Revelation Lesson 17

Revelation Chapter 17

Distributed by:  KJV Bible Studies

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Introduction:  We continue in our study of the book of Revelation this week.   The focus of this chapter clearly is the final days of the Tribulation. The events of chapter 17 are in some measure historical as well as paralleling events throughout the Tribulation. John here describes MYSTERY BABYLON and the beast’s system that supports it.   

I.                God Judges the Great Whore

(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:

Following the cataclysmic events of the vial judgments, one of the seven angels of the vial judgments approached John and directed him to come near that he might show him the final judgment about to come to pass upon “the great whore that sitteth upon many waters.”  Verses 3-6 will give more specific description of this woman. Verse 18 makes clear this impure woman, in fact, is a city with worldwide influence.

This great whore is described as sitting upon “many waters.” Verse 15 will make clear “many waters.” refers to the people of the world.  Chapter 17 reveals the corruptive influence of a renowned city upon the world.

(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 angel further informed John that this renowned city, described as a great whore, has influenced the rulers of the world.  Referring to this corrupt city, the angel continued, “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 angel uses the analogy of a prostitute allowing men to commit acts of immorality with her. Implied is how world rulers have filled the coffers of this corrupt city in return for its favors.

To use a modern slang expression, the rulers of the world have been ‘in bed’ with this evil city, soon to be revealed as Rome and the Vatican.  As will shortly be made evident, this corrupt city has great religious influence over the world, particularly in the Tribulation. Furthermore, “the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”  Implied is that this wicked city has had great, intoxicating influence through religion over the populace of the world down through the centuries.

(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.

The event at hand becomes even more complex. Precisely why John was taken in the spirit into a wilderness is not clear.   Some have suggested the rise of this corrupt influential city was initially insignificant. Others have linked the thought that Babylon, soon to be announced, initially was in the desert.  In any event, the woman undoubtedly is the same as the great whore described in the first two verses. This city (likened to a whore) is described as having a direct relationship with a “scarlet coloured beast”.

This beast clearly is the same as the one described in chapter 13. Both have seven heads and ten horns.  It should be noted that the word translated as beast here {yhrion therion} is typically used to describe wild, ferocious, carnivorous animals. The antichrist and his system is described in like fashion.  The four beasts before the throne of God described in chapter 4 derive from the word {zwon} zoon referring to ‘living creatures.’

The beast here is described as “scarlet coloured.” The connection to the red dragon of chapter 12 is evident. The scarlet colored beast clearly is the antichrist, empowered by the devil. It secondarily refers to the system of the beast. The corrupt, influential, religious city is described as sitting upon it. A symbiotic relationship between the two clearly is implied. Moreover, this impure woman (the influential religious city) is “full of the names of blasphemy.”

Clearly implied is that this religious city by its very nature is blasphemous to God. Moreover, the blasphemy is in part found in individual names therein. Could it be that the names referred to are that of various ‘saints,’ especially the ‘mother of God?’ The identity of the “seven heads and ten horns” will be addressed in verses 9 and 10.

(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:

John continued to describe this wicked woman (the influential religious city.)  Here in, lies significant clues as to the identity of this blasphemous religious city.

The distinctive regalia of the leadership of this religious city are “purple and scarlet.”  The leadership thereof wore expensive jewelry of “gold and precious stones and pearls.”  In addition, a distinctive mark of the leadership of this religious city is an upheld “golden cup.” The contents of that cup are described as an abomination typical of her impurity.

It does not take a great student of religious history to realize that the Roman Catholic Church, headquartered in Rome, has had great apostate religious influence over the political rulers of much of the world down through the centuries. Numberless kings and rulers have been influenced by Rome through the centuries. It has intoxicated untold masses with its blasphemous apostasy. The official regalia of its top leadership, the pope and cardinals, is distinctively purple and scarlet. Moreover, these top leaders routinely wear an ostentatious display of ornate jewelry on their regalia. The presiding clergy of ‘the Church,’ from the pope on down, routinely hold forth a golden cup during the mass purporting it to contain the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Is not this an abomination?  

Throughout Old Testament history, the distortion and prostituting of truth regarding God is likened unto spiritual adultery or fornication. The blasphemous apostasy of the Roman Church is described in terms of ‘abomination’ and ‘filthiness of fornication.’  The religious apostasy of Rome is likened to the moral impurity of prostitution—many being in bed with her.

This apostate religious system headquartered at Rome is directly connected to the antichrist and the devil himself.  Clearly implied is that the Roman Catholic Church will be a significant partner along with the antichrist in the Tribulation.

(Rev 17:5)  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

John further described, And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.  A clear connection is made of this great, apostate, religious city with the ancient city of Babylon. Upon the very forehead of this great symbolic harlot was written “MYSTERY BABYLON.”

Babylon was the city which arose shortly after the debacle of the Tower of Babel. In fact, many believe that Babel was the origin of Babylon. Moreover, it was the birthplace of false counterfeit religion.  The Babylonian mystery religion had its origins there. It bears remarkable similarities to the symbols and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Historically, the descendants of the priesthood of the Babylonian mystery religion later migrated to Pergamos. In the third century A.D., they again migrated to Rome. It is thought that they had a profound influence upon the church at Rome, injecting much of their peculiar doctrine thereto.  There has been much debate over the years as to whether there will be a rebuilt Babylon on the Euphrates River during the Tribulation.  The modern Iraqis have in fact rebuilt an archeological reconstruction upon the site of its ruins. However, this rebuilt site seems to be more of a lifeless archeological monument to the past rather than a city having great influence over the world politically and religiously.

Isaiah 13:9-22 seems to indicate a literal city of Babylon will never be rebuilt. However, Rome, with the Vatican in its midst, has had profound influence over the world politically and certainly religiously.  The description of this city being the “MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” no doubt refers to the source of spiritual apostasy and idolatrous abomination down through the ages. There may be a secondary reference to actual physical immorality stemming therefrom as well.

(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.

John further wrote, And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.  Clearly, this religious city, the source of all spiritual apostasy, is not referring to a literal Babylon rebuilt or otherwise. The city and the religious system of which John wrote had shed the blood of God’s people down through the ages, particularly that of “martyrs of Jesus.” b. Though the word translated as saints conceivably could be applied to Old Testament saints (i.e., Israel) which ancient Babylon certainly afflicted, John goes on to note the “martyrs of Jesus.” That could not refer to historic Babylon for it was long destroyed prior to the time of Christ.

Down through the ages, the Roman Church slaughtered a great multitude, which no man can number, of Bible-believing, born-again Christians who would not partake of Rome’s blasphemy.  This clearly refers to Rome and the Roman Church. The vast quantity of innocent blood on her hands only served to intoxicate the Roman Church to even greater excess of persecution.  John therefore commented, “and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.” Upon being shown this abomination, John marvelled with great astonishment.

The word translated as admiration (yauma thauma) has the sense to ‘wonder,’ or be ‘astonished.’ It may be, John realized that this great apostate system portrayed itself as the representative of Christ on earth as it routinely does.

(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.

(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 angel showing these things to John  told him, “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 angel is about to interpret the symbolism thus far presented: the woman and the beast having seven heads and ten horns.  The angel begins by making comment regarding the beast. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition.

As described in 13:1-10, the beast (the antichrist) quite evidently portrays himself in some fashion as having risen from the dead. The counterfeit of Christ is clear.  The word translated as was is in the imperfect tense, denoting past tense. John saw him alive, yet he soon would not be. Clearly implied is the allusion of death, coming back to life, and then an ultimate death.

His source is from the “bottomless pit” (abyss), clearly indicating the satanic origin and nature of the antichrist. However, his final state is perdition.  The word so translated (apwleia apoleia) refers literally to destruction and alludes to the final destruction of hell.  John is informed of the impending end of the antichrist. The Apostle continues noting that 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.

Further insight is given to the reaction of the world of that day. These are described as not having their names written in the “book of life from the foundation of the world.” (See comments concerning the Book of Life in Revelation 13:8).

(Rev 13:8)  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

However, one thing is clear.  The world of that day is not saved nor will be. As they are made aware of the antichrist and his apparent resurrection from the deadly wound and death (Revelation 13:3,12), they marvel at his power.  This may be the lie referred to in II Thessalonians 2:10-11. Once again, the sequence of present, past, and present tenses is set forth. Implied is the life, death, and life of the antichrist. It is this at which the world marvels.  Precisely how this purported death takes place is not clear.

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

It may be during the great warfare in the first half of the Tribulation, the antichrist seemingly is ceremoniously killed only to come back to life.  Others have suggested that the events described in Daniel 11:40-45 and the invasion of Israel by the king of the North pertains to the death and reappearance of the antichrist.

The scenario there is of the Russians moving down out of the north during the Tribulation into Israel, crushing it and the antichrist before moving southward into Egypt. However, after having arrived in Egypt, the Russians  hear the startling news that the antichrist, whom they thought they had killed at Jerusalem, has come back to life. In returning back to Israel, the king of the north is destroyed by God (Ezekiel 39:4.) Though not certain, this scenario seems to tie together related eschatological details found in Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation.

II. Identity of the Location (Seven Mountains)

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

The angel proceeds to give even further explanation of what has been described earlier in the chapter.  His introductory comment seems to indicate that those with biblical wisdom will comprehend what he is about to say. “The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.”  The woman is described as sitting both upon many waters to be explained in verse 15 as well as the scarlet beast.

Here, the seven heads of the beast are defined as “seven mountains.” Verse 10 will present further complementary information regarding the seven heads. However, there seems to be a clear distinction between the seven mountains here and the seven kings in verse 10.  It is common knowledge that the city of Rome was built upon seven hills. It historically has been called the City of Seven Hills (septem montes). Moreover, the Greek word translated as mountains (orov oros) is also on occasion rendered as ‘hills.’

The identification of the city of the wicked woman clearly is Rome. It is the great whore who with its religious apostasy has intoxicated the entire world, numbing them to the truth.

(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.

The angel goes on to give further insight into the seven heads of the Antichrist. 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.  Recall from chapter 13 that the beast is not only an individual, but a system. Here, the indication is that this system has deep historical roots going back to the dawn of the world system.  There certainly is not unanimity of thought regarding these seven kings. However, here is the understanding of this writer. The various kings spoken of are representative of their respective kingdoms, empires, and eras of power.

What likely is portrayed here is a condensed lineage of the world system from the time of ancient Babylon through the Tribulation.  John is told that of the seven kings, one is, one was yet to come, and five had fallen. John was alive during the zenith era of the Roman Empire. That likely is the king(dom) which the angel said is. John had lived his life in that era of history. The seventh king(dom) still to come will be the final form of the reconstituted Roman world during the first half of the Tribulation (the ten toes of Daniel’s image vision—Daniel 2:40-43). The five king(dom)s which were fallen to John’s day very well may be the preceding eras of world power prior to the Roman era.

Working backward, they would be (5) Greece, (4) Persia, (3) the Babylonian Empire of Daniel’s day, (2) the several earlier powers of the known world prior to Daniel’s time such as the Assyrian and perhaps the Egyptian eras of ancient history, and finally (1) the original Babylonian era of history whence the world as a system developed after the flood. 

The seventh king(dom), not yet arrived, is noted as continuing for a short space. The final configuration of the loosely reconstituted Roman Empire during the Tribulation will last less than three and one-half years. It will scarcely have formed when the antichrist will seize control as he establishes world rule.  There evidently will be a supposed head of this reconstituted Roman Empire. However, his longevity as ruler is brief.

(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 angel continued to inform John that the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.  At about the middle of the Tribulation, the antichrist himself, “the beast that was, and is not,” will establish himself as the ruler of the world. He will be the eighth in the historical succession of world-ruling empires. Notwithstanding, his ultimate end is perdition, the destruction of hell.

(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.

The angel further informed John, 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.  These likely are the leaders of the ten-nation confederation of the loosely reconstituted Roman Empire as foretold by Daniel in Daniel 2:40-43 and 7:24.

Dan 2:40  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 

Dan 2:41  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 

Dan 2:42  And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 

Dan 2:43  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 

Their reign is but for one hour (i.e., very short). It may be, the antichrist convinces them to support him whereupon he coopts them and usurps their authority to himself.   This likely is part of his rise to world domination. Moreover, these have one mind, and shall give their power and strength to the beast. This ten nation confederation, likely of European nations, is relatively unified and they grant their ruling authority to the antichrist.

(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.

The angel went on to say, These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them. This likely refers to the impending Battle of Armageddon.

The final form of the Roman (European) confederation is allied with the antichrist, leading in the invasion of Israel for the ultimate battle at Armageddon.

Jesus Christ, the Lamb, is herein described, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, in fashion similar to that recorded in 19:16.  A comment of significance is made regarding those who return with Christ to do war with the antichrist, and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Some have postulated that the armies of heaven described in 19:14 returning with Jesus Christ at Armageddon are angels. The description does not fit the angelic realm, but rather the church.

A case might be made that only those of the church age who have proved themselves faithful are given the privilege of returning in the vanguard with Jesus Christ. Moreover, Revelation 19:14 describes them as being clothed in “fine linen, white and clean,” a characteristic unique to the church.  Clearly implied once again is the church in heaven during the Tribulation, returning with Christ when He appears in power and great glory. A pre-Tribulation Rapture once again is without doubt implied.

III.  The Waters Representing all the People and Nations

(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.

(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 angel went on to further describe to John, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

In verse 1 of this chapter, the great whore is described as sitting upon many waters. Here, it is made clear that the waters are the nations of the earth, the sea of humanity. The reach and influence of Rome down through the centuries has been great.

In Verse 16 we find that perhaps after having achieved world domination and setting himself forth as God, with the assistance of the false prophet, the antichrist allows his European subordinates, the ten kings thereof, to destroy the apostate religious system of Rome once and for all.  Implied is the total destruction of Rome’s influence in Europe and likely the utter destruction of the Vatican itself. There, no doubt, is significance to the statement about them making her naked and eating her flesh.

It may be that the nakedness is the revelation of the emptiness and phoniness of her system. The eating of her flesh may be a bitter ironic reminder of Rome’s longstanding doctrine of transubstantiation in its mass.  In any event, the antichrist turns against his ally once her services are no longer needed. He may clothe himself as the Jewish Messiah at Jerusalem and destroy Rome as any rival.

(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.

The angel comments further, 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.   God providentially so directs these ten European kings to form alliance with the antichrist, granting him their nations until such time as God’s Word is appropriately fulfilled.  Through all of this, God is providential working in the nations for the fulfillment of prophecy and the accomplishment of His will.

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

Lest there be any question as to the identity of the woman described earlier in the chapter, the angel informed John, “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”  As carefully described throughout the chapter, the city undoubtedly is Rome and its influence through the Vatican.  The Vatican has wrought great influence and power over many a king and nation down through the centuries. It all will come to an end during the Tribulation.

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Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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