English Back to Greek Revelation 17:1

   And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great whore πόρνης that sits upon many waters. Revelation 17:1

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those words. Some of the English translations (in my opinion) were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used offers a clearer picture of what John was witnessing, while in the spirit. 

   For example the Greek word translated into the English as great (megas) 'prostitute' is  πόρνης which means commercially corrupt one, to export or sell products or commodities immorally for profit or gain. This is generally defined or translated into English by its root πόρνη which is simply pornēs, prostitute or prostitution. This is where the term harlot, wh0re or, prostitute originated from, the root of πόρνης. 

Revelation 13:3 King or Kingdom?

    I was a little late to the Revelation 13:3 social media party and almost missed it completely. After the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald J Trump, social media lit up with Revelation 13:3 quotes. This was mostly from those who don't study scripture but, are quick to use it to serve their purposes or, fit a specific narrative which has become common practice. Most comments were quite misguided, even delusional, misquoting scripture. 

   "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" 

   The bullet grazed former President Trump's ear, whereas, the alleged shooter received a deadly head wound which ended his life and no, he will not rise again. But, the scriptural reference was directed at former President Trump and his wounded ear. Heads represent kingdoms, horns represent kings, Is Trump a kingdom? Is he a kingdom that belongs to the beast that rises from the sea, during the time of tribulation? Is he even a sitting President right now? Is he a leader (king) of a middle eastern world kingdom? No, of course not. 

   Why doesn't scripture say one of the horns was wounded as to death if this verse represents a deadly head wound upon a man; a king? Because it's not a man, it's a kingdom. 

   Let me explain: 

   Revelation 13:1-4 details the rise of the antichrist-tribulation kingdom aka: the beast of ten horns, who parallels the feet and toes of iron and clay.  

Isaiah 46 Failure of False Gods

  Babylon relied on her sorcerers, magicians, necromancers and stargazers. 

   Nebuchadnezzars father, King Nabopolassar, had a slew of sorcerers, soothsayers, stargazers, diviners and occultist advising him of his every move. When King Nebuchadnezzar II took the throne, he inherited them as part of his counsel from his father. But Nebuchadnezzar found that only the God of Israel could reveal secrets, and was true to His Word. 

   The ruling elite of Babylon were deeply humbled when their false gods, sorcerers, diviners and stargazers were unable to warn them of the invasion of King Darius and the Persian King Cyrus the Great, just as the Isaiah prophecy states. Not only did their gods not warn them, but those idols held them captive, promising peace and security from within Babylon's massive walls. 

   What a burden their idols became for them. Neither Bel or Nebo could stand erect on their own. The Babylonians hauled them away in their wagons, as they had no use or power of their own. The God of Israel has shown them that their golden idols of pagan gods, and carved animals were a heavy burden, mute and of no help. Even Marduk the Snake-Dragon – chief god of Babylon had been muzzled and lame. He was no match for the God of the Israelites. When the nobles and high priests removed the created idols that had failed them, they became a heavy burden under the victorious God of Israel. 

   The Isaiah prophecy has more spiritual meaning than a physical one with the lackluster and worthlessness of the pagan idols. 

   There is no mention of the people scattering or fleeing Babylon after the conquest of the  Medes and Persians. Historical documentation, including the Cyrus Cylinder (539-538 BC) suggests that the city was taken without much of a fight. In fact, the inhabitants of Babylon were not even aware that they had been captured: Daniel 5. Only the elites and their concubines were aware of the siege. Thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and the Persians. 

Dreams of a King Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar's Prophetic Dream

   Upon claiming the throne (605 BC) after the death of his father, King Nabopolassar, King Nebuchadnezzar II inherited a bunch of mystic advisors that had once served his father. These wise men were collaborators of the dark arts who worked in service to the King. The mystic advisors were the best the kingdom had to offer, Egyptian magicians, Canaanite fortunetellers, Aramaic astrologers, and Chaldean dream interpreters. There were also soothsayers, diviners,  sorcerers, enchanters, conjurers, and illusionist available to provide counsel unto the new king.  

   But none would come close to doing what the king requested.

   King Nebuchadnezzar II was haunted by a recurring dream that mesmerized his soul. He tossed and turned in his bed, the details of his dream evaporating as soon as he woke. It intrigued him so deeply that he called upon his court of dream translators, sorcerers, astrologers, and magicians to reveal his dream, so he could remember it.   

   He was desperate to know more of the mysterious dream that evaded his waking moments. 

Hislop and the Mother Child Religion

   The argument used by Alexander Hislop to explain the mystery religion or, the mother - child worship predominant in the Catholic church is that every false religion in the world is the worship of a woman named Semiramis and her child, Tammuz, the reincarnation of Nimrod. His argument is that a mother-child religion spread through the entire world after the fall of Babel. This religious system replicates the worship of Semiramis and Nimrod in the form of Tammuz. He claims that these are the same beings with different names since the languages had changed. 

    His argument is that Mary and Jesus are simply imitations of Semiramis and Tammuz reintroduced into religion, and the birth of Christ Jesus, was a replacement for this ancient Babylonian mystery religion. He ignores any reference to the rise of fertility cults consisting of a variety of deities that dominated the Mesopotamia. 

   History shows that the Mesopotamia was filled with a mixed combination of occult  rituals, idol worshipers and a saturation of fertility religions post-flood. History has no mention of a woman named Semiramis until the 8th century BC, long after the tower of Babel fell and, Nimrod no longer walked the earth. Her memory was expounded upon, and included in the writings of many Greek historians, beginning with Greek physician and historian, Ctesias (5-4th C BC) who connected her to a mythological character, King Ninus. 

   According to Greek mythology, King Ninus ruled Assyria in 3000 BC. These myths and legends are what many historians, including Alexander Hislop, based their research on. 

Debunking Alexander Hislop?

   Hislop did a fantastic job selling his bizarre hypothesis of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz and the Babylon mystery religion; as it continues to be a primary teaching in many  churches today. Hislop's theory is used to explain the prophecy of the 'harlot woman' of Revelation 17. This is the only chapter in the entirety of the Bible, that many Bible teachers use an outside source for interpretation.

   The majority of parishioners aren't even aware that these tales are based upon mythology, mythical figures and fictional characters. but, we were told that this would happen: 2 Tim 4:3,4. Those who are aware, just don't care. It is taught in church and that is good enough for them. Afterall, who would question their favorite Bible teacher?  

  Surely Bible teachers had done their research on this, investing in a full analysis of Hislop's claims, before teaching it as a historical and biblical narrative? One would think so,  but it is impossible to fully analyze the conjuncture of Hislop, and still teach it as a historical or biblical narrative, with a clear conscience. Many pastors are misled by these teachings. 

   The interpretation of Alexander Hislop is the most protected non-Biblical source in modern history. The truth in the Bible supports itself, both historically and scripturally.  When you have doubts or questions, the Bible explains itself as scripture is interconnected, and scripture defines scripture. Not so with Hislop. When you have doubts or questions as to the logic of reincarnation, time travel or mythical characters, there are no discussions or debates. You become an outcast, verbally attacked as a 'crazy troublemaker', your questions or comments ignored as folly. It is something you cannot question or criticize in many churches today. The insanity of it all just boggles my mind. But, it is what it is. In the age of mass deception, truth, logic and reason become the first victims. 

   Beginning sometime around  2012 or 13, something quite uncanny occurred. Someone taught the Hislop narrative of the mystery religion of Semiramis, and before too long nearly every bible teacher was teaching it. As a result, you couldn't find a sermon on Revelation 17 without it. Almost all use the same Hislop narrative that includes Nimrod, a fabled mother / wife, named Semiramis and a son named Tammuz. 

Daniels Fourth Beast from the Sea

   The interpretation of Daniel 7 can be a bit perplexing. I thought I would attempt a quick and hopefully simple breakdown of Daniels four beasts that rise from the sea. It will aid in the interpretation of the beast kingdom in Revelation 13, and 17, and perhaps offer some clarity concerning the fourth kingdom which rises in the last days, prior to the second coming of Christ Jesus - Yeshua Hamashiach.

    The writing below is a simple reiteration of scripture, not a regurgitation. The Bible is interconnecting as scripture defines scripture. Daniels night vision interconnects with Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2. Nebuchadnezzar was perplexed by a dream that prophesized the future of his kingdom. His dream began with his role as King of Babylon, the head of gold who ruled the middle east. His kingdom - the golden lion, was  followed by two additional kingdoms, one of silver -bear, and another of brass-leopard. These future kingdoms rose to rule the middle east - the kingdom of Babylon. The dream ended with a fourth and final kingdom that will rise to seize world power in the latter days. The Bible doesn't require outside sources to interpret scripture but, we often find that historical events fill in the gaps. 

   Daniel 7 adds additional information which parallels the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. The kings dream outlined an historical timeline of Babylon, which revolved around four metals indicating the decline of his kingdom, and two additional kingdoms that rose to rule the middle east - the kingdom of Babylon. There is one kingdom left, the fourth kingdom which rises in the latter days. 

   The four beasts parallel four metals from the dream image: 

   Four Beast: 1) Lion - Babylon 2) Bear- Mede-Persian 3) Leopard - Greek, Grecian 4) Beast of ten horns - Tribulation-Antichrist kingdom. 

   Four Metals: 1) Gold - Babylon, 2) Silver - Mede-Persian, 3) Brass - Grecian, 4a) Iron - God's judgement, fall of Babylon, 4b) Iron mixed with clay - Tribulation - Antichrist.