Introduction

Revelation 17 reveals the identity of "Babylon the great," depicted as a magnificently dressed prostitute sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. She is drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs. An angel explains the mystery: the seven heads are seven mountains (and seven kings), the ten horns are ten kings who will give their power to the beast. The beast "was, and is not, and is to come"—a parody of God. Ultimately, the kings and beast will turn on the prostitute, and the Lamb will conquer them. This chapter exposes the seductive power of worldly systems opposed to God.

The Great Prostitute [1-6]

[1-6] One of the bowl angels invites John to see the judgment of the great prostitute seated on many waters. Kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her; earth's inhabitants were drunk with the wine of her immorality. John is carried in the Spirit to a wilderness, where he sees a woman sitting on a scarlet beast full of blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns. The woman is arrayed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls, holding a golden cup full of abominations. On her forehead: "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations." She is drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. John marvels greatly at her.

• Many waters [1]: Explained in v. 15 as peoples, multitudes, nations, languages
• Scarlet beast [3]: The same beast from chapter 13
• Prostitute imagery [2]: Spiritual unfaithfulness, seduction of nations
• Golden cup of abominations [4]: Outward beauty, inner corruption
• Drunk with blood [6]: Intoxicated by persecuting believers

The Mystery Explained [7-14]

[7-8] The angel offers to tell John the mystery of the woman and beast. The beast "was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction." Earth's inhabitants whose names aren't in the book of life will marvel at the beast.

[9-11] "This calls for a mind with wisdom": the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated (Rome was built on seven hills), and also seven kings—five have fallen, one is, one is yet to come briefly. The beast itself is an eighth who belongs to the seven and goes to destruction.

[12-14] The ten horns are ten kings who haven't yet received royal power but will receive authority with the beast for one hour. They have one purpose: to give their power to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.

• Was, is not, will rise [8]: Parody of God's eternal existence
• Seven mountains [9]: Rome's seven hills—the imperial city
• One hour of authority [12]: Brief, limited power
• Lord of lords [14]: The Lamb's ultimate victory assured

The Prostitute Destroyed [15-18]

[15-18] The waters where the prostitute sits are peoples, multitudes, nations, languages. The ten horns and the beast will hate the prostitute, make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her with fire. God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by being united and giving their royal power to the beast until God's words are fulfilled. The woman is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.

• Beast turns on prostitute [16]: Evil consuming itself
• God's sovereign purpose [17]: Even evil agents fulfill His plan
• The great city [18]: Rome/Babylon—the system of worldly power

Key Takeaways

• Seductive evil [2-4]: Babylon appears beautiful but is full of abominations
• Persecuting power [6]: The system is drunk with martyrs' blood
• The Lamb conquers [14]: Despite apparent power, the beast and allies are defeated
• Evil self-destructs [16]: The beast turns on the prostitute

Reflection Questions

• What modern "Babylons"—systems of worldly power and seduction—tempt believers today?
• How does recognizing that the Lamb is "Lord of lords" change your perspective on seemingly powerful opposition?
• What does it mean to be "called, chosen, and faithful" alongside the Lamb?