Sevens of Kingdoms
As we conclude our study on Sevens in Revelation, we come to the last five sevens- Horns, Heads, Mountains, Kings, Crowns. All these relate to what we may describe as Kingdom or kingdoms. There is a Kingdom that has reigned on earth using different names but its spiritual name is Babylon. It started to operate in Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel… The beginning of human government (kingdom) was Babel, led by Nimrod, the great hunter before the LORD. But there is a mystery about Babylon that goes beyond what was materially constituted as human kingdom.
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH Rev 17:3-5. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 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 the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Rev 17:9-12
The Kingdoms of this world
Several kingdoms had ruled the world (and over Israel particularly). The first was Egypt, followed by Assyria, then Babylon, then Medio-Persia, then Grecia. These were the five that have fallen. As of the time of the writer, the Roman Empire, which was the sixth, was in place as the one which is. One is yet to come for a short space of time. It is believed that the seventh and the eighth relate to the reign of the Anti-Christ, first in diplomacy but later as a beast. Ten powerful nations (kings) shall rally to support the Beast to achieve all its purposes. Read Revelation 13
No matter how great and strong a human kingdom appears to be, it will surely fall. It will not continue forever. God alone is the inheritor of the nations Ps 2:8; 82:8. His Kingdom alone is everlasting and His dominion shall know no end Dan 4:34 and those who do His will shall abide forever 1 Jn 2:17.
Let us therefore be careful what we build and how we build. Let us be careful what we are investing in. If it is of this world, it will pass away. What a wasted life that would be? What a loss?
Ultimately, …The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev 11:15. A new world ruler who rules in righteousness, peace and joy. It is certainly a new world to look forward to.
Babylon is fallen…
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen… Rev 18:2. The whole world system will collapse in a moment. Everything that gives people pleasure will be turned to ashes. Trade which is a major part of the system will collapse. Merriment and celebration because of personal gain and advantage will be no more. The whole world will lose its pride and joy.
There is a spirit of sorcery in the world. It is by this that men are deceived and lured into all kinds of evil and iniquities. That spirit will lose its power and will no longer have control over men because God will judge her.
The evils men do are not without a powerful and compelling influence. It is the spirit of Babylon at work. Paul described it thus, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others Eph 2:1-3. Praise be to God who in Christ has delivered many of us from this evil, unyielding and controlling bondage. But those who are still in its grip, unless they repent, will be destroyed in a moment and forever suffer along with it.
… whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers Col 1:16 visible or invisible … all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree Is 34:4 If all these glamours shall fade and pass away, what manner of men ought we to be as strangers and pilgrims in the world?
May the LORD give us deep understand to always, while we spend our passing days here on this side of life, choose what is excellent and glorifying to Christ’s Holy name. Amen