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1 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 on 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 desert. 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 This title was written on her forehead: 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 the saints, the
blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was
greatly astonished.
Revelation 17:1-6
Explanation:
The destruction of Babylon mentioned in 16:17-21 is now described
in greater detail. The "great prostitute", called Babylon,
represents the early Roman empire with its many gods and the blood
of Christian martyrs on its hands. The water stands for either sea
commerce or a well-watered (well provisioned) city. The great prostitute
represents the seductiveness of the governmental system that uses
immoral means to gain its own pleasure, prosperity, and advantage.
In contrast to the prostitute, Christ's bride, the church, is pure
and obedient (19:6-9). The wicked city of Babylon contrasts with
the heavenly city of Jerusalem (21:10-22:5). The original readers
probably rather quickly identified Babylon with Rome, but Babylon
also symbolizes any system that is hostile to God (see 17:5). The
scarlet beast is either the dragon of 12:3, or the beast from the
sea described in 13:1.
Throughout history, people have been killed for their
faith. Over the last century, millions have been killed by oppressive
governments, and many of those victims were believers. The woman's
drunkenness shows her pleasure in her evil accomplishments and her
false feeling of triumph over the church. But every martyr who has
fallen before her sword has only served to strengthen the faith
of the church.
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 will come
up out of the Abyss and go to his 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 he 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 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.
Revelation 17:7-11
Explanation:
In chapter 12 we met the dragon (Satan). In chapter 13 we saw the
beast from the sea and the power he received from Satan. In chapters
14-16 we see God's great judgments. In this chapter, a scarlet beast
similar to the beast and the dragon appears as an ally of the great
prostitute. The phrase, "was now is not, and will come"
means that the beast was alive, died, and then came back to life.
The beast's resurrection symbolizes the persistence of evil. This
resurgence of evil power will convince many to join forces with
the beast, but those who choose the side of evil condemn themselves
to the devil's fate--eternal torment. For more on the book of life,
see the note on 3:5. Here John is referring to Rome, the city famous
for its seven hills. Many say that this city also symbolizes all
evil in the world--any person, religion, group, government, or structure
that opposed Christ.
Whatever view is taken of the seven hills and seven
kings, this section indicates the climax of Satan's struggle against
God. Evil's power is limited, and its destruction is on the horizon.
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 make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome
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 give the beast their power to rule, until God's words
are fulfilled.
18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings
of the earth."
Revelation 17:12-18
Explanation:
The ten horns represent kings of nations yet to arise. Rome will
be followed by other powers. Rome is a good example of how the antichrist's
system will work, demanding complete allegiance, and ruling by raw
power, oppression, and slavery. Whoever the ten kings are, they
will give their power to the antichrist and will make war against
the Lamb. In a dramatic turn of events, the prostitute's allies
turn on her and destroy her. This is how evil operates. Destructive
by its very nature, it discards its own adherents when they cease
to serve its purposes. An unholy alliance is an uneasy alliance
because each partner puts its own interests first. No matter what
happens, we must trust that God is still in charge, that God overrules
all the plans and intrigues of the evil one, and that God's plans
will happen just as he says. God even uses people opposed to him
as tools to execute his will. Although he allows evil to permeate
this present world, the new earth will never know him.
