Revelation Chapter 17

There are those who believe the Church will go through the Tribulation. In a way, they are right. There is a church that will. This woman receives more attention than any other symbol in the book. She is surrounded by more identifying clues than any other symbol in the book.

The concept of Babylon. Revelation 16:19 and 14:8 have already declared Babylon's fall; in chapters 17 and 18, that fall is carefully detailed. Babylon is mentioned 287 times in the Scriptures; more than any other city except Jerusalem. Babylon was a literal city on the Euphrates river; right after the flood, Babylon "was the seat of the civilization that expressed organized hostility to God." [Genesis 11:1-10]. Babylon was later the capitol of the empire which cruelly conquered Judah: "Babylon, to them (the Jews), was the essence of all evil, the embodiment of cruelty, the foe of God's people, and the lasting type of sin, carnality, lust and greed."

To those familiar with the Old Testament, the name Babylon is associated with organized idolatry, blasphemy and the persecution of God's people. "In John's day Rome epitomized all the antagonism and opposition to the Christian faith"; in some ways, the city of Rome was the clearest fulfillment of the "Babylon" attitude. If we had to pick one city today that most exemplifies the world system, perhaps we would say that Los Angeles is the "Babylon" of today! The concept of Babylon is greater than chapters 17 and 18 and the Antichrist's reign; Babylon was present in John's day (typified by Rome), in our day, and throughout history, as the "world system". But under the Antichrist, Babylon (in both its religious and commercial aspects) will hold sway over the earth as never before.

"Mystery Babylon"

All forms of occultic practices have had their origins in the original city of Babylon. Isaiah Chapter 47 brings this out clearly. Tammuz, the son of Nimrod and his queen, Semiramis, was identified with the Babylonian Sun God, and worshipped following the winter solstice, about December 22-23. As Babylon was conquered by subsequent empires, this entire religious system was transplanted, first to Pergamos, (Rev 2:12-17.) and then to Rome.

When Constantine established Christianity as the official state religion of Rome, many of the religious traditions and practices of the earlier pagan worship were adapted and incorporated into the resulting system. As the Babylonian religious system was integrated with Christian ceremonial observances, many of our traditions surrounding Christmas emerge.

The Babylonian worship of Ishtar, the Golden Egg of Astarte, and the fertility rites of spring give us Easter ("Ishtar," the mother goddess of Babylon). The calendar year-end on October 31, and its associated occultic rituals, gave us our Halloween. Many ancient cultures (Celts, Druids, et al.) observed October 31, the Eve of Samhain, as their year-end. This was related to worship of Baal (Mars) and may have been stimulated by the perturbation of the orbit of the earth associated with the planet Mars. Babylon (beginning Ezek 28:2, 6-10); Harlot (is there any worse label than that?) in control, at first; new (comprehensive) religion; one political beast in evidence (Dan 7:8, 20, 25; 11:36; Isa 14:14; 2 Thess 2:4).

Ten Clues to Identification

1) A prostitute. Ultimate in promiscuous, unfaithful behavior; depicts unfaithfulness to God on the part of someone who claims to honor God. 2) Has universal influence; all over the world. 3) She is seated upon (steers, dominates) the beast. 4) Purple, Scarlet, Gold, and Jewels. She is conspicuously wealthy and expensively adorned; outwardly attractive. 5) Golden cup: precious, shining, pleasant to behold; ostensibly, a utensil in God’s service; yet a counterfeit, filled with abominable things. 6) Mystery, Babylon the Great. A mystery, linked with Babylon of Nimrod. Cf. Rev 11:8, as an idiom. 7) Mother of Prostitutes: has spiritual offspring. Not alone. 8) Persecutor of Christians (true believers). In fact, revels in their blood. (Cf. Dave Hunt.) 9) Seven Hills. Rome built on seven hills: Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, and Viminal. 10) The Great City that rules over the kings of the earth. In John’s day, could only be Rome.

Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

The great harlot (religious Babylon) is described. Described by the angel. Her judgment is assured at the outset; there is never any doubt regarding the fate - and ultimate failure - of Babylon. Here, Babylon sits on many waters; that is, she presides over many nations (compare with verse 15); she has a universal, international character. This is a unification of all false, idolatrous religion; with representatives from apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, as well as a smorgasbord of other religions of the world.   "The woman pictures false religion that will dominate the world in the tribulation period"; false religion is not limited to any one church!

The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk: religious Babylon intoxicates kings and peoples. Karl Marx was partly right when he said that "religion is the opiate of the masses"; he was partly right because empty religion is the opium of the masses. They are made drunk on the wine of her fornication; the idea of fornication often has strong associations throughout the Bible with idolatry; but we remember that this will be a "religious" system, and so it will likely appear as attractive and spiritual, though not necessarily moral.

Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

What John saw. John is carried away into the wilderness; the desolate nature of the wilderness is an appropriate setting for a vision of judgment. The harlot rides the same beast (seven heads and ten horns) which was previously seen in Revelation 13:1 - the Antichrist and his dictatorship. Her association with blasphemy and the dragon's beast are clearly seen from God's perspective; but to the people of the earth she will look quite religious, having the "faith" everybody wants.

She is clothed with emblems of luxury (purple . . . gold and precious stones) and government (scarlet); yet she offers idolatry (abominations) and impurity (filthiness of her fornication) in this sumptuous setting. Purple and scarlet were colors of splendor and magnificence; the dyes to make them were rare and costly. "We find in the course of church history that one of the deadliest marks of ecclesiastical corruption is the lust for temporal power"; purple and scarlet were the colors of rulers, whether economic or political.  The name on her forehead identifies her in more ways than one; Roman prostitutes frequently wore a head-band with their name engraved upon it. None the less, "In spite of all her glamour she is nothing but a prostitute".

There is a stark contrast between the woman of chapter 12 (representing Israel, God's people), and this woman (representing idolatrous, false religion). This title is not for literal Babylon; but its spiritual (mystery) representation, which is the source (mother) of all idolatry (abominations) and spiritual adultery (harlots). This harlot must be larger than any one branch of a religious institution; she is the embodiment of Satan's own ecumenical movement - the religion of the world system. Our world, with its "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe" philosophy is ripe for the harlot's seductions; we see the casual disregard for the truth crippling the church today. She not only persecutes; she revels in her persecution of the godly as a drunk revels in wine.

Why is John amazed? Because this isn't pagan persecution (such as he knew in his day), but religious error and persecution; this is a psuedo-church after the blood of the saints.

We should never forget that some of the most vicious persecution conducted against true Christians has been done in the name of the church; in the days when the Roman Catholic Queen Mary ruled England (known as "Bloody Mary" for good reason), some 288 Christians were burnt at the stake for their stand for Christian truth between 1555 and 1558. The first of these martyrs was a man named John Rogers, who, as he stood chained to a stake, and the fire rose around him, up to his legs and shoulders, he rubbed his hands in the flames as if he were washing his hands in cold water; then he lifted his hands to the heavens and held them high until he was completely consumed by fire. This barbarity was committed in the name of religion, in the name of the church. But Rogers went to the stake with such calm and dignity that the French Ambassador wrote that he went to his death "as if he was walking to his wedding." His courage was so evident that the huge crowd burst into applause when they saw him walking to the stake.

Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

The great harlot is interpreted. The angel tells John that the harlot will be explained to him. The focus of the explanation is on the beast; it appeared that the harlot ruled (rode) the Antichrist's system, but he is the dynamic factor, using her as tyrants have always used religion - as a mere tool to accomplish their purposes.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

The beast is plainly connected with the beast of chapter 13.

Rev 17:9 And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

Seven mountains. Many associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills; yet, literally, the Greek word means mountains, not hills. But, mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains.

"...seven mountains": Mountains = governments in prophecy (Dan 2:25,44 et al.). Horace wrote, "The gods, who look with favor on the seven hills..." Ovid: "But Rome looks around on the whole globe from her seven mountains, the seat of empire and abode of the gods": Augustine wrote, "Babylon is a former Rome, and Rome is a later Babylon." Even Peter is regarded as using Babylon as a "code name" for Rome (1 Pet 5:13), although some take it as literal.

It is probably better to see the seven mountains as the seven kings/kingdoms described in verse 10; many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism as irresistible; yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be bigger than Roman Catholicism. Indications about Roman Catholicism's ultimate partnership with a one-world religion are evident in Pope John Paul II's bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions. In addressing a prayer gathering of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were "unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace"; the Pope pledged that "the Catholic Church intends to 'share in and promote' such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation."

The Catholic Review commented on this and said, "The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and leading to toward the light in which we all believe."

Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, [and] the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

Seven kings/kingdoms. Some have looked to explain these seven kings, five past, one present, and one to come in the succession of Roman Emperors in John's era; but there are many difficulties with this approach. More likely, it is a reference to the five world empires preceding John's day (Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece), the one of his day (Rome), and the one world empire to come (a revival of the Roman Empire). This seventh will quickly be taken over by an eighth - and will become the state of the Antichrist (verse 11). There are problems with this viewpoint as well (so some have taken the seven as symbolic); this plainly is a difficult verse!

Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

The beast (Antichrist) is clearly identified as the eighth king. He is of the seven in the sense that he shares characteristics with all previous world empires; but his fate is clear (perdition means destruction.

Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Ten kings to come, allies of the Antichrist. This probably alludes to a ten-nation confederation (as in the toes of the Daniel 2:24-45 image), or some take ten as a symbolic number.  "They are ten kingdoms which shall arise out of the fourth great kingdom there: ten European powers, which in the last time, in concert with and subjugation to the antichristian power, shall make war against Christ. In the precise number and form here indicated, they have not yet arisen. . . . What changes in Europe may bring them into the required tale and form, it is not for us to say."

Many have seen the European Economic Community as the potential fulfillment of this; perhaps, but now there are more than ten nations in this revived European power, and more on the way. There is little doubt of the credentials of the EEC to claim itself a successor to the ancient Roman Empire; the EEC started in 1957, when six European nations met to talk about combining their nuclear, coal, and economic resources. The met together in Rome, and signed the treaty of Rome - the beginnings of the present EEC. In many places in Europe, the EEC flag is just as prominent as any national flag. We could still say what Alford said in 1866: "In the precise number and form here indicated, they have not yet arisen. . . . What changes in Europe may bring them into the required tale and form, it is not for us to say." But it will happen!

Whoever they are, their actions are clear: they ally with the Antichrist in the war against Christ, in the battle alluded to in the sixth and seventh bowls (16:12-21). The harlot presides over peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues; this tells us that the harlot's influence is world-wide, through her connection to the beast. This will be a truly one-world religion.

The interpretation of the harlot focuses on her relation to the beast: she is utterly connected to the beast and his government. Sound unthinkable? Throughout history, religion (not true Christianity) has often been the willing servant and supporter of tyrants.

Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

The great harlot is judged. Antichrist's allies turn on the great harlot. This violence probably takes place at the mid-point of the tribulation period; here, apostate religion discovers the true nature of the beast. Ultimately, the Antichrist will not tolerate any worship except of himself: The son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.  (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Once his power has been consolidated, the Antichrist no longer needs the help of religious Babylon - and works to dismantle and destroy her and her one-world religion. This has always been the goal of tyrants (and most politicians!): to use religion for their purposes, then discard it.

Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

John is reminded that God's hand is the One ultimately directing all this. God has put it into their hearts: God has directed the judgment against religious Babylon; and God will sometimes use a wicked group (here, the ten kings) to be an instrument of His judgment against another wicked group (here, religious Babylon). God has ordained the political support of these ten kings for the Antichrist; in doing so, God is giving the world exactly what it wants: godless religion and rulers.

Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

The great harlot is identified with Rome. In John's day, there was no doubt which city reigns over the kings of the earth - Rome was the political, economic, and religious center of the world in John's day. Again, the association of this harlot - of religious Babylon - with Rome doesn't mean that the Roman Catholic Church is identical to religious Babylon, though apostate Roman Catholics will definitely be a part of this great harlot. Rather, Rome was the ready personification of Babylon (the world in rebellion against God) in John's day. Today, idolatry is just as strong, but more dispersed; today, which city in the world is most readily identified with the world system? Hollywood? Wall Street? Washington?