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Revelation 17
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present. 9 Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. 10 They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction. 12 The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. 13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. They also will overcome who are with him, called and chosen and faithful."
Here is the mind that has wisdom
Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six. (Revelation 13:18)
If anyone has captivity, he will go. If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10)
Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)
But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language; to whom he said, "This is the resting place. Give rest to weary;" and "This is the refreshing;" yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12)
Then if any man tells you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or, 'There,' don't believe it. (Matthew 24:23)
The seven heads are seven mountains
They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. (Revelation 17:10)
The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, (Revelation 8:8)
What does the symbol of mountain refer to in prophecy? It may be simplistic to default to the common interpretation that this merely points to the city of Rome built on 7 hills. Consistent with how we study this book, everything is first viewed as symbolic before considering it might also be literal. The Greek word translated ‘mountains’ here means to lift up, as to raised ground above a plain. It could infer something to do with self-exaltation, resonating with Isaiah’s description of Lucifer’s revolt in heaven.
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. (Isaiah 40:4)
On a high and lofty mountain have you set your bed; there also you went up to offer sacrifice. Behind the doors and the posts have you set up your memorial: for you have uncovered yourself to another than me, and are gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed where you saw it. You went to the king with oil, and did increase your perfumes, and did send your ambassadors far off, and did debase yourself even to Sheol. You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you didn't say, It is in vain: you found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren't faint.
Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven't I held my peace even of long time, and you don't fear me? I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you. When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. (Isaiah 57:7-13)
What are more obvious characteristics associated with mountains?
They are prominent, meaning they are hard to hide unless by dense clouds or fog.
They are like an elevated platform making what goes on at the top more readily noticeable.
They are generally made of hard stone material exuding the idea of strength.
They often provide strategic advantage during military conflicts, largely due to gravity.
Mountains and their surrounding topography often provide hiding places unlike plains.
Mountains can sometimes visually invoke as sense of majesty, stunning beauty and stability.
I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, says Yahweh. Behold, I am against you, destroying mountain, says Yahweh, which destroys all the earth; and I will stretch out my hand on you, and roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burnt mountain. (Jeremiah 51:24-25)
This directly links the symbol of a mountain with Babylon which figures prominently in Revelation.
If he fathers a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood, and who does any one of these things, and who does not any of those duties, but even has eaten on the mountains, and defiled his neighbor's wife, has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination, has given forth on interest, and has taken increase; shall he then live? he shall not live: he has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be on him. (Ezekiel 18:10-13)
Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood; and in you they have eaten on the mountains: in the midst of you they have committed lewdness. (Ezekiel 22:9)
Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husbands, "Bring us drinks!" The Lord Yahweh has sworn by his holiness that behold, "The days shall come on you that they will take you away with hooks, and the last of you with fish hooks." (Amos 4:1-2)
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who are secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come! (Amos 6:1)
Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. (Matthew 4:8)
While there seems to be very little in Scripture that refers to a cluster of mountains, much less a set of 7, mountains figure prominently in religion throughout history. Clearly Mt. Sinai is one of the most memorable mountains used by God to make a deep impression when delivering the 10 commandment law in a spectacular display of smoke and fire. And like everything God does, there will also be counterfeits to mimic the effect and draw away attention to similar spectacles in order to deceive. But at the same time, there can be counterparts where God seeks to clarify misunderstandings, particularly in the ministry of His Son while living with us on earth.
Interestingly, the account of what is called the Sermon on the Mount was delivered on a plain at the base of a mountain. Yet clearly there was also mountain involved.
Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 4:23 – 5:3)
He looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other. But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.
It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles…. He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed. All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. (Luke 6:10-20)
The story of the feeding of the 5,000 describes a mountain and also a deserted place.
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:13-14, 21-23)
When his [John’s] disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray. (Mark 6: 29-34, 44-46)
Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?" He sought to see him. The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida. But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing. (Luke 9:9-11)
A great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick. Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?" This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten. When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, "This is truly the prophet who comes into the world." Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (John 6:2-6, 13-15)
Jesus departed there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there. Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them, so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, injured whole, lame walking, and blind seeing--and they glorified the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:29-31)
This last account refers to a later feeding involving 4,000 but also includes reference to a mountain.
Another significant reference to a mountain involving Jesus is this one.
It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. (Luke 9:28-29)
How might these accounts contribute to understanding of this prophecy of the famous harlot sitting on 7 mountains?
on which the woman sits
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, (Revelation 17:1)
He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored animal, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)
The angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. (Revelation 17:7)
He said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. (Revelation 17:15)
The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:18)
However much she glorified herself, and grew wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning. For she says in her heart, 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no way see mourning.' (Revelation 18:7)
What does sitting on these mountains represent? Seven is a symbol of completeness, and these represent sources of power and authority for her. She depends on them for power for the duration of time she can survive. But when they lose power or their relationship with her sours, this arrangement comes to a fiery end (Revelation 17:16).
They are seven kings
Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. (Revelation 12:3)
Crowns and kings generally associate with each other pretty tightly. The fact that there were 7 crowns on the 7 heads of the dragon in chapter 12, and that here the 7 heads are identified as 7 hills/mountains transitioning into being identified as 7 kings, all seems to indicate a pretty close collusion if not meaning the very same thing.
In this context we need to keep in mind that this is not the same kings as the 10 kings mentioned 2 verses later.
I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. They told me, "You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings." (Revelation 10:10-11)
Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come
This resonates with a similar phrase repeated twice in verse 8.
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present. (Revelation 17:8)
This distinctly lays out a sequence of timing. If these 5 kings represent world dominating empires described in the image in Daniel 2, the one who is could refer to an attempt at a global world power initiated just before the Second Coming of Christ initiated by Satan attempting to seize control of the whole world personally. This power grab could be prepared for by the activities of the beasts and image to the beast in chapter 13. The one not yet come could be in reference to the last hurrah of Satan's political career involving the collective forces of all the lost after the last resurrection as he unifies all the world for a final massive assault against the kingdom of heaven outlined in chapter 20.
When he comes, he must continue a little while
This phrase links vividly with a similar one in chapter 20 which is why there is good reason to allow this part of the prophecy to include both events previous and extending beyond the millennium.
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction…. (Revelation 17:8)
He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time. (Revelation 20:2-3)
The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. (Revelation 17:8)
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. (Daniel 7:24-26)
An initial problem here is that we are dealing with 7 kings and an 8th, while in Daniel we see 10 horns plus an additional one, so the numbers don’t seem to align with each other. What we do see is the additional one making up a parallel pattern to each other. Yet after the new diverse horn uproots 3 of the 10 horns, that leaves 7 left which now matches perfectly and what we are looking at here and also makes the new horn an 8th.
he goes to destruction
Again, this resonates with a similar phrase repeated in verse 8.
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. (Revelation 17:8)
And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God, and devoured them. The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:7-10)
