Armageddon. The Apocalypse. 666. The Beast.
These words are everywhere in pop culture, but what do they really mean?
In Greek, “apocalypse” means “revelation.” The Book of Revelation isn’t just about scary imagery—it’s about the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This confirmation came through the judgment on Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the temple. These events sealed Jesus’ identity as the mysterious Son of Man prophesied in Daniel and marked the start of the eternal Kingdom.
The Judgment on Judah
Jesus warned of Judah’s judgment during His ministry. In Luke 21:20-24, He said:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, recognize that her desolation is near. Those in Judea must flee to the mountains… These are the days of vengeance, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled.”
This judgment wasn’t random. It was for sins of idolatry and bloodshed, as the prophets had warned for centuries. Deuteronomy 32:43 says:
“Rejoice, you nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants and return vengeance on His adversaries.”
The imagery in Revelation builds on these ideas, focusing on the consequences of Judah’s sins.
Mystery Babylon: The Woman and the Beast
Revelation describes a woman riding a beast:
- She is dressed in purple, scarlet, and gold, adorned with precious stones (Revelation 17:4).
- She holds a golden cup filled with abominations.
- On her forehead, it says, “Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and Abominations of the Earth.”
The woman symbolizes spiritual unfaithfulness, as idolatry in the Bible is often compared to prostitution (Deuteronomy 31:16). Her attire matches the priestly garments described in Exodus 28, but instead of “Holy to the Lord” on her forehead as the priests had, her forehead inscription points to her unfaithfulness. This was an implication of the priesthood and leadership of the day.
The Beast and Its Kings
The beast the woman rides has seven heads and ten horns. Revelation explains:
- The seven heads are seven mountains, representing Rome, the city on seven hills. They also represent seven kings.
- The ten horns are ten kings who give their power to the beast.
- The beast in its entirety represents the eighth king.
Revelation 17:10-11 says:
“Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must remain for a little while. The beast, which was and is not, is an eighth king.”
Here’s how this fits Roman history:
- Tiberius (emperor during Jesus’ ministry)
- Caligula
- Claudius
- Nero (his name matches 666 in Hebrew numerals)
- Galba
(These five had fallen by the time of Revelation’s writing.) - Otho (the one ruling at that time)
- Vitellius (who would reign for a short time)
- Vespasian (the “eighth king,” emperor during Jerusalem’s fall)
The beast’s “fatal wound” in Revelation 13 refers to Nero’s suicide, which plunged Rome into civil war. This also aligns with Revelation 17:8, “the beast was and is not”. “Is not” likely because the book was released during the time of Otho. It seemed as though the empire would fall. When Vespasian became emperor, he steadied the empire. This aligns with Revelation 17:8, “{the beast]…will come”. This civil war also aligns with Daniel’s vision of the Roman Empire’s feet of iron mixed with clay.
The Judgment on Jerusalem
Revelation 17:16 describes the beast turning against the woman:
“The ten horns and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate, strip her, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.”
This matches what happened in 70 AD, when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and burned the temple. Revelation 18 says:
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great… Her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her offenses.”
The destruction of Jerusalem was a fulfillment of Jesus’ warnings. Even the timing was significant: the temple burned on the 9th of Av, the same date the Babylonians destroyed the first temple centuries earlier.
Questions from the Comments
1. What does the woman riding the beast represent?
The woman symbolizes Jerusalem, implicated in spiritual unfaithfulness (idolatry) and bloodshed. Her luxurious attire mirrors priestly garments, but her actions betray her unfaithfulness to God.
2. What is the significance of the beast’s heads and horns?
The seven heads represent Rome’s seven hills and a series of Roman emperors. The ten horns symbolize client kings who supported Rome during the war against Judah.
3. Why is Nero associated with 666?
In Hebrew numerals, “Nero Caesar” adds up to 666. Nero’s reign and subsequent suicide played a key role in the events leading to Jerusalem’s destruction.
4. How does Revelation connect to Jesus’ warnings?
Revelation echoes Jesus’ prophecies in Luke 21 and Matthew 24 about the judgment on Judah. The events described—including Jerusalem’s destruction—occurred within the generation Jesus addressed.
The Eternal Kingdom Begins
Revelation isn’t just about judgment. It also pointed to a new beginning. After Jerusalem’s fall, the eternal Kingdom under Jesus began to spread worldwide – spreading the rule of the God of Israel worldwide. Revelation 19 celebrates:
[Rev 11:15-17 NASB20] 15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become [the kingdom] of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” …17 … “We give You thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.
The destruction of Jerusalem marked the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Covenant, fulfilling God’s promises of a Kingdom that will never end.