Read Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
17 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:
babylon the great
the mother of prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 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. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyssand 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.
9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 “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. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 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.”
15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Go Deeper
In Revelation 17, John sees the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters. With her, the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, which throughout scripture represents idolatry, and have made the people drunk. The angel carries him away into the wilderness and he sees the woman seated on a beast with seven heads and ten horns. This is the same beast we saw in Revelation 13:1 for the beast of the sea. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, which are signs of splendor and magnificence. She is also full of abominations and impurities. On her head was the name, “Babylon, the great mother of prostitutes and earth’s abominations”. This is fitting given that Roman prostitutes frequently wore a headband with their name engraved upon it. The woman was drunk on the blood of saints–the martyrs of Jesus.
What does all of this mean? Fortunately for John (and us!), the angel proceeded to tell him what all that he had just seen meant. The beast is about to go destroy and those who aren’t God’s people will marvel at it. Who are not God’s people? John borrows language from Paul when he says, “The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world” to explain those who are not God’s people in Revelation 17:8. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated and also seven kings five have already fallen, one is and the other hasn’t come yet (v. 10). There is a lot of speculation as to what and who exactly are the seven mountains and kings. The ten horns are kings who haven’t yet received royal power. It is unclear who these kings are, but it is clear they wage war against Jesus. Jesus wins and those who are called, chosen, and faithful are with him.
Then the angel explains that the great waters John saw at first are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. This means the great prostitute presides over many nations and her influence is worldwide (v. 15). The ten horns and beast detest the prostitute, so they make her desolate, naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. God, in His sovereignty, ordained this. The woman is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.
Questions
How does God “putting it into their hearts” give you comfort?
Where in your life is there spiritual adultery you need to repent of?
How can you discern and resist the influence of Satan today?
Did You Know?
Pastor David Guzik of the Enduring Word commentary has this note about the significance of Babylon:
“The Bible makes specific mention of some of the features of the classic religion of Babylon:
- Ezekiel protests against the ceremony of weeping for Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14)
- Jeremiah mentions the heathen practice of making cakes for the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 7:18) and offering incense to the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 44:17-19, 44:25)”
Leave a Comment Below
Join the Team
Interested in writing for the Bible Reading Plan? Email hello@biblereadingplan.org.
5 thoughts on “Revelation 17”
Idolatry=prostitution. That is a thought. Wow, what do I give myself up to? Oh, selfish pride, people pleasing, love of money. I pray these things gone, that I can strive for more of God. That when people ask about life I can say BUT GOD!!!!!!
Psalm 19:7The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
God thank You for this being so. Thank You for letting go of selfishness, pride and that love of money. I know deep in my knower that You have me and will take care of me as I see answered prayers daily!! Help my remember-er to recognize You in these minutes of this day. Let my mouth and heart meditate on You my rock and my redeemer for Your glory in Jesus name amen.
V14 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.”
We know how the story ends!!!
Lord, please bolden us with your Spirit this day to help increase the number of your called, and your chosen, and your faithful followers.
My thoughts exactly! May we live as the called, chosen and faithful ones.
4 “She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.“
Warnings yet again against the destructive seductions and temptations of this world!
God’s will and Word must never be compromised.