Apparently, the interpretation of the symbols in the first half of chapter 17 “calls for a mind with wisdom” (vs.9). The pressure is on, and I, along with other far better minds, can only make suggestions as to what these things are referring to. I am attracted to the suggestion that the five kingdoms are those who oppressed Israel previous to Rome: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece. Rome would then be the sixth kingdom, and the seventh that of the final Anti-Christ (the beast of chapter 13) who will arise from it as an eighth king. The ten kings may be symbolic of the kings of the world; those that gather at Armageddon. It is interesting to note how at the end of this chapter the eighth king and the beast along with the kings of the earth bring about the destruction of their own great city and will, in turn, go to destruction. Evil always ends up imploding on itself, just as every great kingdom of this world has imploded, mainly from corruption within. Every scheme that is pursued without God will fail because it carries within itself the seeds of its own demise. A scheme that is outside God’s plan is a contradiction of reality. It will always eventually come to naught. It is like a man who jumps off a cliff in an attempt to fly. He may feel successful for a moment. But eventually he will hit the ground. Make sure your hopes in life are in alignment with God’s plans for you. If they are not, they will certainly be dashed.
Reflect on your own plans and dreams. Submit them all to God.
Read Revelation 17:9-18
