1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters,
2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”
3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.
5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
7 But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. 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 see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.
9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;
10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to 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.
13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to 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.”
15 And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.
16 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire,
17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.
The True Meaning of Revelation 17
The Book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible, was written by the apostle John during his exile on the island of Patmos. John provides a vivid description of a mysterious and powerful figure known as the “great prostitute” in this chapter.” This symbolic representation offers insights into the spiritual and political forces that will shape the end times. We will witness the unveiling of a complex and intriguing narrative that echoes themes found throughout the Scriptures as we delve into this chapter. The imagery of the “great prostitute” and the “beast” she rides upon will challenge our understanding of the spiritual warfare that rages in the unseen realm. This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and discernment as we navigate the turbulent times ahead.
The chapter also draws connections to other prophetic passages, such as the visions of Daniel, further reinforcing the interconnectedness of God’s plan for the ages. By examining this text, a deeper appreciation for the sovereignty of God and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom can be gained, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming adversity.
Revelation 17:1-6
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls comes to John and offers to show him the judgment of the great prostitute in Revelation 17:1-6. The great prostitute is described as sitting on many waters, which symbolize peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. This imagery suggests that her influence and reach are widespread and impact many. The fact that she is seated on many waters indicates her authority and dominance over these groups.
The text goes on to describe the characteristics of this great prostitute, including her actions and appearances. She is depicted as wearing luxurious clothing and jewelry, signifying her wealth and seductive allure. This portrayal highlights her deceptive nature, using material possessions to entice and deceive others. The golden cup in her hand is full of abominations and impurities, symbolizing her corrupt and idolatrous practices.
The great prostitute is further identified as the mother of prostitutes and of the earth’s abominations. This indicates her role in leading others astray and promoting sinful behavior. Her connection to abominations suggests that her influence is not only immoral but also against the will of God. This portrayal serves as a cautionary tale against following false teachings and succumbing to worldly temptations.
The passage also mentions the woman being drunk with the blood of the saints and the witnesses to Jesus. This imagery conveys the idea of her being intoxicated with the persecution and martyrdom of those who faithfully follow Christ. Throughout the Bible, there are instances of God’s people facing persecution for their faith, such as the prophets in the Old Testament and the early Christians in the New Testament. This reference underscores the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, with the faithful enduring suffering for their beliefs. Revelation 17:1-6 paints a vivid picture of the great prostitute as a symbol of seduction, deception, and corruption. The imagery used in this passage serves as a warning against falling into the traps of worldly pleasures and false teachings. It underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God despite facing persecution or temptations. The ultimate message is to stay steadfast in the face of adversity and to resist the allure of sin and deception, staying true to the teachings of Christ and the word of God.
Revelation 17:7-14
Several important sections in Revelation 17:7-14 provide insight into the vision John received regarding the judgment of the great prostitute and the beast she rides. Let’s break down each part for a deeper understanding:
- Verse 7: “Then the angel said to me: ‘Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.’”
Here, the angel addresses John’s confusion and assures him that he will explain the mystery of the woman (the great prostitute) and the beast she rides (the Antichrist figure). The seven heads and ten horns symbolize political powers and kingdoms that will unite under the Antichrist’s rule, as described in other parts of Revelation (such as Revelation 13).
- Verse 8-11: “The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.”
These verses point to the beast’s origin and eventual destruction. The beast’s reappearance from the Abyss may signify a resurgence of a powerful evil force that will deceive many. Those whose names are not written in the book of life will be amazed by the beast’s deceptive abilities. This highlights the importance of having one’s name written in the book of life, which symbolizes salvation through faith in Christ (Revelation 21:27).
- Verse 12-14: “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
These verses describe the alliance between the ten kings and the beast, symbolizing a unified opposition against Christ and His followers. Despite their temporary authority and coordinated efforts, they will ultimately face defeat at the hands of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). This underscores the ultimate victory of Christ over all powers and the importance of remaining faithful to Him, as mentioned in other parts of the Bible (John 16:33, Romans 8:37). The imagery of the great prostitute and the beast in Revelation 17:7-14 conveys a powerful message about the ultimate triumph of good over evil, and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith despite the deceptive allure of worldly powers. It serves as a reminder of the cosmic battle between light and darkness, where the Lamb of God emerges victorious, and those who are faithful to Him are ultimately saved.
Revelation 17:15-18
The verse in Revelation 17:15-18 can be broken down into several important sections which shed light on the symbolism and significance of the passage.
Firstly, the imagery of the “waters” in verse 15 is explained to represent “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.” This signifies a vast, all-encompassing reach of influence and power over the diverse populations of the world. This could be a reference to the global impact of the entity being described in this chapter, which is commonly interpreted as the great harlot or Babylon.
The next section discusses the relationship between the ten horns on the beast and the harlot. The ten horns are said to represent ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom but will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. This could symbolize an alliance or collaboration between political powers and the entity representing spiritual corruption and deception. It may point to a temporary unity for a specific purpose.
Further on in the passage, there is mention of these kings giving their power and authority to the beast. This act of surrendering power to the beast indicates a level of submission and possibly a desire for mutual gain or reinforcement. It illustrates how earthly powers can be swayed by false ideologies or seductive influences, leading them to support and enable corrupt systems.
The chapter concludes with a depiction of the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth, which is identified as the great harlot. This city is portrayed as richly adorned, but at the same time, spiritually corrupt and guilty of abominations. The fall of this city is foretold, signifying the eventual judgment and downfall of sinful and deceitful establishments that oppose God’s righteousness and truth. This passage in the broader context of the book of Revelation warns against the allure of worldly power and the consequences of aligning oneself with immoral forces. It emphasizes the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom over all forms of evil and corruption. We, as believers, are called to remain steadfast in our faith and reject the temptations of the world, knowing that God’s justice will prevail in the end.
Throughout the Bible, there are parallel passages that address similar themes of spiritual warfare and the contrast between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. For instance, in Ephesians 6:12, it is mentioned that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This reinforces the idea that the battles we face are ultimately of a spiritual nature and require steadfast faith and reliance on God’s strength.
After Revelation 17
The final paragraph of the summary of this chapter is as follows:
The woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. She had power over the kings of the earth, and they committed adultery with her. But her reign would not last. The time had come for God to execute his judgment on this great prostitute who had corrupted the earth with her immorality. The kings of the earth would turn on her, stripping her naked and devouring her flesh. Her downfall was certain, for the Lord God Almighty had decreed it. The next chapter would reveal the true nature of this great city and the fate that awaited her.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.