Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come, His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The model prayer at Matthew 6:9 states: “9 . . . Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
From the above prayer, it is evident that God’s kingdom is an actual heavenly government that is not of this world.
When on trial, Jesus said to Pilate: “. . . My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight (my subjects would have fought), that I not be handed over to the Jews; but (in fact) my kingship (kingdom) is not of this world.” John 18:36
The prophet Daniel portrayed the kingdom of God as a stone, cut not by human hands and hurled toward the earth, smashing and obliterating all pre-existing forms of human government. The stone then became a mountain and filled the whole earth, and it itself stood to times indefinite.
Daniel 2:44-45 states: “44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people. It shall break to pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand (endure) for ever (to times indefinite). 45 Just (Inasmuch) as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain, by no human hand (not by human hands). . . A (The) great God shall make known to the king what shall be hereafter.”
Daniel 2:35 states: “. . . But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”
The prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning the birth of the Messiah and the coming Messianic kingdom. This kingdom is a heavenly government and is destined to last for ever. The LORD (Yahweh) of hosts, will do this for His Son.
Isaiah 9:6-7 states: “6 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD (Yahweh) of hosts will do this.”
The prophet Daniel also prophesied that the Son of Man would be given the kingdom at a future time, from His God and Father, the Ancient of Days.
Daniel 7:13-14 “13 . . . and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like the Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. 14 And to Him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
The Psalmist in a similar manner prophesied that the LORD (Yahweh) would someday give the nations of the earth as an inheritance to His Son. The kings of the earth and the rulers themselves would conspire against the LORD and His anointed one. At the fulfilled time, God the Father would enthrone His only begotten Son on Mount Zion and break the nations with a rod of iron, dashing them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Psalms 2:1-9 states: “1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD (Yahweh) and His anointed, saying, 3 ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.’ 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD has (holds) them in derision. 5 Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 ‘I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’ 7 I will tell the decree of the LORD; He said to me, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.'”
David prophesied that the Son would sit at the Father’s right hand, until the LORD (Yahweh) made His enemies a footstool for His feet. It would be at this future time, that the Son would receive the royal scepter from His Father and rule in the midst of His enemies.
Psalms 110:1-2 states: “1 The LORD (Yahweh) said to my Lord (Christ); ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool (a footstool for your feet).’ 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your foes (enemies).”
The scriptures confirm that Jesus did not take the throne following His death and resurrection. Instead, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and positioned Him to sit at His right hand.
Acts 2:32-33 states: “This Jesus God raised up. . . being therefore exalted to the right hand of God.”
Acts 7:56 states: “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Ephesians 1:20 states: “Which He (God the Father) accomplished in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
Hebrews 1:3 states: “When He (Christ) had made purification for our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty (God the Father) on high.” (See also Hebrews 1:13)
Hebrews 12:2 states: “Looking to Jesus. . . who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
It is a false theology that teaches Jesus began His reign, immediately following His death and resurrection. After being raised from the dead, Christ was exalted and seated at the right hand of God, henceforth awaiting the time that His Father would make His enemies a footstool for His feet.
God’s own word tells us that the heavens are God’s throne and the earth is His footstool.
Isaiah 66:1 states: “Thus says the LORD (Yahweh); ‘Heaven is my (thy) throne and the earth is my (thy) footstool.'”
The fulfillment of the above prophesies and the birth of the Messianic kingdom would come at a future time. The Book of Revelation foretells that a war would eventually break out in heaven. This war would mark the birth of the kingdom of God and the authority of His Christ. This war would also result in the dragon (Satan the Devil) and his angels being cast out of heaven (God’s throne room), down to the earth (His footstool).
Revelation 12:7-10 states: “7 Now war arose (broke out) in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting (fought) against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent (the original serpent), who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, ‘Now (has come to pass) the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ has come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.'”
This war and the ousting of Satan and his angels from heaven, would usher in the the birth of the Messianic kingdom and the beginning of what is known as the great tribulation on earth. This would be a short period of time for the Devil, who is angry and misleading the entire inhabited earth.
Revelation 12:12 states: “Rejoice then O heaven and you that dwell within! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in (having) great wrath, because he knows that his time is short (that he has a short period of time)!”
Jesus prophesied about the great tribulation and its unprecedented severity and impact on the human race.
Jesus prophesied at Matthew 24:21-22: “21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect (the chosen ones, God’s chosen people) those days will be cut short.”
Mark 13:19-20: “19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
The prophecy, at Psalms 110:1-2, tells us that Christ’s enemies would still be present when He receives the heavenly kingdom and enthronement from His Father.
“1 The LORD (Yahweh) said to my Lord (Christ); ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool (a footstool for your feet).’ 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your foes (your enemies).” (Previously cited)
Upon receiving kingly authority and rule from His Father in heaven, Christ’s enemies (Satan and his demonic host) are cast out of heaven, down to the earth.* Christ’s enemies are then made a footstool for His feet. This marks the commencement of the great tribulation, a short period of time with unprecedented woes for the earth’s inhabitants. Although confined to the earth’s realm, Satan and his minions are not vanquished. In this sense, Christ begins His reign from heaven in the midst of His enemies.
The beginning of Christ’s reign as king is signified by His riding a white horse with a crown on His head. What follows His enthronement are three other riders, each with unprecedented woes for the earth and its inhabitants, known as the “horse men of the Apocalypse.”
The First Rider: Christ, enthroned as king and ruling from heaven, rules in the midst of His enemies. Christ begins His ride and goes forth to conquer.
Revelation 6:2-8 states: “2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.”
The Second Rider: Global warfare, and permission to take peace away from the earth.
Revelation 6:4 states: “4 And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another; and he was given a great sword.”
The Third Rider: Famine and massive inflation, where commodities such as olive oil and wine would be viewed as very precious.
Revelation 6:5 states: “5 And I saw and behold a black horse, and its rider had a balance in its hand; 6 and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, but do not harm oil and wine.'”
The Fourth Rider: Death and Hades (the grave), and they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, famine, pestilence, and the wild beasts of the earth.
Revelation 6:8 states: “8 And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider’s name was Death, and Hades (the grave) followed him; and they were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by (the) wild beasts of the earth.”
A more recent interpretation of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, is that the first rider is not a representation of Jesus Christ at all, but instead pictures the anti-Christ. The rationale for this theology is that Jesus is never identified in scripture as a King, riding a white horse with a bow, but is only represented as a King, riding a white horse with a sword. The argument is also made that the succeeding horsemen who follow the first rider, bring only war, famine, plague, and death for the earth’s inhabitants. This certainly would not be indicative of Christ on a white horse, but only the anti-Christ. Therefore, the first rider must picture the anti-Christ.
The question then arises, “Is there any passage of scripture that portrays Christ as a king, riding a horse, and with a bow?” Yes there is! The following prophecy in Psalms depicts the enthroned Christ as bearing a royal scepter. He has been anointed by His God and is now enthroned. In majesty, He rides forth victoriously and shoots arrows into His enemies, who fall under Him.
Psalms 45:4-7 states: “4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let your right hand teach you dread deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. 6 Your divine throne endures for ever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity; you love righteousness and hate wickedness. 7 Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows . . .”
The book of Revelation Ch. 19 also identifies Jesus Christ as the Word of God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. In a manner similar to Revelation Ch. 6 & Psalms Ch. 45, Revelation Ch. 19 depicts Christ as riding a white horse, waging war as a conqueror, and leading the armies of heaven. He has a long sword protruding out of His mouth, by which He smites the nations and rules over them with a rod of iron.
Revelation 19:11, 15-16 states: “11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike (might smite) down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.'”
The above scriptural passages (Psalms Ch. 45, Revelation Ch. 6, & Revelation Ch. 19) clearly identify the newly crowned Jesus Christ as the rider of a white horse. He has a bow, by which He shoots arrows into His enemies, and a long sword proceeding from His mouth, by which He smites the nations. On His head are many diadems (a crown) and He is riding forth victoriously and in majesty to conquer. The armies of heaven are following Him. He goes forth conquering in the midst of His enemies, who are still present on earth. He has been anointed by His God and Father and bears the royal scepter. His divine throne endures forever.
From these passages, it is clearly evident that Christ is first crowned King and given power and authority from heaven. (See Matthew 6:9-10 & Revelation 12:7-10, previously cited) As a result, Christ’s enemies (Satan and his angels) are cast out of heaven, down to earth. This represents an unprecedented time of trouble or tribulation for the earth and its inhabitants. This is pictured by the other riders of the Apocalypse, who follow the first rider; the newly enthroned King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ! The armies of heaven follow the Word of God as both King and conqueror. He will smite the nations and rule them with a rod of iron. In these many ways, the description of the first rider of the Apocalypse (Revelation Ch. 6) who is wearing a crown, riding a white horse, and going forth to conquer; aligns with the later rider of the Apocalypse (Revelation Ch. 19) who is also wearing a crown, riding a white horse, and going forth to conquer. The rider in both of these passages can be none other than the Word of God, Christ Jesus!
The coming of God’s kingdom is a joint venture, involving both God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. In this sense they are both coming.
Matthew 6:9-10 states: “9 . . . Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Previously cited)
Revelation 11:18 states: “The kingdom of our world has become the kingdom of our Lord (God the Father), and of His Christ.”
Jesus said at Matthew 16:27: “For the Son of Man is to come with His angels in the glory of His Father (in His Father’s glory). . .” (See also Daniel 7:13-14, Psalms 2:1-9, & Psalms Ch. 110)
A worldwide political entity known as the beast (the eighth king of Bible history), along with ten horns (ten kings), who give their allegiance to the beast during this final hour, will battle with the Lamb (Christ Jesus) and those who are called, chosen, and faithful, the returning saints. The beast and the ten horns will be defeated by the enthroned Christ, because He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 17:9-14 states: “9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains. . . 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes he must remain only for a little while. 11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to perdition (destruction).* 12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast; 14 they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.”*
The final confrontation between God Almighty and the kings of the earth will be at a place called in Hebrew, “Armageddon” (Harmageddon). This final battle will determine the future rulership of the planet and usher in the thousand year reign of Christ, also known as the millennium.
Revelation 16:13-16 states: “13 And I saw, issuing from the mouth of the dragon (Satan) and from the mouth of the beast and from the mouth of the false prophet, three foul spirits like frogs; 14 for they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15 ‘Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and be seen exposed.’ 16 And they assembled them at a place which is called in Hebrew Armageddon (Harmageddon).”
The catastrophic results of the battle of Armageddon will be the devastating carnage and strewn corpses of the defeated nations and their armies. This will be an all out confrontation with God Almighty and His enthroned Son, Christ Jesus. The beast and all of those who take its mark and worship its image, will be thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.
Revelation 19:17-21 states: “17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, ‘Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.’ 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him (Christ) who sits upon the horse and against His army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. 21 And the rest were slain with the sword of Him who sits upon the horse, the sword that issues from His mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.”
The Mountain of the LORD (God’s Kingdom)
The mountain of the LORD, God’s kingdom, will then fill the whole earth. It will crush and put an end to all other kingdoms, and it itself will last stand forever.
Daniel 2:44 states: “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people, It shall break in pieces all of these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.” (Previously cited, Rd. Daniel 2:36-45)
Daniel 2:35 states: “. . . But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Previously cited)
The prophecy of Isaiah 2:2-4 will be fulfilled:
“2 . . . In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.” (See also Micah 4:1-5)
The Passing of the Old Heavens & Old Earth
The prophesies state that the old heavens and old earth will pass away at the coming of the Lord.
2 Peter 3:10 states: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire; and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up (the earth and everything in it will be laid bare).”
Revelation 21:1 states: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first (the old) heaven and first (old) earth had passed away. . .”
Just as their were a heavens and an earth of old and the world that then existed was deluged with water; so to the heavens and earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, and are being reserved for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:5-7 states: “5 They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago, and an earth formed out of water, and by means of water, 6 through which the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”*
The earth that now exists, present day human society and the works found therein, will be exposed and burned up at the coming of the Lord. Ungodly men and all of those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, will be destroyed with fire at the revelation of our Lord. Thus, in a symbolic manner, the world of mankind or former earth will have passed away.
The Apostle Paul, at 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 states: “13 Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
Jesus prophesied at Luke 12:2: “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.”
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 states: “7. . .When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, 10 when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed.”
1 John 2:7 states: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”
Matthew 42:3 states: “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and the end of the age (end of the world).'”
2 Peter 3:10 states: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, . . . and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed (the earth and its works will be burned up).”
The heavens that now exist, the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places, will pass away at the coming of the Lord. At the revelation of our Lord, Satan’s angels will be cast into a pit or abyss and bound for a thousand years. Thus, in a symbolic manner, the demonic forces, the former heavens will have passed away.
At Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul wrote: “For we are not contending (wrestling) against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of the present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Revelation 20:1-3 states: “1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit (abyss), and shut and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. . .”
2 Peter 3:10 states: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud (hissing) noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire. . .”
The final outcome for the Devil and his angels, is being thrown into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet already are and all those who have taken the mark of the beast.
Revelation 20:10 states: “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 14:9-10 states: “9 If any one worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also shall drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of His anger, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. . .”
The Earth Abideth Forever
The Bible clearly states that the earth remains (abideth) forever. The earth as a planet will never pass away, but the evil world of mankind that exists on it will pass away.
Ecclesiastes 1:4 states: “A generation goes (goeth), and a generation comes (cometh), but the earth remains (abideth) forever.”
Psalms 104:5 states: “Thou didst set the earth on its foundations (laid the foundations of the earth), so that it should never be shaken (not be made to totter, it should not be moved forever, it will not be made to totter to time indefinite or forever).”
A New Heaven and a New Earth
There are a new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting, and in these righteousness is to dwell. With the removal of the old heavens and old earth, the former things will have passed away. The tabernacle of God will be with mankind and He will dwell among them. God will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither shall there be morning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And He who sat on the throne said: “Behold, I am making all things new.” “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
2 Peter 3:13 states: “There are a new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to His promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”
Revelation 21:1, 3-4 states: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first (former) heaven and the first (former) earth had passed away, and the sea* was no more.“ 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling (tabernacle) of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. . . 4 He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither shall there be morning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ 5 And He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold I make all things new.’ Also He said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy (faithful) and true.'”
*Red print is for variations of scriptural passages and/or for clarification.
*The heavenly kingdom that Christ receives is truly a gift from His God and Father. This is made evident in that Michael (the archangel) and his angels, battle with the dragon and his angels, and cast them down to the earth. Christ is a non-combatant in this battle. (See Revelation 12:7-12) In this sense, Christ remains seated at the right hand of the Father, until God makes His enemies a footstool for His feet.
*The seven heads of the beast are referred to as seven kings or mountains. Many Bible scholars and theologians attribute these heads as being the seven world powers of Bible history, each of which at one time conquered and occupied the nation of Israel (Judea). These seven world powers would be: 1. Egypt 2. Assyria 3. Babylon 4. Medo-Persia 5. Greece 6. Rome 7. Great Britain. The ten horns represent ten kings that emerge from the remnants of the former Roman empire and give their power and authority to the beast, for one final hour. (Daniel 2:31-45 & 7:17-27) The number ten in the Bible can symbolize earthly completeness. This would indicate a complete number of kings from the former Roman empire. Ex. the ten commandments, the ten plagues, see also Zechariah 8:23 & Revelation 2:10.
At the time Revelation was written, five of the above world powers had fallen, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, & Greece. One was, Rome, and one was yet to come, Great Britain. The beast that comes out of the sea, with the seven heads and ten horns, is a giant political conglomerate. The beast is comprised of the previous seven world powers of Bible history and the ten kings that emerge from the former Roman empire. (Rd. Daniel Ch. 7) These give their power and authority to the beast. The beast is an eighth king, which springs from the former seven world powers. The beast and the ten horns will face the Lamb, Christ Jesus, in a final battle to determine the rulership of the planet. (Rd. Revelation 17:8-14 & Daniel 7:19-27) There is some conjecture and debate over which empire is represented by the seventh head of the beast. Great Britain was the last world power to have control of Judea (Palestine). In 1948 Great Britain gave up its jurisdiction and control. This gave way to the birth of the nation of Israel. (See Isaiah 66:8)
*The “sea” in scripture is identified as being the wicked. Isaiah 57:19-21 states : “The wicked are like the tossing sea that cannot rest. . . There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.” In the book of Revelation, the waters are comprised of peoples, crowds, tongues, and nations. (See Revelation 17:15) The sea, which represents wicked humanity, will no longer exist when Christ begins His millennial reign. (See Revelation 21:1)
*The old heavens that passed away during the flood of Noah’s day, consisted of 200 angels known as the “watchers.” These angels had intercourse with human women and produced a hybrid offspring of giants, known as the “Nephilim.” (See Genesis 6:1-5) This pre-flood human society was destroyed with water and the fallen angels were cast into pits of dense darkness (“Tartarus,” in Greek), located in the center of the earth. (See 2 Peter 2:4-5) (See also Bible topic: “When Angels and Giants Walked the Earth”) (See also “The Book of Jubilee” & “The Book of Enoch”)