Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 17:7-13
17:7. But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
17:8. "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
17:9. "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
17:10. "There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
17:11. "And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
17:12. "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
17:13. "These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
It is about the meaning of the woman and the beast.
Babylonmeans as follows:
The woman refers to Babylon.
The beast refers to the Antichrist who reigns over the world for three and a half years. The Antichrist is the supporter of Babylon.
1 Corinthians 15:44-49
15:44. It is sown a naturalbody, it is raised a spiritualbody. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
15:45. And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
15:46. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.
15:47. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
15:48. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
15:49. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
We have a natural body and a spiritual body. The woman and the beast also refer to man who has a natural body (the flesh and blood man) and a spiritual body.
Proverbs 4:23-24
4:23. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
4:24. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.
Babylon refers to the spiritual life that is not taken care of and kept, so he becomes the place of unclean and wicked spirits. Consequently, his flesh is getting wild like the beast. He lives in the deed of uncleanness and wickedness up to perfection in it. If the spiritual life is not kept, the physical one will be wild.
1 Peter 3:4-5
3:4. rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentleand quietspirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
3:5. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissiveto their own husbands,
If our heart becomes a good conscience, we will have the spiritual adornment or the bride's adornment, namely gentleness, quietness, and submission, which is very precious in the sight of God. We will be able to become the perfect church, namely the heavenly bride.
Revelation 17:8
17:8. "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Genesis 2:7
2:7. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
'the beast that was' refers to the flesh and blood man or the physical life.
'that was'= means that God had formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 3:6-7
3:6. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
3:7. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Ephesians 2:1-3
2:1. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2:2. in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
2:3. among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
'and is not' means that men have fallen into sinful deed, so they experienced the spiritual death.
Revelation 20:7-10
20:7. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
20:8. and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
20:9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
20:10. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
'and yet is' means coming out of the bottomless pit and fighting against the saints. Such life will be destroyed by the doomsday. When the thousand years have expired, they will be risen to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone forever.
Revelation 17:9-10
17:9. "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
17:10. "There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
The important thing is the mind which has the heavenly wisdom, namely the Word of God that is obeyed.
Romans 1:18-21,28
1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
1:19. because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
1:20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
1:21. because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
1:28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
The three groups that must be paid attention to are as follows:
The seven heads of the beast can be divided as follows:
The ten horns refer to the ten kings who have the power of Mammon or the world, namely gold and precious stones and pearls, including cleverness and position. The power of Mammon and the other physical power are the horns of the beast or the flesh and blood man.
The number ten refers to the love. One who is bound by money will surely not love God.
We need God's wisdom to fight against the seven heads and the ten horns. How can we receive God's wisdom?
Job 28:12
28:12. "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
Ecclesiastes 7:19
7:19. Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
The wisdom comes from the true teaching Word that is heard, understood, believed, and practiced. The wisdom has the power to defeat Babylon in our daily life. Hearing the Word must become the important thing in our life because it gives us wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24
1:22. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1:23. but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
1:24. but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
We receive the wisdom from Christ crucified or Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It is the power and wisdom of God. Be watchful! The Jews request the physical sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. Christ' sacrifice is a stumbling block for the Jews, because they request the physical sign that makes the flesh comfortable. For the Greeks who seek after the worldly wisdom, the cross is foolishness, so they also stumble and they do not receive the heavenly wisdom. Be watchful!
That is why we must persevere in Bible Study Service and Holy Communion, so we receive the heavenly wisdom and the power of God. Let us use every chance that God gives to us to seek after the heavenly wisdom. We only need the wisdom in the age of the Antichrist. The certificate, money, and all things in the world cannot help us.
The usefulnesses of the heavenly wisdom are as follows:
God blesses us.
Revelation 17:7-13
17:7. But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
17:8. "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
17:9. "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
17:10. "There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
17:11. "And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
17:12. "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
17:13. "These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
It is about the meaning of the woman and the beast.
Babylonmeans as follows:
- The fellowship of the unfaithful men in the marriage (the physical fornication) and ministry (the spiritual fornication).
- The fellowship of the arranged bricks (the tower of Babylon). It refers to those who harden their heart and follow the will of the flesh, so they just live in the sins up to the peak.
The woman refers to Babylon.
The beast refers to the Antichrist who reigns over the world for three and a half years. The Antichrist is the supporter of Babylon.
1 Corinthians 15:44-49
15:44. It is sown a naturalbody, it is raised a spiritualbody. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
15:45. And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
15:46. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.
15:47. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
15:48. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
15:49. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
We have a natural body and a spiritual body. The woman and the beast also refer to man who has a natural body (the flesh and blood man) and a spiritual body.
Proverbs 4:23-24
4:23. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
4:24. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.
Babylon refers to the spiritual life that is not taken care of and kept, so he becomes the place of unclean and wicked spirits. Consequently, his flesh is getting wild like the beast. He lives in the deed of uncleanness and wickedness up to perfection in it. If the spiritual life is not kept, the physical one will be wild.
1 Peter 3:4-5
3:4. rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentleand quietspirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
3:5. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissiveto their own husbands,
If our heart becomes a good conscience, we will have the spiritual adornment or the bride's adornment, namely gentleness, quietness, and submission, which is very precious in the sight of God. We will be able to become the perfect church, namely the heavenly bride.
Revelation 17:8
17:8. "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Genesis 2:7
2:7. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
'the beast that was' refers to the flesh and blood man or the physical life.
'that was'= means that God had formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 3:6-7
3:6. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
3:7. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Ephesians 2:1-3
2:1. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2:2. in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
2:3. among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
'and is not' means that men have fallen into sinful deed, so they experienced the spiritual death.
Revelation 20:7-10
20:7. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
20:8. and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
20:9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
20:10. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
'and yet is' means coming out of the bottomless pit and fighting against the saints. Such life will be destroyed by the doomsday. When the thousand years have expired, they will be risen to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone forever.
Revelation 17:9-10
17:9. "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
17:10. "There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
The important thing is the mind which has the heavenly wisdom, namely the Word of God that is obeyed.
Romans 1:18-21,28
1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
1:19. because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
1:20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
1:21. because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
1:28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
The three groups that must be paid attention to are as follows:
- Being in futility of mind.
- The foolish heart that is darkened.
- A debased mind.
The seven heads of the beast can be divided as follows:
- The first group, namely being in futility of mind. It is controlled by the senses.
The senses are the doors of the heart. It refers to the five kings, namely the entrance of the sin. In fact, the senses of men have fallen into sin. For example, the eyes see the unclean thing, the ears hear the idle words and gossips, and the mouth curses. Thus, men tend to sin. The senses or the five kings have fallen, and the sin keeps controlling men. The senses can only be conquered by the blood of Jesus.
Exodus 12:22-23
12:22. "And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the bloodthat is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
12:23. "For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.
Our senses as the doors of the heart must be struck by the blood of Jesus coming out of the five major injuries of Jesus on the cross. It is the only way, so the angel of death (the sins) does not enter into our heart. Thus, we can repent and live in righteousness. We are saved and blessed by God. Christ's sacrifice gives the abundance in the salvation, so we can become the blessing for others. The blood of Jesus is the only one that is able to conquer our senses. - The second group, namely the foolish heart that is darkened. One often falls into the darkness of sin even the deep darkness of sin although he is smart. Men even can commit sin that is not done by animal.
Romans 1:21-27
1:21. because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
1:22. Professing to be wise, they became fools,
1:23. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
1:24. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
1:25. who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
1:26. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
1:27. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
The idolatry includes revering man. Knowing that a man is wrong but one still follows him is the same as worshipping idols.
The intercourse deviation is the fellowship that is against nature. The intercourse refers to the closest relationship between the body and the head (one body). We must be careful in the physical and spiritual fellowships. We enter the spiritual fellowship because of being hungry for the true teaching Word. But if we fall for flattery or threat, we will enter the intercourse that is against nature. - The third group, namely a debased mind, so men do the things which are not fitting such as being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, et cetera.
Romans 1:28-31
1:28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
1:30. backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
1:31. undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
Inventors of evil things is the same as having tactics. Twenty-one sins is three times seven, namely the sin that makes us unable to become perfect like Jesus. We just become the flesh and blood men like the Antichrist who will be destroyed forever. A debased mind means having no feeling, so one can do the thing which is not fitting to God.
Romans 1:32
1:32. who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
He approves of and supports those who commit sin or do the thing which is not fitting. He just plunges others to the hell.
The ten horns refer to the ten kings who have the power of Mammon or the world, namely gold and precious stones and pearls, including cleverness and position. The power of Mammon and the other physical power are the horns of the beast or the flesh and blood man.
The number ten refers to the love. One who is bound by money will surely not love God.
We need God's wisdom to fight against the seven heads and the ten horns. How can we receive God's wisdom?
Job 28:12
28:12. "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
Ecclesiastes 7:19
7:19. Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
The wisdom comes from the true teaching Word that is heard, understood, believed, and practiced. The wisdom has the power to defeat Babylon in our daily life. Hearing the Word must become the important thing in our life because it gives us wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24
1:22. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1:23. but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
1:24. but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
We receive the wisdom from Christ crucified or Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It is the power and wisdom of God. Be watchful! The Jews request the physical sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. Christ' sacrifice is a stumbling block for the Jews, because they request the physical sign that makes the flesh comfortable. For the Greeks who seek after the worldly wisdom, the cross is foolishness, so they also stumble and they do not receive the heavenly wisdom. Be watchful!
That is why we must persevere in Bible Study Service and Holy Communion, so we receive the heavenly wisdom and the power of God. Let us use every chance that God gives to us to seek after the heavenly wisdom. We only need the wisdom in the age of the Antichrist. The certificate, money, and all things in the world cannot help us.
The usefulnesses of the heavenly wisdom are as follows:
- The wisdom gives us the seven characteristics of Jesus as follows:
James 3:17
3:17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.- Being pure. It means being holy up to the heart and mind, so we can hold fast one true teaching Word.
- Being peaceable. It means having no envy, revenge, and hatred.
- Being gentle. It means that one does not like to get angry and be self-assertive.
- Being willing to yield. It means willingly receiving the correction.
- Being full of mercy and good fruits. It means that we do not judge others as well as agree the sinner, but bring him to God through the prayer and ministry, so he can hear the true teaching Word. We just do the good deed to others. We do not have the heart to harm others. It is better for us to loss. We repay good for evil.
- Without partiality or being just because we are on the side of God or the teaching Word. Deciding something based on the true teaching Word will surely be just. For example, King Solomon took the sword to finish the problem about marriage and children.
- Without hypocrisy. It means not pretending. Be careful! Do not be deceived! Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus to surrender Him.
9:1. Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
9:2. She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.
If we have wisdom, we will be used to build house with its seven pillars. If we have already had the seven characteristics of Jesus, we will be used in the ministry of the building of the perfect body of Christ, starting from the marriage. By God's wisdom, our marriage will experience the heavenly bliss. If we have the heavenly bliss in the shepherding and fellowship, we will not get bored. It continues until the Israelites and Gentiles become one perfect body of Christ. We can enter the marriage supper of the Lamb of God. - Being pure. It means being holy up to the heart and mind, so we can hold fast one true teaching Word.
- The heavenly wisdom makes us have the fear of God.
Job 28:28
28:28. And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'"
The fear of the Lord means hating evil and sins.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
12:13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.
The fear of the Lord means obeying God until the flesh does not speak anymore, so God stretches out His hand to us.
The results are as follows:- God commands the blessing that cannot be imitated by anyone.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2,8
28:1. "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
28:2. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
28:8. "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
God takes care of us who are powerless in the midst of the increasing difficulties of the world. The power of God is not limited by challenges and obstacles. We can keep experiencing the atmosphere of the feast. Do not grumble or sigh after being used by God. - The healing power of God helps us from the physical diseases up to the impossible ones. He also helps our spiritual diseases, namely sins up to the peak. We can repent and live in righteousness.
Exodus 15:26
15:26. and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." - God changes us by obedience; even He opens the door of heaven for us.
Matthew 7:21
7:21. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
We are changed to become strong and of good courage. It means that we do not get disappointed and desperate, but we wait for Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds with perseverance. The power of God also opens the physical door for us until the doors of the One-Thousand-Year Kingdom of Peace (the upcoming Paradise) and the New Jerusalem are opened for us forever.
- God commands the blessing that cannot be imitated by anyone.
God blesses us.