feast of Weeks (De 16:9), of Tabernacles (De 13:15), and the Jubilee (Le 25:8), were all ordered by seven. Seven is the number of sacrifice (2Ch 29:21; Job 42:8), of purification and consecration (Le 27:34,34; 8:11,33; 14:9,51), of forgiveness (Mt 18:21-22; Lu 17:4), of reward (De 28:7; 1Sa 2:5), and of punishment (Le 26:21,24,28; De 28:25). It is used for any round number in such passages as Job 5:19; Pr 26:16,25; Isa 4:1; Mt 12:45. It is used also to mean "abundantly" (Ge 4:15,24; Le 26:24; Ps 79:12'. Please also see the note for Luke 10:1 about the word seventy.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S1; Significant Gospel Events; Significant New Testament Events about the word angel. The functional definition for this word is: 'Literally, a messenger; one employed to communicate news or information or do a job for God'. Please also see the note for Jude 1:7 about the word archangel.

Please see the note for Revelation 5:8 about the word vial. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. phiala. A phial; a small bottle of thin glass, used particularly by apothecaries and druggists. Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it on his head. 1Sam. 10. Vials of God's wrath, in Scripture, are the execution of his wrath upon the wicked for their sins. Rev. 16'.

Please see the note for Matthew 22:15 about the word talk. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to converse familiarly; to speak, as in familiar discourse, when two or more persons interchange thoughts. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you; but I will not eat with you. In Aesop's time When all things talk'd, and talk'd in rhyme. I will come down and talk with thee. Num.11. Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way? Luke 24. 2. to prate; to speak impertinently. 3. to talk of, to relate; to tell; to give account. Authors talk of the wonderful remains of Palmyra. the natural histories of Switzerland talk much of the fall of these rocks, and the great damage done. So shall I talk of thy wondrous works. Ps.119. 4. to speak; to reason; to confer. Let me talk with thee of thy judgments. Jer.12. to talk to, in familiar language, to advise or exhort; or to reprove gently. I will talk to my son respecting his conduct.
TALK, n. tauk. Familiar converse; mutual discourse; that which is uttered by one person in familiar conversation, or the mutual converse of two or more. Should a man full of talk be justified? Job 11. In various talk th' instructive hours they past. 1. Report; rumor. I hear a talk up and down of raising money. 2. Subject of discourse. this noble achievement is the talk of the whole town. 3. Among the Indi and of North America, a public conference, as respecting peace or war, negotiation and the like; or an official verbal communication made from them to another nation or its agents, or made to them by the same'.

Please see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word saith. The functional definition for this word is: 'lifestyle speaking. A saying that never changes when said by God'. Please also see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. The functional definition is: 'Uttering in articulate sounds or words; speaking; telling; relating; reciting'. Please also see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word saith. Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:1 about the word sayings (plural). Please also see the notes for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. The words speaketh and saith mean that the person 'keeps on keeping on doing the saying'.

Please see the note foMatthew 8:29 about the word hither. The functional definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'HITH'ER, adv. 1. to this place; used with verbs signifying motion; as, to come hither; to proceed hither; to bring hither. 2. Hither and thither, to this place and that. 3. to this point; to this argument or topic; to this end. Little used and not to be encouraged. Hither we refer whatever belongs to the highest perfection of man.
HITH'ER, a. Nearest; towards the person speaking; as on the hither side of a hill; the hither end of the building'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. The functional definition for this word is: 'The Biblical spelling for the word show, which means: to exhibit or present to the view of others'.

Please see the notes for Matthew 7:1 about the word judge. The functional definition for this word is: 'To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S5 and Ephesians C5S6 about the phrase we are to judge. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the notes for Romans C2S2; Philippians 1:9-11 and Psalms 119 about the word judgment. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat. Please also see the notes for Romans 14:10 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat of Christ. Please also see the note for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy.

We find forms of the word whore in: Leviticus 19:29; Leviticus 21:7; Leviticus 21:9; Deuteronomy 22:21; Deuteronomy 23:17-18; Judges 19:2; Proverbs 23:27; Isaiah 57:3; Jeremiah 3:3; Ezekiel 16:28; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 17:15; Revelation 17:16; Revelation 19:2; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'WHORE, n. Hore. G. the correct orthography is hore. A harlot; a courtesan; a concubine; a prostitute.
WHORE, v.i. supra. to have unlawful sexual commerce; to practice lewdness.
WHORE, v.t. to corrupt by lewd intercourse. Little used.'. Please also see the note for Ephesians 5:5 about the words whoremonger / whoremaster. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 6:15 about the word harlot.

Please see the note for Luke 3:16 about the word water. The functional definition for this word is: 'The basic liquid of life. It is used symbolically for more than one meaning. Consideration of the context is required in order to determine the usage in any Bible reference'. Please also see the note for John 4:10 about the phrase living waters. Please also see the note for John 7:38 about the phrase rivers of living water.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word earth. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah'. In Ge 9:20 "husbandman" is literally "man of the ground or earth." Altars were to be built of earth (Ex 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules' burden of earth (2Ki 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil. (2). As the rendering of 'erets, it means the whole world (Ge 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (Ge 1:10). Erets also denotes a country (Ge 21:32); a plot of ground (Ge 23:15); the ground on which a man stands (Ge 33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (Ge 6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (2Ch 13:9). In the New Testament "the earth" denotes the land of Judea (Mt 23:35); also things carnal in contrast with things heavenly (Joh 3:31; Col 3:1-2)'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word earthen. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word earthly. Please also see the note for Luke 21:10-11 about the word earthquake. Please also see the note for Luke 21:10-11 about the word earthquake. Please also see the note for Revelation 10:11-LJC about the phrase kings of the earth. Please also see the note for Matthew 32-33 about the phrase Judge of all the earth.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S26 about the word commit. The functional definition for this word is: 'To do a premeditated act or to trust another to do it; with no possibility of taking the thing back'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C5S1; Galatians C5S20 and Ephesians C5S2 about the word fornication. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'the incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. 2. Adultery. Matt. 5. 3. Incest. 1Cor. 5. 4. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 2Chron. 21. Rev. 19'. Note: religions, and even dictionaries, define adultery as a form of fornication. Adultery is a spiritual sin and a violation of a covenant oath. all sexual sins are a form of fornication. However, fornication involves more than just sexual sins. The true Biblical definition of fornication is: 'the violation of a spiritual covenant relationship.'. Where adultery is a spiritual sin fornication is a physical sin.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S16 and Galatians C5S2 about the words drunk / drunkenness. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. Intoxication; inebriation; a state in which a person is overwhelmed or overpowered with spirituous liquors, so that his reason is disordered, and he reels or staggers in walking. Drunkenness renders some persons stupid, others gay, others sullen, others furious. Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness. 2. Habitually ebriety or intoxication. 3. Disorder of the faculties resembling intoxication by liquors; inflammation; frenzy; rage. Passion is the drunkenness of the mind'.

Please see the note for Mark 15:23 about the word wine. That note had a large definition and men argue that there were six original language words which are rendered wine. Therefore, there are many arguments about the symbolic meaning of this word. Some of those arguments are perversions of the truth which are intended to justify sin. The functional definition for this word is: 'A basic drink of people where the Bible was written. It was also used for medicine'. Please also see the note for Luke 7:34 about the word winebibber. Please also see the note for Matthew 21:33-34 about the word winepress.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'one. Re 15:1,6; 17:1-17; 21:9 talked. Re 4:1; 21:15; Lu 9:30; 24:32 I will. Re 16:19; 18:16-19 exp: Re 17:7. The great. Re 17:4-5,15-16; 19:2; Isa 57:3; Na 3:4-5 exp: Re 11:8. That sitteth. Re 17:15; Jer 51:13 General references. exp: Eze 30:19.
General references. Re 17:13,17; 14:8; 18:3,9,23; Jer 51:7'.

Home Overview of Revelation Chapter Summary Start of Chapter

C17-S2 (Verse 3) John left his body to see what the angel showed him.

Equivalent Section: John left his body.

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness:

Equivalent Section: What John saw.

and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast,
full of names of blasphemy,
having seven heads and ten horns.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us that John left his body. This is important to understand because what John sees is not literal but is symbolic of spiritual truths.

The Second Equivalent Section tells us what John saw and it is easy to misunderstand what is written, if we are not careful. The scarlet coloured beast, which the woman sat upon is what was full of names of blasphemy and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman did not have these things.

The woman symbolically represents the one-world religious system which sp and the world. The scarlet coloured beast symbolically represents the government system controlled by Satan's beast, which is a devil who possesses seven heads of government.

The religious system, represented by the woman is riding upon (made wealthy) the government controlled by Satan's beast, which carries the false religion because the false religion justifies the sins of that government.

In his note, below, Dr. Jeff Wilson says that 'the Antichrist' controls the political system. As I have explained, 'the Antichrist' is a false religious belief and not a Biblical truth. The Biblical truth is that Satan has two beasts. And, men confuse the two. The one is man, who is the basis for what people believe is 'the Antichrist'. He is in charge of Satan's false religious beliefs. The second beast is actually a devil who possesses seven heads of government and rules ten countries. This devil, and his governments, are what our current chapter calls a scarlet coloured beast. He is not the man whom men call 'the Antichrist'. But, as I have explained several times, men confuse Satan's two beasts. Other than that confusion, the note from Dr. Jeff Wilson, below, has a lot of good information.

By the way, BABYLON is the combination of religion and government. The woman is called BABYLON because she is the religious part of this combination. The government of the beast (devil) is also called BABYLON because it is the government part of this combination. The fact that both are called BABYLON causes confusion because people do not understand that called BABYLON is the combination of two and they try to make it one. (A married couple is called one flesh by God even though they are two different physical people.)

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here we see the beast is scarlet, the color of blood, for even though the beast may come in peace, he will murder and martyr thousands to achieve his own purposes. But here John sees the woman, the great whore that symbolizes the one world religious system, sitting on, being supported by the beast, the antichrist’s revived Roman Empire. the religious system and the antichrist and his political power will be allies for a time, using each other to reach their goals. the ecclesiastical system wanting sway and power over the multitudes to influence them and gain wealth from their offerings, and the antichrist’s system wanting political and military and economic power to dominate and dictate the world. they are allied together, the woman rides the beast to get where she wants to go, seemingly to have subdued or dominated the beast, having bent it to her will, she rides and guides the beast to her goals. All the while the beast is using the woman to gain power over the earth, over kings, nations, and the multitudes, using religion to put the world at ease as he tries to overtake it. they both use each other for their own means. this is another counterfeit attempt by Satan, for just as Christ has his bride the church, the antichrist has his bride the apostate church, the great whore, these two are united for a while before they turn on each other (v16-17). forI do not think the woman realizes how deadly the beast that she rides is, so with this imagery we have the revived Babylonian religious system allied with the antichrist’s political/governmental system.
Now when we studied the seven churches, did we not come to a point that Christ gave warnings to a few churches that had began to mix with and join governmental powers, not keeping a separation of church and state in a biblical sense? And did he not also warn of false doctrines and traditions brought into the church, such as the separation of the priests from the laity and the development of a hierarchy of power and the introduction of pagan practices into the church? And as we studied that did we not see the Catholic Church birthed out of the church from such compromise and hunger for power? Well that was only a small part of the larger picture of the lengthy evolution of the Babylonian religious system, the one world church. So lets put on the brakes for a moment and take some time to look at the origin of such a system and follow it thru history to the point it becomes what John sees here in the Great Tribulation. I’ll be taking a lot of this information from H.A. Ironside’s commentary as he gave the most historical detail, but I will be adding in information from other sources.
Now the origin of this woman, the great whore, the Babylonian religious system, dates back to Nimrod who founded Babylon, or Bab-El, which means the “gate of God”. We are introduced to Nimrod in Ge 10:8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel… or Babylon. Now you will of course remember the story of the tower of Babel, it was here that Nimrod, as the world’s first empire builder and founder of great cities, along with others attempted to unify men and build a tower to heaven. Nimrod wanted to gather a multitude around him, have power over them, in direct disobedience to God's command for men to go forth and multiply, to spread out upon the earth. Nimrod convinced his followers to instead stay together and build a tower, Ge 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. this tower was to be used for false religion, false pagan beliefs, but as we know God put a stop to this by confusing the languages, and the meaning of Babel is changed to “confusion” and is forever remembered as the Tower of Babel. But this did not stop Nimrod for we read in 1Ch 1:10 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.
Nimrod was the son of Cush who was the son of Ham, the son of Noah, Ham being the son that had seen his father’s shame when Noah was drunk which brought a curse from Noah upon Ham’s son Canaan (Noah could not curse Ham for God had already blessed Shem, Ham and Japheth). So we see that the worldliness of Ham, his weakness to give in to sin, and how it is transferred to his descendants. Ham sinned, the offspring of Canaan sinned, and so too did Nimrod sin. the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree so to speak.
Now history apparently tells us that the wife of Nimrod was Semiramis the First, who is believed to have founded the Babylonian mysteries (the religion and its practices) and who was the first high priestess of such an idolatrous religion, but what did this religion consist of? Well, Semiramis knew enough of the promise of Jehovah God that a seed of a woman would be the instrument thru whom God would bring a blessing to the world (Gen 3:15). Well when Semiramis gave birth to a son, some 42 years after Nimrod’s death, a son she claimed was miraculously conceived, she proclaimed he was that promised Messiah and called the boy Tammuz. the people of Babylon believed her. Some even believed that Tammuz was a reincarnation of Nimrod. thus was introduced the mystery of the mother and child, as both mother and child, Semiramis and Tammuz, began to be worshipped, she was even called the Queen of Heaven (Jer 7:18), and he was considered to be the life giving child. Here is Satan already at work trying to bring doubt upon the true coming Messiah. And so from this center of power in Babylon this mystery religion began to spread over time in various forms to the surrounding nations, it became the religion of Phoenicia who carried it throughout the whole world. Everywhere the symbols of this religion were the same, the image of the queen of heaven and the babe in her arms, the cultish belief of the mother and child. Although the names differed from language to language the rituals were very similar. Semiramis and Tammuz became Ashtoreth and Tammuz, who became Isis and Horus in Egypt, Aphrodite and Eros in Greece, Venus and Cupid in Italy. the mother was worshipped as Diana in Ephesus, and the worship of Baal, the sun god, is identified with Tammuz, which was the Canaanitish form of this Babylonian religion. It was this faith in Tammuz that Ezekiel dealt with in the days of Israel’s captivity in Babylon. And even later the names would be changed to the Madonna and Jesus. In 1000 years Babylonianism became the world religion, a religion that rejected God and His promised Son, and in their place received and worshipped a wicked whore of a woman and her pagan offspring. Mere sinners who craved such power and worship.
Incorporated into this religion was all sorts of ungodly practices, which contained hidden meanings to the inner circles, the rites and rituals of this worship were secret, only the initiated were permitted to know its mysteries and true meanings, you had to be in the upper ranks for such privileges. Yet these rituals were practiced by all the followers who remained ignorant to the truth behind such worship. these rituals included disgusting and immoral practices, idolatrous, sexual, pagan and wicked acts and very false teachings which included the doctrine of purification after death in purgatory, salvation by sacraments, sprinkling of holy water, offering of round cakes to the queen of heaven, dedication of virgins to the gods which was basically sanctified prostitution, and get this, a period of 40 days of weeping and fasting for Tammuz which was to take place before the festival of Istar (another name for the mother or queen of heaven and translated into English is Easter). Weeping and fasting was commanded during this time for as the tale goes, the mother said she had received her son back from the dead, Tammuz had been slain by a boar in the woods (some god) and afterwards brought back to life. And so to celebrate this so-called resurrection of Tammuz, an egg was given to him, which became a sacred symbol of this religion, for the egg symbolized his return to life, and the exchanging of eggs among believers at the feast of Istar became part of the celebration (and I would assume they painted them in bright colors). from this made-up myth originated what is now observed as Easter and Lent. the Easter rabbit is even an adaption of the pagan custom of regarding the rabbit as an emblem of life because they reproduce so quickly. Along with this, the evergreen tree was Tammuz’s chosen symbol and was set up in honor of his birth at the winter solstice, when a boar’s head was eaten in memory of his life and death, along with this a yule-log was burned over which other rituals took place (what holiday “holy-day” do we put up an evergreen tree?). Also the sign of the cross was sacred to Tammuz, which symbolized his life giving ability for it was the first letter of his name. this is depicted upon many ancient altars and temples. this gives a whole other meaning to Easter and Christmas symbols doesn’t it? And shows just how far Satan will go to counterfeit and bring doubt upon the true resurrected Messiah.
This false religion in all its many forms was alive and well during the days of Christ, and with the giving of the Great Commission the early believers were confronted with these false beliefs everywhere they went. Even though the city of Babylon had faded away into history, her mysterious religion lived on, centuries later, continuing to contaminate the human race. And let me quote H. A. Ironside “When the city and the temples were destroyed (by the Mede and Persian invasion), the high priest fled with a company of initiates and their sacred vessels and images to Pergamos {so is it any wonder Jesus said to the church of Pergamos… Re 2:12 and to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; these things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is}, where the symbol of the serpent was set up as the emblem of the hidden wisdom. From there, they afterward crossed the sea and emigrated to Italy, where they settled in the Etruscan plain. there, the ancient cult was propagated under the name of the Etruscan Mysteries, and eventually Rome became the headquarters of Babylonianism. the chief priests wore miters shaped like the head of a fish, in honor of Dagon, the fish-god, the lord of life – another form of the Tammuz mystery, as developed among Israel’s old enemies, the Philistines. When the chief priest was established in Rome, he took the title Pontifex Maximus, which was imprinted on his miter. When Julius Caesar (who, like all young Romans of good family, was an initiate) had become the head of the State, he was elected Pontifex Maximus, and this title was held henceforth by all of the Roman emperors down to Constantine the Great, who was, at one and the same time, head of the church and high priest of the heathen! {the Babylon mysteries were transferred into the church, pagan temples became Christian churches, pagan customs became Christian customs, the virgin Mary became the Queen of Heaven, Semerimus and Tammuz became the Madonna and child}.The title was afterward conferred upon the bishops of Romeans is today borne by the pope, who is thus declared to be, not the successor of the fisherman-apostle Peter, but the direct successor of the high priest of the Babylonian mysteries, and the servant of the fish-god Dagon, for whom he wears, like his idolatrous predecessors, the fisherman’s ring.”
In the early centuries of the Roman Church Babylonianism was so wide spread and had influenced so many that much of its practices and teachings had been largely absorbed by the “church”, Biblical doctrine had been replaced with sacraments and heathen philosophies replaced biblical instruction. Later we know the church became the state, church and state merged, and the Roman Catholic Empire was born. So we easily see the link between the ancient Babylon religion and the Roman Catholic Church of today. And it was all this, as he looked upon what the angel showed him of this great Babylonian whore that caused John to step back in wonder and awe, aghast at how far man had fell into Satan’s trap of deception. And if we are not convinced by all that, we are then given two other verses to describe the great whore of religious fornication that will come forth from the Catholic Church'.

Please see the note for Acts 3:2 about the word carried. The functional definition for this word is: 'Past-tense form of the word carry'. Please also see the note for Acts 5:9 about the words carry / carrying.

Please see the note for James 1:10 about the word away. The functional definition for this word is: 'Absent; at a distance; as, the master is away from home'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for Romans C11S1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people. Please also see the note for John 6:67 about the phrase go away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:17 about the phrase passed away. Please also see the note for Matthew 19:3 about the phrase put away.

Please see the note for John 3:14 about the word wilderness. The functional definition for this word is: 'denoting not a barren desert but a district or region suitable for pasturing sheep and cattle (Ps 65:12; Isa 42:11; Jer 23:10; Joe 1:19; 2:22); an uncultivated place.'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the words see / sight. The functional definition is: 'perception of objects by the eye; view. this word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son. Please also see the note for Acts 2:25 about the words foresee / foresaw. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S2 about the word woman. The functional definition for this word is: 'Morrish Bible Dictionary defines woman as: 'It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. this tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. this is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ.
In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10'.

Please see the note for Matthew 27:28 about the word scarlet. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. A beautiful bright red color, brighter than crimson. 2. Cloth of a scarlet color. All her household are clothed with scarlet. Prov. 31.
SC'ARLET, a. of the color called scarlet; of a bright red color; as a scarlet cloth or thread; a scarlet lip'. Please also see the note for Matthew 16:2 about the word red. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: 17:3; 17:4; 18:12; 18:16.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The functional definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please see the note for Luke 13:35 about the phrase name of the Lord. Please also see the Summary and verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God. Please also see the note for Acts 1:23 about the word surname.

Please see the notes for Mark 2:6-7 about the word blasphemy. The functional definition for this word is: 'Speaking evil of God'.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S4 about the word head. The functional definition for this word is: 'The part of the body which holds the brain. It is also used, symbolically, for the main source of control'. Please also see the note for Matthew 14:10 about the word beheaded. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 11:3-LJC about the phrase Christ: the head of.

Please see the note for Luke 1:67-75 about the word horn. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'Of animals were used as drinking vessels, and to hold ointments, perfumes, etc., 1Sa 16:1; 1Ki 1:39. the "horns of the altar" were its four corners and elevation on them, Ex 27:2; 30:2. See ALTAR. the principal defense and ornament of many beasts are in their horns; and hence the horn is often a symbol of strength, honor, and dominion. the Lord exalted the horn of David, and of his people; he breaketh the horn of salvation, and of defiling the horn in the dust, De 33:17; 1Sa 2:1,10; Job 16:15; Ps 75:10; Da 7:20-24; Lu 1:69. there may be an allusion in these passages to a very common part of the female dress in some parts of the East. the married women among the Druses of mount Lebanon still wear on their heads silver horns, as in the accompanying cut; the other head is that of an Abyssinian chief'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he carried. Re 1:10; 4:2; 21:10; 1Ki 18:12; 2Ki 2:16; Eze 3:12; 8:3; 11:24; Ac 8:39 into. Re 12:6,14; Song 8:5 a woman. Re 17:4,6,18; 12:3 full. Re 13:1-6; Da 7:8,20,25; 11:36; 2Th 2:4 having. Re 17:9-12; 12:3; 13:1'.

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C17-S3 (Verse 4-5) the appearance of the great whore.

Equivalent Section: What she looked like.

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour,
and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,
having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:.

Equivalent Section: How she was identified by God.

And upon her forehead was a name written,
MYSTERY,
BABYLON thE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF thE EARTH.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us what she looked like. The Second Equivalent Section telling us How she was identified by God. Notice that she has everything that this world considers to be valuable but God's opinion is that she is the worst possible. Again, this is the difference between the physical perspective and the spiritual perspective. In Mark 13:1-2 we read: And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Then, Jesus spends the rest of the chapter on prophecy of the great tribulation and lessons on His return and how we need to be prepared to give an answer for what we do in this life. Accumulating physical things and valuing them is a waste of out life.

Dr. Jeff Wilson, and the Word Studies, below, explain the symbolic meaning of words in our First Equivalent Section. When our third phrase says that her cup is full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication, it is speaking about her getting people to participate in abominations and filthiness and fornication to where those things define the person. The word abominations speaks of the sinful lifestyles justified by false religions. . When religion combined with human governments was called fornication by God because fornication is when a man and woman join who should not be joined and religion is not supposed to be joined to human governments. Every time in history when the two have joined, they ended up killing true believers. Think of the temple whores who thought they were serving God while they sold their bodies to anyone who wanted such pleasures of the flesh and the world. The word the word filthiness speaks of spiritual filthiness which results from not having an ongoing personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ so that He can spiritually cleanse saved people (1John 1:9). The word fornication speaks of having a spiritual relationship with devils which includes the worship which is supposed to be reserved to our relationship with God.

In the Second Equivalent Section, we read that: upon her forehead was a name written. God writes His name on the forehead of saved people (Revelation 22:4). Many of the lost and cursed during the great tribulation receive the mark of the beast in their forehead as an identification that they belong to the beast.

Next, we are told that he name includes: MYSTERY. This means that she has existed from the time of Cain but has remained hidden until the time of the great tribulation.

Next, we are told that he name includes: BABYLON thE GREAT. This means that she is the basis of every occurrence in history of the joining of religion and government. There have been several instances of this throughout history but she is the spiritual basis and every instance throughout history are only the many applications of the same basic spiritual concept.

Next, we are told that he name includes: THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS. Sex is to be reserved to the marriage bed (Hebrews 13:4). The basic purpose of marriage is a spiritual joining of two people to serve God and the selling of sex is the opposite of that spiritual purpose. Again, we think of temple whores where devils had people (male and female) doing physically what they were already doing spiritually.

Next, we are told that he name includes: ABOMINATIONS OF thE EARTH. This means that she is the basis of every perversion of spiritual truth which is practiced on the Earth. False religion justifies any abomination that anyone thinks of and claims that the false religion can make the thing acceptable to God if the person participates in the false religion.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Purple and scarlet, symbolizing royalty and blood, power and murder. that is how the Roman church came into and stayed in power. And these are the very colors that the pope and the cardinals wear. Gold, precious stones, and pearls. the pope also wears a vest covered with these. this is also symbolic of the Catholic Church as a whole: its wealth is estimated to be well into the 100’s of billions of dollars. the Vatican as we have discussed before is as wealthy as some nations and wields as much power and influence. And in the woman’s hand is a golden cup full of spiritual poison, corruption, idolatry, lies and deception which she causes the world to deeply drink, think of the masses that have been deluded By this false religion'.

Please see the note for Luke 12:27 about the word array. The functional definition for this word is: 'Set in order, or in lines; arranged in order for attack or defense; dressed; adorned by dress; impaneled, as a jury; enveloped'.

Please see the note for John 19:2 about the word purple. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'A color often mentioned with blue and scarlet in connection with the tabernacle. Ex 25:4, etc. Among the spoils taken from the Midianites under Gideon was "purple raiment that was on the kings," and it is used as a symbol of royalty. Jg 8:26. In derision the soldiers put a crown of thorns and a 'purple' robe on the Lord, as king of the Jews. Mr 15:17,20; Joh 19:2,5. the rich man in Lu 16:19 was clothed in purple; and papal Rome is seen as a woman clothed in purple and scarlet, royalty and splendour. Re 17:4; 18:12,16'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the word gold. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A precious metal of a bright yellow color, and the most ductile and malleable of all the metals. It is the heaviest metal except platina; and being a very dense, fixed substance, and not liable to be injured by air, it is well fitted to be used as coin, or a representative of commodities in commerce. Its ductility and malleability render it the most suitable metal for gilding. It is often found native in solid masses, as in Hungary and Peru; though generally in combination with silver, copper or iron. 2. Money. forme, the gold of France did not seduce-- 3. Something pleasing or valuable; as a heart of gold. 4. A bright yellow color; as a flower edged with gold. 5. Riches; wealth. Gold of pleasure, a plant of the genus Myagrum. GOLD, a. Made of gold; consisting of gold; as a gold chain'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:4-5 about the word stone. The functional definition for this word is: 'he same composition as a rock or a pebble but with a size between them'. Please also see the note for Luke 17:28-29 about the word brimstone. Please also see the note for Ephesians 2:20 about the phrase corner stone. Please also see the note for Luke 17:2 about the word millstone. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the phrase precious stones. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events Study for the title of stone.

Please see the note for 1Peter 1:7 about the word precious. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Of great price; costly; as a precious stone. 2. Of great value or worth; very valuable. She is more precious than rubies. Prov.3. 3. Highly valued; much esteemed. the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Sam.3. 4. Worthless; in irony and contempt. Precious metals, gold and silver, so called on account of their value'.

Please see the note for Matthew 7:6 about the word pearl. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'Pearls were ranked by the ancients among the most precious substances, Re 17:4, and were highly valued as ornaments for women. their modest splendor still charms the Orientals, and a string of pearls is a favorite decoration of eastern monarchs. the kingdom of heaven is compared to a goodly pearl, so superior to all others that the pearl merchant sold all others that he could obtain for it the highest price, Mt 13:45-46. the gates of heaven are described as consisting of pearls; "every several gate was one pearl," Re 21:21. the Savior forbade his apostles to cast their pearls before swine, Mt 7:6; that is, to expose the precious truths of the gospel unnecessarily to those who reject them with scorn and violence.
Pearls are a stony concretion in a species of oyster, found in the Persian gulf, on the coast of Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, etc., and in smaller quantities in various other places in both hemispheres. It is not known whether the pearl is a natural deposit, or the consequence of disease, or of the lodging of some foreign body, as a grain of sand, within the shells. the pearl oyster grows in clusters, on rocks in deep water; and is brought up by trained divers, only during a few weeks of calm weather in spring. the shell itself yields the well-known "mother of pearl'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: 17:4; 18:12; 18:16; 21:21.

Please see the note for John 18:11 about the word cup. The functional definition for this word is: 'Used for drinking (Ge 40:11); for divination (Ge 44:5), practiced by dropping gold, silver, or jewels into the water, and examining their appearance; or looking into the water as a mirror'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S12 and Colossians C2S7 about the word hand. The functional definition for this word is: 'In man, the extremity of the arm, consisting of the palm and fingers, connected with the arm at the wrist; the part with which we hold and use any instrument. Often used symbolically for ability'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. Please also see the note for 1Peter 5:6-7 about the phrase hand of God. Please also see the note for Mark 16:19 about the phrase right hand of God. Please also see the note for Luke 1:38 about the word handmaid. Please also see the note for 1John 1:1-3 about the word handle. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:1-2 about the phrase at hand. This phrase is defined as: 'it will happen very soon'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. The functional definition for this word is: 'To physically grab with the intention of doing great harm which, usually, ends in death'.

Please see the note for Mark 13:14-16 about the word abomination. The functional definition for this word is: 'Ongoing sinful wickedness; what is unfit to be presented in the service of God'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 7:1 about the word filthiness. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines filthiness as: 'n. 1. the state of being filthy. 2. Foulness; dirtiness; filth; nastiness. Carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 2Chron. 29. 3. Corruption; pollution; defilement by sin; impurity. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Cor. 7'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C4S13 about the word filth.

Please see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. The functional definition for this word is: 'a retained record which can be used for judgment in a court of law'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12; John 20:31-LJC about the word write Please also see the notes for Luke 6:3-4; the Study called Prove; Ephesians C1S3 and Romans C3S15 about the phrase it is written.

Please see the note for Romans C11S29 about the word mystery. The functional definition for this word is: 'Something that was hid by God until He decided to reveal it'.

Please see the note for Revelation 14:8 about the word Babylon. The functional definition for this word is: ' The original city was Assyrian, and the name meant "The city of the dispersion of the tribes." In Revelation, it identifies the city which is the center of government joined to religion'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'arrayed. Re 18:7,12,16 decked. Gr. gilded. Da 11:38 golden. Re 14:8; 18:6; 19:2; Jer 51:7; 2Th 2:3-10 abominations. De 29:17; 1Ki 14:24; 2Ki 21:2; Isa 66:3; Eze 20:30; Ho 9:10 filthiness. Ezr 9:11; La 1:9; Eze 24:11,13; 36:25 General references. exp: Isa 47:12.
upon. Re 7:3; Isa 3:9; Php 3:19 MYSTERY. 2Th 2:7; 2Ti 3:1-5 BABYLON. Re 11:8; 14:8; 16:19; 8:2,10,21; Jer 51:47-48 exp: Ps 87:4. ThE MOTHER. Re 18:9; 19:2 HARLOTS. or, fornications. General references. exp: Isa 47:12.'.

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C17-S4 (Verse 6) the next thing that John was shown.

Equivalent Section: What John saw.

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints,
and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus :.

Equivalent Section: How John reacted.

and when I saw her,
I wondered with great admiration.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Section with the First Equivalent Section telling us what John saw. The Second Equivalent Section tells us his reaction. The equivalency means that his reaction was strictly due to what he saw. The phrase I wondered with great admiration means that John found the sight beyond understanding and belief. He could not understand how God allowed this to happen nor could he understand men participating in such depravity.

In the First Equivalent Section, we read that she was drunken with the blood. Someone who is drunken has lost control of themselves. The people who were part of this false religion would do anything to spill more blood. They were destroying and killing those who tell truth and prove the error of false religion and could no longer control their reactions to truth and the true servants of God.

Next, we see that the blood belonged to (of) the saints and the martyrs of Jesus. This verse makes a difference between saints and martyrs of Jesus. The saints left the Earth in the 'Rapture' while the martyrs of Jesus died for their testimony during the Great Tribulation. The false church has been murdering saints since the time of Cain and certainly since the time that Jesus lived on Earth. This false religion will still be on Earth martyring believers in Jesus even during the Great Tribulation.

What most people seem to fail to realize that this Earth, and our time on it, is a spiritual test. First, God is testing who will truly accept Jesus as their personal Lord. That determines if we end up in heaven or in Hell. But, after that, God is testing how well we obey our personal Lord. That determines if we receive everlasting treasures in heaven or if we are punished for more than 1,000 years. Thus, when 'bad' things happen to us, it is not that God in incapable of preventing them. The truth is that such happenings are a test which will result in our receiving everlastings rewards, if we react in a Godly way. So, what John saw was beyond his understanding and belief because he did not understand how great of a test that God gives some people so that He can give them even greater rewards in Heaven. God's purpose is what most people fail to understand.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S3 about the word blood. The functional definition for this word is: 'The fluid which circulates through the arteries and veins of the human body, and of other animals, which is essential to the preservation of life'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:28 about the phrase blood of Christ. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 10:16-LJC about the phrase Christ and blood.

Please see the notes for Matthew 27:51-53; Romans C16S1; 2Corinthians C1S1 and Colossians C1S1 about the word saint. The functional definition for this word is: 'a spiritually mature saved person who is actively involved in the ministry of the church'. The note in Romans has links to every place in the New Testament where this word is used along with a short note for each application.

Please see the note for Acts 22:20 about the word martyr. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'one who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ (Ac 22:20; Re 2:13; 17:6). in this sense Stephen was the first martyr. the Greek word so rendered in all other cases is translated "witness." (1.) In a court of justice (Mt 18:16; 26:65; Ac 6:13; 7:58; Heb 10:28; 1Ti 5:19). (2.) As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Lu 24:48; Ac 1:8,22; Ro 1:9; 1Th 2:5,10; 1Jo 1:2)'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:12 about the word wonder. The functional definition for this word is: 'To be affected by surprise or admiration. I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals. We cease to wonder at what we understand'. Please also see the note for Matthew 7:22 about the word wonderful.

Please see the note for Jude 1:16 about the word admiration. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Wonder mingled with pleasing emotions, as approbation, esteem, love or veneration; a compound emotion excited by something novel, rare, great, or excellent; applied to persons and their works. It often includes a slight degree of surprise. thus, we view the solar system with admiration. Very near to admiration is the wish to admire. It has been sometimes used in an ill sense, denoting wonder with disapprobation. Your boldness I with admiration see. When I saw her I wondered with great admiration. Luke 18'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'drunken. Re 13:7,15; 16:6; 18:20-24; Da 7:21,25 exp: Isa 49:26. The martyrs. Re 2:13; 6:9-10; 12:11; Ac 22:20 I wondered. Hab 1:13 General references. exp: Pr 25:26; Isa 47:12; Da 7:21; Heb 12:4.'.

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C17-S5 (Verse 7) the angel questions John's lack of true understanding.

And the angel said unto me,
Wherefore didst thou marvel?.

I personally believe that God allowed John to not understand, at first, so that this would be included in John' report and so that it would help others who failed to understand.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The angel asks John why he marvels so, why do you wonder, “I will explain and solve the mystery of the vision of the Babylonian whore and what is to come, I will tell you who the woman and the scarlet beast she rides are”, and the angel begins by explaining the beast…'.

Please see the note for Galatians C1-S3 about the word marvel. The functional definition for this word is: 'A wonder; that which arrests the attention and causes a person to stand or gaze, or to pause. this word is nearly obsolete, or at least little used in elegant writings. 2. Wonder; admiration'. Today, people say: 'I find that hard to believe'.

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C17-S6 (Verse 7) the angel explains this thing to John and us.

I will tell thee the mystery of the woman,
and of the beast that carrieth her,
which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

Here the angel says that he will explain what John saw. The woman spiritually represents the false religious system. The beast is the Man who people call devil who possesses seven heads of government and controls ten countries (ten horns). And, we have seen this throughout this book.

Now, the problem becomes one of confusion if we are not very careful. A devil is a spirit and we can not physically see a spirit unless he takes a body. In most cases, devils work through the person whom they possess. And, in the case of this beast, he possesses seven heads of government. Therefore, he is not directly seen physically.

The problem is that our next sentence starts with: The beast that thou sawest. It is talking about Satan's other beast, who is a literal physical man. However, unless people are very careful in their reading and understanding, they will think that both sentences are talking about the same beast. These sentences are not. And, as already mentioned, it is easy to confuse the two beasts. God knows that lost and carnal people will want to claim to bean expert on prophecy, especially being an expert on this book. So, God had John leave there types of traps throughout this book to separate people who truly seek understanding from God's Holy Spirit as opposed to those people who rely upon popular religious opinion and natural reasoning.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence, above.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:31 about the words tell / told. The functional definition for this word is: 'to communicate to others'.

Please see the note for Romans C11S29 about the word mystery. The functional definition for this word is: 'Something that was hid by God until He decided to reveal it'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for Acts 3:2 about the words carry / carried. The functional definition for these words is: ' to bear, convey, or transport, by sustaining and moving the thing carried, either by bodily strength, upon a beast, in a vehicle, or in any kind of water-craft. In general, it implies a moving from the speaker or the place present or near, to a place more distant, and so is opposed to bring and fetch, and it is often followed by from, away, off, out'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I will. Re 17:1-6,8 exp: Isa 51:23.'.

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C17-S7 (Verse 8) the angel explains Satan's second beast.

Equivalent Section: where this beast came fRomans where he will end up.

First Step: he was resurrected.

The beast that thou sawest was,
and is not;.

Second Step: He was released from the bottomless pit but will spend eternity in .

and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit,
and go into perdition:.

Equivalent Section: The reaction of lost people to him.

and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder,
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.

As explained in the note for the prior sentence, the prior sentence was talking about Satan's beast who is a devil. He can not be seen physically. People can only see the people whom he possesses. However, this sentence starts with: The beast that thou sawest. It is talking about Satan's other beast, who is a literal physical man. And, unless people are very careful in their reading and understanding, they will think that both sentences are talking about the same beast. They are not. Please see the note for the prior sentence for more of an explanation.

This sentence is talking about Satan's beast whom men call 'the Antichrist'.

As far as I know, this is the only Biblical report of a lost person being resurrected. As explained in the Word Study for the word perdition, the phrase son of perdition is found in John 17:12 and 2Thessalonians 2:3. Those verses make it clear that Judas Iscariot is the son of perdition and that he (or someone with his same spirit and character) will be the false prophet. And, Matthew 11:13-14 says: For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. Prophecy had said that Elijah wourd return, but Jesus said thatprophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist because he had thesame spirit and character as Elijah. Therefore, Satan's second beast, is either Judas Iscariot resurrected from the dead or is another person with the same spirit and chatacete as Judas.

Now, with those things understood, we can analyze our sentence.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us where this beast came fRomans where he will end up. It is from this Equivalent Section that we get the idea of resurrection. And, that possibility will explain the reaction which is reported in the Second Equivalent Section.

Our First Equivalent Section has two Steps with the First Step telling us that he was resurrected. Read the phrases in this Step and that should be understandable. Then, our Second Step tells us where he was kept from when he died until he is resurrected for this time. And, our Second Step also tells us where he will spend eternity.

Our Second Equivalent Section tells us the reaction of lost people to him when they understand that he was resurrected from the dead. apparently, the truly saved will not be amazed in the same way. Many lost people hope that the end of physical life caused them to cease to exist because, in their heart, they know that if they do not cease to exist then they are heading to Hell. However, with the resurrection of this beast, they now have a hope of their own resurrection, if they serve Satan, and his two beasts, well enough. That will not happen. However, Satan, and his two beasts, will be happy to let people believe this so that they serve Satan more.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Now when we studied ch13 and saw the beast coming out of the sea, we referenced ch17 to help us understand ch13, and back in that chapter we spoke of how the antichrist would be given a fatal wound, he would die, but then he would be raised from the dead, a miracle performed by the power of the satanic trinity. Satan would put truth to the lie that began with Semirimis and her son Tammuz, he would resurrect a false messiah from the grave. Re 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. Also speaking of the false prophet in that same chapter we red in Re 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. this is how the beast as shown here in v8 was (he was alive as a man), and is not (he dies), and then is raised from the dead, he shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition. Where the antichrist had first come in peace, as a great orator and peace maker, after his death and resurrection he is then fully possessed by the power of Satan, he comes from the abyss and seeks all out war. He has a total change of character, and we have evidence of this when we read of the two witnesses and the antichrist in Re 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. A mere man does not come forth from the abyss, the bottomless pit, but we know from our previous studies, that very vile and powerful demonic spirits do, and so what this verse refers to is even though the antichrist dies, his soul and something else entirely is brought back from the pit, his soul ascends, rises, out of hell and most likely is demonically possessed, possibly by Satan himself.
And this is when antichrist will demand to be worshipped, when he kills the two witnesses and commits the abomination of desolation in the temple where he declares himself as god. Following all this show of strength and power those that dwell upon the earth, the unsaved and unbelievers of the world, those who do not have their name written in the book of life, will bow before him and worship the resurrected beast that was, and is not and yet is for he shall claim to be the risen messiah, how deluded mankind will be (this claim will be reinforced by the false prophet and his religious system, the whore of Babylon).'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for John 6:62 about the word ascend. The functional definition for this word is: 'To move upwards; to mount; to go up; to rise, whether in air or water, or upon a material object upon, as to ascend a hill or ladder; or to climb, as to ascend a tree'.

Please see the note for Revelation 9:1 about the word bottomless. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a, Without a bottom; applied to water, caverns etc., it signified fathomless, whose bottom cannot be found by sounding; as a bottomless abyss or ocean.'. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'lit. 'without a bottom,' an abyss. From the passages in the Revelation we learn that the abyss is where the Satanic powers are shut up, not where they will be punished, which is in the lake of fire. the demons cast out by the Lord in Lu 8:31 besought Him that He would not send them into the abyss. In Ro 10:7 it is put in contrast to the heavens. In Re 9:1-11, to a star fallen from heaven the key of the abyss is given, and on its being opened great moral darkness rises, out of which destructive agents proceed: Abaddon (Apollyon) 'the destroyer' is their king. the future Roman empire is represented as a beast rising out of (receiving in its last head power from) the abyss. Re 11:7; 17:8. Satan will be confined in the abyss during the thousand years of the millennium. Re 20:1,3. (The above are all the passages where the Greek word occurs.)'. We have a problem with this definition. Revelation 9:2 says: the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. If this word represents the lake of fire, and not Hell, then how does it affect the air on Earth? However, since Hell is a globe, it can not be said to have a bottom.

Please see the note for Luke 14:4-5 about the word pit. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'There are several Hebrew words translated 'pit.' the principal are: 1. sheol, 'the grave, hades, hell.' Nu 16:30,33; Job 17:16. 2. shachath, 'a pit, a pitfall to entrap animals,' place of doom and corruption. Job 33:18,24,28,30; Ps 9:15; 30:9; 35:7; Eze 28:8; etc. 3. bor, beer, 'pit or well dug for water,' but which could be used for a dungeon. Ge 37:20-29; Ps 28:1; 40:2; 88:4,6; Eze 26:20; Zec 9:11; etc'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word perdition. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. L. perditio, from perdo, to lose, to ruin. 1. Entire loss or ruin; utter destruction; as the perdition of the Turkish fleet. in this sense, the word is now nearly or wholly obsolete. 2. the utter loss of the soul or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death. the impenitent sinner is condemned to final perdition. If we reject the truth, we seal our own perdition'. The phrase son of perdition is found in John 17:12 and 2Thessalonians 2:3. Those verses make it clear that Judas Iscariot is the son of perdition and that he (or someone with his same spirit and character) will be the false prophet.

Please see the note for Romans C7S24 about the word dwell. The functional definition for this word is: 'ppr. Inhabiting; residing; sojourning; continuing with fixed attention. DWELL'ING, n. Habitation; place of residence; abode. Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons. Jer.49. 1. Continuance; residence; state of life. thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. Dan.4'. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase indwelling Holy Spirit.

Please see the note for Luke 3:4 about the word book. The functional definition for this word is: 'A general name of every literary composition which is printed; but appropriately, a printed composition bound; a volume. the name is given also to any number of written sheets when bound or sewed together, and to a volume of blank paper, intended for any species of writing, as for memorandums, for accounts, or receipts. 1. A particular part of a literary composition; a division of a subject in the same volume. 2. A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures.'. Please also see the note for Galatians 3:10 about the phrase book of the law. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of the life.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20; Life in 1John about the word life. The functional definition is: 'Life is that by which a created being enjoys the place in which the Creator has set it'. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC; Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please note that eternal life is different from everlasting life in that while eternal life is 'Without beginning or end of existence', everlasting life 'has a beginning but is without end of existence'. Please see the note for John 5:24 about the phrase everlasting life. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. The word livest means everlasting or eternal life. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C3S12 about the word foundation. The functional definition for this word is: 'The basis of an edifice; that part of a building which lies on the ground; usually a wall of stone which supports the edifice'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Timothy 1:15; 2Timothy C1S5; 1Corinthians C1S19 and World in 1John about the word world. The functional definition for this word is: 'all of the people in the world as a group'. Please also see the note for John 9:5 about the phrase light of the world.

Please see the note for Colossians C2S3 about the word behold. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'to fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care. Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1. 2. In a less intensive sense, to look upon; to see. When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. 21. BEHO'LD, v.i. to look; to direct the eyes to an object. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, a lambdas it had been slain. Rev.5. 1. to fix the attention upon an object; to attend; to direct or fix the mind. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Rev.3.word is much used in this manner for exciting attention, or admiration. It is in the imperative mode, expressing command, or exhortation; and by no means a mere exclamation'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:18-19 about the word hold. Please also see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'go. Re 17:11; 14:8-20; 16-18; 19:15-21; 20:10; Da 7:11,26; 11:45; 2Th 2:3-8 shall wonder. Re 13:3-4 whose. Re 13:8; 20:12,15 exp: Php 4:3. from. Mt 25:34; Joh 17:24; Ac 15:18; Eph 1:4; Tit 1:2; 1Pe 1:20 exp: Mt 13:35; Re 13:8. The beast that was. Re 13:1-4,11-12 General references. exp: Ac 15:18.'.

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C17-S8 (Verse 9) God has John write this to make us seek spiritual wisdom about what is reported here.
And here is the mind which hath wisdom.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds this sentence to the prior sentences. It takes true spiritual wisdom to properly understand what was just reported and to properly separate what is reported about Satan's two beasts. But, it will also take true spiritual wisdom to properly understand what is reported in the remainder of this chapter. Thus, this sentence, which is in the middle of this chapter, applies to the entire chapter.

Please see the notes for Romans C11-S37; Romans C12-S2 and 2Corinthians C1S9 about the word mind. The functional definition for this word is: 'the thinking process and conclusion of that process'. Please also see the notes for Romans 11:20; 1Timothy 6:17 and 2Timothy 3:4 about the woed highminded. Please also see the note for Romans 15:5-6 about the word likeminded. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the phrase mind Jesus. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 2:16 about the phrase mind of Christ.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wisdom. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. s as z. G. See Wise. 1. the right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. this is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. I differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus. Wisdom gained by experience, is of inestimable value. It is hoped that our rulers will act with dignity and wisdom; that they will yield every thing to reason, and refuse every thing to force. 2. In Scripture, human learning; erudition; knowledge of arts and sciences. Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Acts 7. 3. Quickness of intellect; readiness of apprehension; dexterity in execution; as the wisdom of Bezaleel and Aholiab. Exodus 31. 4. Natural instinct and sagacity. Job 39. 5. In Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness; piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to his commands. this is the wisdom which is from above. Psalm 90. Job 28. 6. Profitable words or doctrine. Psalm 37. the wisdom of this world, mere human erudition; or the carnal policy of men, their craft and artifices in promoting their temporal interests; called also fleshly wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2. 2 Corinthi and 1. the wisdom of words, artificial or affected eloquence; or learning displayed in teaching. 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 '. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S23 and 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wise. The functional definition for this word is: 'people who exercise true wisdom'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'here. Re 13:18; Da 12:4,8-10; Ho 14:9; Mt 13:11; 24:15'.

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C17-S9 (Verse 9) the angel explains the seven heads.

The seven heads are seven mountains,
on which the woman sitteth.

Now, what Dr. Jeff Wilson writes, in the note below, is commonly accepted. However, I've been to Rome. And, while it is known to be on seven hills, those hills are very definitely not mountains. That written, I have no doubt that the Roman Catholic Church will be part of the support structure for the one-world religion, which this woman represents. However, I personally believe that the seven mountains represent seven major religions which include Roman Catholic Church, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shikism, Evolution / Atheist, and all other religions.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here the angel clearly explains the symbolism of the 7 heads of the scarlet colored beast as speaking specifically of 7 mountains where the woman’s center of power is located. And historically the city on 7 hills or 7 mountains has always referred to Rome. this city will be the headquarters of the Babylonian religion of the great whore, this is the city where the Vatican, the papacy, and all control of the Roman Catholic Church is now located. So this is yet another clue that this woman will come forth from Catholicism.
But in v10, the angel further explains that these 7 heads of the beast also represent 7 kings or kingdoms, the heads have double meaning.'.

Please see the note for John 6:3 about the word mountain. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land, but of no definite altitude. We apply mountain to the largest eminences on the globe; but sometimes the word is used for a large hill. In general, mountain denotes an elevation higher and larger than a hill; as the Altaic mountains in Asia, the Alps in Switzerland, the Andes in South America,the Allegheny mountains in Virginia, the Catskill in New York, the White mountains in New Hampshire, and the Green mountains in Vermont. the word is applied to a single elevation, or to an extended range'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The seven. Re 17:3,7,18; 13:1'.

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C17-S10 (Verse 10) This sentence has equivalent sections.

Equivalent Section: the total count.

And there are seven kings :

Equivalent Section: What happened to each of these kings.

First Step: What happens each of them.

five are fallen,
and one is,
and the other is not yet come;.

Second Step: the seventh will not last long.

and when he cometh,
he must continue a short space.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. The prior sentence told us about to support from religion. This sentence adds the report of support from government. Remember that we are being told about a combination of religion and government.

Commentators have different opinions as to who these kings are. Some name five emperors of Rome that had died for the five are fallen. Some choose the first four kingdoms of Daniel 2 plus Egypt for the five are fallen. Some name other kingdoms. While they argue about their opinions, we find what God often does in prophecy. God hid the truth so that those who would prove themselves to be fools can claim to know what God has hid. Many commentators say that these represent different legal systems. I would agree with them in that kings, in the Bible, make up whatever laws they want and their kingdom reflects the character of the king. Since each king would have a different character, each kingdom would have different laws or legal systems. The main point that I see here is brought out in the next verse (17:11) which says And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. Since the beast is of the seven, every one of the kings serve the devil who brings the beast to rule the Earth. The other thing is that we hear many fools say I'd rather rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. They don't have the power to rule over a devil in a kingdom that is run by power and cruelty. These fools will become play things of devils and if they would really look at what Revelation says the devils do when allowed on the Earth, they would get saved just to avoid the devils.

In his note, Dr. Jeff Wilson presents an accepted opinion that these kings represent historical kingdoms. Some believe that and others disagree. Personally, I believe they represent major government powers at the start of the great tribulation. However, we need to keep in mind that all such are opinions and none of those opinions can be proven to be correct.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The angel says the 7 heads of the beast represent 7 kings, and he further explains that 5 of these kings have already fallen, have passed on into history, one of the kings is, speaking of the current reigning king or kingdom of John’s day which speaks of Romeans Domitian at its head, and then the angel says one more king is yet to come, speaking of the antichrist. Now we are not positive who the angel is referring to here with the 5 kings, many have taken stabs at names or kingdoms to who this could apply, but for the most part they have been mostly guesses. Some think it has referred to Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and with the present kingdom of John’s day being Rome, and then the 7th will be the antichrist’s empire to come. I guess that’s possible, but I would not hold that as concrete fact/wouldn’t argue about it. But we are told that when the 7th king comes, that king will only reign a short while, will continue a short space. And then we are told in v11 that the 8th king after these seven is the antichrist, but the angel goes further and says this 8th king is of the seven, meaning the 7th and 8th kings is the same ruler. And I believe this ties in to the antichrist and his rule before his death and resurrection (where he is the 7th king) and then his rule over the world as global dictator as the 8th king after his resurrection. the 7th and the 8th king are the same person, the beast, yet the 8th has ascended out of the abyss and has gone into perdition, he is satanically influenced and demonically possessed. the 7th king is the antichrist as the man who first rises to power thru his personality, intellect and political skill, the 8th king is this same man but in his superhuman form, fully empowered by Satan after his death and resurrection now seeking total world domination and worship.
After this the angel explains the 10 horns of the beast.'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The functional definition for this word is: 'To drop from a higher place; to descend by the power of gravity alone. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse; ripe fruits fall from trees; an ox falls into a pit. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10. 2. to drop from an erect posture. I fell at his feet to worship him. Rev. 19'. The word fell is the past-tense form of the word fall.

Please see the note for Revelation 2:21 about the word space. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. spatium, space; spatior, to wander. this word is probably formed on the root of pateo. 1. Room; extension. Space in the abstract, is mere extension. Pure space is capable neither of resistance nor motion. 2. Any quantity of extension. In relation to bodies, space is the interval between any two or more object' as the space between two stars or two hills the quantity of space or extent between bodies, constitutes their distance form each other. 3. the distance or interval between lines; as in books. the space in music are named as well as the lines. 4. Quantity of time; also, the interval between two points of time. Nine times the space that measures day and God may defer his judgment for a time, and give a people a longer space for repentance. 5. A short time; a while. to stay your deadly strife a space. this sense is nearly obsolete.
SPACE, v.t. Among printers, to make space or wider intervals between lines'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word continue. The functional definition for this word is: 'To remain in a state, or place; to abide for any time indefinitely'. Please also see the note for James 1:25 about the word continueth. The functional definition for this word is: 'A lifestyle of continuing'. The difference being that we can continue something once but later cease it while if we continueth the same thing then we never cease it. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians 7:5 about the word incontinent.

Please see the note for Romans 3:23 about the word short. The functional definition for this word is: 'Not long; not having great length or extension; as a short distance; a short ferry; a shor flight; a short piece of timber.'. Please also see the note for Mark 13:20 about the word shorten.

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C17-S11 (Verse 11) the description of Satan's second beast.

And the beast that was,
and is not,
even he is the eighth,
and is of the seven,
and goeth into perdition.

This sentence is not hard to understand if we take it literally and understand what the word of God says about the son of perdition. (Please see the Word Studies, below, for more about him.) Jesus called Judas Iscariot the son of perdition. He is Satan's second beast. (Pay attention to what our sentence says.) He was, and is not at the time that John wrote. He will also be the eighth, and is of the seven. Satan's first beast possesses seven heads of government and will use them to promote Satan's second beast to the head of Satan's world-wide government. He will be cast into perdition (Revelation 19:20).

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'that was. Re 17:8'.

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C17-S12 (Verse 12) the description of Satan's ten kings which are controlled by his first beast.

First Step: the symbolic meaning of the ten horns.

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings,
which have received no kingdom as yet;

Second Step: Why they acted like kings.

but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

As noted earlier, many commentators have many opinions which mainly serve to sell books. Their opinions are often inaccurate and not Biblical. However, their purpose is to sell books and make money, not to accurately inform God's people of Biblical truth.

These ten kings have no formally declared kingdoms (which have received no kingdom as yet). However, they make up their own laws. Many commentators have voiced the opinion that religious leaders have as much or more power than formal governments. Many writers have claimed that corporate heads do, or will have, as much power as governments and many complain about international corporations acting like they are above the law. Regardless of the means by which they receive power, Satan's first beast is the one who gets them the power so that they can support his agenda. Like manythings of the devil, they receive the power by means other than being the head of legitimate governments.

Our sentence has two Steps with the First Step telling us that these ten kings are not true kings. They did not receive their power and position through legitimate means. Yet, as our Second Step explains, they receive power as kings with the beast. That is, Satan's first beast promises them this power if they let him possess them. And, some people are foolish enough to take that bargain. As for what is meant by one hour, I do not know and believe no one knows because the spiritual measurement of time is different from the physical measurement of time. Every other place where I found the phrase one hour, in the word of God, it was talking about one physical hour. However, I believe this speaks of a different length of time. It is possible that it would be one year, as we measure time, but that can not be verified.

Please notice our next sentence is added to this sentence, by starting with the word And. It explains why I write that these ten kings are all possessed by Satan's first beast.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'These horns represent 10 other kings that all rule during the time of the tribulation, these are 10 nations or kingdoms, the 10 toes of Daniel’s image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. But as John looks upon these kings here in this vision they have not received their kingdoms yet (v12a), but when the antichrist comes on the scene during the tribulation, these kings will receive power and dominion in the great world alliance, the one world government, of which they and the antichrist will be a part of (v12b). they receive power for a short time and rule as subordinates to the beast, for as the book of Daniel tells us, the antichrist will destroy 3 of these horns/kingdoms in order to establish his rule and power and influence over the other kingdoms and the world (Dan 7:24).
But at any rate these kings are all in agreement as they support the beast, they have one mind as v13 says, and they give their power, authority over even themselves and their kingdoms to the beast. they are his puppets, who give him use of their wealth, influence and military strength.'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1; Colossians C2-S4 about the word receive. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. L. recipio; re and capio, to take. 1. to take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept. He had the offer of a donation, but he would not receive it. 2. to take as due or as a reward. He received the money on the day it was payable. He received ample compensation. 3. to take or obtain from another in any manner, and either good or evil. Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? Job 2. 4. to take, as a thing communicated; as, to receive a wound by a shot; to receive a disease by contagion. the idea of a solidity we receive by our touch. 5. to take or obtain intellectually; as, to receive an opinion or notion from others. 6. to embrace. Receive with meekness the engrafted word. James 1. 7. to allow; to hold; to retain; as a custom long received. 8. to admit. thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Ps. 73. 9. to welcome; to lodge and entertain; as a guest. they kindled a fire and received us every one, because of the present rain and because of the cold. Acts 28. 10. to admit into membership or fellowship. Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye. Rom. 14. 11. to take in or on; to hold; to contain. the brazen altar was too little to receive the burnt-offering. 1Kings 8. 12. to be endowed with. Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Acts 1. 13. to take into a place or state. After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven. Mark 16. 14. to take or have as something ascribed; as, to receive praise or blame. Rev. 4. Rev. 5. 15. to bear with or suffer. 2Cor. 11. 16. to believe in. John 1. 17. to accept or admit officially or in an official character. the minister was received by the emperor or court. 18. to take stolen goods from a thief, knowing them to be stolen'. In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41, which explains that in order to truly receive a person, we must receive their character as our own.

Please see the notes for Ephesians 5:5; 2Timohy 4:1; 2Peter 1:11 about the phrase kingdom of Christ. The functional definition for this word is: 'the 1,000 year reign of Christ'. It is also part of the kingdom of God in that everyone who is allowed to be a participant in the kingdom of Christ will also have 'the character of God in them'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S20; 1Corinthians C15S46; Galatians C5S20 and the Doctrinal Study about the phrase kingdom of God. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. in this sentence, the word kingdom is applied to Earthly kingdoms.

Please see the note for Romans C13S2 about the word power. The functional definition for this word is: 'The primary sense of the verb is to strain, to exert force. 1. In a philosophical sense, the faculty of doing or performing anything; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength' Please also see the note for John 5:41 about the phrase power of God. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S40 and Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers.

Please see the note for John 2:4 about the word hour. The functional definition for this word is: 'a short period of time relative to the perspective'. Thus, a thousand years can be considered to be an 'a short period of time relative to the perspective'. from the perspective of eternity.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the ten. Re 12:3; 13:1; Da 2:40-43; 7:7-8,20,24; Zec 1:18-21 exp: Re 17:16. General references. exp: Ps 48:4; Eze 23:'.

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C17-S13 (Verse 13) .

These have one mind,
and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

Please notice our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. The prior sentence gave us he description of Satan's ten kings which are controlled by his first beast. This sentence adds how Satan, and his first beast, bring second beast into power.

The first phrase of our sentence says, These have one mind. That is, all of the ten kings think alike and are in total agreement about giving the ultimate power on Earth to Satan's second beast. If we are honest, very ambitious people, who seek the rule the world, would not have this level of agreement without Satan's first beast possessing them and forcing them to think and agree this way.

Our second phrase says that they: shall give their power and strength unto the beast. This is the total opposite of the typical behavior of very ambitious people. No, they do not do this on their own but are forced to do it through Satan's first beast possessing them.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give. The functional definition for this word is: 'Bestowing; conferring; imparting; granting; delivering'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S19 and Ephesians C5S2 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians C1S6 about the word strength. The functional definition for this word is: 'That property or quality of an animal body by which it is enabled to move itself or other bodies'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'one. Php 1:27; 2:2 shall. Re 17:17; Isa 10:5-7; Eze 38:10; Ac 4:28 General references. exp: Ps 48:4; Eze 23:9; Lu 23:12; Re 17:2.'.

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C17-S14 (Verse 14) the reaction of Satan's forces to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Equivalent Section: Satan's government leaders lead the armies of lost to gather to war but all of the armies lose the fight.

These shall make war with the Lamb,
and the Lamb shall overcome them:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for he is Lord of Lords,
and King of kings :.

Equivalent Section: Who is actually allowed to return with our Lord Jesus Christ to rune and reign on this Earth.

and they that are with him are called,
and chosen,
and faithful.

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections which summarize the final war. Few people have objections to what is written in the first two Equivalent Sections, but many people have been taught lies about the third Equivalent Section and object strenuously to the truth of what it says. This is because they want to 'claim' a reward that they are not willing to fulfill God's requirements to receive. Or, they are a preacher who ministers to such people. And, this includes many people who regard themselves to be 'Good, Godly, fundamental, Bible believing KJV only Baptists'. With that in mind, let's look at what is actually written.

In our First Equivalent Section, we read that: These shall make war with the Lamb. The word these references the prior sentences which told us about the ten kings and Satan's two beasts. Of course, only those who are still alive will be able to participate in the war.

The Lamb died to pay for our sins. The lost, especially Satan's leaders, deny this truth. They tell many lies which claim that everyone will go to Heaven regardless of how they live and even if they devote their life to service in Satan's kingdom. They want to suppress the truth, which is why they war against God's Lamb. People only need to look at him, and his sacrifice, to understand that He would not have made the sacrifice unless it was necessary. Therefore, His existence exposes Satan's lie and Satan, and his leaders, all fight to kill the truth so that the lie would be believed.

This sentence is part of a section where commentators present all kinds of different opinions as the 'correct interpretation'. For example, one said 'It is not meant that they would openly and avowedly proclaim war against the Son of God, but that they would practically do this in sustaining a persecuting power.' this is made at the same time as reference is made to Revelation 19:19 where men gather for war against the Son of God. It is pretty hard to believe that all of the men of the world will gather together to make war when the politici and do not ' openly and avowedly proclaim war'.

This sentence is talking about the ten kings of 17:12 who have been possessed by the devil who is Satan's first beast of 17:12-13. As devil supporting politicians, they will say as much lie and as much truth as they believe they have to say in order to get people to do what they want them to do. They will have war against the Son of God whether they ' openly and avowedly proclaim' it or not. We do see them gather together for this war against the Lord of Lords, and King of kings in 19:16.

We see Lord of Lords used in Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalms 136:3; 1Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.

We see King of kings used in Ezra 7:12; Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37; 1Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.

It is interesting that the Bible uses Lord of Lords only for God but it uses King of kings for men as well as for God. Men make up their own rules and laws as kings, and sometimes one man may gather enough power to subdue other kings and become a King of kings. However, Lords are not supposed to make up their own rules and laws but are supposed to enforce the rules and laws of the king. However, government officials (Lords) being sinful men like they are, try to act like kings. The Son of God is the only Lord who will ever make all of the government officials (Lords) enforce the rules and Laws of the only true King of kings without corrupting justice. Thus, He is the only true Lord of Lords, and King of kings.

Revelation 1:5 told us that Jesus Christ is the the prince of the kings of the earth (Please see that sentence and note along with the notes for Revelation 6:15; Revelation 16:12, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 17:2, Revelation 17:18; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:9; Revelation 19:18, Revelation 19:19; Revelation 21:24).

While He is the the prince of the kings of the earth, we have seen throughout this epistle that the kings of the earth have rejected Him to rule over them (also see Luke 19:11-28). Many men have died claiming I lived my way only to come before a God who will condemn them for a life spent building evidence of their rejection of the Son of God as their Lord and King.

While these kings of the earth laugh behind people's back about how easily the people are fooled and manipulated, they don't realize that devils are doing the same to them. Revelation 17:12-13 told us that these kings ...receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. they think they are living their own way, but since These have one mind and they shall give their power and strength unto the beast, their minds and thoughts are really controlled by the beast. While the true God will never take away our free will, a devil will every chance he gets. So these kings will spend an eternity in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:14, Revelation 20:15) because they let the beast take their free will away from them all while they thought they were living their life their own way.

We each spend time playing with rebellion. Some get victory and true Biblical liberty. (Please see the note for 1Corinthians 8:9 for links to all the sentences in the Bible which use the word liberty alongh with a definition and links from other commentators.) Romans 6:12-18 says it clearly: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? If we do not submit to the true Lord of Lords, and King of kings then we will become slaves to sin. These kings of the earth became slaves with their minds controlled by the beast because they choose sin over serving the true Lords, and King of kings.

So, our First Equivalent Section told us that Satan's government leaders shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them. This is a very clear statement of the end result of this war. Our Lord Jesus Christ is who defeats all of the armies of this world. Those who return with Him get to witness this event, and they work in the new world government which he sets up. However, they do not fight in this war.

Our Second Equivalent Section told why the First Equivalent Section is true. When our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and taken into Hell, He defeated Satan and all of his devils by Himself. Now, He also defeats all men who supports the devils and does it by Himself. As Lord of lords, and King of kings, He has so much power and authority that no one can challenge Him.

Now, in our third Equivalent Section, we are told which of the saved are allowed to return with our Lord Jesus Christ. Please pay close attention to the use of the word and. This is the Mathematical function of addition. It is part of the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world (1Corinthians 2:7). Since this wisdom was ordained, God gave it for us to understand His character, His creation and His word. Since this wisdom was ordained before the world, neither the creation nor the replacement of this world can change it. And, part of this never-changing wisdom are the laws of Mathematics. Therefore, anyone who claims a doctrine which goes against how the laws of Mathematics are applied, in the word of God, is teaching doctrinal error.

If anyone drops, or changes, either side of an addition problem, they change the answer. Likewise, if anyone drops, or changes, either side of where the word and appears in the word of God, they are perverting the word of God. This is the way of Satan. Many 'Good, Godly fundamental, Bible believing, KJV only, Baptists' have been taught to embrace such perversions, of the word of God, because they have not been taught this simple, but foundational, law for properly interpreting the word of God. And, in order to get the proper interpretation of our third Equivalent Section, we must apply this rule.

All saved are called. In each of our lives, we personally chose if we are going to be faithful. And, only those saved people who are faithful end up also being chosen. Further, only those saved people who fulfill all of these requirements are promised to return with him. God lets us live our lives to prove if we will be faithful. But in the end, all who are not faithful are overcome by sin and punished for 1,000 years even though they are saved. There is no other choice or fence sitting (Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23). Jesus warned us of the consequences in Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36 and Luke 9:25.

In his note, below, Dr. Jeff Wilson writes 'we, the church, the saved, are the ones who come with the returning king Jesus, for he is the one who called us to salvation'. This is a very popular doctrinal error which I just explained. In our current sentence, we are told that the saved people are and chosen, and faithful are the ones to return. Saved people who are not judged by God to have these additional attributes do not return with our Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition, in the Bible references from Dr. Jeff Wilson, he references Matthew 25:21. But that verse is part of the parable about 'The Talents' (Matthew 25:14-30) in which one person, who went to Heaven, was judged as Thou wicked and slothful servant. He was NOT faithful even though he was in Heaven. Therefore, this saved person did not fulfill God's requirements to return with our Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign. in his quote of Ephesians 1:3, which says: who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. One of the lies from worldly thinking is that all saved are in Christ. However, Christ is the relationship used by the Son of God to maintain an ongoing personal relationship with us and is pictured by marriage. A married man who leaves his wife can still be married and not receive the blessings of that marriage if he refuses to participate in the relationship. The same is true about the saved and their ongoing personal relationship with Christ. We all have met people who claim to be saved but the testimony of their life shows that they are not maintaining their relationship with Him. Thus, they do not receive the blessings from that relationship. Please see this Study for all references which tell us about being in Christ. That Study proves what I write here that there are saved people who are not in Christ and are not faithful and will not return with Christ to rule and reign this world.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'This verse takes a prophetic look at these kings allied with the beast, it looks to ch19. Remember one of the 7 vial judgments/plagues was poured out upon the Euphrates River which caused it to be dried up and thus prepared the way for the forces to gather in the valley of Megiddo for the final battle of Armageddon. And it is there where the beast and his allied nations, these kings and all their military strength will gather to wage war with the Lamb, the Lord Jesus; who comes back riding a white horse and overcomes his enemies with the sword of his mouth, for he, and only he, is the true Lord of lords, and King of kings and he demonstrates it very effectively.
And I think just to encourage us believers we are included in this verse, for we, the church, the saved, are the ones who come with the returning king Jesus, for he is the one who called us to salvation 2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, who chose us thru his love and mercy and grace Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:, and by such grace thru faith in the Lord Jesus we are saved and are counted faithful Mt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over manythings: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. What a picture, all that the devil has tried to set up, all the strings he has pulled, all the lies he has told, all falls apart and unravels with the coming of the Lord Jesus, and we believers get to witness it and have victory over our adversary all because of the victorious true king!'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the words warfare / war. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'war and fare. 1. Military service; military life; war. the Philistines gathered their armies for warfare. 1 Samuel 28. 2. Contest; struggle with spiritual enemies. the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 2 Corinthi and 10. WARFARE, v.i. to lead a military life; to carry on continual wars. In that credulous warfaring age. Little used'.

Please see the note for 2Peter 2:19 about the word overcome. The functional definition for this word is: 'To conquer; to vanquish; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in battle. 2. to surmount; to get the better of; as, to overcome difficulties or obstacles'. The word overcometh is: : 'A lifestyle of overcoming. That is' they overcome the temptations of this world and never go back to them'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The functional definition for this word is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. In this sentence, it is used to identify the saved people who will return with Christ to rule this world and the relationship that they have with Christ. Please also see the notes for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13 about the words Lord and call.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 about the word chosen. The functional definition is: 'Past-tense form of choose'. Please see the note for Philippians 1:22 about the word choose. The functional definition for it is: 'To pick out; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more things offered; to make choice of'. This is an important word to understand the Biblical truth about because many religions teach doctrinal error about it, including many 'Bible believing fundamental KJV only preachers'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S3; 2Corinthians C1S17; Galatians C3S27; Ephesians 6:23-LJC; Philippians 1:25-26 and 2Timothy C1S2 about the word faith. The functional definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'. Please also see the notes for Colossians 1:1 and Titus 1:1 about the word faithful. The functional definition is: 'Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion. Full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy. being true to oneself, to one's nature, to any promise given, and to any trust committed'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about Christ Jesus is faithful. Please also see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about Abraham's faith. Please also see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:3 about the word feign. Please also see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about Law and faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about live / walk by faith. Please see the note for James 2:14 for links to every verse in the New Testament where the words faith and works contained within the same verse.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'shall make. Re 11:7; 8:6-7; 16:14; 19:15-21; Da 7:21,25; 11:9-12,24-25; Zec 2:8; Mt 25:40; Ac 9:4-5 the Lamb shall. Re 6:12-17; Ps 2:8-9; 21:8-12; 110:5; Jer 50:44; Da 2:44; 7:26-27; 1Co 15:24 Lord. Re 1:5; 19:16; De 10:17; Ps 136:2-3; Pr 8:15-16; Da 2:47; 1Ti 6:15 exp: Ro 10:12. and they. Re 14:1-4; 19:14; Ps 149:5-9; Jer 1:15,19; Mic 5:7-9; Joh 15:16; Ro 8:30,37; 2Ti 2:4; Heb 3:1-2; 1Pe 2:9 and faithful. Re 2:10 General references. exp: Job 12:19; Ps 48:4; Da 7:21; Lu 23:12.'.

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C17-S15 (Verse 15) Our angel adds further explanation of the symbolic meaning of the vision.

And he saith unto me,
The waters which thou sawest,
where the whore sitteth,
are peoples,
and multitudes,
and nations,
and ongues.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds to the explanation, of the vision, already given in this sentence. This sentence uses the word waters to reference the vision reported in 17:1. The interpretation of the rest of this sentence is clear on the surface. And, the Word Studies, below, add further understanding. In addition, Dr. Jeff Wilson writes an application of this sentence in his note, below.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The angel continues to explain what John saw, and we touched on this verse previously. these waters that the great whore of Babylon sits upon, almost crushing them with her overbearing power and authority are the peoples and nations of the world. forthe woman, the world church of the tribulation, has ridden the beast, used the antichrist for her own purposes, taken advantage of the system, to become what she has always wanted to be, the dominate authority of the world. Remember she, the worldly church, craves power and is willing to do anything to get it, even sell herself to the highest bidder, just to have more power over the masses. And now she has sway over millions thru her false religion, pagan rituals and erroneous doctrines. Now the antichrist is using the world church to gain power for himself, but she first uses him to become the great one world church. But like I previously stated, the woman does not seem to understand how dangerous the beast is she is riding, for once the beast and his allied kingdoms have no more use for the woman, they turn on her.'.

Please see the note for Revelation 17:1 about the word whore. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'WHORE, n. Hore. G. the correct orthography is hore. A harlot; a courtesan; a concubine; a prostitute.
WHORE, v.i. supra. to have unlawful sexual commerce; to practice lewdness.
WHORE, v.t. to corrupt by lewd intercourse. Little used.'. Please also see the note for Ephesians 5:5 about the words whoremonger / whoremaster. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 6:15 about the word harlot.

Please see the note for Revelation 5:9 about the word people. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. populus. 1. the body of persons who compose a community, town, city or nation. We say, the people of a town; the people of London or Paris; the English people. in this sense, the word is not used in the plural, but it comprehends all classes of inhabitants, considered as a collective body, or any portion of the inhabitants of a city or country. 2. the vulgar; the mass of illiterate persons. The knowing artist may judge better than the people. 3. the commonalty, as distinct from men of rank. Myself shall mount the rostrum in his favor, And strive to gain his pardon from the people. 4. Persons of a particular class; a part of a nation or community; as country people. 5. Persons in general; any persons indefinitely; like on in French, and man in Saxon. People were tempted to lend by great premiums and large interest. 6. A collection or community of animals. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Prov.30. 7. When people signified a separate nation or tribe, it has the plural number. Thou must prophesy again before many peoples. Rev.10. 8. In Scripture, fathers or kindred. Gen.25. 9. the Gentiles. --To him shall the gathering of the people be. Gen.49.
PEOPLE, v.t. to stock with inhabitants. Emigrants from Europe have peopled the United States'.

Please see the note for John 6:2 about the word multitude. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'the state of being many; a great number. 2. A number collectively; the sum of many. 3. A great number, indefinitely. It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues. 4. A crowd or throng; the populace; applied to the populace when assembled in great numbers, and to the mass of men without reference to an assemblage. He the vast hissing multitude admires. the multitude have always been credulous, and the few artful'.

Please see the note for Romans 1:5 about the word nation. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A body of people inhabiting the same country, or united under the same sovereign or government; as the English nation; the French nation. It often happens that many nations are subject to one government; in which case, the word nation usually denotes a body of people speaking the same language, or a body that has formerly been under a distinct government, but has been conquered, or incorporated with a larger nation. thus, the empire of Russia comprehends many nations, as did formerly the Roman and Persian empires. Nation, as its etymology imports, originally denoted a family or race of men descended from a common progenitor, like tribe, but by emigration, conquest and intermixture of men of different families, this distinction is in most countries lost'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S8; 1Corinthians 14:2 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word tongue. The functional definition for this word is: 'a human language'. Please also see the note in Acts 2:6 about the word language.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The waters. Re 17:1; Ps 18:4; 65:7; 93:3-4; Isa 8:7-8; Jer 51:13,42,55 exp: Ps 46:3; 69:1; 124:4. are. Re 10:11; 11:9; 13:7-8 General references. exp: Jer 51:42.'.

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C17-S16 (Verse 16) the reaction and actions of the ten horns.

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast,
these shall hate the whore,
and shall make her desolate and naked,
and shall eat her flesh,
and burn her with fire.

Our sentence tells us that the ten horns (kings who are part of the one-world government under Satan's second beast) shall hate the whore. They rose up in power using the one-world religion. However, it tells people: 'We're all going to the same place. Therefore, you can worship whoever you want and however you want and it will be OK'. And, ten horns want everyone to worship Satan and Satan's first beast. Satan's second beast (whom men call 'the Antichrist'), created the idol of Satan's first beast and did miracles to get everyone to worship Satan and Satan's first beast exclusively. However, the one-world religion refuses to go along with their demands. And, history tells us that Caesar started killing everyone who worshipped any being except himself as their god. Therefore, these ten horns repeat that attempt, which is why our sentence tells us that the ten horns shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The 10 kingdoms hate the whore, the woman, the religious system, for they have to share power with her, she has taken what they believe is rightfully theirs, power, dominion over the earth, she is a threat to them. Political Babylon will hate religious Babylon. Because this woman has much of mankind wrapped around her finger, and that’s what the tyrants of the tribulation want for themselves. And so when they no longer need the world church to manipulate and sway the masses, they turn on her. the antichrist divorces his whore bride, the scarlet beast that the woman has ridden to the pinnacle of her power turns on her and devastates her. John Phillips writes: “The kings of the earth hate the woman because she represents a threat to their own power. She wields an authority that they feel rightly belongs to them. It was one thing for them to court the whore and to use the Babylonian religious system to expedite the unification of the empire. to tolerate her and her political meddling once the end has been achieved is another matter. the religious system soon becomes an unwanted encumbrance…”
The kings make her desolate, robbing her of her vast wealth, confiscating her bank accounts, her properties, her businesses. they disgrace her, make her naked, expose to the world all her immorality, her lies, her conspiracies, her secrets. they reveal all about her and bring distrust and great shame upon the world church. then the kings devour her, they eat her flesh, she is ripped apart and divided amongst the kingdoms, and finally she is destroyed, they burn her with fire, her churches and cathedrals and power fall. And all of this makes way for the antichrist to now step in and declare himself as god, and have all worship and power given to him (which will of course be guided by the false prophet). the false church is removed and now replaced with a false god, the woman is stripped of her power and influence, and worship is now entirely focused upon the beast.
And the thing is, this was God's plan all along. It is His providential will that causes these kings to use the religious system and she in turn use them, but when they have no more need of her their wickedness causes them to turn on her, and the one world church that rejected, mocked and attacked Christ is destroyed. All these doers of wickedness and evil are mere tools, mere pawns in God's great plan for mankind. But sin and Satan do not like this plan for we see in v17 that these kings who have taken power from the great whore now gladly give that power over to the beast.'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for John 15:18 about the word hate. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to dislike greatly; to have a great aversion to. It expresses less than abhor, detest, and abominate, unless pronounced with a peculiar emphasis. How long will fools hate knowledge? Prov.1. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you. Luke 6. the Roman tyrant was contented to be hated, if he was but feared. 2. In Scripture, it signifies to love less. If any man come to me, and hate not father and mother, etc. Luke 14. He that spareth the rod, hateth his son. Prov. 13.
HATE, n. Great dislike or aversion; hatred.'. the functional definition for this word is: 'This is an action verb which encompasses the opposite attitudes and actions from love. the true Biblical definition of the word hate includes a significant preference for another above the object of the hate'. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word hatred.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:5 about the word desolate. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Destitute or deprived of inhabitants; desert; uninhabited; denoting either stripped of inhabitants, or never having been inhabitated; as a desolate isle; a desolate wilderness. I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Jer. 9. 2. Laid waste; in a ruinous condition; neglected; destroyed; as desolate altars; desolate towers. Ezek. Zeph. 3. Solitary; without a companion; afflicted. Tamar remained desolate in Absaloms house. 2 Sam. 13. 4. Deserted of God; deprived of comfort. My heart within me is desolate. Ps. 143'.

Please see the note for Romans C8S37 about the word nakedness. The functional definition for this word is: 'n. 1. Want of covering or clothing; nudity; bareness. 2. Want of means of defense. Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land are ye come. Gen 42. 3. Plainness; openness to view. to uncover nakedness, in Scripture, is to have incestuous or unlawful commerce with a female'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S2; 1Corinthians C11S37 and Hebrews 13:10 about the word eat. The functional definition for this word is: 'Besides the common use of this word, it is employed symbolically for to 'consume, destroy:' they "eat up my people as they eat bread." Ps 14:4; cf. Pr 30:14; Hab 3:14; 2Ti 2:17. Also for receiving, digesting, and delighting in God's words'.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S1; 2Corinthians C1S7; Galatians C6S8; Philippians 1:22 and Colossians C1S6 about the word flesh. The functional definition for this word is: ' A compound substance forming a large part of an animal, consisting of the softer solids, as distinguished from the bones and the fluids. Under the general appellation of flesh, we include the muscles, fat, glands etc., which invest the bones and are covered with the skin. It is sometimes restricted to the muscles. 2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: 17:16; 19:18; 19:21.

Please see the note for Luke 24:32 about the word burn. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The primary sense is, to rage, to act with violent excitement. 1. to consume with fire; to reduce to ashes by the action of heat or fire; frequently with up; as, to burn up wood. 2. to expel the volatile parts and reduce to charcoal by fire; as, to burn wood into coal. Hence, in popular language, to burn a kiln of wood, is to char the wood. 3. to cleanse of soot by burning; to inflame; as, to burn a chimney; an extensive use of the word. 4. to harden in the fire; to bake or harden by heat; as, to burn bricks or a brick kiln. 5. to scorch; to affect by heat; as, to burn the clothes or the legs by the fire; to burn meat or bread in cookery. 6. to injure by fire; to affect the flesh by heat. 7. to dry up or dissipate; with up; as, to burn up tears. 8. to dry excessively; to cause to wither by heat; as, the sun burns the grass or plants. 9. to heat or inflame; to affect with excessive stimulus; as, ardent spirits burn the stomach. 10. to affect with heat in cookery, so as to give the food a disagreeable taste. Hence the phrase burnt to. 11. to calcine with heat or fire; to expel the volatile matter from substances, so that they are easily pulverized; as, to burn oyster shells, or lime-stone. 12. to affect with excess of heat; as, the fever burns a patient. 13. to subject to the action of fire; to heat or dry; as, to burn colors. to burn up, to consume entirely by fire. to burn out, to burn till the fuel is all consumed.
BURN, v.i. to be on fire; to flame; as, the mount burned with fire. 1. to shine; to sparkle. O prince! O wherefore burn your eyes? 2. to be inflamed with passion or desire; as, to burn with anger or love. 3. to act with destructive violence, as fire. Shall thy wrath burn like fire? 4. to be in commotion; to rage with destructive violence. the groan still deepens and the combat burns. 5. to be heated; to be in a glow; as, the face burns. 6. to be affected with a sensation of heat, pain or acidity; as, the heart burns. 7. to feel excess of heat; as, the flesh burns by a fire; a patient burns with a fever. to burn out, to burn till the fuel is exhausted and the fire ceases.
BURN, n. A hurt or injury of the flesh caused by the action of fire. 1. the operation of burning or baking, as in brickmaking; as, they have a good burn'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word fire. The functional definition for this word is: 'In the Bible, it is mainly used symbolically for the presence and judgment of God'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S18 about the phrase coals of fire. Please also see the note for Revelation 19:20 about the phrase lake of fire.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the ten. Re 17:2,10,12 exp: Da 7:24. These. the ten horns, which the angel explained of "ten kings" or kingdoms, and which once exalted and supported her ecclesiastical tyranny, will hate, desolate, strip, and devour her. they will be the principal instruments in the destruction of popery and the ruin of Rome itself. Re 17:1-2,13; 16:12; Isa 13:17-18; Jer 50:41-42 and naked. Re 18:16-17; Eze 16:37-44; 23:45-49 eat. Job 31:31; Ps 27:2; Da 7:5 and burn. Re 18:8,16; Le 21:9 General references. exp: Jer 50:41; 51:42; Eze 16:37; 23:9.'. Be careful of this note. It speaks about 'popery and the ruin of Rome itself'. However, the Roman Catholic Church will be a significant part, but only a part, of the one world religion. That is the true organization which this sentence speaks against.

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C17-S17 (Verse 17) Why the ten horns act like described in the prior sentence.

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will,
and to agree,
and give their kingdom unto the beast,
until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

We need to remember that God knows everything including the end of all things. Neither we, nor devils, have that level of knowledge. And, even though it is written here, God makes Satan forget or ignore or refuse to believe this prophecy. These ten horns come up with this plan in order to force everyone in the world to worship no being except Satan and his first beast. They give their kingdom unto the beast in order to justify murdering anyone who does not follow their plan to only worship Satan and his first beast. And while they think this is a great plan, and while Satan and both of his beasts, agree, they are actually fulfilling his (God's ) will.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S14 and Galatians C3-S7 about the word hear. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Perceiving by the ear. This word is often used symbolically for hearing the spiritual message of the word of God, as sound. 1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded. 2. Attending to witnesses or advocates in a judicial trial; trying'. Please pay attention to the word 'obey' within this definition. That is what most people refuse to do when the Bible says that they do not hear. Please also see the note for James 2:5 about the word hearken. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:18 about the word full. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:9 about the word fullness. The functional definition for this word is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S11 and Galatians C5-S15 about the word fulfill.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The functional definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, the word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that the word of the Lord is a sub-set of the word of God. the word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of the word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 6:16 about the word agree. The functional definition for this word is: ''Concord; harmony; conformity'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'God hath. Re 17:13; Ac 4:27-28 put. Ezr 7:27; Ps 105:25; Pr 21:1; Jer 32:40; 2Th 2:10-12; Jas 1:13-17 exp: Joh 13:2. Tofulfil. Lu 22:3,22,37; Joh 13:2,18 until. Re 6:11; 10:7; 15:1; Pr 19:21; Isa 45:17; 46:10-11; Jer 27:6-7; Eze 38:16-17; Da 12:7; Joh 10:35; 12:39-40; 19:24,28 General references. exp: Re 17:2.'.

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C17-S18 (Verse 18) the angel adds the spiritual interpretation of what the woman symbolically represents.

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city,
which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

As mentioned in the other notes, religion joins with government and figures that it can control the kings of the earth through manipulation, much like many foolish women marry a man they believe that they can control and change through their manipulation. However, these kings of the earth (and most manipulated men) are lost and make a deal with the beast (17:12). They not only throw off the control of the manipulative woman / whore (religion), but they are so mad by the time that they do it that they continue beyond throwing off the yoke to destroying the woman/whore (religion) so that there is no chance for her recovery (17:15-18).

Our sentence tells us that: the woman which thou sawest is that great city. Many people believe this is referring to Rome, and it probably is because it is not Jerusalem and that is the only other city, mentioned in the word of God, which is associated with worship, especially false worship.

Our sentence says that: that great city...reigneth over the kings of the earth. And, this will be true so long as it is to the advantage of the kings of the earth to allow such a thing. However, as we were told earlier in this chapter, the kings of the earth eventually destroy the spiritual whore, the one-world religion.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The angel then concludes his explanation of what John saw. the woman is that great city, that great system, religious Babylon, the apostate world church, the great whore that has caused many to sin with spiritual fornication, caused the kings to be drunk with such power, that was arrayed in great and wealthy apparel, who bore a cup from which poured great abominations and filthiness and sin, the woman who herself was drunk with the blood of the true saints and martyrs, whose name is MYSTERY, BABYLON thE GREAT, thE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF thE EARTH, at the end of ch17 she lies in ruins'.

Please see the note for Mark 11:19 about the word city. The functional definition for this word is: 'An area where many people live together and have a local government rule over them'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the phrase city of refuge. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city.

Please see the note for Romans C6S12 about the word reign. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. rane. L. regno, a derivative of rego, regnum. 1. to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to rule; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; or to hold the supreme power. George the third reigned over Great Britain more than fifty years. Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness. Is. 32. 2. to be predominant; to prevail. Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer or autumn. 3. to rule; to have superior or uncontrolled dominion. Romans 6. this word is never applied to the exercise of supreme power by a legislative body or the executive administration, in the United States.
REIGN, n. rane. L. regnum. 1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty. He who like a father held his reign. 2. the time during which a king, queen or emperor possesses the supreme authority. the Spanish armada was equipped to invade England in the reign of queen Elizabeth. Magna Charta was obtained in the reign of king John. 3. Kingdom; dominion. Saturn's sons received the threefold reign of heav'n, of ocean, and deep hell beneath. 4. Power; influence. 5. Prevalence'. The note in Romans has links to every place where this word is used in the New Testament along with a short note on each application.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the woman. Re 16:19; 18:2; Da 2:40-41; 7:23; Lu 2:1 which reigneth. the city which, at the time of the vision, "reigned over the kings of the earth," was undoubtedly Rome; and from its foundation, it has, in different ways, accomplished this object to the present time. Re 12:4'.

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Revelation Chapter 18

links to sentences in this chapter:

C18-S1 (Verse 1), C18-S2 (Verse 2), C18-S3 (Verse 3), C18-S4 (Verse 4), C18-S5 (Verse 5), C18-S6 (Verse 6), C18-S7 (Verse 7), C18-S8 (Verse 8), C18-S9 (Verse 9-10), C18-S10 (Verse 10), C18-S11 (Verse 11-13), C18-S12 (Verse 14), C18-S13 (Verse 15-16), C18-S14 (Verse 17), C18-S15 (Verse 17-18), C18-S16 (Verse 19), C18-S17 (Verse 19), C18-S18 (Verse 20), C18-S19 (Verse 21), C18-S20 (Verse 22-23), C18-S21 (Verse 24)'.

Chapter Summary: the destruction of Babylon the great.

C18-S1 : the next vision which John has..
C18-S2 : the angel declares the destruction of Babylon the great.
C18-S3 : Why the prior sentence is true.
C18-S4 : A warning from God.
C18-S5 : Why God will judge Babylon the great.
C18-S6 : the judgment that God's people call for God to render.
C18-S7 : Why Babylon the great deserves judgment.
C18-S8 : How Babylon the great will be judged.
C18-S9 : The kings of the Earth lament the destruction of the city.
C18-S10 : Why the kings of the Earth feared.
C18-S11 : the reaction to the loss of commerce.
C18-S12 : What lost men valued the most will no longer be sold by Babylon the great.
C18-S13 : the merchants bewail their loss of future income.
C18-S14 : the merchants realized how completely all of Satan's government lost the fight against God.
C18-S15 : Everyone involved in the shipping industry wailed over the loss of the industry.
C18-S16 : they grieved about the lost of the most profitable shipments.
C18-S17 : People realize that the city is completely destroyed.
C18-S18 : there is an opposite reaction in Heaven..
C18-S19 : How Babylon the great is destroyed.
C18-S20 : No more civilization in Babylon the great.
C18-S21 : the final reason for the judgment of Babylon the great.

In Revelation 17:1-19:6 we see a new vision described. Revelation 17 tells us about religion joining up with government to increase the power of each. In the end of the chapter, we see the kings of the earth (government) destroy the woman/whore (religion). Revelation 18 tells us about the destruction of the government part of this wrong joining of religion and government. And, it last tells us about the reaction on Earth. Revelation 19:1-4 tells us about the reaction In Heaven. Please consider all of the verses and associated notes for Revelation 17:1-19:6 together. 2Corinthians 6:2 says: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.).

in this chapter we see God destroy the government and economy part of government joined to religion in what is called Babylon the great. We see many, on Earth, wail because of the destruction. We also see celebrations in Heaven. We need to be careful about the motivations which we assign to the celebrating in Heaven. it is not because of the hurt and death but is because God fulfilled His promises which people accepted by true Biblical faith. It is also because God put an end to the destruction of sinful lifestyles and doctrines of devils. Look at 19:1 which says: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. That sentence literally gives us two Biblical reasons for the judgment which we see in this chapter. First, it says that 'Our Lord God ended the corrupt the earth (from) her fornication'. God stops the hurt of other people. Secondly, our sentence tells us that 'Our Lord God fulfilled His promises to saved people who truly lived by faith'. These are our Biblical reasons given, which means that we can trust our Lord God to correct all wrong done if we truly display our faith in Him.

in this chapter we see men finally realize the power and wrath of God Whom they have ignored and refused to believe. Now, many realize their mistake but it is too late for their own personal salvation. And, what happens to them also happens to many people who believe the lie that they can live a life of sin and say a prayer on their death bed and get a mansion in Heaven. The Bible clearly teaches that some people wait too late and can no longer be saved even though they are still alive.

C18-S1 (Verse 1) the next vision which John has.

First Step: He sees another angel with another vision.

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,
having great power;

Second Step: the angel displays evidence of being sent from God.

and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which tells us that the report in this chapter is being added to the report in the prior chapter. In addition, we can know that the two chapters report two different visions since this reports starts by telling us that it is about what is shown to John by another angel.

Now, people can speculate which angel is mentioned in this sentence. I will not because all such is only opinion and we do not have any actual Biblical evidence to identify the angel. However, I will point out that 18:21 says that: And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. The two might be the same angel or they might be different. If they are different, then they both are mighty.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'After these things, after the events of ch17, most likely 3 ½ years after those events, it is possible that 3 ½ years separate ch17 and 18; after the fall of religious Babylon John sees another angel descend from heaven. this angel has great power and a bright glorious presence, a heavenly presence in a world polluted with the blackest of sins and demonic powers, and as I previously mentioned I believe this is the same angel of ch14:8, for what this angel announces in v2 is very similar to that of 14:8.'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fullness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S15; 2Corinthians 4:3-4 and Ephesians C5S6 about the word light. The functional definition for this word is: 'The spiritual gift from God that overcomes spiritual darkness from sin and Satan. Spiritual light allows us to see and understand things from God's view. Spiritual light allows us to see how to walk, work and live in this world in a Godly way'. Please also see the notes for John 1:9; Romans 13:12; John 8:12 and John 11:9-LJC about the phrase Jesus is our light. Please also see the notes for Light and Darkness in 1John; Romans C13S15 and Hebrews 12:18-24 about the phrase light and darkness. Please also see the note for John 9:5 about the phrase light of the world. Please also see the note for Luke 17:24 about the word lightning. Please also see the note for Hebrews 6:4 about the word enlightened.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S14; 1Corinthians C15S36; Ephesians C1S2; 2Corinthians 10:14-LJC and Colossians C1S6 about the word glory. The functional definition for this word is: 'bright, shining. Glory, then, is brightness, splendor. the L. floreo, to blossom, to flower, to flourish, is probably of the same family. 1. Brightness; luster; splendor'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I saw. Re 17:1 exp: Re 20:1. and the. Re 21:23; Isa 60:1-3; Eze 43:2; Lu 17:24; 2Th 2:8 exp: Lu 2:9. General references. exp: Eze 1:13.'.

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C18-S2 (Verse 2) the angel declares the destruction of Babylon the great.

And he cried mightily with a strong voice,
saying,
Babylon the great is fallen,
is fallen,
and is become the habitation of devils,
and the hold of every foul spirit,
and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

As explained in the note for this sentence, in the Word Study on Spirit, Every foul spirit is a devil who deliberately causes people to become spiritually foul. This sentence tells us that devils are allowed to hurt and curse anyone who goes to the place where Babylon the great used to be. There will be many treasure hunters going there to seek Earthly treasure and this is the result that they will receive. Our sentence is included to warn saved people, who are alive during the great tribulation. Tonot go there no matter how much treasure they are told is there.

Our sentence tells us the end result of Babylon the great until after our Lord Jesus Christ arrives and cle and up the place.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'This powerful angel cries with a strong and mighty voice, announcing to the world, that Babylon is fallen, it is doomed. Religious Babylon is in ruin and Political Babylon is ready to meet its end, the reign of the antichrist is crumbling, the city rebuilt to house his throne and the center of his worship is about to be crushed under the weight of the 7 vial judgments of God. Looking closely at this, it seems this announcement actually precedes the actual fall of Babylon, for the city has not yet suffered the judgment of God because of what we see in V4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. John hears another voice calling out to those that are true believers of Christ to come out, come out of Babylon, out of the city, out of the system and the presence of its influences, out of its grasp, so they will not be partakers or participants in Babylon’s sin and thus be corrupted and also so they will not suffer the judgment, God's wrath, upon Babylon’s sins, so they will not suffer under the plagues that are about to reign down in very quick succession. this removal of God's people, as we saw with Lot and his family before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, is another example that God removes the righteous before His judgment falls. We see this with Enoch who walked with God and was not before the great flood. We see this with the rapture before the Day of the Lord and the Great Tribulation. And we see it here before the final destruction of Babylon of God calling out His people before destruction falls.
But back to v2, we see yet another reason for why Babylon is about to be judged by God, for it’s not only because of the antichrist, but because Babylon has become the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird. this city is overrun with occultism, Satanism, lies and false beliefs, demonic possessions, wicked spirits and powers of darkness. Legions of demons now abide here, have made their home here, corrupting mankind with unhindered wickedness and evil as they try to dominate the world from this central hub of Satan’s power. Every foul and horrible act is found here, every despicable being has found a place in Babylon. But isn’t it odd that the description of a bird is used here in v2, sure we understand the meaning of devils and fouls spirits, but what does John mean by every unclean and hateful bird?
Jesus himself explains the meaning behind this in one of his parables in Matthew ch13. In his first parable of this chapter we see Jesus use birds as symbols of the wicked one, the devil. Mt 13:3 And he spake manythings unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Jesus then explains this part of the parable in Mt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. this is he which received seed by the way side. Now we understand the symbolism in these parables, that Christ is the sower, the field is the world, the different soils are different kinds of hearts of mankind, and the seed is the gospel, and the fowls, the birds, are the devil and his minions, the wicked ones. So we take that understanding from this parable and go and apply it to a following parable, the parable of the mustard seed in Mt 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Here we see the mustard seed, something small and insignificant in size, the least of all seeds. A man, the sower, (Christ) takes the mustard seed (Christendom, the church here upon the earth, the kingdom of heaven) and sows it in his field (the world). Now typically when a mustard seed grows to full maturity it becomes one of the greatest of herbs, it becomes a large plant, actually large enough for birds to come lodge in it. But here in this parable Jesus says the mustard seed produces a tree. But the mustard herb is not actually a tree, it does not have bark, it grows quickly for a season and dies, and other than its size it does not share any similarities to a true tree. So for Jesus to suggest that the mustard seed grows into a true tree signifies an abnormality, an abnormal growth, he is saying something went wrong, that Christendom, the church as a whole, has become something it shouldn’t have.
What this refers to is that the Lord Jesus brought forth his word into the world, the simplest of doctrines and the easy to understand truth of the gospel and what he taught with this, humbleness, meekness, a servant attitude, love and compassion, something small and simple which he planted in a small group of persecuted, meek believers who became the church. Yet we see that over time the church from its small beginnings has produced some abnormal growths, there have been many who have branched off from the core of true Christianity with false beliefs, erroneous doctrines, pomp and power. And the example we always seem to go to although its not the only one is the Catholic Church. What began as something pure, as Christianity grew, has mutated and produced offshoots that are not true to its beginnings. the church, instead of remaining small, instead of being a humble little plant, an herb to bring good flavor to the world, has instead grown into a towering tree, with power and wealth, having a hard and mighty trunk with many great branches and offshoots which keep subdividing into smaller and smaller branches (denominations) until they turn into twigs. the tree symbolizes world power, a symbol of organization, going from a mighty central authority to its various administrative arms to then subdivide into the lowly rank and file.
So the mustard seed, in becoming a tree in this parable, denied its true self, to just be an herb, and rose above what it was intended to be. Much like the church of today, with its many different branches and denominations, even budding into cults and false religions, it has become a worldly system, of wealth, power and influence, not what the Lord intended at all. It has come to the point that some portions of the church can make treaties and form alliances with kings, hire armies, meddle in international affairs and politics, again something the Lord never planned for his true church. the Catholic Church is only a portion of this example, but we can easily see that this religious tree houses many birds and fowl that come and lodge within its branches. And again the birds represent the wicked one, evil and seducing spirits, demonic influences, false teachers, lying prophets, deceit, blasphemy and heresy. So we see the mustard seed grown into a tree symbolizes the false church and the birds evil spirits and doctrines, which have come to rest in Babylon.VBut even though this references religion we must remember that in ch17 religious Babylon was destroyed, and was replaced by the worship of the antichrist, he is the one that holds all ecclesiastical power now, and with Satan’s man at the peak of his power, the object of the world’s affections, the center of all wealth and corruption and evil, devils, foul spirits and hateful wicked ones flock to him, and are caged, held without escape under the beast’s control. these birds, the demonic beings, are most likely guided by the false prophet, and point to the antichrist as the object of their affection and worship. So here in the rebuilt city of Babylon, where the beast sits upon his throne, who is worshipped by the world, it is here that the focus of sin and iniquity and demonic foul spirits have been attracted to and made their home. this city will be the wickedest, most morally corrupt, foul city upon the earth, but carnal man will look at it as magnificent, as hope, as a dream, like some small actor going to Hollywood to only be chewed up and spit out at the bottom of the industry, this will be a place where man can fulfill every lust he can manifest, for everything will be available for a price.
And with this in mind, this helps us understand v3, for the nations have been intoxicated with such worldly splendor, become drunk with their adoration of the antichrist and his power and fameans seduction, so they ally with him, trade with him, venerate and worship him, become wealthy and more powerful thru their dealings with him, for Babylon has an abundance of delicacies (luxuries) to offer.'.

The word cried is the past-tense form of the word cry. Please see the note for Mark 1:3 about the word cry. The functional definition for this word is: 'Loud notorious exclamation as a crying sin or warning'.

Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word might. . The functional definition for this word is: 'Having great bodily strength or physical power; very strong or vigorous; as a mighty arm'. Please see the note for Revelation 4:8-LJC about the word Almighty.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word strong. The functional definition for this word is: 'Having physical active power, or great physical power; having the power of exerting great bodily force; vigorous'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. L. vox; voco. the sense of the verb is to throw, to drive out sound; and voice is that which is driven out. 1. Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals. We say, the voice of a man is loud or clear; the voice of a woman is soft or musical; the voice of a dog is loud or harsh; the voice of a bird is sweet or melodious. the voice of human beings is articulate; that of beasts, inarticulate. the voices of men are different, and when uttered together, are often dissonant. 2. Any sound made by the breath; as the trumpet's voice. 3. A vote; suffrage; opinion or choice expressed. Originally voice was the oral utterance of choice, but it now signifies any vote however given. Some laws ordain, and some attend the choice of holy senates, and elect by voice. I have no words; my voice is in my sword. 4. Language; words; expression. Let us call on God in the voice of his church. 5. In Scripture, command; precept. Ye would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God. Deut. 8. 6. Sound. After the fire, a still small voice. 1Kings 19. Canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Job. 40. the floods have lifted up their voice. Ps. 93. 7. Language; tone; mode of expression. I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice. Gal. 4. 8. In grammar, a particular mode of inflecting or conjugating verbs; as the active voice; the passive voice.
VOICE, v.t. 1. to rumor; to report. It was voiced that the king purposed to put to death Edward Plantagenet. Little used. 2. to fit for producing the proper sounds; to regulate the tone of; as, to voice the pipes of an organ. 3. to vote'. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven.

Please see the note for Luke 16:9 about the word habitation. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'God is the habitation of his people, who find rest and safety in him (Ps 71:3; 91:9). Justice and judgment are the habitation of God's throne (Ps 89:14, Heb mekhon, "foundation"), because all his acts are founded on justice and judgment. (See Ps 132:5,13; Eph 2:22, of Canaan, Jerusalem, and the temple as God's habitation.) God inhabits eternity (Isa 57:15), i.e., dwells not only among men, but in eternity, where time is unknown; and "the praises of Israel" (Ps 22:3), i.e., he dwells among those praises and is continually surrounded by them'.

Please see the note for 12:9 about the word devil. That note has an extensive definition from Fausset's Bible Dictionary. Please note that there are no daemons' within the Bible. That word is doctrinal error deliberately taught by devil-motivated men to cause God's children to ignore or think less about the true danger that true devils are. Please also see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find 'Other Spirits', which are devils. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about Satan. Please also see the section called Jesus and Devils, in the Study called Significant Gospel Events, for links to every place where Jesus dealt with devils and separates the references according to how He dealt with them.

The word held is the past-tense form of the word hold. The functional definition for this word is: 'To stop; to confine; to restrain from escape; to keep fast; to retain'. Please see the note for Colossians 2:18-19 about the word hold. The functional definition for this word is: 'Stopping; confining; restraining; keeping; retaining; adhering; maintaining, etc'. Please also see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden. Please see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the phrase lay hold.

Please see the note for Mark 9:25 about the word foul. The functional definition for this word is: ' Covered with or containing extraneous matter which is injurious, noxious or offensive; filthy; dirty; not clean; as a foul cloth; foul hands; a foul chimney'.

We find forms of the word cage in: Jeremiah 5:27; Revelation 18:2. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'It is said symbolically that as a cage or trap is full of birds, so the houses of the Jews were full of deceit. Jer 5:27. 'A cage of every unclean and hateful bird,' is a character of mystical Babylon. the word here in Re 18:2 often translated 'prison.''.

Please see the note for James 4:8 about the word cleanse. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. 1. to purify; to make clean; to remove filth, or foul matter of any kind, or by any process whatever, as by washing, rubbing, scouring, scraping, purging, ventilation, etc.; as, to cleanse the hands or face to cleanse a garment; to cleanse the bowels; to cleanse a ship; to cleanse an infected house. 2. to free from a foul or infectious disease; to heal. Lev. 14:4, 8; Mark 1:42. 3. to free from ceremonial pollution, and consecrate to a holy use. Numb. 8:15; Exek. 43:20. 4. to purify from guilt. 1 John 1:7. 5. to remove; as, to cleanse a crime'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:13-14 about the word unclean. The functional definition for this word is: ' 'polluted from the world; influenced by devils; never doing the right religious practice; doing anything that would make us less than 100% committed to obeying God; accepting anything that is even questionable as being right; accepting all influences that corrupt'. Please also see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits. The doctrine from them is: 'the ongoing corruption from associating with devils and following their error'. Please also see the notes for Galatians C5S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the word uncleanness.

Please see the note for Luke 9:58 about the word bird. The functional definition for this word is: 'Any fowl or flying animal including even winged insects, though mostly used of what we think are birds'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'cried. Re 1:15; 5:2; 10:3; 14:15; Jer 25:30; Joe 3:16 Babylon. Re 18:10,21; 14:8; 16:19; 17:5,18; Isa 13:19; 21:9; Jer 51:8,60-64 exp: Ps 87:4; Jer 50:2. become. Le 11:13-19; Isa 13:20-22; 14:23; 21:8; 34:11-15; Jer 50:39-40; 51:37; Mr 5:3-5; Lu 8:27-28 General references. exp: Le 11:16; Jer 50:39.'.

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C18-S3 (Verse 3) Why the prior sentence is true.

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,
and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,
and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Our sentence starts with the word For and gives us the reason why the prior sentence is true.

Notice that our prior sentence said Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.., which makes it a present tense declaration of a future event. This means it can not be talking about ancient Babylon. In addition, 18:4 says ...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. This is a present tense command which must be accomplished before the destruction of 18:2. As we see so often in the Bible, God considers an event accomplished when He declares it and not when the event actually happens because all other beings combined can not stop Him from doing what he declares that He will do and once He declares it, He does not change His mind. It is done when God declares it.

Other verses in these chapters make it clear that Babylon the great is false religion combined with government. The prior chapter told us about the destruction of the religious part while this chapter tells us about the destruction of the government part. In addition, while many claim that it is one religion and others claim that it is many religions combined, I believe it is the future one-world religions. The reader is free to form their own opinion since the Bible does not definitely tell us what Babylon the great is, other than the verses in these chapters that clearly indicate organized false religion.

Notice that this sentence tells us that the kings of the earth joined false religion (have committed fornication with her). As was detailed in other notes, this was for power. The word fornication is defined as: 'the violation of a spiritual covenant relationship'. These the merchants of the earth pretended to worship as the one-world religion dictated, but it was a lie which only lasted as long as they made money from the lie. It also says that the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. However, the general person (all nations) suffered (have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication). We find the phrase wine of the wrath only in Revelation 14:8, Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 18:3. A quick review of these verses, shows that this phrase is used for great suffering.

So, as is often the case, the kings of the earth and the merchants of the earth received what they wanted while the common people suffered because of their attitudes and actions.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'But because of such rampant sin, demonic activity, corruption and wickedness, God is about to destroy this nest of demons, and so he calls forth to his people, gives them warning before his judgment falls, and before they succumb to the lure and temptations of such sin and become partakers themselves.'.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S16; Galatians C5S20; Ephesians 4:26-27 and Colossians C3S6 about the word wrath. The functional definition for this word is: 'Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation'.

Please see the note for Matthew 13:45-46 about the word merchant. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Hebrew word so rendered is from a root meaning "to travel about," "to migrate," and hence "a traveller." In the East, in ancient times, merchants travelled about with their merchandise from place to place (Ge 37:25; Job 6:18), and carried on their trade mainly by bartering (Ge 37:28; 39:1). After the Hebrews became settled in Palestine they began to engage in commercial pursuits, which gradually expanded (Ge 49:13; De 33:18; Jg 5:17), till in the time of Solomon they are found in the chief marts of the world (1Ki 9:26; 10:11,26,28; 22:48; 2Ch 1:16; 9:10,21). After Solomon's time their trade with foreign nations began to decline. After the Exile it again expanded into wider foreign relations, because now the Jews were scattered in many lands'. Please also see the note for Matthew 22:5-6 about the word merchandise. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: 18:3; 18:11; 18:15; 18:23.

Please see the note for Luke 2:40 about the word waxed. The only part of the definition, from Webster's 1828 , that applies is: 'to increase in size; to grow; to become larger; as the waxing and the waning moon.
2. to pass from one state to another; to become; as, to wax strong; to wax warm or cold; to wax feeble; to wax hot; to wax old; to wax worse and worse'.

Please see the notes for Romans C11S35 and Colossians C1S6 about the word riches. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. this is in the singular number in fact, but treated as the plural. 1. Wealth; opulence; affluence; possessions of land, good or money in abundance. Riches do not consist in having more gold and silver, but in having more in proportion than our neighbors. 2. Splendid sumptuous appearance. the riches of heav'n's pavement, trodden gold. 3. In Scripture, an abundance of spiritual blessings. Luke 16. the riches of God, his fullness of wisdom, power, mercy, grace and glory, Eph. 1, 2; or the abundance supplied by his works. Ps. 104. the riches of Christ, his abundant fulness of spiritual and eternal blessings for men. Eph. 3. the riches of a state or kingdom, consist less in a full treasury than in the productiveness of its soil and manufactures, and in the industry of its inhabitants'. The note for Romans has links to every place where forms of this word are used in the New Testament along with a short note about the usage. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S2 about the word enriched.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word abundant. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'a. Plentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply. In scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with. the Lord God is abundant in goodness and truth. Ex. xxxiv. Abundant number, in arithmetic, is one, the sum of whose aliquot parts exceeds the number itself. thus, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, the aliquot parts of 12, make the sum of 16. this is opposed to a deficient number, as 14, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2, 7, the sum of which is 10; and to a perfect number, which is equal to the sum of its aliquot parts, as 6, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2, 3'.

The word delicacies describes things which are made delicately. Please see the note for Luke 7:25 about the word delicately. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. 1. In a delicate manner; with nice regard to propriety and the feelings of others. 2. Daintily; luxuriously. they that live delicately are in kings courts. Luke 7. 3. With soft elegance; as an expression delicately turned. 4. Tenderly; with indulgence in ease, elegance and luxury. Prov. 29'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'all. Re 18:9; 14:8; 17:2; Jer 51:7 the merchants. Re 18:11-17,23; Isa 47:15; 2Pe 2:1-3 abundance. or, power. Pr 23:1-3 her delicacies. Jer 51:34; La 4:5; Lu 7:25 General references. exp: De 20:18; Pr 7:12; Jer 25:16; Re 17:2.'.

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C18-S4 (Verse 4) A warning from God..

And I heard another voice from heaven,
saying,
Come out of her,
my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.

When God killed the firstborn in Egypt, He first warned the Jews to prepare the Passover lamb, and put the blood on the doorposts, and to eat the meal in a specific way. Those who disobeyed suffered along with the Egyptians. Even today, God warns His people to separate from lost people and not participate in their sins, especially when God is preparing to bring judgment on those people doing the sins. And, with all that went on before this, God's people would know how foolish it would be to ignore this warning. And that would be especially true when God warned them with a voice from heaven and not through some man.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'We see a parallel to this verse in Jer 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for Ephesians C5S5 about the word partakers. The functional definition for this word is: 'One who has or takes a part, share or portion in common with others; a sharer; a participator; An accomplice; an associate'. Please also see the note for Romans C15S22 about the word partake.

Please see the note for Romans C7S26 about the word sin. The functional definition is: 'a violation of God's law' (1John 3:4). Please see the notes for Sin in 1John; Romans C2S4; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26 about the phrase sin unto death. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners.

Please see the note for Mark 3:10 about the word plague. The functional definition for this word is: 'a "stroke" of affliction, or disease. Sent as a divine chastisement (Nu 11:33; 14:37; 16:46-49; 2Sa 24:21). Painful afflictions or diseases, (Le 13:3,5,30; 1Ki 8:37), or severe calamity (Mr 5:29; Lu 7:21), or the judgment of God, so called (Ex 9:14)'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Come. Ge 19:12-13; Nu 16:26-27; Isa 48:20; 52:11; Jer 50:8; 51:6,45,50; Mt 24:15-16; 2Co 6:17 partakers. Ps 50:18; Mt 23:30; 1Ti 5:22; 2Jo 1:11 General references. exp: De 20:18; Eph 5:7.'.

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C18-S5 (Verse 5) Why God will judge Babylon the great.

For her sins have reached unto heaven,
and God hath remembered her iniquities.

God always knows everything that is going on. However, at times he chooses to forget certain things, and other times He choses to ignore certain things, and other times He choses correct certain things and other times He choses punish certain things. When our sentence says God hath remembered her iniquities, it means that God brought her iniquities to the front of His mind in order to punish her.

We also have things that we choose to not dwell on and remove from our conscious mind until something happens to remind us of those things. That is what is happening with God at this time.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here we are given another reason for God's judgment upon Babylon, the angel explains the reason God's peopleare being called out of the city. God is very aware of the sinful pollution of Babylon and how it is contaminating the world and the time is now come to rain down judgment.
And then a cry goes up to God, for Him to reward, or render, unto Babylon her just reward, for all that she has done against God's chosen people, the Jews, and the followers of Christ. forall the tragedies that were inflicted from Babylon of old to the Babylon of the new, a cry of vengeance goes out, for Babylon to be rewarded double punishment, double tragedy, double wrath. Jewish Law demanded an eye for eye, but this cry goes forth to take both eyes as well as the head of the enemy.'.

Please see the note for John 20:27 about the word reach. The functional definition for this word is: 'To extend; to stretch; in a general sense; sometimes followed by out and forth; as, to reach out the arm'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S28 about the words remember / remembrance. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. 1. the retaining or having in mind an idea which had been present before, or an idea which had been previously received from an object when present, and which recurs to the mind afterwards without the presence of its object. Technically, remembrance differs from reminiscence and recollection, as the former implies that an idea occurs to the mind spontaneously, or without much mental exertion. the latter imply the power or the act of recalling ideas which do not spontaneously recur to the mind. the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. Ps. 112. Remembrance is when the same idea recurs, without the operation of the like object on the external sensory. 2. Transmission of a fact from one to another. Titan among the heav'ns th' immortal fact display'd, lest the remembrance of his grief should fall. 3. Account preserved; something to assist the memory. those proceedings and remembrances are in the Tower. 4. Memorial. But in remembrance of so brave a deed, a tomb and funeral honors I decreed. 5. A token by which one is kept in the memory. Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake. 6. Notice of something absent. Let your remembrance still apply to Banquo. 7. Power of remembering; limit of time within which a fact can be remembered; as when we say, an event took place before our remembrance, or since our remembrance. 8. Honorable memory. Not in use. 9. Admonition. 10. Memorandum; a note to help the memory'.

Please see the note for James 6:6 about the word iniquity. The functional definition for this word is: 'ongoing lifestyle sins'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'reached. Ge 18:20-21; 2Ch 28:9; Ezr 9:6; Jer 51:9; Jon 1:2 and. Re 16:19 General references. exp: De 20:18.'.

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C18-S6 (Verse 6) the judgment that God's people call for God to render.

Equivalent Section: the cry for God to bring a double judgment.

Reward her even as she rewarded you,
and double unto her double according to her works:

Equivalent Section: An additional cry for God to bring a double judgment.

in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

When something is written literally in the word of God, it becomes part of the law of God and the basis for judgment. The cry is for a double judgment because, in additional to her actions, Babylon the great had an attitude which claimed that she could lead others into a life of sin and cause them to also be judged by God.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Why such a cry? Not only because of the sinful pollution, not only because of the intoxication of nations, not only because of those made rich and powerful thru dealings with the antichrist, but because of the outright pride of doing all this before God.'.

In our sentence, we read the basis of our own personal judgment. We read the word according, in the same verse as the word work, in 43 verses of the Bible, 21 verses of the New Testament and, in Revelation, in: 2:23; 18:6; 20:12; 20:12 and 22:12. Devils have convinced many people that all of these places in the word of God lie and that they will be rewarded for a life of sin. If you believe that lie then you are a Biblical fool who deserved the punishment that will be given for more that 1,000 years in Heaven.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S26 about the word reward. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. 1. Recompense, or equivalent return for good done, for kindness, for services and the like. Rewards may consist of money, goods or any return of kindness or happiness. the laborer is worthy of his reward. 1Tim. 5. Great is your reward in Heaven. Matt. 5. Rewards and punishments presuppose moral agency, and something voluntarily done, well or ill; without which respect, though we may receive good, it is only a benefit and not a reward. 2. the fruit of men's labor or works. the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward. Eccles. 9. 3. A bribe; a gift to pervert justice. Deut. 27. 4. A sum of money offered for taking or detecting a criminal, or for recovery of anything lost. 5. Punishment; a just return of evil or suffering for wickedness. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Ps. 91. 6. Return in human applause. Matt. 6. 7. Return in joy and comfort. Ps. 19'.

We find forms of the word double occurring 30 times in 26 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: 1Timothy 3:8; 1Timothy 5:17; James 1:8; James 4:8; Revelation 18:6. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Dubl. L., Gr. See Two. 1. Two of a sort together; one corresponding to the other; being in pairs; as double chickens in the same egg; double leaves connected by one petiole. 2. Twice as much; containing the same quantity or length repeated. Take double money in your hand. Genesis 53. Let a double portion of thy spirit be on me. 2 Kings 2. With to; as, the amount is double to what I expected. 3. Having one added to another; as a double chin. 4. Twofold; also, of two kinds. Darkness and tempest make a double night. 5. Two in number; as double sight or sound. See No. 1. 6. Deceitful; acting two parts, one openly, the other in secret. And with double heart do they speak. Psalm 12.
DOUBLE, adv. Dubl. Twice. I was double their age.
DOUBLE, in composition, denotes, two ways, or twice the number or quantity.'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word accord. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines according as: 'ppr. 1. Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note. th' according music of a well mixt state. 2. Suitable; agreeable; in accordance with. In these senses, the word agrees with or refers to a sentence. Our zeal should be according to knowledge. Noble is the fame that is built on candor and ingenuity, according to those beautiful lines of Sir John Denham. Here the whole preceding parts of the sentence are to accord, i.e. agree with, correspond with, or be suitable to, what follows. According, here, has its true participial sense, agreeing, and is always followed by to. It is never a preposition'. The functional definition for this word is: 'Think of music where two or more notes move together in a cord. Likewise, two or more things move together when they are according'. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; 2Corinthians 4:8-12; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. The functional definition for this word is: ' In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and the other; to perform'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works. Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:1 about the word workers. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:9-10 about the word workman.

The word fill means 'made full'. Please see the note for Philippians 4:18 about the word full. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:9 about the word fullness. The functional definition for this word is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S11 and Galatians C5-S15 about the word fulfill.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Reward. Re 13:10; 16:5-6; Ex 21:23-25; Ps 137:8; Jer 50:15,29; 51:24,49; 2Ti 4:14 exp: Ps 54:5. double unto. Isa 40:2; 61:7; Jer 16:18; 17:18; Zec 9:12 the cup. Re 14:10; 16:19; 17:2,4 General references. exp: La 3:64; Mt 7:2.'.

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C18-S7 (Verse 7) Why Babylon the great deserves judgment.

Equivalent Section: How she lived.

How much she hath glorified herself,
and lived deliciously,
so much torment and sorrow give her:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for she saith in her heart,
I sit a queen,
and am no widow,
and shall see no sorrow.

We see here that Babylon the great hath glorified herself. That is, she emphasized the physical over the spiritual by lifting up physical things like gold and silver and physical ceremonies. In fact, we have a religion, called Humanism, which lies and claims to be science. It is a religion because the two major tenants, 'Big Bang' and 'Evolution' have to be accepted by faith. And, more people accept it than admit that they do. But, the main point of it is that it completely denies the existence of the spiritual. Think of how many people live their lives completely denying or ignoring any spiritual concerns. That is the results of emphasizing the physical over the spiritual and the word of God speaks against such an attitude even among the saved.

Our second phrase says that she lived deliciously. Reportedly, the U.S. grows enough food, by itself, to feed the world. Yet, people still starve. There are many third-World countries where some of the richest people in the world live surrounded by the majority living in abject poverty. Those rich have been taught to compare themselves to other people and that the difference in physical riches makes them better people than the poor. And, these are just a few of the results from Babylon the great emphasizing the physical over the spiritual to the point that people completely ignore spiritual concerns.

Our third phrase says: so much torment and sorrow give her. That is what the rich have done to the poor. It is only just that they receive what they spent their lives giving to others.

In our Second Equivalent Section we see why this judgment is just. Yes, she teaches people to be full of pride. But, more than that the attitude of: I sit a queen is an attitude that the poor starving people around the rich should take pride in how many riches their rulers have compared to other rulers. The attitude of: I am no widow is one that others serve to please her. The emphasis is on personal physical pleasure. The attitude of: I shall see no sorrow. is one that denies righteousness and judgment by God. Think of how many movies portray a criminal ordering the murder of enemies and then goes and makes a money donation to the local church so that the local priest will pray for them and force God to say that murder is OK. And, yes, that is Hollywood movies but the truth is that some variation of this happens all of the time throughout the world. Consider that the Saudi royal family is, reportedly, one of the major supporters of Islamic terrorism around the world. So, yes, there are differences in details but the same basic attitude as the basis of all such activities. And, such attitudes and actions are due to emphasizing the physical to the point of denying all spiritual concerns.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'First Babylon has glorified herself, where man is to glorify God, this wicked ungodly system glorified itself, deified its leader, mocked the true God, set herself up as the most high. And while the world falls apart, and many suffer and die, from war, from plague, from thirst and starvation, Babylon has lived deliciously, luxuriously. So for this, the cry goes out to give her much sorrow and orment. She showed no mercy, showed no compassion, so Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs, show her none as well. forBabylon sits as a queen, a tyrant ruler, thinking nothing can touch her, none can stand against her, nothing can overcome her, that she is invulnerable. But she is not alone in this, for she is no widow, as she is wed to the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, to the beast and Satan himself, and with such a prideful view of herself she believes she shall see no sorrow, no end, no defeat. the voice cries for God to give her a double portion of what she gave to your people.
And because of this attitude, this sheer disrespect for God and His power, Babylon’s downfall will come in one day, a very short period, for in one hour she shall be made desolate.'.

We find forms of the word deliciously only in this sentence and Revelation 18:9. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. In a delicious manner; in a manner to please the taste or gratify the mind; sweetly; pleasantly; delightfully; as, to feed deliciously; to be deliciously entertained'.

Please see the note for Luke 8:28 about the word torment. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Extreme pain; anguish; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind. the more I see pleasure about me, so much I feel torment within me. Lest they also come into this place of torment. Luke 16. Rev.9. 14. 2. that which gives pain, vexation or misery. they brought to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and orments. Matt. 4'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:27 about the word sorrow. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. the uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good. or of frustrated hopes of good, or expected loss of happiness; to grieve; to be sad. I rejoice not that ye were made sorry, but the ye sorrowed to repentance. I Cor. 7. Sorrowing most of all for the words which be spoke, that they should see his face no more. Acts 20'.

Please see the note for Matthew 12:42 about the word queen. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'No explicit mention of queens is made till we read of the "queen of Sheba." the wives of the kings of Israel are not so designated. In Ps 45:9, the Hebrew for "queen" is not malkah, one actually ruling like the Queen of Sheba, but shegal, which simply means the king's wife. In 1Ki 11:19, Pharaoh's wife is called "the queen," but the Hebrew word so rendered (g'birah) is simply a title of honour, denoting a royal lady, used sometimes for "queen-mother" (1Ki 15:13; 2Ch 15:16). In Song 6:8-9, the king's wives are styled "queens" (Heb melakhoth)'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'much she. Isa 22:12-14; 47:1-2,7-9; Eze 28:2-10; Zep 2:15; 2Th 2:4-8 I sit. Ps 45:9; Jer 13:18 no widow. Isa 47:7-8; La 1:1 General references. exp: Pr 14:13; Zec 1:15; Jas 4:16.'.

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C18-S8 (Verse 8) How Babylon the great will be judged.

Equivalent Section: What will happen.

First Step: the judgment will be sudden.

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day,
death,
and mourning,
and famine;.

Second Step: How the final destruction will happen.

and she shall be utterly burned with fire:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

In 18:21, we are told: a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. This sounds like one of those great waves that hit land an pull everything into the sea that is above bedrock. In 18:10 and 18:17 we read that it happened in one hour. Even if people receive notice they couldn't evacuate the city in that time. We also read in this verse that she shall be utterly burned with fire. So it might not be a wave or it might be that the wave leaves broken fuel lines that then start a fire or something else might happen. Regardless of how it happens, the city which is the center of world-wide government and commerce will be utterly destroyed.

Remember that Babylon the great is the combination of religion and government. The prior chapter told us about the destruction of the religious portion while this chapter tells us about the destruction of the government / commerce portion. And, since our sentence has two Equivalent Sections, the Second Equivalent Section tells us why this destruction happens. We read: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. In the note for our prior sentence I wrote how Babylon the great emphasized the physical to the point of denying anything spiritual. And, our sentence starts with the word Therefore, which means that this sentence tells us the results of what the prior sentence reported. The Lord God who judgeth her is very definitely spiritual. Therefore, with this particular judgment, He is letting the people of the world know how foolish it is to ignore the spiritual and to emphasize the physical, which can be destroyed in one hour.

The First Step, of our First Equivalent Section, tells us that her plagues will be: death, and mourning, and famine. A plagues does not just affect the person who has it but it also spreads to many who are associated with that person. With the destruction of this city, the entire transportation system of the world will shut down because the control of all shipping and commerce will be destroyed when the computers in this city are destroyed. As a result, many cities will not get food which they are dependent upon. Therefore, famine will result. And, as a result of famine, people will murder (death) each other for food. And, as a result of both of those things, there will be much mourning.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Her plagues will come in the form of death, mourning, famine and fire. She shall be utterly wiped from the face of the earth, for strong (meaning mightier or stronger than she) is the Lord God who judges her for her sin. forwe saw in ch16 the forms of such judgment, grievous sores, waters turned to blood, a scorching sun, tangible darkness and a massive, world shattering earthquake, which will divide Babylon into three parts, cause great hail stones to fall, the islands and mountains to disappear, and massive volcanic activity which will burn and consume the city much like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.'.

Please see the note for Romans intro about the word therefore. The functional definition for this word is: 'what follows the therefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the therefore and seen only in that place. In other words, what follows the therefore is a direct result of what precedes the therefore'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9). The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18, the great day of final judgment.'. The functional definition, of the phrase last day is: '(end of the) Church Age. However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'. Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13 about the word today. The functional definition is: 'obey immediately'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord. Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.

Please see the notes for Romans C6S4; 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20 and Colossians C1S4 about the words dead / death / die. The functional definition for this word is: 'Physical death is separation of soul and spirit from body and the second death is eternal separation from God'. Please also see the notes for Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14 and Revelation 21:8 about the phrase death, second.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C5S2 and 2Corinthians 7:6-7 about the word mourn. The functional definition for this word is: ''Frequent references are found in Scripture to, (1.) Mourning for the dead. Abraham mourned for Sarah (Ge 23:2); Jacob for Joseph (Ge 37:34-35); the Egyptians for Jacob (Ge 50:3-10); Israel for Aaron (Nu 20:29), for Moses (De 34:8), and for Samuel (1Sa 25:1); David for Abner (2Sa 3:31,35); Mary and Martha for Lazarus (Joh 11); devout men for Stephen (Ac 8:2), etc'.

Please see the note for Romans 8:35 about the word famine. The functional definition for this word is: 'n. L. fames. 1. Scarcity of food; dearth; a general want of provisions sufficient for the inhabitants of a country or besieged place. there was a famine in the land. Gen. 26. 2. Want; destitution; as a famine of the word of life'.

Please see the note for Matthew 13:34-35 about the word utter. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'speak; to pronounce; to express; as, to utter words; to utter sounds. 2. to disclose; to discover; to divulge; to publish. He never utters a syllable of what I suppose to be intended as a secret. 3. to sell; to vend; as, to utter wares. this is obsolete, unless in the law style. 4. to put or send into circulation; to put off, as currency, or cause to pass in commerce; as, to utter coin or notes. A man utters a false note, who gives it in payment, knowing it to be false'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 1:4-8 about the word utterance.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'shall her. Re 18:10,17,19; Isa 47:9-11; Jer 51:6 and she. Re 18:9; 17:18; 19:3; Jer 51:58 for. Re 11:17; Job 9:19; Ps 62:11; Isa 27:1; Jer 50:31,34; 1Co 10:22 exp: Re 18:10,19. General references. exp: Nu 31:10; Pr 14:13; Jer 50:40; Zec 1:15.'.

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C18-S9 (Verse 9-10) The kings of the Earth lament the destruction of the city.

And the kings of the earth,
who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her,
shall bewail her,
and lament for her,
when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment,
saying,
Alas,
alas,
that great city Babylon,
that mighty city!.

Back in 17:16 we read And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. In 17:12 we were told the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings... So when we combine these verses we have the kings of the earth that hate and destroyed the whore also shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Since this is what they were trying to do, they aren't lamenting because she was destroyed and burned but because the destruction was so sudden and mighty and from the God of Heaven instead of from them. Rather than admit their fear for themselves, and possibly repent, they vent their emotions in bewail and lament for the whore that they really hate and were trying to destroy themselves. Notice that this verse also tells us that they have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her. They claim to bewail and lament for her, but they are really doing it for themselves while they deny their very evident personal fear of the Lord Who is also going to judge them.

Our sentence names the kings of the earth and tells us their reaction. The second next sentence names the merchants of the earth and tells us their reaction. 8:17-18 names every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea and tells us their reaction. That sentence only mentions those who trade by sea, because in the days of John that was who truly became rich by shipping. However, I personally believe that in this future, all who are involved in shipping, by land or sea or by air, will be morning.

The phrase: when they shall see the smoke of her burning should be understood to include all means of communicating the destruction of Babylon the great. The phrase: Standing afar off includes all forms of distance communications, even those which exist today but that John did not know about.

Likewise, the phrase: for the fear of her torment tells us why they shall bewail her, and lament for her. These kings of the earth will be so selfish that they have no concern for anyone else. However, when they realize her destruction by the Lord God who judgeth her, they can no longer deny their own future judgment that that is what makes them fear.

And, the phrase: saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! tells us the lie which they will claim rather than admit the source of their true fear. Their judgment by the Lord God is in an unknown future time. However, their death by Satan and his two beasts will be immediate if they voice the true source of their fear.

We find forms of the word alas occurring 20 times in 16 verses of the Bible, but only in Revelation within the New Testament. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'An exclamation expressive of sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil; sometimes followed by day or while; alas the day, like alack a day; or alas the while, expressing an unhappy time'.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Beginning with v9 we see what will happen in the aftermath of the destruction of Babylon, as we see three groups of people mourning the smoking ruin of what was once a vast city.
The first group we see mourning the loss of Babylon are the kings of the earth, those who have profited from her power and wealth. this includes kings and national leaders, presidents, chancellors, prime ministers, representatives of all nations, who have lived in luxury (lived deliciously) due to their relationship and alliance with, and embracing of, the Beast. they had all desired to bed her and gain from their cavorting with her, but now they bewail the loss of her, their source of great riches, power and fame. these kings of the earth have meddled and “fornicated” with Babylon, they joined themselves to her for profit and gain, they drank of her intoxicating wine of wrath, but as Babylon lies in ruin, a smoking heap, they watch afar off because they are afraid that what has destroyed her may destroy them in the process. these rulers are in shock and fear and sorrow, and cry Alas! Alas! which means Woe! Woe! due to the complete violence and speed of that great and mighty city’s demise, how quickly it crumbled. And they could do nothing to stop it. the focal point of the world has disappeared in an hour’s time despite mankind’s might, wisdom and technology. Nothing can stand in the way of God's wrath and judgment. And that should make us all think about sin and how God looks at it, for all that is left of this city is a smoking pile of ash. In v11 we see the second group that mourns the loss of Babylon.'.

We find forms of the word deliciously only in this sentence and Revelation 18:7. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. In a delicious manner; in a manner to please the taste or gratify the mind; sweetly; pleasantly; delightfully; as, to feed deliciously; to be deliciously entertained'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:38 about the word wail. The functional definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'WAIL, v.t. to lament; to moan; to bewail. Or if no more her absent lord she wails--
WAIL, v.i. to weep; to express sorrow audibly. therefore I will wail and howl. Micah 1.
WAIL, n. Loud weeping; violent lamentation'.

Please see the note for John 16:20 about the word lament. The functional definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'LAMENT', v.i. L. lamentor. 1. to mourn; to grieve; to weep or wail; to express sorrow. Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. 2Chron. 35. 2. to regret deeply; to feel sorrow. LAMENT', v.t. to bewail; to mourn for; to bemoan; to deplore. One laughed at follies, one lamented crimes.
LAMENT', n. L. lamentum. Grief or sorrow expressed in complaints or cries; lamentation; a weeping. Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. this noun is used chiefly or solely in poetry'.

Please see the note for Matthew 12:20 about the word smoke. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. the exhalation, visble vapor or substance that escapes or is expelled in combustion from the substance burning. It is paricularly applied to the volatile matter expelled from vegetable matter, or wood coal, peat, etc. the matter expelled from metallic substances is more generally called fume,fumes. 2. Vapor; water exhalations'.

The word stood is the past-tense form of the word stand. Please see the notes for Romans C14S5 and 1Corinthians C15S1 about the word stand. The functional definition for this word is: 'to be upon the feet, as an animal; not to sit, kneel or lie'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:18 about the word notwithstanding. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S2 about the word understand. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast.

Please see the notes for Romans C11S25 and Philippians 1:12-14 about the word fear. The functional definition for this word is: 'A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. the force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us'. Please also see the Study called Fear the Lord. In addition, please see the note for John 6:19 about the word afraid. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Impressed with fear or apprehension; fearful. this word expresses a less degree of fear than terrified or frightened. It is followed by of before the object of fear; as, to be afraid of death. Joseph was afraid to sin against God'.

We find forms of the word alas in: Numbers 12:11; Numbers 24:23; Joshua 7:7; Judges 6:22; Judges 11:35; 1Kings 13:30; 2Kings 3:10; 2Kings 6:5; 2Kings 6:15; Jeremiah 30:7; Ezekiel 6:11; Joel 1:15; Amos 5:16; Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:16; Revelation 18:19. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'ex. An exclamation expressive of sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil; sometimes followed by day or while; alas the day, like alack a day; or alas the while, expressing an unhappy time'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the kings. Re 18:3,7; 17:2,12-13 exp: Re 6:15. shall bewail. Re 18:20; Ps 58:10; Jer 50:46; Eze 26:16-17; 32:9-10; Da 4:14; Zec 11:2-3 the smoke. Re 18:18; 14:11; 19:3; Ge 19:28; De 29:23; Isa 13:19; 30:33; 34:9-10; Jer 50:40 exp: Jos 8:20. General references. exp: Ge 19:28; Jer 50:40; Re 17:2.
afar. Nu 16:34 Alas. Re 18:16,19; Jer 30:7; Joe 1:15; Am 5:16 exp: Eze 6:11. That great. Re 14:8; Isa 21:9 General references. exp: Jer 49:25.'.

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C18-S10 (Verse 10) Why the kings of the Earth feared.
for in one hour is thy judgment come

Babylon the great will be a major city at that time. It is possible that it will be the greatest city in the world at this future time. Therefore, the complete destruction of all of it in one hour will be beyond the understanding and belief of the kings of the earth. They will know and understand destruction. But the swiftness and completeness will be beyond their belief. And, the result will be that they, finally, understand how completely they misjudged God's power and wrath. They will deny and deride God before this destruction, but not afterwards.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'for. Re 18:8,17,19; Jer 51:8-9 General references. exp: Jer 49:25.'.

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C18-S11 (Verse 11-13) the reaction to the loss of commerce.

Equivalent Section: the reaction of the merchants of the earth.

First Step: they will be very upset.

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her;

Second Step: Why.

for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:.

Equivalent Section: What will no longer be bought and sold.

The merchandise of gold,
and silver,
and precious stones,
and of pearls,
and fine linen,
and purple,
and silk,
and scarlet,
and all thyine wood,
and all manner vessels of ivory,
and all manner vessels of most precious wood,
and of brass,
and iron,
and marble,
And cinnamon,
and odours,
and ointments,
and frankincense,
and wine,
and oil,
and fine flour,
and wheat,
and beasts,
and sheep,
and horses,
and chariots,
and slaves,
and souls of men.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us the reaction of the merchants of the earth. And, the Second Equivalent Section tells us what will no longer be bought and sold. Most of this sentence is clear on the surface and the Word Studies, below, provide more details for those readers who want more details. But, there are two things in our sentence which are significant and which many people will read over without thinking about them.

The first thing is that commerce included slaves. Reportedly, slavery has existed since the time of Nimrod, who built the tower of Babel in a rejection of worshipping God. False religion has justified the slaver since that time and has continued to do so and will continue to do so into this time in the future.

The second thing to pay attention to is that souls of men. This is done most directly by false religions which teach people to think the wrong way and to make decisions of their will the wrong way and to react the wrong way to the circumstances of life.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here the merchants of the earth, those involved in commerce and trade, who export and import all kinds of luxurious items to and from Babylon, who find employment or who employ others to make profit. they have all been made extremely wealthy and prosperous with their business and association with sinful Babylon. And so they weep over the destroyed city, not because they care about Babylon, but because they see their own potential profits disappear, their prosperity, the luxurious futures they dreamed of have vanished. All their clients and buyers are dead, their warehouses and storefronts are burned to the ground, their commercial empires are ruined and their path to even more wealth is gone. Nobody is left for them to sell to, buy from or trade with. So the merchants mourn for no man buyeth their merchandise any more (11b).
And that brings us to what kind of merchandise did these merchants sell?
All kinds of merchandise, anything one can imagine will be available in the new Babylon just as it was in the vast city of old Babylon. Here we see precious metals and stones, jewels, fine clothing, ornate vessels, furniture, art, spices, foods, alcohols, drugs, livestock, vehicles of transportation, and even men themselves are for sale. Even souls are bought and lost here in this city, for remember in order to buy and trade one has to have been marked with the mark of the Beast, and with such a mark we know their names are not written in the book of life which means they will suffer eternal torment, their souls have been bought, they sold their souls, just to survive and live deliciously in this city. Re 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Babylon will be the city that never sleeps, where fortunes and lives are made and lost around the clock. Anything and everything will be for sale, but such earthly luxuries disappear in a moment when God's judgment falls on the city. And what man thought of as priceless artifacts will be just dust and rubble.'.

The word wept is the past-tense form of the word weep. Please see the note for John 20:11-12 about the word weep. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to express sorrow, grief or anguish by outcry. this is the original sense. But in present usage, to manifest and express grief by outcry or by shedding tears. they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him. Acts 20. Phocion was rarely seen to weep or to laugh. 2. to shed tears from any passion. Persons sometimes weep for joy. 3. to lament; to complain. Numbers 11.
WEEP, v.t. 1. to lament; to bewail; to bemoan. We wandring go through dreary wastes, and weep each others woe. 2. to shed moisture; as, to weep tears of joy. Groves whose rich trees wept odrous gum and balm. 3. to drop; as the weeping amber. 4. to abound with wet; as weeping grounds'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 7:23 about the words bought / buy. The functional definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines buy as: 'v.t. pret. and pp. bought. pron. bawt. 1. to acquire the property, right or title to anything, by paying a consideration or an equivalent in money. It differs from barter only in this, that in barter the consideration or equivalent is some species of commodity; in purchase, the consideration is money paid or promised. to purchase; to acquire by paying a price to the satisfaction of the seller; opposed to sell. 2. to procure by a consideration given, or by something that is deemed worth the thing bought; to procure at a price; as, to buy pleasure with praise; to buy favor with flattery. 3. to bribe; to corrupt or pervert the judgment, by paying a consideration. to buy off, to influence to compliance; to cause to bend or yield by some consideration, as to buy off conscience; to detach by a consideration given, as to buy off one from a party. to buy out, to buy off, or detach from. 1. to purchase the share or shares of a person in a stock, fund, or partnership, by which the seller is separated from the company, and the purchaser takes his place, as, A buys out B. to purchase stock in any fund or partnership, is to buy in. to buy on credit, is to purchase a thing, on a promise in fact or in law, to make payment at a future day. to buy the refusal, is to give money for the right of purchasing at a fixed price at a future time. to buy the small pox, in South Wales, is to receive it by inoculation. In popular language, to buy is to pay dear for, as in Chaucer. BUY, v.i. to negotiate, or treat about a purchase. I will buy with you and sell with you'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the word silver. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A metal of a white color and lively brilliancy. It has neither taste nor smell; its specific gravity is 10.552, according to Bergman, but according to Kirwan it is less. A cubic foot weighs about 660 lbs. Its ductility is little inferior to that of gold. It is harder and more elastic that tin of iron. It is found native in thin plates or leaves, or in fine threads, or it is found mineralized by various substances. Great quantities of the metal are furnished by the mines of South America, and it is found in small quantities in Norway, Germany, Spain, the United State, etc. 2. Money; coin made of silver. 3. anything of soft splendor. Pallas-piteous of her plaintive cries, In slumber clos'd her silver-streamaining eyes. SIL'VER, a. 1. Made of silver; as a silver cup. 2. White like silver; as silver hair. Others on silver lakes and rivers bath'd their downy breast. 3. White, or pale; of a pale luster; as the silver moon. 4. Soft; as a silver voice or sound'.

Please see the note for Luke 16:19-21 about the word linen. The functional definition for this word is: 'Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex 9:31), and also in Palestine (Jos 2:6; Ho 2:9). Various articles were made of it: garments (2Sa 6:14), girdles (Jer 13:1), ropes and thread (Eze 40:3), napkins (Lu 24:12; Joh 20:7), turb and (Eze 44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isa 42:3)'.

We find forms of the word silk in: Proverbs Pr 31:22; Ezekiel 16:10; Ezekiel 16:13; Revelation 18:12. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. the fine soft thread produced by the insect called silk-worm or bombyx. that which we ordinarily call silk, is a thread composed of several finer threads which the worm draws from its bowels, like the web of a spider, and with which the silk-worm envelopes itself, forming what is called a cocoon. 2. Cloth made of silk. in this sense, the word has a plural, silks, denoting different sort and varieties, as black silk, white silk, colored silks. 3. the filiform style of the female flower of maiz, which resembles real silk in fineness and softness. Virginia silk, a plant of the genus Periploca, which climbs and winds about other plants, trees, etc.
SILK, a. Pertaining to silk; consisting of silk.'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the word wood. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. 1. A large and thick collection of trees; a forest. Light thickens, and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood. 2. the substance of trees; the hard substance which composes the body of a tree and its branches, and which is covered by the bark. 3. Trees cut or sawed for the fire. Wood is yet the principle fuel in the United States. 4. An idol. Habakkuk 2. WOOD, v.i. to supply or get supplies of wood'.

Please see the note for 1Peter C1S4 about the word manner (singular). The functional definition for this word is: 'Form; method; way of performing or executing'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word vessel. vessel as: ', this word as: 'n. L. vas, vasis. this word is probably the English vat. 1. A cask or utensil proper for holding liquors and other things, as a tun, a pipe, a puncheon, a hogshead, a barrel, a firkin, a bottle, a kettle, a cup, a dish, etc. 2. In anatomy, any tube or canal, in which the blood and other humors are contained, secreted or circulated, as the arteries, veins, lymphatics, spermatics, etc. 3. In the physiology of plants, a canal or tube of very small bore, in which the sap is contained and conveyed; also, a bag or utricle, filled with pulp, and serving as a reservoir for sap; also, a spiral canal, usually of a larger bore, for receiving and distributing air. 4. Any building used in navigation, which carries masts and sails, from the largest ship of war down to a fishing sloop. In general however, vessel is used for the smaller ships, brigs, sloops, schooners, luggers, scows, etc. 5. Something containing. Vessels of wrath, in Scripture, are such persons as are to receive the full effects of God's wrath and indignation, as a punishment for their sins. Vessels of mercy, are persons who are to receive the effects of God's mercy, or future happiness and glory. chosen vessels, ministers of the gospel, as appointed to bear the glad news of salvation to others; called also earthen vessels, on account of their weakness and frailty'.

We find forms of the word ivory in: 1Kings 10:18; 1Kings10:22; 1Kings 22:39; 2Chronicles 9:17; 2Chronicles 9:21; Psalms 45:8; Song 5:14; Song 7:4; Ezekiel 27:6; Ezekiel 27:15; Amos 3:15; Amos 6:4; Revelation 18:12. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '(Heb pl. shenhabbim, the "tusks of elephants") was early used in decorations by the Egyptians, and a great trade in it was carried on by the Assyri and (Eze 27:6; Re 18:12). It was used by the Phoenici and to ornament the box-wood rowing-benches of their galleys, and Hiram's skilled workmen made Solomon's throne of ivory (1Ki 10:18). It was brought by the carav and of Dedan (Isa 21:13), and from the East Indies by the navy of Tarshish (1Ki 10:22). Many specimens of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian ivory-work have been preserved. the word habbim is derived from the Sanscrit ibhas, meaning "elephant," preceded by the Hebrew article (ha); and hence it is argued that Ophir, from which it and the other articles mentioned in 1Ki 10:22 were brought, was in India'.

Please see the note for Matthew 10:9-10 about the word brass. The functional definition for this word is: 'An alloy of copper and zinc. It is a symbol of insensibility and obstinacy in sin (Isa 48:4; Jer 6:28; Eze 22:18), and of strength (Ps 107:16; Mic 4:13)'.

Please see the note for Revelation 2:27 about the word iron. The functional definition for this word is: 'Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Ge 4:22). the Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1Ch 22:3; 29:7). the merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Eze 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (De 27:5; 19:5; Jos 17:16,18; 1Sa 17:7; 2Sa 12:31; 2Ki 6:5-6; 1Ch 22:3; Isa 10:34). Figuratively, a yoke of iron (De 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (De 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa 60:17), prosperity'.

We find forms of the word marble in: 1Chronicles 29:2; Esther 1:6; Song 5:15; Revelation 18:12. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'as a mineral, consists of carbonate of lime, its texture varying from the highly crystalline to the compact. In Es 1:6 there are four Hebrew words which are rendered marble:, (1.) Shesh, "pillars of marble." But this word probably designates dark-blue limestone rather than marble. (2.) Dar, some regard as Parian marble. It is here rendered "white marble." But nothing is certainly known of it. (3.) Bahat, "red marble," probably the verd-antique or half-porphyry of Egypt. (4.) Sohareth, "black marble," probably some spotted variety of marble. "The marble pillars and tesserae of various colours of the palace at Susa came doubtless from Persia itself, where marble of various colours is found, especially in the province of Hamadan Susiana." the marble of Solomon's architectural works may have been limestone from near Jerusalem, or from Lebanon, or possibly white marble from Arabia. Herod employed Parian marble in the temple, and marble columns still exist in great abundance at Jerusalem'.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:18 about the word odour. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. Smell; scent; fragrance; a sweet or an offensive smell; perfume'.

Please see the note for John 11:2 about the word ointment. Smith's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(An oily or unctuous substance, usually compounded of oil with various spices and resins and aromatics, and preserved in small alabaster boxes or cruses, in which the delicious aroma was best preserved. Some of the ointments have been known to retain their: fragrance for several hundred years. they were a much-coveted luxury, and often very expensive. --ED.) 1. Cosmetic. --The Greek and Roman practice of anointing the head and clothes on festive occasions prevailed also among the Egyptians, and appears to have had place among the Jews. Ru 3:2 2. Funereal. --Ointments as well as oil were used to anoint dead bodies and the clothes in which they were wrapped. Mt 26:12 3. Medicinal. --Ointment formed an important feature in ancient medical treatment. Isa 1:6; Jer 8:22; Joh 9:6; Re 3:18 etc. 4. Ritual.--Besides the oil used in many ceremonial observances, a special ointment was appointed to be used in consecration. Ex 30:23,33; 29:7; 37:29; 40:9,15 A person whose business it was to compound ointments in general was called an "apothecary." Ne 3:8 the work was sometimes carried on by woman "confectionaries." 1Sa 8:13'.

Please see the note for Matthew 2:11 about the word frankincense. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '(Heb lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., "white"), an odorous resin imported from Arabia (Isa 60:6; Jer 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Song 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Ex 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Le 2:1,16; 6:15; 24:7). When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (Mal 1:11; Song 1:3) and an emblem of prayer (Ps 141:2; Lu 1:10; Re 5:8; 8:3).
This frankincense, or olibanum, used by the Jews in the temple services is not to be confounded with the frankincense of modern commerce, which is an exudation of the Norway spruce fir, the Pinus abies. It was probably a resin from the Indian tree known to botanists by the name of Boswellia serrata or thurifera, which grows to the height of forty feet'. Please also see the note for Luke 1:10 about the word incense. The functional definition for this word is: 'Both the substance used to produce a good smell during worship and the precise manufacture, use and restrictions on use as specified by God's word'.

Please see the note for Luke 10:33-34 about the word oil. The functional definition for this word is: 'Its three principal uses among the Hebrew were: (1) to anoint the body so as to mollify the skin, heal injuries, and strengthen muscles (Ps 104:15; 109:18; 141:5; Isa 1:6; Lu 10:34; 2Ch 28:15; Mr 6:13; Jas 5:14) (See ANOINT.) (2) As we use butter, as food (Nu 11:8; 1Ki 17:12; 1Ch 12:40; Eze 16:13,19; Ho 2:5). (3) to burn in lamps (Ex 25:6; Mt 25:3). Type of the Holy Spirit's unction (2Co 1:21; 1Jo 2:20,27) and illumination (Zec 4:11-12). the supply of grace comes not from a dead reservoir of oil, but through living "olive trees."' Lots of people argue about the symbolic meaning of oil in this sentence including assigning it to what is used for mechanical devices siuch as cars. Such use was not known at the time of this book being written. In addition, the context of the sentence makes it applied to food.

Please see the note for Luke 16:7 about the word wheat. The functional definition for this word is: 'one of the earliest cultivated grains. It bore the Hebrew name hittah, and was extensively cultivated in Palestine. there are various species of wheat'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for John 5:2 about the word sheep. The functional definition for this word is: 'Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. they are frequently mentioned in Scripture. the care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God's care over his people (Ps 23:1-2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa 40:11; 53:6; Joh 10:1-5,7-16).'.

Please see the note for Revelation 6:2 about the word horse. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The horse was used among the Israelites only for war, either in chariots or for what is now called cavalry; but its use betokened failure in confidence on the Lord: see Ho 14:3. they had been forbidden to multiply horses, De 17:16; and at first they hamstrung the horses, and burnt the chariots of the Canaanites. Jos 11:6,9. David, however, after the defeat of Hadadezer, reserved 100 horses for chariots. 2Sa 8:4. (See a description of the war-horse in Job 39:19-25.) Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen. 1Ki 4:26.
Symbolically the horse represents careering imperial power, in general providentially controlled. In the early part of Zechariah the prophet had visions of horses of different colours, they are called spirits of the heavens, and as such they acted in the four great Gentile empires described by Daniel. When these are further spoken of, the red horses are not named, for the Chaldean empire had passed away when Zechariah saw the vision. Zec 1:8; 6:1-7.
In the Revelation also there are horses and riders thereon, representing the powers engaged in the providential course of God's dealings. Re 6:1-8; cf. Re 9:7,9,17. In Rev. 19 the Lord Jesus, the Faithful and True, comes forth on a white horse, to make war in righteousness. Re 19:11-21'.

Please see the note for Acts 8:28 about the word chariot. The functional definition for this word is: 'a vehicle generally used for warlike purposes. Sometimes, though but rarely, it is spoken of as used for peaceful purposes'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S1 and Psalms 119:20 about the word soul. The functional definition for this word is: 'The long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'. Please also see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the merchants. Re 18:3,9,15,20,23; 13:16-17; Isa 23:1-15; 47:15; Eze 26:17-21; 27:27-36; Zep 1:11,18 buyeth. Pr 3:14; Mt 22:5; Joh 2:16; 2Pe 2:3
merchandise. Re 17:4; 1Ki 10:11-12; Pr 8:10-11; Eze 27:5-25 thyine. or, sweet. 1Ki 10:11; 2Ch 2:8
cinnamon. 1Ki 10:10,15,25; 2Ch 9:9; Pr 7:17; Song 1:3; 4:13-14; 5:5; Am 6:6; Joh 12:3-8 slaves. or, bodies. Ex 21:16; De 24:7; 28:68; Ne 5:4-5,8; Isa 50:1; Eze 27:13; Am 2:6; 8:6; 1Ti 1:10 and souls. By the sale of indulgences, dispensations, absolutions, masses, bulls, etc. 2Pe 2:3 General references. exp: Joe 3:3.'.

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C18-S12 (Verse 14) What lost men valued the most will no longer be sold by Babylon the great.

And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee,
and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee,
and thou shalt find them no more at all.

Merchants always try to eliminate competition in order to increase what they are paid for their merchandise. Therefore, there will be certain things which can only be bought from Babylon the great. And, with the destruction of that city, those items will no longer be sold.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Everything that man’s heart desired was available in Babylon, but now all these earthly things and objects and worldly pleasures have vanished like a vapor, a puff of smoke, departed to be found no more. And so we see, like the kings of the earth, the merchants of the earth, stand afar off (again because they fear the destructive force that just engulfed the city), and watch Babylon burn, and cry the same Woe upon the city for how fast it fell…'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S5 and 1Corinthians C9S10 about the word fruit. The functional definition for this word is: ''The word is used symbolically for effect or consequence. It is new life or the offspring of any type of life'. Please also see the note for Romans C8S21 about the word firstfruits. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 and James 3:18 about the phrase fruit of righteousness.

Please see the notes for Romans 13:14 and Galatians C5-S18 about the word lust. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. 1. Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; as the lust of gain. My lust shall be satisfied upon them. Ex. 15. 2. Concupiscence; carnal appetite; unlawful desire of carnal pleasure. Romans 1. 2Peter 2. 3. Evil propensity; depraved affections and desires. James 1. Ps. 81.
LUST, v.i. 1. to desire eagerly; to long; with after. thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. Deut. 12. 2. to have carnal desire; to desire eagerly the gratification of carnal appetite. Lust not after her beauty in thy heart. Prov. 6. Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt. 5. 3. to have irregular or inordinate desires. the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. James 4. Lust not after evil things as they also lusted. 1Cor. 10. 4. to list; to like'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:8 about the word depart. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to go or move from. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire. Matt. 25. It is followed by from, or from is implied before the place left. I will depart to my own land, that is, I will depart from this place to my own land. Num. 10. 2. to go from; to leave; to desist, as from a practice. Jehu departed not from the sins of Jeroboam. Jehoshaphat departed not from the way of Asa his father'.

We find forms of the word dainty in: Genesis 49:20; Job 33:20; Psalms 141:4; Proverbs 23:3; Proverbs 23:6; Revelation 18:14. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. Nice; pleasing to the palate; of exquisite taste; delicious; as dainty food. 2. Delicate; of acute sensibility; nice in selecting what is tender and good; squeamish; soft; luxurious; as a dainty taste or palate; a dainty people. 3. Scrupulous in manners; ceremonious. 4. Elegant; tender; soft; pure; neat; effeminately beautiful; as dainty hands or limbs. 5. Nice; affectedly fine; as a dainty speaker. DA'INTY, n.
1. Something nice and delicate to the taste; that which is exquisitely delicious; a delicacy. Be not desirous of dainties, for they are deceitful meat. Prov. 23 2. A term of fondness. Why, that's my dainty. Shak.'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; Romans C11S26 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word good. The functional definition for this word is: 'what comes from God'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness. Please also see the note for Mark 14:14 about the word goodman. Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.

The word found is the past-tense form of the word find. Please see the note for John 1:41 about the word find. The functional definition for this word is: 'Literally, to come to; to meet; hence, to discover by the eye; to gain first sight or knowledge of something lost; to recover either by searching for it or by accident'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'thy soul. Nu 11:4,34; Ps 78:18; 106:14; 1Co 10:6; Jas 4:2; 1Jo 2:16-17 departed. Lu 12:20; 16:25'.

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C18-S13 (Verse 15-16) the merchants bewail their loss of future income.

The merchants of these things,
which were made rich by her,
shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment,
weeping and wailing,
And saying,
Alas,
alas,
that great city,
that was clothed in fine linen,
and purple,
and scarlet,
and decked with gold,
and precious stones,
and pearls!.

Here we see the merchants bewail their loss of future income. In a couple of sentences we read that they are joined by everyone involved in the shipping industry. All of these people are put out of work with no hope of finding another job because the entire industry is destroyed. Remember that the government took control of all trade and restricted it with the use of the mark of the beast. And that was controlled by the computers in this city. Rebuilding the entire industry, without that control element, will be almost impossible for lost men. It will be done by our Lord Jesus Christ after His return, but all of the lost people rejected the truth of His return. Therefore, what they see is the destruction of all means of commerce with no hope of repair or replacement. In their minds, they are facing complete ruin with starvation and worse future prospects.

Our sentence tells us that The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her. This is talking about the managers. In a couple more sentences we are told about the workers. But, these people will find it very difficult, if not impossible, to do manual labor or anything else which is left for them to earn basic needs such as food.

Next, we are told that they shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment. They submitted to the people who lived in that city. And, if God completely destroyed that city so completely and swiftly, then will fear for their own life and judgment by the God Whom they personally denied and derided.

Next, we are told that they were weeping and wailing over all of the physical riches that they valued so highly. However, with this destruction, God makes it clear that He does not value such things. Therefore, they have no idea how to assassin angry God and they are facing His wrath which they have no doubt will also come upon them personally in their own future.

Please see the notes for Romans C11S35 and Colossians C1S6 about the word riches. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. this is in the singular number in fact, but treated as the plural. 1. Wealth; opulence; affluence; possessions of land, good or money in abundance. Riches do not consist in having more gold and silver, but in having more in proportion than our neighbors. 2. Splendid sumptuous appearance. the riches of heav'n's pavement, trodden gold. 3. In Scripture, an abundance of spiritual blessings. Luke 16. the riches of God, his fulness of wisdom, power, mercy, grace and glory, Eph. 1, 2; or the abundance supplied by his works. Ps. 104. the riches of Christ, his abundant fulness of spiritual and eternal blessings for men. Eph. 3. the riches of a state or kingdom, consist less in a full treasury than in the productiveness of its soil and manufactures, and in the industry of its inhabitants'. The note for Romans has links to every place where forms of this word are used in the New Testament along with a short note about the usage. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S2 about the word enriched.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2-3 about the word clothed. The functional definition for this word is: 'Covered with garments; dressed; invested; furnished with clothing'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'which. Re 18:3,11; Ho 12:7-8; Zec 11:5; Mr 11:17; Ac 16:19; 19:24-27 shall. Re 18:11; Jg 18:23-24; Eze 27:31; Am 5:16-17
Alas. Re 18:10-11; 17:4; Lu 16:19-31 exp: Eze 6:11. General references. exp: Jer 49:25; 50:23.'.

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C18-S14 (Verse 17) the merchants realized how completely all of Satan's government lost the fight against God.
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought

It is one thing to lose a battle. It is another thing to lose so badly that there is no hope left for ever willing in the future. When the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb, the government of Japan thought they could still negotiate until the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb. However, what we read here is that these merchants realize that Satan, and all of the devils and men, are so out-classed that there is not even the smallest hope of negotiation with God.

Many people believe the lie that a meteorite hit the world hundreds of millions of years ago and that is what killed off all of the dinosaurs and brought on the first ice age. Science fiction writers, and Hollywood, like to make up stories of man defeating another such meteorite. This is probably causes one of those great waves that hit land an pull everything into the sea that is above bedrock. In 18:10 and 18:17 we read that it happened in one hour. Even if people receive notice they couldn't evacuate the city in that time. We also read in this verse that she shall be utterly burned with fire. So it might not be a wave or it might be that the wave leaves broken fuel lines that then start a fire or something else might happen. Feel free to provide your own speculation as the Bible does not provide enough details to be definitive. However, please also note that this verse says that famine results from this judgment. Apparently, the store houses of food for the surrounding regions are also destroyed. Unfortunately, no one ever suffers alone but their sin brings suffering to others also. As we see throughout the Bible, judgment is by God through His role as Lord.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Then in v17 we also see the third group that mourns over fallen Babylon.
The sailors and shipmasters, the captains and all those that are in the shipping industry who are enriched by bringing all the world’s delicacies to Babylon and transporting them throughout the world. I don’t know if Babylon will have a harbor, but it seems this one does, for much shipping is done here, yet when God's judgment falls, when the 7 vials are poured out, those within the oce and of blood watch in horror as the very fabric of civilization falls apart. And again, like the two previous groups, the sailors stand afar off and watch the destruction and cry aloud at the city’s end. they cry and weep and wail aloud, but again its not because they really care about the city or her denizens, but instead like those before, they cry out of selfishness, for their source of riches and livlihood is gone, how are they going to live in luxury, how are they going to afford all their rich delicacies?'.

Please see the notes for Romans C11S35 and Colossians C1S6 about the word riches. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. this is in the singular number in fact, but treated as the plural. 1. Wealth; opulence; affluence; possessions of land, good or money in abundance. Riches do not consist in having more gold and silver, but in having more in proportion than our neighbors. 2. Splendid sumptuous appearance. the riches of heav'n's pavement, trodden gold. 3. In Scripture, an abundance of spiritual blessings. Luke 16. the riches of God, his fulness of wisdom, power, mercy, grace and glory, Eph. 1, 2; or the abundance supplied by his works. Ps. 104. the riches of Christ, his abundant fulness of spiritual and eternal blessings for men. Eph. 3. the riches of a state or kingdom, consist less in a full treasury than in the productiveness of its soil and manufactures, and in the industry of its inhabitants'. The note for Romans has links to every place where forms of this word are used in the New Testament along with a short note about the usage. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S2 about the word enriched.

Please see the note for Romans C14S15 about the word nought. The functional definition for this word is: 'Nothing'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'in one. Re 18:10; Isa 47:9; Jer 51:8; La 4:6 General references. exp: Jer 49:25; 51:54.'.

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C18-S15 (Verse 17-18) Everyone involved in the shipping industry wailed over the loss of the industry.

And every shipmaster,
and all the company in ships,
and sailors,
and as many as trade by sea,
stood afar off,
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning,
saying,
What city is like unto this great city!.

As already explained, the destruction of this city will cause the entire transportation system of the world will shut down. This is because the control of all shipping and commerce will be destroyed when the computers in this city are destroyed. Since all commerce is dependent upon the destroyed system, it will all shut down and chaos will result as people start stealing and then end up with no more food, nor other necessities, to steal. But, while that happens no one will be shipping anything anywhere and, even if they wanted to do so, they will not be able because all of the controls will be destroyed.

Yes, they cry: What city is like unto this great city!. However, what is behind that cry is the knowledge that all shipping and receiving places will shut down and that will destroy their entire industry.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The prophet Zephaniah seemed to have spoke of this time… Zep 1:14 the great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15 that day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. 17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
What tragedy! What shock and horror those upon the earth are witness to. the focus of their worship, their wealth, their power and influence, all gone in one calamity. the earth mourns the fall of Babylon, but in heaven there is a different scene, for instead of weeping and wailing, there is great rejoicing. Where there were three groups on earth, the kings and merchants and sailors, crying out in anguish, we also see three groups in heaven crying out with jubilation and joy because of the fall of Babylon.'.

The word shipmaster is a combination of the words ship and master. Please see the note for John 6:16-17 about the word ship. The functional definition for this word is: 'For the most part, in the Bible, these are now called fishing boats. However, at times, including every sentence in Revelation, this word includes all types of boats which go on the sea'. Please see the notes for Romans 14:6-LJC; Galatians C3S28 and Ephesians C6S5 about the word master. The functional definition for this word is: 'A man who rules, governs or directs either men or business. A man who owns slaves is their master; he who has servants is their master; he who has apprentices is their master, as he has the government and direction of them. the man who superintends and directs any business, is master, or master workman'.

Please see the note for John 6:5 about the word company. The functional definition for this word is: 'Any assemblage of persons or other animals, in a very indefinite sense'. The functional definition for this word is: ' Any assemblage of persons or other animals, in a very indefinite sense'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:25 about the word companion. Please also see the note for Hebrews 6:9 about the word accompany. All of these words have a similar basic meaning while the technical details vary.

Please see above for the word ship.

the word sailor used for is: 'people who work on boats (sail) as a profession'. Please see the note for Luke 8:23 about the word sail. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'pp. Passed in ships or other water craft'.

Please see the note for Luke 19:15 about the words trade / trading. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'ppr. Trafficking; exchanging commodities by barter, or buying and selling them. 1. a. Carrying on commerce; as a trading company.
TRA'DING, n. the act or business of carrying on commerce'.

Please see the note for John 6:16-17 about the word sea. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A large bason, cistern or laver which Solomon made in the temple, so large as to contain more than six thousand gallons. this was called the brazen sea, and used to hold water for the priests to wash themselves. 1 Kings 7. 2 Chron. 4 2. A large body of water, nearly inclosed by land, as the Baltic or the Mediterranean; as the sea of Azof. Seas are properly branches of the ocean, and upon the same level. Large bodies of water inland, and situated above the level of the ocean, are lakes. the appellation of sea, given to the Caspian lake, is an exception, and not very correct. So the lake of Galilee is called a sea, from the Greek. 3. the ocean; as, to go to sea. the fleet is at sea, or on the high seas. 4. A wave; a billow; a surge. the vessel shipped a sea. 5. the swell of the ocean in a tempest, or the direction of the waves; as, we head the sea. 6. Proverbially, a large quantity of liquor; as a sea of blood. 7. A rough or agitated place or element. In a troubled sea of passion tost. Milton'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 11:29 about the phrase Red Sea. Please also see the note for John 21:1 about the phrase sea of Tiberias.

Please see the note for Matthew 7:24-25 about the word liken. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'To compare; to represent as resembling or similar. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, that built his house on a rock. Matt. 6'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the word likeness. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Resemblance in form; similitude. the picture is a good likeness of the original. 2. Resemblance; form; external appearance. Guard against an enemy in the likeness of a friend. 3. One that resembles another; a copy; a counterpart. I took you for your likeness, Chloe. 4. An image, picture or statue, resembling a person or thing. Ex. 20'. Please also see the note for Romans 15:5-6 about the word likeminded. word also see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the word likeness. Please also see the note for Mark 4:16-17 about the word likewise.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'And every. Re 18:11; Isa 23:14; Eze 27:27-36; Jon 1:6 General references. exp: Jer 49:25; 51:54.
when. Re 18:9 What. Re 18:10; 13:4; Isa 23:8-9; Jer 51:37; Eze 27:30-32 General references. exp: Ge 19:28; Ex 11:6; Jer 49:25; 51:54.'.

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C18-S16 (Verse 19) they grieved about the lost of the most profitable shipments.

And they cast dust on their heads,
and cried,
weeping and wailing,
saying,
Alas,
alas,
that great city,
wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!.

This sentence expresses their immediate sense of loss. Most of these people will not realize, until later, that their entire industry has just been destroyed. The results of that destruction was explained in earlier notes.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

Please see the note for Luke 1:29 about the word cast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'In general "to throw," with various degrees of violence; usually, with force, but not so necessarily, as e.g. in cast a net," cast lots'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:8-10 about the phrase cast down. Please also see the note for Mark 9:28 about the phrase cast out. Please also see the note for Romans C11S1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people.

Please see the note for Luke 9:5 about the word dust. Easton's Bible Dictionary tells us that: 'To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Jos 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa 47:1). "Dust" is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). "To shake off the dust from one's feet" against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Mt 10:14; Ac 13:51). to "lick the dust" is a sign of abject submission (Ps 72:9); and to throw dust at one is a sign of abhorrence (2Sa 16:13; comp. Ac 22:23)'.

Please see the note for John 6:16-17 about the word ship. The functional definition for this word is: 'For the most part, in the Bible, these are now called fishing boats. However, at times, including every sentence in Revelation, this word includes all types of boats which go on the sea'.

Please see the notes for Romans C11S35 and Colossians C1S6 about the word riches. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. this is in the singular number in fact, but treated as the plural. 1. Wealth; opulence; affluence; possessions of land, good or money in abundance. Riches do not consist in having more gold and silver, but in having more in proportion than our neighbors. 2. Splendid sumptuous appearance. the riches of heav'n's pavement, trodden gold. 3. In Scripture, an abundance of spiritual blessings. Luke 16. the riches of God, his fulness of wisdom, power, mercy, grace and glory, Eph. 1, 2; or the abundance supplied by his works. Ps. 104. the riches of Christ, his abundant fulness of spiritual and eternal blessings for men. Eph. 3. the riches of a state or kingdom, consist less in a full treasury than in the productiveness of its soil and manufactures, and in the industry of its inhabitants'. The note for Romans has links to every place where forms of this word are used in the New Testament along with a short note about the usage. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S2 about the word enriched.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:10 about the word reason. The functional definition for this word is: 'That which is thought or which is alleged in words, as the ground or cause of opinion, conclusion or determination. I have reasons which I may choose not to disclose. You ask me my reasons. I freely give my reasons. the judge assigns good reasons for his opinion, reasons which justify his decision'.

We find forms of the words cost / costliness in: 2Samuel 19:42; 2Samuel 24:24; 1Kings 5:17; 1Kings 7:9-11; 1Chronicles 21:24; Luke 14:28; John 12:3; 1Timothy 2:9; Revelation 18:19. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. the price, value or equivalent of a thing purchased; the amount in value paid, charge or engaged to be paid for anything bought or taken in barter. the word is equally applicable to the price in money or commodities; as the cost of a suit of clothes; the cost of a house or farm. 2. Expense; amount in value expended or to be expended; charge; that which is given or to be given for another thing. I will not offer burnt offerings without cost. 1 Chronicles 21. Have we eaten at all at the kings cost? 2 Samuel 19. The cost of maintaining armies is immense and often ruinous. 3. In law, the sum fixed by law or allowed by the court for charges of a suit awarded against the party losing, in favor of the party prevailing, etc. the jury find that the plaintiff recover of the defendant ten dollars with costs of suit or with his cost. 4. Loss or expense of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering. the vicious man indulges his propensities at a great cost. 5. Sumptuousness; great expense.
COST, v.t. the noun cost coincides in most of these languages with coast and L. Costa, a rib, the exterior part. the primary sense of the verb is, to throw or send out, to cast, as we say, to lay out. I call this a transitive verb. In the phrase, a hat costs six dollars, the sense is, it expends, lays out, or causes to be laid out six dollars. 1. to require to be given or expend in barter or purchase; to be bought for; as, this book cost a dollar; the army and navy cost four millions a year. 2. to require to be laid out, given, bestowed or employed; as, Johnsons Dictionary cost him seven years labor. 3. to require to be borne or suffered. Our sins cost us many pains. A sense of ingratitude to his maker costs the penitent sinner many pangs and sorrows'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they cast. Jos 7:6; 1Sa 4:12; 2Sa 13:19; Ne 9:1; Job 2:12; Eze 27:30 weeping. Re 18:10,15-16 General references. exp: Ex 11:6; Jer 49:25; 51:54.'.

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C18-S17 (Verse 19) People realize that the city is completely destroyed.
for in one hour is she made desolate

This sentence tells us that people realized how quickly God completely destroyed this great city. That made them, finally, get the start of an idea of how much power God has and also realize the probable end of their starting a fight with God.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for 18:17-18.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'for. Re 18:8 exp: Isa 47:5; Re 18:10. General references. exp: Ex 11:6; Jer 49:25; 51:54.'.

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C18-S18 (Verse 20) there is an opposite reaction in Heaven.

First Step: Everyone in heaven rejoices.

Rejoice over her,
thou heaven,
and ye holy apostles and prophets;

Second Step: Why.

for God hath avenged you on her.

Please notice that our Second Step says: for God hath avenged you on her. Romans 12:19 says: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. The note in the Book Study on that verse gives links to many references in the word of God to where we find God say variations on Vengeance is mine. All of these people in heaven did not get their own vengeance but, by faith, left it up to God. And, here we read that they rejoiced in the fulfillment of their true Biblical faith. It is not about the destruction but about God doing what is right, especially since false religion calls God a liar and claims that God will not punish sin.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here we see the apostles, the prophets, and all of heaven (which includes the angels and saints and martyrs) rejoicing for God has avenged them and dealt justly with Babylon and its denizens. God has brought to fruition what the prophets prophesied of, he has brought forth what the apostles spoke of, God has fulfilled his promise of vengeance to the tribulation saints, for Babylon is fallen and so the heavens ring with the sounds of joy and celebration. Justice has been done. Sin and evil, the beast and his empire have suffered the wrath of God.
And then in the remaining verses of the chapter we see an angel give a demonstration of how complete the fall and destruction of Babylon will be.'.

Please also see the notes for John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11; Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. The functional definition for this word is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'. Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The functional definition for this word is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the word enjoy.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about the word holy. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'a. 1. Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, Godly. Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 pet.1. 2. Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God; a sense frequent in Scripture; as the holy sabbath; holy oil; holy vessels; a holy nation; the holy temple; a holy priesthood. 3. Proceeding from pious principles, or directed to pious purposes; as holy zeal. 4. Perfectly just and good; as the holy law of God. 5. Sacred; as a holy witness. Holy of holies, in Scripture, the innermost apartment of the Jewish tabernacle or temple, where the ark was kept, and where no person entered, except the high priest, once a year. Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, the Divine Spirit; the third person in the Trinity; the sanctifier of souls. Holy war, a war undertaken to rescue the holy land, the ancient Judea, from the infidels; a crusade; an expedition carried on by Christians against the Saracens in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries; a war carried on in a most unholy manner'. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city. Please also see the Word Study on the Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost. Please also see the note for 1John 2:20 about the phrase Holy One. Please also see the Significant Gospel Events for this, and other, Minor Titles of the Son of God. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase indwelling Holy Spirit.

Please see the notes for Luke 1:76; Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5 and Jude about the word prophet. In addition, false prophets are covered in the Study called False things according to the Bible. The most popular religious definition for this word is: 'someone who foretells the future'. However, that definition tends to limit the thinking of people to only those statements when, actually, the majority of their message was doctrinal. Please also see the note for John 1:45 about the phrase law and the prophets. Please also see the links for Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Gospel Significant Events Study and the New Testament Significant Events Study.

Please see the note for Acts 7:24 about the word avenge The functional definition for this word is: 'To take satisfaction for an injury by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on the wrong doer. Also see revenge and revenger'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Rejoice. Re 19:1-3; Jg 5:31; Ps 48:11; 58:10; 96:11-13; 107:42; 109:28; Pr 11:10; Isa 44:23; 49:13; Jer 51:47-48 exp: Re 12:12. and ye. It is peculiarly worthy of remark, that the apostles, who are idolatrously honoured at Rome, and daily worshipped, should be specially mentioned as rejoicing in her fall; as if it "avenged them" on her, for the dishonour cast on their characters, while it vindicated the glory of God. Eph 2:20; 3:5; 4:11; 2Pe 3:2; Jude 1:17 God. Re 6:10; 19:2; De 32:42; Ps 18:47; 94:1; Isa 26:21; Lu 11:49-50; 18:7-8 General references. exp: 2Ch 23:21; Ps 92:4; Isa 14:3; 34:8; 63:4; Jer 51:24; 2Th 1:6.'.

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C18-S19 (Verse 21) How Babylon the great is destroyed.

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone,
and cast it into the sea,
saying,
Thus, with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down,
and shall be found no more at all.

This sentence was discussed in priorsentences where we were told about the reactions on Earth.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'What we are given here is a very vivid picture of the sheer violence and suddenness of Babylon’s fall. this angel takes a great millstone, a stone which is great and heavy and used to crush whatever is before it, which is symbolic of Babylon who in her power and glory crushed and overcame all before her, for as we have seen all have fallen before her, all worship the Beast, all succumbed to her seductions, yet with a great splash, the angel flings the millstone into the sea and as it strikes the waters with a splash, the force of the mighty weight thrusts water into the air, causing a great upheaval in the water’s surface; and it instantly sinks below the surface, in its wake there is an outrushing of ringlets from the point of impact, and as the waters close over the stone it disappears from sight. With suddenness, violence and completeness the millstone vanishes and thus this portrays Babylon’s fall. One moment she stands, the next she is in ruins, cast down. Never, no more, to be found again. Notice the multiple uses of no more in the following verses…'.

Please see the note for Luke 17:2 about the word millstone. The functional definition for this word is: 'A stone used for grinding grain'. Please see the note for 1Peter 2:4-5 about the word stone. The functional definition for this word is: 'he same composition as a rock or a pebble but with a size between them'. Please also see the note for Luke 17:28-29 about the word brimstone. Please also see the note for Ephesians 2:20 about the phrase corner stone. Please also see the note for Luke 17:2 about the word millstone. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the phrase precious stones. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events Study for the title of stone.

Please see the note for Acts 5:26 about the word violence. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. violentia. 1. Physical force; strength of action or motion; as the violence of a storm; the violence of a blow or of a conflict. 2. Moral force; vehemence. the critic attacked the work with violence. 3. Outrage; unjust force; crimes of all kinds. the earth was filled with violence. Gen. 6. 4. Eagerness; vehemence. You ask with violence. 5. Injury; infringement. Offer no violence to the laws, or to the rules of civility. 6. Injury; hurt. Do violence to no man. Luke 3. 7. Ravishment; rape. to do violence to or on, to attack; to murder. But, as it seems, did violence on herself. to do violence to, to outrage; to force; to injure. He does violence to his own opinions'. Please also see the note for Mark 5:13 about the word violent.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a mighty. this was to represent the violence of her fall, and that she should never rise again; which is further illustrated by varied emphatic expressions taken from the ancient prophets. But Rome is still standing and flourishing, and honoured by many nations as the metropolis of the Christian world; she still resounds with singers and musicians; she still excels in arts, which serve for pomp and luxury; she still abounds with candles, and lamps, and orches, burning even by day, as well as by night; and consequently this prophecy has not been, but remains to fulfilled. Thus. Ex 15:5; Ne 9:11; Jer 51:63-64 exp: Jer 26:19. and shall. Re 18:22; 12:8; 16:20; 20:11; Job 20:8; Ps 37:36; Eze 26:21; Da 11:19 General references. exp: Isa 13:20; Jer 50:39.'.

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C18-S20 (Verse 22-23) No more civilization in Babylon the great.

Equivalent Section: No more sounds of civilization in Babylon the great.

First Step: No more music.

And the voice of harpers,
and musicians,
and of pipers,
and trumpeters,
shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Second Step: no more industry.

and no craftsman,
of whatsoever craft he be,
shall be found any more in thee;

Third Step: No more cooking.

and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Fifth Step: No more living there.

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee;

Sixth Step: No more celebrations there.

and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee

Equivalent Section: Why.

First Step: Everyone who died were considered to be great.

for thy merchants were the great men of the earth;

Second Step: they produced real and pretend miracles.

for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Once more God has John write a very clear message which He wants everyone to understand. Everything in this sentence is clear on the surface and there is no symbolism. Between the titles in the sentence outline, above, and the details in the Word Studies, below, everyone should understand the message of this sentence. God wants everyone to understand that he will completely destroy false religion and the government and economy which join with the false religion to addict everyone to lies and doctrines of devils so that they can have more physical riches and power among men.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The chapter ends by giving us one more reason for Babylon’s judgment and fall, she has blood on her hands…'.

Please see the note for Revelation 5:8 about the word harp. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(Heb kinnor), the national instrument of the Hebrews. It was invented by Jubal (Ge 4:21). Some think the word kinnor denotes the whole class of stringed instruments. It was used as an accompaniment to songs of cheerfulness as well as of praise to God (Ge 31:27; 1Sa 16:23; 2Ch 20:28; Ps 33:2; 137:2).
In Solomon's time harps were made of almug-trees (1Ki 10:11-12). In 1Ch 15:21 mention is made of "harps on the Sheminith;" Revised Version, "harps set to the Sheminith;" better perhaps "harps of eight strings." the soothing effect of the music of the harp is referred to 1Sa 16:16,23; 18:10; 19:9. the church in heaven is represented as celebrating the triumphs of the Redeemer "harping with their harps" (Re 14:2)'.

The word musician identifies 'people who make music'. Please see the note for Luke 15:25 about the words music / musick. The functional definition for this word is: 'Jubal was the inventor of musical instruments (Ge 4:21). the Hebrews were much given to the cultivation of music. their whole history and literature afford abundant evidence of this'.

The word pipers identifies 'people who played musical pipes'. Please see the note for Luke 7:32 about the word piped. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'ppr. Playing on a pipe'.

The word trumpeters identifies 'people who blew a trumpet'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S8 about the word trumpet. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. 1. A wind instrument of music, used chiefly in war and military exercises. It is very useful also at sea, in speaking with ships. there is a speaking trumpet, and a hearing trumpet. they both consist of long tubular bodies, nearly in the form of a parabolic conoid, with wide mouths. the trumpet's loud clangor Excites us to arms. 2. In the military style, a trumpeter. He wisely desired that a trumpet might be first sent for a pass. 3. One who praises or propagates praise, or is the instrument or propagating it. A great politician was pleased to be the trumpet of his praises'.

The word craftsman identifies 'people who do a craft'. Please see the note for Acts 18:3 about the word craft. The functional definition for this word is: 'Ability to make something'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S21 about the word crafty. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word witchcraft.

The word found is the past-tense form of the word find. The word found is the past-tense form of the word find. Please see the note for John 1:41 about the word find. The functional definition for this word is: 'Literally, to come to; to meet; hence, to discover by the eye; to gain first sight or knowledge of something lost; to recover either by searching for it or by accident'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C13S1 about the word sound. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines sound as: 'a. L. sanus. 1. Entire; unbroken; not shaky, split or defective; as sound timber. 2. Undecayed; whole; perfect, or not defective; as sound fruit; a sound apple or melon. 3. Unbroken; not bruised or defective; not lacerated or decayed; as a sound limb. 4. Not carious; not decaying; as a sound tooth. 5. Not broken or decayed; not defective; as a sound ship. 6. Whole; entire; unhurt; unmutilated; as a sound body. 7. Healthy; not diseased; not being in a morbid state; having all the org and complete and in perfect action; as a sound body; sound health; a sound constitution; a sound man; a sound horse. 8. Founded in truth; firm; strong; valid; solid; that cannot be overthrown or refuted; as sound reasoning; a sound argument; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound principles. 9. Right; correct; well founded; free form error; orthodox. II Tim 1. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes. Ps. 119. 10. Heavy; laid on with force; as sound strokes; a sound beating. 11. Founded in right and law; legal; valid; not defective; that cannot be overthrown; as a sound title to land; sound justice. 12. Fast; profound; undisturbed; as sound sleep. 13. Perfect, as intellect; not broken or defective; not enfeebled by age or accident; not wild or wandering; not deranged; as a sound mind; a sound understanding or reason.
SOUND, adv. Soundly; heartily. So sound he slept that nought might him awake'.

Please see the note for Luke 8:16 about the word candle. The functional definition for this word is: 'The Hebrew word denotes properly any kind of candle or lamp or torch. It is used as a figure of conscience (Pr 20:27), of a Christian example (Mt 5:14- 15), and of prosperity (Job 21:17; Pr 13:9)'. Please also see the note for Mark 4:21 about the word candlestick.

Please see the note for Matthew 5:16 about the word shine. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit lightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day; the moon shines by night. Shining differs from sparkling, glistening, glittering, as it usually implies a steady radiation or emission of light, whereas the latter words usually imply irregular or interrupted radiation. this distinction is not always not always observed, and we may say, the fixed stars shine, as well as they sparkle. But we never say the sun or the moon sparkles. 2. to be bright; to be lively and animated; to be brilliant. Let thine eyes shine forth in their full luster. Denham. 3. to be unclouded; as, the moon shines'. The word shineth. means: 'An ongoing lifestyle shining'.

Please see the notes for John 3:29 and Matthew 9:15 about the words bride / bridegroom. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines these words as: 'frequently used in the ordinary sense (Isa 49:18; 61:10, etc.). the relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride (Joh 3:29). the church is called "the bride" (Re 21:9; 22:17). Compare parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt 25:1-13)'.

Please see the note for Acts 8:9 about the word sorcery. The functional definition for this word is: 'Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits. Adder's wisdom I have learn'd to fence my ears against the sorceries'. Please also see the note for Acts 13:6 about the word sorcerer.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S15 and 1Corinthians C3S18 about the word deceived. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines deceived as 'pp. Misled; led into error; beguiled; cheated; deluded.'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S3 about the phrase deceiveth himself.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the voice. Isa 24:8-9; Jer 7:34; 16:9; 25:10; 33:11; Eze 26:13 exp: Re 18:23. General references. exp: Isa 13:20; 24:8; Jer 50:39; Eze 26:13.
the light. Re 22:5; Job 21:17; Pr 4:18-19; 24:20 the voice. Re 18:22 thy merchants. Re 18:3,11-19; Isa 23:8; Eze 27:24-25,33-34 for. Re 18:3,9; 12:9; 13:13-16; 17:2,5; 21:8; 22:15; 2Ki 9:22; Isa 47:9; Na 3:4; Ac 8:11 General references. exp: Pr 7:12; Isa 13:20; Jer 50:39; Eze 26:13; Re 17:2.'.

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C18-S21 (Verse 24) the final reason for the judgment of Babylon the great.

And in her was found the blood of prophets,
and of saints,
and of all that were slain upon the earth.

This sentence is a statement of why God judged her like He did. Now, many might believe that our sentence says that Babylon the great existed all throughout history in one form or another. That is not true. Babylon the great is what Satan has tried to do all throughout history, at least since Nimrod. However, when someone restarts a lifestyle of sin and doctrines which God has already destroyed, God counts them guilty of all of the sins done previously because of that sinful lifestyle or doctrine. That is a major danger to trying to restore old religions like people are trying to do today. No, Babylon the great has not existed continuously but Satan's attempt to get men to follow that plan has continued throughout history.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Political and religious Babylon are both guilty of this…Re 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Babylon was a murderer, a harlot, a thief, a liar, a blasphemer, a drunkard, a fornicator, an idolater, she was vulgar, perverted, filthy, greedy, prideful and horrendously wicked. She tried to set up a one world faith, a one world ruler, a one world heathen god, a one world currency, with her at its center, but she fell, and God had the victory. Babylon epitomizes everything that God is not, and when placed head to head with Him, she comes out the loser.
And I think some scripture from James would fit nicely to what we have just seen in ch18. Jas 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.'.

Please see the note for Luke 9:22 about the word slain. The functional definition for this word is: 'pp. of slay; so written for slayen. Killed'. Please also see the note for Luke 11:49-51 about the word slay.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'in her. Re 11:7; 16:6; 17:6; 19:2; Jer 2:34; Eze 22:9,12,27; Da 7:21; Mt 23:27; Lu 11:47-51; Ac 7:52; 1Th 2:15 were. Jer 51:49 General references. exp: Jer 50:39; 51:24; 2Th 1:6; Heb 12:4.'.

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Interpretive Study of Revelation 17-18

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation Chapter 17

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary: the system of false religion.

Revelation Chapter 18

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary: the destruction of Babylon the great.

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