I’m going to preface this message with an explanation about what I believe John is showing us in Rev.17 about the beast with 7 heads and 10 horns being ridden by the harlot. What is being shown to us when John says what he saw the beast looks like is the complete prophecy fulfilled from the time the woman begins riding the beast till 3 of the 10 kings are plucked up by the roots that begins the reign of antichrist.
Our model for understanding this is found in the explanation in Rev.17 about the 7 heads on the beast. From this we can see that the various parts John describes about the beast are not all there yet as he is writing the letter. Because he says of the 7 heads, “5 have fallen, one is, and one is yet to come”.
This is why this image John gives us of a beast with 7 heads and 10 horns must be understood to be coming together over time as the prophecies concerning the various parts come to pass. And were not all there as John was shown it from the beginning of the harlot’s ride.
Having said that I hope you will be able to follow me in this message about the timing of the beast making war with the saints and overcoming them. Keeping in mind that the various parts on the beast manifest themselves over time as each part has their turn in the prophecies concerning them.
We are shown 2 beasts in Rev.13. One is the same beast we see in Rev.17 and in Dan.7. The other is also the same beast, with the exception that now instead of 10 kings there will be 7, or a harlot riding it. This beast is characterized by what will now be its 2 main characters that are 2 horns like a lamb, and a mouth that speaks as a dragon.
We need to be careful not to think of these beasts as men as some do. Because in Rev.17 we are shown this can not be. Because here we see the woman riding the beast that has 7 heads and 10 horns. So if this beast is the antichrist or false prophet as some say Rev.13 describes. Then they would have the woman riding the person that is antichrist during the 6th empire reign that is Rome.
But, John makes it clear, as does also Paul in 2Thes.2, that the antichrist himself, or man of sin as Paul calls him, wasn’t there when he wrote 1John4:3 when Rome, what John calls the harlot that rides the beast, was ruling.
He does however say that the antichrist spirit was already here. A spirit he said is in the gnostic doctrine that says Jesus did not come in the same flesh all men have. A gnostic doctrine also contained in the original sin and sin nature doctrine that caused the strong delusion to come upon all those who love not the truth. But, not the antichrist himself. But, that he would come later.
So the beasts we see here are functioning world systems that have carried through all of history. Not individual men. The first one in Rev.13 is the system characterized as 10 kings or horns that have destroyed the woman/harlot that was riding the beast system since the days when John wrote his epistles and Revelation.
In vs.7 we see that this is the system that “makes war with the saints and overcomes them”. And we also see that this beast is given its power to do this. And by what or who the beast system is that gives it its power shows which beast system it is. One having 10 horns. The other having 7. I’ll show you why.
The answer to this is found in vs.14,15 where we are told that the mouth that speaks as a dragon that is the second beast system mentioned in this chapter “deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
What we are seeing here is the mouth that speaks as a dragon of the 8th empire, which is also known as the little horn of Dan.7, and the antichrist of 1John4:3, telling people to worship the 7th empire beast system. And backing up what he is saying with “miracles he had power to do in the sight of the beast”. The beast system that went before him.
So this worship spoken of here is a loyalty and allegiance to the beast system that was here before antichrist came on the scene. Loyalty and allegiance that will eventually be made known and sealed by the causing of all who worship the beast to take a mark in the right hand or forehead.
So this is the beast that “makes war with the saints and overcomes them”. Both the first beast we see in Rev.13 and the next beast who has a mouth that speaks as a dragon and 2 horns like a lamb.
Tribulation saints will have to take the mark of these beasts in order to be able to buy or sell. And even face death if they still do not comply.
It will be at a time when the antichrist, “the mouth that speaks as a dragon”, and the little horn of Dan.7, has already “plucked up 3 of the ten horns by the roots”. Leaving 7 who will do his bidding as they make war with the saints.
These are also who John says will “make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Found in Rev.17:14.
Who are those John says are with Jesus when He comes. John says they are the “called, and chosen, and faithful”. So these are New Covenant believers who died in faith during the New Covenant. As well as those who were “caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” as 1Thes.4:17 says.
This is why John says “and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful”. Showing that Jesus does not come alone to defeat the armies of antichrist. But, that all who have trusted in Him in the previous dispensation will be there too.
But, before all this happens the destruction of the harlot and her 6th head empire mystery Babylon system will be destroyed. We are shown this in Rev.17,18. To make way for her destroyers, the 10 kings. These will usher in and rule during the 7th head empire.
And this is exactly what I believe we are seeing play out in the world today. A change of empires as described in Rev.17,18. After which there will be a short space for their reign. Soon to give way for antichrist when he rises up among the 10 kings by plucking up 3 of them by the roots.
A time I believe Paul was referring to in 1Thes.5:3 when men will be saying “peace and safety”. Followed by the sudden destruction of the great tribulation.
Is it possible that the 3 that are plucked up are plucked up because they will not go along with antichrist’s program? Is it possible that 3 of the 10 kings/horns destroy the harlot for the good of mankind? And not just for their own glory? And that they are patriotic, and therefore seek vengeful upon her for her abominations?
Or could it be that antichrist simply wants to make the point that all who will not worship the beast and his image will suffer the same fate? I believe that either is a possible reason for why he plucks them up.
I also believe this is why we see that all that is left when he takes power are those who will worship the beast system that went before him as Rev.13:12 says he will tell them to. And it’s image as vs.15 says.
At the same time we are told about 2 others who are representative of the 8th beast system. These are the 2 horns like a lamb. So these have authority given to them by God as is represented by the horns. And as those who spoke for God throughout the ages have been killed. So too will these speak for God and be killed as Rev.11:7-12 says. This is why the horns are compared to those of a lamb.
This is why I believe these 2 horns are the 2 witnesses that speak for God during the great tribulation. Because for the entire 1260 days of great tribulation they proclaim what God tells them to say. Showing their authority comes from God by the fact that, “if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”
And like I said before, this is a time when New Covenant believers have already been caught up to be with Jesus. So we will not be here for the time when antichrist using that same beast system that went before him will “make war with the saints and overcome them”. That time is for those who get saved during the great tribulation. At least that’s the way I see it.
This is why Jesus said in Mt.16:18 is true even though during this time Satan makes war with the saints and overcomes them. Because the called out ones of this dispensation will already have been caught up to be with the Lord.
So we need to consider what Peter asked of us in his epistle, knowing the time is short and all these things will be dissolved, what manner of person aught we to be? Asking this saying, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
If we are not to be caught unaware we must come to a saving faith in the Jesus of the Bible now. To trust in Him who has come in the same flesh all men have. Because it is God’s will that none should perish. And that whosoever will believe in Him should not perish. But have eternal life.
And God has made His will known to the whole world by the preaching of the cross. And the resurrection. Paul telling us that if we will confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in our hearts that He has raised from the dead. We will be saved.
Confessing the Lord Jesus shows that we believe in His victory over death. And it is our believing that He has raised from the dead that makes us righteous. And when we confess the Lord Jesus we are saved.
Saved from the wrath of God that is coming upon the earth. Aged from death to life. Saved out of the time of great tribulation, also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble, meant to be the final call for Israel to trust in their messiah.
If you will do this then you will be saved. If you will do this then you will have eternal life now. And immortality at the resurrection. If you will do this then you will become a child of God and heir to His kingdom. If you will do this… then I will see you there or in the air!
