Read Revelation 17:7-8.
With so much symbolism in the book of Revelation, it is nice to have a portion interpreted for us by the writer. I think for many readers of the revelation, we can identify with John’s response to all the symbolism when he says, “I was greatly astonished.” The interpretation is a welcome departure from the norm. The woman, the beast and his features, the waters – they are all identified for us in the coming verses. Let’s take a moment and dissect one of the characters of this end time prophecy…
The beast on which the woman rides is the same beast of the sea of Rev. 13. If you have time, it is worthwhile to go back and read the first half of Rev. 13. As noted during the exposition of Rev. 13 last month, this beast is the Antichrist who will become a world ruler and will be worshipped by all the peoples of the world (Rev. 13:4, 8). He is the man of lawlessness of 2 Thessalonians who will be revealed prior to Christ’s return and will proclaim himself to be God (2Thes. 2:3-4). He is Daniel’s “little horn” of his 4th beast who will rise to power out of a coming federation of kingdoms (to be explained later) (Dan. 7:8, 24-25). And lastly, he will be completely destroyed after rising to power (2 Thess. 2:3, 8; Dan. 7:26; 11:45). There is much to be found in the Scriptures regarding this Antichrist figure, and more will be said when we come to v. 11. For now it is clear that he will be to the world what Christ is to Christians. Unlike Christ, however, the Antichrist will give the illusion that he will save the world, but in fact his rise will result in the destruction of the world.
Being described as one who “once was, now is not, and yet will come” (v. 8), he will gain a great following. This is a reference to Rev. 13:3 where the beast is said to have had a fatal wound that had been healed astonishing the whole world and causing them to follow him. As said earlier, this beast will have the appearance of a messiah, deceiving the world into following after him.
What are we to learn from this? What are we to take away from this record of the coming Antichrist? Let us be encouraged that we know what is coming. When I look at the world’s reaction to the rising of the Antichrist, the fatal wounding of the beast, and his subsequent healing, the world is said to be astonished (Rev. 13:3; 17:8). The ones who are astonished are described as those “whose names have not been written in the book of life” (Rev. 17:8). As God’s children, we are not part of that group. These events should come as no surprise to us. I for one am thankful that this revelation, though difficult to understand as it is, will enable me to be ready when its events begin to unfold. Deception is certainly less likely for those whose minds are aware and whose eyes are open. Praise God for giving us His Word that we might be ready for the end to come.
-Mike