Chapter 11
The Serpent, The Beasts and The Harlot
The Book of Revelations reveals to God’s people His plan of reconciliation. We are shown the salvation of those who have put their faith in Christ and the fate of those who resist His love and continue in rebellion. Contained also in the book is an insight into the enemy’s attempt to thwart the plan of God. These mysteries are presented to us in symbolic language to show the nature of these things that are spiritually inspired. Deciphering the symbolism makes it difficult to fully uncover these mysteries. Knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament provide us with some help, but not everything is clearly defined. Future events will unfold in a world that looks a lot different than it did when John received this revelation.
For many of us, these images of the serpent, beasts, and the harlot have been explained in various ways throughout the years as we have studied the Bible. I have not come to a definite conclusion as to the exact meaning of some of these images. I think that it is important that we do not lock our thinking in concerning them lest we blinder ourselves to the truth when the events surrounding them begin to happen. There were prophesies concerning Christ first coming that may have seemed strange, but when the actual event took place, these prophesies mirrored the events perfectly.
For example: “Thus says the LORD, ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.’” (Jer 31:15 NAS)
If you had heard Jeremiah speak this prophecy what would you have thought it meant? Yet when it was fulfilled as Herod had all the babies killed in the vicinity of Bethlehem, it became crystal clear. It will be the same way when prophesies that are recorded in Revelation come to pass, they will be clear to those who are paying close attention. It will be of great comfort to those who are looking for Christ’s return to know that the events that happen in our time will not interfere with God’s plan of redemption.
The Serpent
“And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Re 12:9 NAS)
The image of the serpent should not be a mystery to anyone because it is so clearly defined. That serpent of old is the same one that was in the Garden of Eden. The image of the serpent helps us understand the nature of Satan, who also is called by many names, the devil, the evil one, the father of lies, the dragon, etc…
Beasts
The beasts in the Book of Revelation are a complicated lot. What makes it more confusing is that in the KJV of the Bible the four living creatures that John sees in Heaven are referred to as beasts. In the later translations, they are referred to as living creatures, which is a more accurate translation. Later in the book, we see other beasts. In the original Greek text, there was a different word that was interpreted as beast here in the KJV. The definition of this word is a wild animal or dangerous animal.
“1 ¶ And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Re 13:1-2 NAS)
Obviously, this is not simply an animal you will find at the zoo. If you made an effort to draw the creature described here, it would present a very complicated picture. I cannot fully explain everything about this picture, but I will try to point you in the right direction. This beast has a more in-depth explanation later in chapter seventeen from which I draw some of my conclusions.
The beast rising out of the sea represents an empire that has arisen from the nations of the world (sea). The seven heads represent seven rulers at different time periods. It is possible that they reigned from different geographical locations. This is an empire built upon the influences of Satan, its power and authority come from the dragon. Satan’s goal has been for a one world government and many attempts have been made through the ages. There were seven heads and the eighth is one of the seven that has been revived. This is the one that was wounded but later came back to life.
Because of the different perspectives given about this beast, it has been interpreted in various ways. Even as the angel tells John, “I shall tell you the mystery of the woman and the beast,” we are still left with questions. The beast with seven heads and ten horns seems to represent the dominant world power that has the goal of total domination. The seven heads represent the hills on which the harlot sits. They also represent seven kings. Further, John was told that five of them are fallen and one is and one is to come. The kingdom that was reigning in John’s day was Rome. The seventh kingdom had not yet risen and the eighth kingdom was to be one of the seven that recovered from a fatal wound.
“The beast that you saw was and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.” (Re 17:8 NAS)
The beast that was and is not seems to be referring to the eighth king that was represented by one of the seven heads. That kingdom reigned and then was conquered and died. But it is to be resurrected from the grave and will eventually be destroyed at Christ’s return.
There is also the matter of the ten horns which are ten kings or nations that will exist in these end times and they will purpose to submit their power and authority to this final beast. In this final period of this age, the beast will be granted power and authority over all the nations of the earth and it was given unto him make war with the saints and overcome them.
“And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.” (Re 13:5 NAS)
The beast in this final stage has taken on a persona and is referred to as if it is a man. And so it seems like it will be a man, a man full of the spirit of Satan, an anti-Christ who embodies evil as Christ embodies righteousness. Since this is Satan’s man his goal is to fulfill Satan’s desires that exceed mere control, for more than anything he wishes to be worshiped to rob God of the glory of His creation.
“11 ¶ And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.” (Re 13:11-12 NAS)
This beast is a man. He is presenting himself as a lamb, but he is not Jesus or a savior. When he speaks he echoes the agenda of the dragon. He has the same authority as the first beast that is ruling over the nations of the earth. He causes those who live on the earth to worship the beast. How would he do this? How could he make people be worshipers of the State? As personified in his description he is a master of deception.
What we have experienced in the last couple of years helps us understand how people could possibly be convinced to focus their worship on the beast. For many years government’s role in people’s lives has been gradually increasing. Government has taken over education, jobs, welfare, and healthcare to the point that many people have become totally dependent upon it. And then COVID-19 hit and overnight that subtle grip clamped down. The tools that had been prepared for this time began to exert their power. Propaganda was presented as news, speech that was not government approved was stifled, fear was promoted, and government was presented as the savior. As governments use their tools to get control of the essential elements of a society, the population becomes dependent on government for their basic needs. As government becomes your source of food, housing, and healthcare it soon begins to replace God in people’s thinking. With its control of your necessities, it can demand your allegiance if you wish to receive your allotted portion. Worship the beast.
“13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.” (Re 13:13-14 NAS)
This second beast that has come along provides the means to convince those that are reluctant to go along with the agenda. He is able to impress people with miraculous signs that he performs. He is as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, for he is a beast, not the lamb he appears to be. He is able to convince people to make an image that represents the power that rules their lives, this world’s governing body. But we must not forget where these beasts have obtained their power and authority from. Satan, the dragon, is the power and influence behind all of this. The image that is created is not described here, but the worship of this image amounts to worship of the dragon.
The Image
“15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” (Re 13:15-17 NAS)
God does not want us to worship an image of Him. A physical image simply cannot embody the realities of who God is. He has chosen to reveal Himself through the Word and His presence. But if we were to be in the presence of Satan and reflect on his deceptive words and actions, we would be repelled and not drawn unto Him like we are to our loving heavenly Father.
Images have been used throughout history to provide a focus for people as they are enticed by false religions. Behind all of these religions is the influence of Satan as he attempts to deceive people. It is not surprising as we see Satan’s final attempt to deceive the nations that an image is erected to focus people’s attention and worship. This image will surpass any that have been created before. This is not a creation of Satan rather he deceives people into creating an image that they in turn worship.
“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Ge 3:5 NAS)
The deception of Satan continues to convince people that they can be like God, worship the works of their hand and decide what is good and what is evil.
Never before in history has the reality of the fulfillment of these verses been as achievable as it is today with our modern technology. Today we are capable of creating an image that seems to be alive, that can move and speak. We are also seeing the beginnings of artificial intelligence. We have cars that make decisions as they drive down the road, often moral decisions.
Deceptions are often illusions, for it only seems like machines can think for themselves. The reality is that they have been programmed and the influence of the programmer is essential for any machine to learn. People are now being groomed into believing than we can create machines that will eventually be able to make better decisions that we can. No matter how elaborate the system it still amounts to man usurping the authority of the creator. Satan continues to try to deceive people into thinking that they know better than God what would be best for them. This pride is not based upon truth or logic. Pride comes before a fall.
The created and orchestrated “pandemic” of COVID-19 has illustrated how easily people are willing to conform because of fear and manipulation. Five years ago we could not have imagined the polarization of information and conformance to the demands being imposed worldwide. The beasts have not as yet revealed their positive identity, but the reality of the world falling under the power of these two has become apparent. As the world drifts further from God we are seeing the effects of a great falling away. It is past time for the church to wake up.
“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” (Re 13:18 NAS)
I have lived in an age of rapid technological advances. Because of this, there have been numerous predictions of what the mark of the beast will consist of and how it will be administered. The means and desire of those who govern to mark us make the mark of the beast possible and achievable when the right people are in power. But God has given us wisdom. It is the number of a man. We are to worship God and Him alone. If we trust God we will never fall under the power of Satan. We must remember that he is subtle as he seeks to deceive the world. If we continue in faith God will give us the courage to overcome any and everything that Satan can throw at us. God has confidence that His children will overcome, for it is written in the Book.
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.” (Re 12:11 NAS)
The Harlot
“3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, 5 and upon her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Re 17:3-5 NAS)
When John saw this woman who was drunk with the blood of the saints and those who had the witness of Jesus, he wondered greatly. Even after an angel explains to John the mystery of the woman we are still left with questions.
She sits on many waters, which represent the tribes and nations of the world. She has influenced the kings of the earth to do acts of immorality. She is described as “Babylon the Great,” a city of great influence and wealth of all kinds. Through her seductions, she has spread her immorality throughout the world. She sits as a queen and in her arrogance, she considers herself immortal. But who is this harlot and what great city fits her description?
We do know that she is riding the beast, that final kingdom that rules the earth. But the beast and the ten kings that have given their allegiance to the beast hate her. The beast and the ten kings turn on her in the end and bring about her dramatic and total destruction in a day.
Because of the focus of attention and great detail recorded in Revelation, there has been a great deal of speculation concerning the harlot. Rome and the Catholic Church have been the targets of speculation since Martin Luther’s day. Since then there has been speculation that it might be New York, Jerusalem, or a rebuilt Babylon. The idea that seems to fit best in my opinion is that of Saudi Arabia and the city of Mecca.
I will not go into depth as to why I am leaning toward Mecca but I will point out that this is the holiest city of Islam. It would be easy to see Mecca as a harlot that enticed people to worship a false religion rather than the true God. The Saudis have exercised great influence because of their wealth and have promoted Islam across the West. The roots of their religion go back to that ancient city of Babylon and even further back to Babel. From there all false religions have arisen.
The Harlot is described as being the mother of harlots and the abominations of earth. First, we need to understand what the scriptural definition of a harlot is. In the physical sense, it is a woman who chooses to have sex outside of marriage. In a spiritual sense, harlotry is equated to idolatry in the Scripture. So, the mother of harlots, mystery Babylon, is that great seducing spirit that has promoted idolatry. Every false religion could fit the description of being a harlot and promoting idolatry. Throughout history kings and rulers have embraced religions that would provide a sense of authenticity to their position as rulers. At times religious leaders would exercise great influence over kings and rulers. All of these religions are rooted in the influence of Satan. Like any good harlot they try to present an attractive image, but death and destruction lies in their wake.
“And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered greatly.” (Re 17:6 NAS)
From the tales of Gilgamesh to the new age movements of our day, false religions and their man-made gods have been a bloodthirsty bunch. War, murder, slavery, torture, and human sacrifices are all products of these false religions. Through abominable practices these harlots pervert that which was good and holy and make it vile and despicable. With glitter and paint, they disguise their evil intent and seduce with lies and false promises.
All of this has Satan’s fingerprints all over it and the Harlot of Revelation is drunk with the blood of the saints. One of her distinguishing features is that she is associated with a city, Mystery Babylon. This city has had a great influence on the kings of the earth and is extremely wealthy. The corrupt Catholic Church and its influence with the nations of the earth and their persecution of Christians and its association with Rome, make it a good candidate. Also, Islam, which influences many nations and its wars on the Jews and Christianity and its association with Mecca, makes it a good candidate. I propose these two just as examples, because I do not have enough knowledge to know for sure.
16 “And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Re 17:16-18 NAS)
The Harlot has influenced the nations of the earth and she comes riding on the Beast. Satan has used the Harlot for his purpose to seduce mankind with lies and promises. She is drunk with the blood of the saints. But as Satan’s earthly kingdom is finally taking shape he has no more use for her. It is his image that is being raised up and all are required to worship Satan. This is Satan’s time so the Harlot must go and she is destroyed.
Speculation
I have tried to present these things briefly without too much speculation. Some of these things are not clear enough to me so that I can boldly declare that I know exactly what the future holds. Again I want to remind you that the most important thing is that we are ready when our Lord comes back. When He comes back we should be found being about our father’s business, for the time is short.