Father Mike Schmitz

I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.

The beast that you saw was and is not, and is to ascend from the bottomless pit and go to perdition.

And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to behold the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.

This calls for a mind with wisdom.

The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman is seated.

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 a little while.

As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth, but it belongs to the seven and it goes to perdition.

And the 10 horns that you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour together with the beast.

These are of one mind and give over their power and authority to the beast.

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.

And he said to me, the waters that you saw where the harlot is seated are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

And the 10 horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the harlot.

They will make her desolate and naked and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire.

For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and giving over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

And the woman that you saw is the great city which has dominion over the kings of the earth.

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.