The way Rome can be a political force ruling over kings has been seen all throughout history. #1 Even a brief view of European history will show that Rome has dominated the region for most of the past 2000 years. First it was pagan Rome, then Papal Rome or the Vatican. All throughout the middle ages, The Pope was treated almost as a god by the kings of europe. The pope could appoint and depose kings at will. The Vatican controlled virtually the entire continent all throughout the dark ages, roughly (500-1500ad). Even after the Roman Empire collapsed, the Vatican found a way to keep control the people spiritually, and that inevitably led to political power (Pope: "do what I say or you're excommunicated")
As for the 4th beast in Daniel, verse 23 is another reason why I don't believe it is ancient Rome, because it says it will be diverse (different) from all kingdoms and devour the whole earth. There wasnt really anything that special about Rome to make it so different from all the others, plus it didnt devour the whole earth (Greek Empire had more total land area than Rome)
I believe that the 4th beast does not fully exist yet, however it will very soon. The EU would be my best guess as well. From the descriptions found in Daniel and Revelation, it seems similar to the old Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a union of church and state (The Vatican + a King) which controlled alot of Europe in the middle ages. The same scenario is painted in Rev 13 where we're told of two people: The Antichrist (political ruler) and the False Prophet (spiritual leader) and these two people work hand in hand creating a world government (the 4th beast).
Thats a short answer to the 4th beast. As for Rev 17 again, I always try to take things literally unless the context doesnt allow it. "City" and "mountains" I take literally because it fits with the rest of the chapter. The scarlet and purple colors of the woman also serve a purpose in identifying the woman, as does the chalice. The "woman" itself is not a literal woman, and "Mystery Babylon" cannot be either because the literal babylon doesnt fit the rest of the verse (and the word mystery itself indicates its symbolic)
As for the 4th beast in Daniel, verse 23 is another reason why I don't believe it is ancient Rome, because it says it will be diverse (different) from all kingdoms and devour the whole earth. There wasnt really anything that special about Rome to make it so different from all the others, plus it didnt devour the whole earth (Greek Empire had more total land area than Rome)
I believe that the 4th beast does not fully exist yet, however it will very soon. The EU would be my best guess as well. From the descriptions found in Daniel and Revelation, it seems similar to the old Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a union of church and state (The Vatican + a King) which controlled alot of Europe in the middle ages. The same scenario is painted in Rev 13 where we're told of two people: The Antichrist (political ruler) and the False Prophet (spiritual leader) and these two people work hand in hand creating a world government (the 4th beast).
Thats a short answer to the 4th beast. As for Rev 17 again, I always try to take things literally unless the context doesnt allow it. "City" and "mountains" I take literally because it fits with the rest of the chapter. The scarlet and purple colors of the woman also serve a purpose in identifying the woman, as does the chalice. The "woman" itself is not a literal woman, and "Mystery Babylon" cannot be either because the literal babylon doesnt fit the rest of the verse (and the word mystery itself indicates its symbolic)
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