Revelation Chapter 17

Before we move on lets us briefly review for a moment the differences, between the two views which we have just presented with regards to…

The beast that WAS, and IS NOT; and IS ABOUT TO COME up out of the abyss.  (Rev 17:8)

According to the first view this “beast” represents a “religious government”, in this case the Papacy, the “man of sin”.

“And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” (Rev 17:3)

For 1260 years from 539 A.D. to 1799 A.D., the period of the fifth head of the beast (Papal Rome according to Brother Shallieu’s interpretation), this beast, “the scarlet-colored beast”, full of names of blasphemy rose to the zenith of its power in support of Catholicism, the woman.

This period represents the time in which the beast “WAS”, as mentioned in Verse 8.

It entered the “IS NOT” condition when at the “time of the end” (1799 A.D.) it was first shorn of its temporal power by Napoleon (during the sixth head, or French Directory), and then finally all vestige of this temporal power was removed under the Victor Emmanuel dynasty (the seventh head according to Brother Shallieu).

This beast however, according to the scriptures “IS ABOUT TO COME up out of the abyss”, its temporal dominion and power restored (for a short time), and will once again resume its former abusive and persecuting role.

Now it is suggested that many do not believe that this is a possibility, that many will marvel and wonder when this takes place (Verse 8), we (myself including) are not of those.

We believe whole heartily that during the “hour of power” or “hour of temptation [deception]” not only will Papacy resume its former persecution of all those not in compliance with its dictates and practices, but so too Protestantism, “the image of the beast”, by this time morphed into the “False Prophet”.

According to the second view the beast here mentioned in Verse 8 does not represent the whole beast as mentioned in Verse 7 with its seven heads and ten horns, but only a specific part of this beast. The beast as you recall consist of four parts, 1) the rider or women, 2) the body, 3) the horns, and 4) the heads.

The beast itself (Papacy) has existed since its conception, and even now still exist, but a specific part of this beast, the body of the beast that part which rose up at one time during the French Revolution, the beast that “WAS” is not with us presently, and thus is said “IS NOT” at this time. However, the scriptures imply that this beast, this part of the beast “IS ABOUT TO COME” up out of the bottomless pit or abyss (the condition of powerlessness) once again to finish the work begun in the French Revolution when 1/10 of the “city” Great Babylon fell.

This second appearance will take place once again during a great earth quake (revolution) only this time it will far outweigh that of the first (Rev 11:13), such an earth quake “as had not occurred since men were upon the earth”. (Rev 16:18)

Or as our Lord expresses it:

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matt 24:21)

Both of these views have their merits, but it is up to the discriminating student of the Word to determine which he feels best fits the picture more accurately. Personally, I think the second is a more accurate interpretation, but of course this is only my opinion.

In our next post we return to our study.