Remember, John was as mystified as we are when we first read about the vision he was given. Unlike most of the other symbolism in the book of Revelation, no longer do we have to ask, “what does this mean?” for the Holy Spirit has told us plainly. We have no excuse if we fail to understand this: the excuse you so often hear, “I don't read the book of Revelation because it is so difficult to understand” won't wash.
The very fact that the Lord has chosen to tell John plainly the correct interpretation is striking — it can only mean one thing, and that is that it is of such critical importance that the Lord wants to make absolutely sure we as His church know exactly what it means. In addition, this is the key that unlocks the chapters we have already studied.
...The beast was, and is not, and yet is. It was the central headquarters of idolatry and persecution of God's elect. It is the ancient Babylonian Mystery Religion. It was not in existence in John's time in the form it is in today. The names of the gods have been changed, but they still represent the same demonic religion, so it is in existence in another form. It ascends out of the bottomless pit, which is the dominion of Satan and his demons, and it will go into perdition, that is, eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, Mt. 25:41. Those who are not God's people, who are enemies of Christ whether they know it or not -- that is, either hostile to Christ or clueless -- will admire the beast and serve it. But this is not said of God's people. They will be given discernment and will not serve the beast.
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