IX – THE MYSTERY REVEALED (REVELATION 17:9-10)

REVELATION 17:9 -
"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."

These seven heads were identical with the seven heads found in Revelation 12:3 (dragon) and Revelation 13:1-2 (papacy) that was exercised by America (Revelation 13:11,12). It is very clear also from these passages that John was referring to the Roman Catholic Church (Revelation 17:1-6, 18) as the woman that sitteth upon the seven mountains. These seven mountains here described does not mean "perfection or completeness " but was literally the seat of the (Roman hierarchy govern¬ment or kingdom) woman.

Where is this seat of the beast to be found?
"In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly, established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the beast "his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Revelation 13:2."
Great Controversy, p 54.

"Settlements were established on several of the 7 hills on which Rome later stood... As Rome established its supremacy over the neighboring tribes, more and more people moved to the city until it spread over the 7 traditional hills, all lying east of the Tiber: the Palatine, Capitoline, Qairinal, Viminal, Esqulline, Caelian. and Aventine."
SDA Bible Dictionary, p 948.

"Luther was still a true son of the papal church, and had no thought that he would ever be anything else. In the providence of God he decided to visit Rome, He pursued his Journey on foot, lodging at the monasteries on the way. At a convent in Italy he was filled with wonder as he saw the splendor of the apartments, the rich¬ness of the dresses, the luxury of the table, the extravagance everywhere. With pain¬ful misgivings he contrasted this scene with the self-denial and hardship of his own life. His mind was becoming perplexed.
"At last he beheld in the distance the seven-hilled city."
Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 99.

Why did Satan establish his kingdom over the seven-hilled city of Rome? Why not in Mt. Everest or in Mt Fuji, why not in the Chocolate Hills or in the great mountain ranges of the world?
Let us not forget that the adversary of souls has all the expertise in counter¬feiting all the plans of God. When God established His City (Mount Zion) in the North (Psalms 48:2), Satan also established his throne in the sides of the North (Isaiah 14:13). Now, since Satan's kingdom on earth is established over the seven moun¬tains of Rome, do we have a scriptural proof that God's kingdom is also established over seven mountains in heaven?
"Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies.”
Early Writings, p 19.

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.”
Great Controversy, p 599.

REVELATION 17:19-
"And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."

? And there are seven kings - The seven heads are explained to be, first, seven mountains, and then seven kings. The expression in verse 10, "and there are seven kings," reads in the original, "and are seven kings." This makes the sentence read: "The seven heads are seven mountains... and are seven kings," thus identify¬ing heads, mountains and kings. To identify this kings or kingdoms let us go back to the inspired history of Daniel 2. The first was Babylon (605 - 538 BC); then, Medo-Persia (538-331 BC); followed by Greece (331-301 BC); then, Pagan Rome (168 BC to 5th Century AD). According to Revelation 13:1-2, the dragon gave his power, seat and great authority to the 5th kingdom, Papal Rome (538 AD-1798); then, followed by France the beast or kingdom of Revelation 11; and then, AMERICA the beast of Revelation 13:11-12 as the seventh kingdom.
? five are fallen - Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Pagan Rome, and Papal Rome were already fallen (please see Ed 179, 4BC 1168 and the above dates).

? and one is - this refers to the kingdom of France (please see Revelation 11:7-8).

“According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798
some power of satanic origin and character would use to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God's two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom.
"This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of France. During the revolution, in 1793…”
Great Controversy, p 269.

? and the other is not yet come - America the Lamb-like beast of Revela¬tion 13:11-12 who came into power in 1798 (see GC 439-442)

? and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. –
Why a short space? Because America as a lamb-like beast that spake as a dragon in Revelation 13:11-12 did not accomplish her mission prophesied in Rev¬elation 13:15-16 that she will "give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." In GC 441-442-'speaking" means the action of America's legislative and judicial authority to proclaim Sunday Law, so as the de¬velopment of intolerance and persecution and cause means enforce. In other words, America will legislate and enforce Sunday keeping. It almost happened somewhere in 1888-1890 when God sent the most precious light (Righteousness by faith) from heaven to bring them (SDA Church) to repentance to Christ, and received the heavi¬est outpouring of the Latter Rain that will empower and finally finish the work. In fact, Mrs. E.G. White said: “I also saw that if you had accepted their (Waggoner and Jones) message, we would had been in the kingdom two years from that date." Melbourne Australia, May 8, 1892. In other words, two years from the (1888) Min¬neapolis General Conference Christ could have come (see also 1SM 68; 8T 115-116; 5T 116). But the ultimate revival of this power will be witnessed again and the roaring voice of the dragon (7BC 975) will be heard again in its final fulfillment.

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