The Times of the Gentiles
By Stan Feldsine
The following article will describe the events of the Times of the Gentiles, starting with the Babylonian Empire until the AntiChrist is destroyed at the end of the Tribulation. I have learned a great deal from Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum's book, "The Footsteps of Messiah - A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events", and recommend it to anyone interested in an exegetical study of prophetic events in greater detail.
The Times of the Gentiles is the period between the exile of the Jews during the time of the Babylonian Empire and 2nd coming of Messiah at the end of the Tribulation. Jewish occupations of her land between these two events are seen as temporal. Israel will not be fully in control of Jerusalem until the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
The dream that Nebuchadnezzar had and Daniel interpreted is found in Dan 2:31-45. The dream of the "large statue" (Dan 2:31-33) is the definitive illustration of four empires that rule during the Times of the Gentiles throughout history, up until the end of the Tribulation.
The "4 beasts" that Daniel dreams about in Dan 7:3 correspond to the first 4 empires illustrated by the "statue", the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Hellenistic, and Imperialist Empires. The 1st beast corresponds to the Babylonian Empire, and so on.
The "large statue" will serve as a high level framework of the 4 empires including:
The Babylonian Empire - Head of Gold
Medo-Persian Empire - Chest and arms of silver
The Hellenistic Empire (Greek) - Belly and thighs of bronze
The Imperialist Empire (the Beast) - legs of iron, feet of iron and clay
During this study, there will be references to the 5th and final Millennial Kingdom as well. The Millennial Kingdom follows the Times of the Gentiles, and is not a part of the "large statue". Rather, Jesus Christ who is the head of the Millennial Kingdom is the rock that breaks the "large statue" to pieces (Dan 2:34, Dan 2:44-45).
Each of the 4 empires and the Millennial Kingdom will be covered in detail below. The primary texts for this study are Dan 2:1-45, Dan 7:1-28, Rev 13:1-10, and Rev 17:7-14.
The First Beast - Babylonian Empire
The Vision Nebuchadnezzar Saw
Dan 2:32 "The head of the statue was made of pure gold..."
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:37-38 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; (38) in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
The Corresponding Vision Daniel Saw
Dan 7:4 "The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.
Notes
The first of the four empires during the Times of the Gentiles is described as a "Head of Gold" (Dan 2:32) or the "1st beast" (Dan 7:3-4).
Daniel explained that the "Head of Gold" represented Nebuchadnezzar himself, the one who had the dream of the "large statue" (Dan 2:37-38). Nebuchadnezzar was the head of the Babylonian Empire. (See Jer 27:5-8 and Eze 26:7-14).
The 4 beasts arise from the "sea" (Dan 7:3), and the "earth" (Dan 7:17). The "sea" reveals the 4 empires to be of "Gentile" identity. (See Isa 17:12-13, Mat 13:47-50, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:1, and Rev 17:15). The "earth" reveals the 4 empires to be "earthly" empires as opposed to spiritual kingdoms.
Additional information about the Babylonian Empire can be found in Dan 1:1 to Dan 5:30, Dan 7:4.
For references of Babylon as a lion in Dan 7:4, see Jer 4:7, Jer 48:40, Jer 49:19, Jer 49:22, Jer 50:17, Eze 17:3.
The phrase "mind of a human given it" in Dan 7:4 probably refers to Dan 4:34.
The Second Beast - Medo-Persian Empire
The Vision Nebuchadnezzar Saw
Dan 2:32 ... "its chest and arms of silver,..."
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:39 "After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. ..."
The Corresponding Vision Daniel Saw
Dan 7:5 "And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'
Notes
The second of the four empires during the Times of the Gentiles is described as a "chest and arms of silver" (Dan 2:32) or the "2nd beast" (Dan 7:5).
Daniel explained that the "chest and arms of silver" represented a second, inferior empire.
The "bear raised up on one side" in Dan 7:5 reflects that the Persians were the dominant power over the Medes.
The "three ribs in its mouth" in Dan 7:5 reflects the three kingdoms conquered by the Medo-Persian empire, Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt.
Additional information about the Medo-Persian Empire can be found in Dan 2:39 a, Dan 5:31 to Dan 6:28, Dan 7:5, Dan 8:1-7, Dan 10:1 to Dan 11:2.
The Third Beast - The Hellenist (Greek) Empire
The Vision Nebuchadnezzar Saw - The United Stage
Dan 2:32 ... "its belly and thighs of bronze,..."
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:39 "... Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.
The Corresponding Vision Daniel Saw - The 4 Division Stage
Dan 7:6 "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
Notes
The third of the four empires of the Times of the Gentiles is described as a "belly and two thighs of brass" (Dan 2:32) or "another beast" (the 3rd beast) (Dan 7:6).
Daniel explained that the "belly and two thighs of brass" represented a third empire that would rule over the whole earth.
The Hellenistic Empire went through two stages. At first, the empire was under united worldwide rule by Alexander the Great, I.E. "the belly" (Dan 2:32, Dan 2:39).
Alexander the Great died during his reign, however, and the empire was divided into four kingdoms. The "four wings" (Dan 7:6) represent the four kingdoms, and the "four heads" (Dan 7:6) represent the four generals who took control of the kingdoms.
Ptolemy - Egypt, Israel and Arabia Petrea
Seleucus - Syria, Babylonia and as far east as India
Cassander - Macedonial and Greece
Lysimachus - Thrace and Bithynia
Additional information about the Hellenistic Empire can be found in Dan 2:39 b, Dan 7:6, Dan 8:7-27, Dan 11:3-35)
The 4th Beast - Successive Imperialist Empires
The Vision Nebuchadnezzar Saw
Dan 2:33 "its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay."
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:40-43 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron--for iron breaks and smashes everything--and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. (41) Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. (42) As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. (43) And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.
The Corresponding Vision Daniel Saw
Dan 7:7-8 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast--terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. (8) "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
Daniel Inquires About the Meaning of His Vision from "those standing there"
Dan 7:16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. "So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:
Daniel Receives the Meaning of His Vision
Dan 7:17-18 'The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. (18) But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever--yes, for ever and ever.'
Daniel Inquires as to the Meaning of the Forth Beast
Dan 7:19-22 "Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws--the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. (20) I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell--the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. (21) As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, (22) until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
Daniel is Given The Meaning of the Forth Beast
Dan 7:23-26 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. (24) The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. (25) He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. (26) "'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.
The Corresponding Vision John Saw in Revelation 13
Rev 13:1-2 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. (2) The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Notes
The fourth of the four empires (Imperialist Empire) of the Times of the Gentiles is described as:
"legs of iron with feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay" (Dan 2:40-43)
"4th beast" (Dan 7:7)
"the beast ... had 10 horns and 7 heads" (Dan 7:7-8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:3)
"a scarlet beast" that the "woman dressed in purple and scarlet" sits on. (Rev 17:3-4).
Daniel explained that this beast which represented a forth empire would be in power in a series of five stages. Each of these stages will be discussed in more detail below. The diverseness of this beast is pointed out in Dan 7:19-20, Dan 7:23.
The United Stage - Roman Empire (Dan 7:23 a, Dan 2:40)
The Two division stage - East (Russia & Moslem) / West (Democracies) Balance of Power (Dan 7:23 a, Dan 2:41)
The One World Government stage (Dan 7:23 b, Rev 13:7-8)
The Ten Division stage - The 10 Kingdoms (Dan 7:24, Dan 2:41-43, Dan 7:7, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:12-13)
The Antichrist stage - Absolute Imperialism(Dan 7:24-25)
The reigns of the previous 3 empires are over (Dan 7:12). The 4th empire, the Imperialistic Empire would have the characteristics of the previous beasts, a leopard (Hellenistic), a bear (Medo-Persian), and a lion (Babylonian) (Rev 13:2).
The type of government through the 5 stages of this empire is Imperialist. Wikipedia states "Imperialism is a policy or ideology of extending a country's rule over foreign nations, often by military force or by gaining political and economic control of other areas.". This method of world wide government is still in practice today.
Additional information about the Imperialist Empire can be found in Dan 2:40-43, Dan 7:7-12, Dan 7:19-27, Dan 11:36-45.
The Five Individual Stages of the Fourth Empire
First
Stage - The United Stage (Roman Empire)
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron--for iron breaks and smashes everything--and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.
Daniel is Given the Meaning of His Vision
Dan 7:23 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. ..."
Notes
The "United Stage" is the first stage of the 4th beast, and it occurred during the Roman Empire. Power was centralized and united by the Romans. This stage lasted from 63BC to 364AD.
Second Stage - The Two Division Stage - (East / West balance of Power)
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you sa iron mixed with clay.
Notes
The "Two Division Stage" is the second stage of the 4th beast. In 364AD, Emperor Valentinian divided the Roman Empire into an east and west division, setting the stage for an east / west balance of power. The west was centered in Rome, and the east in Constantinople.
Third Stage - One World Government Stage
The Corresponding Vision that Daniel Saw
Dan 7:23 "... It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.
The Corresponding Vision that John Saw
Rev 13:7-8 It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. (8) All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
Notes
The "One World Government Stage" is the third stage of the 4th beast.
It is at this point that the "fourth empire", "4th beast" will "devour the whole earth" (Dan 7:23, Rev 13:7-8). It is from this that we understand there will be a one world government that rules the world.
Luke corroborates the global nature of the Tribulation period, saying it will affect all who live on the face of the earth.
Luk 21:35-36 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. (36) Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
John also corroborates the global nature of the Tribulation:
Rev 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
Isaiah, Ezekiel, Obadiah and Zephaniah also corroborate the global nature of the Tribulation:
Isa_24:3-4 The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The LORD has spoken this word. (4) The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth.
Isa_24:20 The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls--never to rise again.
Isa_26:21 See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer.
Eze_30:3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near-- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.
Oba_1:15 "The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
Zep 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath." In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.
Including this stage, the last three stages of the 4th beast are yet future. Yet to occur are the:
One World Government Stage
The 10 Kingdom Stage
The Arrival of the Antichrist Stage
Fourth Stage - The 10 Kingdom Stage - (The 10 Horns)
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:41-43
As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be
partly strong and partly brittle. (43) And just as you saw the iron
mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not
remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.
The Corresponding Vision that Daniel Saw
Dan 7:7 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast--terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.
The Corresponding Vision John Saw - (Rev 12, 13, 17)
Rev 12:3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads.
Rev 13:1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.
Rev 17:3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:12-13 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (13) They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.
Rev 17:16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
Notes About the 10 Kingdoms (10 Horns)
The "10 Kingdom Stage" is the fourth stage of the 4th beast (Imperialist Empire) (Dan 7:7). The fourth empire divides into ten kingdoms as illustrated in the:
The toes - (Dan 2:41-42)
The 10 horns - (Dan 7:7, Dan 7:24, Rev 17:12, Rev 17:16)
The 10 horns and 7 heads - (Rev 12:3, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:3, Rev 17:7)
The 10 horns are 10 kings which arise from the forth beast (Imperialist Empire). This is represented in the "statue" as "toes - part strong, part brittle" (Dan 2:41-42).
These 10 kings will have a limited reign before the Antichrist rises in power to take authority over them (Rev 17:12). We should expect to see a one world government take the form of or give place to a 10 kingdom rule over the entire world (Dan 7:23).
These 10 kingdoms will be installed before the Antichrist rises to power, since the power of the 10 kingdoms is already in existence when it is given to him (Rev 17:13).
John referred to the Antichrist as an 8th king in relation to the horns. The Antichrist had overthrown 3 of the kings of the "10 Kingdoms" (Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24), leaving 7 kingdoms. As such, the Antichrist is the "8th king" in relation to "horns" (Rev 17:11). He is the "7th king" in relation to "heads" (Rev 17:10).
After the Antichrist subdues the 3 kingdoms, the remaining 7 kingdoms reign with the 8th (Antichrist) for a "one hour" (Rev 7:12), and the Antichrist's reign itself is for only a "little while" (Rev 17:10).
Many believed the 10 Kingdom Stage to be a revived Roman Empire, of which the European Common Market, and now the European Union is supposed to be a manifestation. This is not a likely scenario however, since these 10 kingdoms are to exercise world rulership via 10 kings (Rev 17:12-13). It is more consistent with the text that the European Union could be one of the 10 kingdoms, but not all 10.
Notes About the 7 Kingdoms (7 Heads)
The 7 heads passages represent a second perspective on the Times of the Gentiles, or the timeframe of the "large statue" of Nebuchadnezzar's vision. While the "10 horns" is a view of the "10 Kingdom Stage" of the 4th Beast (Imperialist Empire) as seen by Daniel, the "7 heads" is a view of the entire timeframe of the 4 empires represented by the "large statue" as seen by John.
References to the 7 Heads
Rev 12:3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads.
Rev 13:1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.
Rev 17:3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:9-10 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. (10) They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.
Notes Regarding the 7 Heads
The 7 heads are 7 kings (Rev 17:10). "Mountains" or "hills" is meant to be taken figuratively, since it is clearly stated that they are "kings". "Mountain" is a common figure for kingdoms throughout the Bible.
The 10 horns and 7 heads are two different sets of kings. In the case of the 10 horns, we see that they reign concurrently, I.E. "will receive authority as kings along with the beast" (Rev 17:12), whereas in the case of the 7 heads we see that they reign sequentially, I.E. "five have fallen, one is, and one not yet come" (Rev 17:10).
So the 7 heads are seen sequentially as follows (Rev 17:10):
Five have fallen (A part of History from John's Perspective)
The Tarqiun Kings (753-510BC)
The Counsulors (510-494BC)
The Plebians or Dictators (494-390BC)
The Republicans or Decimvers (390-59BC)
The Triumvirate (59-27BC) (Oligarchy of 10)
One is (The Present from John's Perspective)
Imperialism (29BC-Mid Trib)
One is not yet (The Future from John's Perspective)
AntiChrist Kingdom
Fifth Stage - Antichrist Stage
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron--for iron breaks and smashes everything--and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.
The Corresponding Vision that Daniel Saw
Dan 7:23-26 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. (24) The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. (25) He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. (26) "'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.
The Corresponding Vision that John Saw
Rev 13:1-2 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. (2) The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Rev 13:5-10 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. (6) It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. (7) It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. (8) All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. (9) Whoever has ears, let them hear. (10) "If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed." This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God's people.
Notes
The last of the five stages of the forth beast (empire) is absolute imperialism lead by the AntiChrist (Dan 2:40, Dan 7:23). John speaks of the rising of this beast in Rev 13:1, identifying it by the 10 horns and 7 heads, and by identifying it through characteristics similar to the first three empires (Dan 7:4-6, Rev 13:2).
The AntiChrist and his system of government is referred to as "the little horn" (Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24), the "beast" (Rev 13:1, Rev 13:3-5, Rev 13:8, (Rev 17:8, Rev 17:11, Rev 17:16, Rev 17:17), the "scarlet beast" (Rev 17:3), and an "8th king" (Rev 17:11).
The AntiChrist will arise out of one of the 10 kingdoms as a "little horn" (Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24).
The "little horn" uproots three of the 10 kingdoms (Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24), leaving 7 kingdoms remaining who willingly give authority to the Antichrist (Rev 17:17).
John referred to the Antichrist as an "8th king" in relation to the horns. The Antichrist had overthrown 3 of the kings of the "10 Kingdoms" (Dan_7:8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24), leaving 7 kingdoms. As such, the Antichrist is the "8th king" in relation to "horns" (Rev 17:11). He is the "7th king" in relation to "heads" (Rev 17:10).
Additionally, the AntiChrist is referred to as "the one is yet to come" (Rev 17:10).
Five have fallen (A part of History from John's Perspective)
The Tarqiun Kings (753-510BC)
The Counsulors (510-494BC)
The Plebians or Dictators (494-390BC)
The Republicans or Decimvers (390-59BC)
The Triumvirate (59-27BC) (Oligarchy of 10)
One is (The Present from John's Perspective)
Imperialism (29BC-Mid Trib) (4 Stages)
One is not yet (The Future from John's Perspective)
AntiChrist Kingdom (5th Stage)
The AntiChrist and hist system (beast) is also referred to as the one who "and now is not" (Rev 17:8, Rev 17:11). This beast in this context is the person of the Antichrist. The Antichrist is not here now ("now is not"), and when he arrives will ultimately become "an 8th king".
After the Antichrist subdues the 3 kingdoms, the remaining 7 kingdoms reign with the 8th (Antichrist) for a "one hour" (Rev 7:12). The Antichrist's reign itself is for only a "little while" (Rev 17:10).
The Antichrist then makes war with God's people and defeats them for 3 1/2 years (Dan 7:21, Dan 7:25) until the 2nd coming of Christ (Dan 2:44, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:14, Dan 7:22, Dan 7:26-27, Rev 17:14).
At some point, one of the heads of the forth beast will suffer a fatal wound (Rev 13:3, Rev 13:12-14). Since the heads of the beast (4th empire) represented the 10 Kingdoms, it seems that one of the Kingdoms perished, but then is revived. The people wondered who was like the beast and who could make war with it, seeming to imply that the AntiChrist and his system came to the rescue of this kingdom (Rev 13:4).
Relations to the AntiChrist
Since there is a great deal of confusion about who various individuals related to the AntiChrist are, some space will be given to understanding their identities. See https://ariel.org.nz/the-four-women-of-revelation/ for additional information.
The Many Waters
Rev 17:15-16 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. (16) The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
Notes
The "many waters" are clearly identified here as the people of the world.
The Prostitute / Woman on the Scarlet Beast / False Prophet
Rev 17:1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.
Notes
The "prostitute" is the false religious system of the forth beast (empire), ecclesiastical Babylon. It is the One World Religion counterpart to the One World Government and the final form of the apostate church. The prostitute will work in cooperation with the civil authority during the first half of the Tribulation (Rev 17:2). Ecclesiastical Babylon will be a combination of all false religions, false Protestantism, and the Jezebel element of Catholicism, into a one-world religious system. True believers can expect to be persecuted by this religious system (Rev 17:6).
Scripture refers to the leader of the prostitute as the "False Prophet" (Rev 19:20, Rev 20:10). In Rev 13, John refers to the False Prophet as the "second beast" (Rev 13:11). The "first" beast (Rev 13:15) is the same as fourth beast of Nebuchadnezzar, the Imperialist Empire, as it is the same beast that has the 10 horns (Rev 13:1). It is the False Prophet that causes all to receive the Mark of the Beast and have all who do not worship the "first beast", the AntiChrist killed (Rev 13:15-16). The False Prophet plays a key role in the end time deceptions (2 Th 2:9-12).
This system is the counterfeit of our Messiah, and is represented by Roman Catholicism (Rev 2:20-21). This false religion influences many people from many nations (Rev 17:15).
The woman, who is here identified as "the great city", is rebuilt Babylon, the headquarters of the One World Religion (Rev_ 7:18).
The Scarlet Beast
Rev 17:3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
Notes
The "scarlet beast" is the AntiChrist and his system. It is the same beast that has the 10 horns and 7 heads, the 4th empire (Rev 17:3).
The Dragon
Rev 13:1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.
Notes
The Dragon is Satan (Rev 12:9, Rev 20:2), and the "beast coming out of the sea" with the 10 horns and 7 heads is the One World Government which will take on the form of a 10 Nation Confederacy. This beast is said to have 10 horns and 7 heads (Rev 13:1), and has the characteristics of the first three empires (Rev 13:2). The Dragon, Satan, is said to have 7 heads and 10 horns, and this seems to represent Satan's authority and consistency of purpose with the AntiChrist and his system (Rev 17:3). Rev 13:4 distinguishes between the dragon and the "beast", or forth empire.
The Messianic Kingdom
The Vision that Nebuchadnezzar Saw
Dan 2:34-35 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. (35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Vision
Dan 2:44-45 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. (45) This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands--a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. "The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy."
The Corresponding Vision Daniel Saw
Dan 7:9-10 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. (10) A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Dan 7:13-14 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. (14) He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel is Given the Meaning of His Vision
Dan 7:27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'
Corresponding Vision John Saw
Rev 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Rev 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Notes
The Messianic Kingdom heralds the end of the Times of the Gentiles (Luk 21:24).
The
4th Empire's authority is taken away, and their lives are prolonged a
little while. (Rev 17:10-12)
The Millennial Kingdom will be set up during the time of the 10 Kingdoms and will eventually replace the Antichrist (Dan 2:44).
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