REVELATION 17 by S. N. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1901

By S. N. H.

S. N. H.

The first verse of this chapter shows the interest of the angels of God in helping His people to understand His dealings with them. One of the seven angels which had the seven vials of God’s wrath came to the prophet, and explained to him the judgment of the great whore. In doing this he explained her character and the result of her sins. There is mentioned in the Bible but one beast having ten horns. That was pagan Rome in its two forms. The papal form is “the man of sin” fully developed. “The mystery of iniquity” is manifested in its fullness. “Antichrist” is perfectly developed. And the agency by which this is accomplished is the union of Church and State. The same principle is illustrated when individuals unite with the world. The course of this world is according to the prince of the power of the air, which worketh in the children of disobedience. Eph. 2:2. Rome therefore becomes the object lesson of all the past and future. No nation sinned against greater light, or because of this, plunged into greater darkness, or represented Satan’s character more fully. The apostate Church rode upon the Beast, implying that she guided and directed it. This is what the Church always does when it unites with civil power. It is for this purpose she seeks its influence. Christ said, “Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matt. 22:21. It is by distinct separation that the Church is kept pure. The Beast is the civil power, and the harlot woman is said to be the one “which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”

The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. The cities of Rome and Constantinople answer to this description, but the dragon gave to this apostate Church “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Rev. 13:2. This defines what Church it is, and where its headquarters are. When their own testimony, to a man, claims this, there can be no question as to the application of this prophecy. It is definitely shown by the Spirit of God, historical facts prove it, and it is corroborated by every one of the papal adherents. The power that so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom is Rome. The purple and scarlet color, the gold and the precious stones and pearls, represent the magnificence and more than kingly pomp affected by the haughty city of Rome. The scarlet has a double significance, also referring to its true character. Isa. 1:18. Rome is charged with the sin of unlawful connection with the kings of the earth.

It was by departing from the Lord, and making alliance with the heathen, that the Jewish Church became a harlot; and Rome, corrupting herself in like manner by seeking the support of worldly powers, receives a like condemnation. In this chapter God gives her three names—“MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” John marveled to see the professed churches of Christ guilty of the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. In the principles of the union of Church and State are “found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” Rev. 18:24. The origin of such union is the bottomless pit. Every one whose name is not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be taken in this snare; for it is a union with the world and with worldly governments that enforce religious dogmas by civil authority.

She is the mother of harlots. She has daughters—the churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God to form the unlawful alliance with the world. No Church can retain her purity, and look to the civil authority to fight her battles and to enforce her dogmas. When this course is followed by individuals or by any body of people, it severs their connection with God. God is jealous over His people; for they are espoused unto one husband, that they may be presented as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Cor. 11:2, 3. The relationship of a godly husband to his wife is a figure of Christ and His Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. Eph. 5:23–33.

Another important feature is brought out in this chapter. Babylon makes war with the Lamb, and the world is marshaled to the battle of the great day by this union of Church and State. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the Beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast. These shall 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.” During the last century there has been a manifestation of hate toward the principles of freedom of conscience, upon which the government of this country was founded. It was a State without a king, and a Church without a pope. But the dragonic voice betrays its inheritance, and Protestant Churches show their relation to their mother by seeking the aid of the State to enforce their religious institutions, such as Sunday-keeping, whose pedigree is bad. It is a cherished child of Protestant churches, christened by their mother, cradled by paganism; and we leave the reader to judge who is its father. God will put it into the hearts of the kings to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdoms unto the Beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled.