In this week’s study, I continue in Chapter 17 verses 6, 7, and 8.
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints = A reeling, intoxicated harlot, for that is the image which is kept up all along. In regard to the phrase “drunken with blood,” read and compare Jerm. 46:10.
And with the blood of the martyrs of Yahshua Messiah = Especially with their blood. The meaning is, that the warfare, in which so much blood was shed, was directed against the saints as such, and that, in fact, it terminated particularly on those who, amidst cruel sufferings, were faithful witnesses for the Lord Yahshua Messiah, and deserved to be called, by way of eminence, “martyrs.”
And when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration = I was astonished at her appearance, at her apparel, and at the things which were so significantly symbolized by her.
John’s reaction is that of wonder, prompting further explanation which we see in the passage that follows. First, the scarlet beast will be explained (starting in verse 8), and then more will be said about the harlot (starting in verse 15).
The idea of being drunk with blood was a concept used by ancient people that we all still understand to this day. It describes a person that is utterly intoxicated with violence. It describes one who is consumed with the shedding of blood like a drunkard who is out of his mind. And this will characterize the final apostate Church, their utter contempt for Yahshua Messiah, their hatred for all who belong to him.
So the world is already being prepared to embrace this coming harlot that will serve the beast, the antichrist. In fact, in 1 John 4:3 John tells us that, “spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world,” he tells us.
So now in verses seven through 17 the Lord provides more insight concerning this religious harlot, beyond her character and clout and contempt. He goes on to describe two more things that we will examine this study, her coconspirator and her tragedy
7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? = He was doubtless struck with the appearance of John as he stood fixed in astonishment.
I will tell thee the mystery of the woman = On the word “mystery,” we covered that in verse 5.
We have the promise, as shown by the structure (verse 7); and in the rest of the chapter (verses 8-18) we have the performance of the promise. The woman and the Beast are first mentioned in brief; and then the explanation is given in full, the order being inverted. First the Beast is explained, and then the Woman. Ten verses (8-17) are given to the former, and only one (verse 18) to the latter; so that the Beast is now, evidently, the more important of the two subjects.
8. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not = In the close of the verse it is added, “and yet is” - “the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” There are three things affirmed here: first, that there is a sense in which it might be said of the power here referred to, that it “was,” or that, before this, it had an existence; second, that there was a sense in which it might be said that it is “not,” that is, that it had become practically extinct; and third, that there is a sense in which that power would be so revived that it might be said that it “still is.” The “beast” here referred to is the same that is mentioned in verse 3, and in Rev. 13:1, 3, 11-16.
Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!
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