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:
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.
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.
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:
5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
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.
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.
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.
9 And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
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.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
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.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
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.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
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.
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.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Overview of Revelation Chapter 17
Revelation Chapter 17 presents a vivid and symbolic portrayal of the fall of Babylon, often interpreted as a representation of corrupt political and religious systems opposing God. This chapter is rich in imagery and metaphor, revealing the relationship between the beast, the woman, and the city of Babylon.
Key Themes
- The Prostitute and the Beast: The chapter introduces a woman, described as a prostitute, who sits on a scarlet beast. This imagery symbolizes the union of corrupt religious practices with political power.
- Judgment of Babylon: The chapter emphasizes the impending judgment and destruction of Babylon, representing the ultimate defeat of evil and corruption.
- The Mystery of the Woman: The woman is referred to as “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” indicating a deeper spiritual significance and the complexity of her identity.
- The Role of the Kings: The chapter discusses the kings of the earth who have committed adultery with the woman, symbolizing the alliance between worldly powers and corrupt religious systems.
Symbolism and Imagery
- The Scarlet Beast:
The beast is depicted as having seven heads and ten horns, symbolizing authority and power. The scarlet color represents sin and bloodshed.
- The Woman:
The woman is adorned in luxurious clothing and jewels, representing wealth and excess, but her true nature is one of immorality and blasphemy.
- The Cup of Abominations:
The woman holds a golden cup filled with abominations, signifying the corrupt practices and idolatry that she promotes.
- The City of Babylon:
Babylon is described as the mother of prostitutes and abominations, symbolizing the source of all corrupt practices and false teachings.
Interpretations
- Historical Context:
Many scholars view Babylon as a representation of the Roman Empire, which persecuted early Christians and embodied the values of idolatry and immorality.
- Religious Corruption:
Others interpret Babylon as a symbol of religious institutions that have strayed from true worship, aligning themselves with worldly powers.
- Future Prophecy:
Some believers see this chapter as a prophetic warning about the future rise of a global system of governance and religion that opposes God’s kingdom.
Conclusion
Revelation Chapter 17 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of aligning with corrupt systems and the ultimate victory of God over evil. The vivid imagery and symbolism challenge readers to discern the true nature of power and the importance of remaining faithful to divine principles.
