December 7: COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH
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 ten horns.” Revelation 17:7
John, the youngest of the twelve disciples, and here the only one still alive, has known since his teen years that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah and loves him personally. And John’s reciprocal love for Jesus has been tested and proven. Now he is an old man, imprisoned by the Romans for his stance for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ (1:9). But even John, at least for a moment, was dazzled by the sight of the woman and of the beast that carries her. This is a pointed warning of just how effective superficial appearances can be. The devil deceives, confuses, and conceals truth. The sending of an angel from heaven to our beloved brother John for the giving of Revelation’s message is a lifesaving gift to all of us! It is the Savior’s intent to equip His people to overcome all of the distractions, smokescreens, and detours of the enemy. Notice the angel’s use of the word mystery. Singular. This indicates that the woman and the beast that carries her go together as a single mystery. Subsequent verses will shed light as the angel speaks, but let us review a few points previously mentioned.
These two elements, the woman and the beast that carries her, are inseparable. They are the Roman entity that Daniel described from his vision: a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7:7) The same beast that Daniel saw was seen by John, rising up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1). Rome, in its pagan form, had acutely persecuted God’s people and was the political power that put Jesus to death on the cross at the behest of the religious leaders of the day (Luke 23:12). Now, you will remember that Daniel also saw a little horn coming up among the ten horns. The pompous words spoken by the little horn help to identify him (Daniel 7:8) as the leader of the emerging papal form of Rome that would sit atop a state power (known today as Vatican City). As a religious assembly, the papacy is symbolically termed a woman. But she is an extension of the beast that carries her, which is currently amassing enormous political power.
Even though the Protestant denominations were founded upon the true testimony of various reformers who unanimously agreed that the papacy is the antichrist, it has become “politically incorrect” to mention that aspect of the founding of Protestantism. As a result, Protestantism is becoming increasingly apostate. Instead of breaking completely away from the errors that misrepresent God and twist His word, most Protestants are being pulled directly back into the swirling currents of confusing Babylonian teachings. This is Satan’s plan. Nevertheless, God still wants all people to know and understand the truth so that they can be saved!
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
See also: 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:7; 4:3