About This Chapter: Revelation chapter seventeen describes a woman seated on a scarlet beast. The woman is adorned with gold, and jewels, while holding a golden cup filled with abominations. She is seated on many waters, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. John is then carried to a wilderness where he sees the woman along with the beast having seven heads and ten horns representing ten kings. An explanation is then given concerning the waters, the woman, and the beast, as well as the actions of the kings and the outcome that follows.
Revelation 17:1–6 — The Woman Seated on the Beast
Revelation 17:7–15 — An Angelic Explanation
Revelation 17:15–18 — The Woman and Her Destiny
Revelation 17:1–6 — The Woman Seated on the Beast
I
We first encountered the term “Babylon” in our earlier study of Revelation chapter fourteen. While the ancient city of Babylon once existed as a physical place, it has also come to represent an underlying set of core beliefs or guiding principles that govern the lives of the wicked. The Book of Revelation thus employs “Babylon” as a shorthand reference to help identify the blasphemous political, religious, and economic structures that will arise in the future.
Here in Revelation chapter seventeen, we will consider the spiritual aspects of those structures in greater detail. As we progress through our text from this chapter, we’ll find that it separates into two distinct segments. The first section (comprising verses one through six) will introduce us to “Mystery Babylon.” The remainder of this chapter will delve into an explanation of that entity…
“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.’ So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness.
And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:1-6).
So John, the author of Revelation, encountered one of the seven angelic beings who delivered God’s message of wrath earlier in Revelation chapter sixteen. While John will make many discoveries over the course of this chapter, the opening verse of this passage establishes the principal theme for all that follows: “…I will show you the doom (sentence, judgment) of the great harlot (idolatress) who is seated on many waters” (AMPC).
In contemporary society, we typically use the terms harlot, or prostitute to characterize those who exchange sexual favors for financial payment or other forms of compensation. But as we’ll see, Revelation chapter seventeen will employ this term in a spiritual context as well.
Image Attribution: Babylon (Berlin), CC BY-NC 2.0, Marc Wathieu, via flickr.com disclaimer notice
“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters” (Revelation 17:1 ESV).
We can better understand this reference to spiritual harlotry when we consider the relational aspects of human marriage. For instance, when a couple enters into a Biblically sanctioned marriage union, they make a formal and exclusive commitment to one another. This explains why traditional marriage vows typically incorporate the phrase “forsaking all others” to emphasize the privileged nature of that marital commitment.
An engaged couple thus affirms their promise to share an exclusive and personal relationship with one another as they stand before God at the marriage altar. This serves to model the spiritual relationship that God seeks to enter with us. Just as a human marriage covenant involves a commitment to forsake all others, we similarly agree to forsake all other spiritual allegiances when we enter a relationship with God in Christ.
We can find a Biblical reference to that commitment in the New Testament book of Ephesians…
“’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32).
This illustrates the close, personal relationship that God seeks to enjoy with His people. With this in mind, let’s consider what takes place when the bonds of a human marriage relationship are broken. When one partner severs that intimate relationship, it inevitably leads to a period of emotional suffering for the other. Consider the typical responses that are likely to follow an act of marital infidelity…
- I trusted that person and he/she betrayed me.
- I made myself vulnerable to that person and he/she abandoned me.
- I kept my vow, but that person broke his/her promise.
We can find a spiritual parallel in the midst of these painful responses. For instance, let’s apply this idea to those who have made a commitment to Christ but later abandon that commitment. Or perhaps we might consider others who accept Christ, but spend little or no time with Him in prayer or through God’s Word. Or what if we took the gifts He has lavished upon us- our time, our talents, our skills, our resources, and other such things- and used them in inappropriate ways?
Our text from Revelation chapter seventeen should thus serve as a reminder to guard against spiritual infidelity. We will examine God’s deeply emotional response to such things next.
Image Attribution: GDJ, Marriage Silhouette, via Open Clipart
“…’Come with me,’ he said, ‘and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters’” (Revelation 17:1 NLT).
A lengthy except from the Biblical book of Ezekiel summarizes (and humanizes) the pain God experiences in response to spiritual infidelity…
“…Ezekiel, son of man, remind the people of Jerusalem of their disgusting sins and tell them [what] I, the LORD God, am saying… When you were born, no one cut you loose from your mother or washed your body. No one rubbed your skin with salt and olive oil, and wrapped you in warm blankets. Not one person loved you enough to do any of these things, and no one even felt sorry for you.
You were despised, thrown into a field, and forgotten. I saw you lying there, rolling around in your own blood, and I couldn’t let you die. I took care of you, like someone caring for a tender, young plant. You grew up to be a beautiful young woman with perfect breasts and long hair, but you were still naked… So I covered your naked body with my own robe.
Then I solemnly promised that you would belong to me and that I, the LORD God, would take care of you… I gave you the finest clothes and the most expensive robes, as well as sandals made from the best leather. I gave you bracelets, a necklace, a ring for your nose, some earrings, and a beautiful crown. Your jewelry was gold and silver, and your clothes were made of only the finest material and embroidered linen… You were as beautiful as a queen, and everyone on earth knew it.
I, the LORD God, had helped you become a lovely young woman. You learned that you were attractive enough to have any man you wanted, so you offered yourself to every passerby. You made shrines for yourself and decorated them with some of your clothes. That’s where you took your visitors to have sex with them. These things should never have happened!
You made idols out of the gold and silver jewelry I gave you, then you sinned by worshiping those idols. You dressed them in the clothes you got from me, and you offered them the olive oil and incense I gave you. I supplied you with fine flour, olive oil, and honey, but you sacrificed it all as offerings to please those idols. I, the LORD God, watched this happen.
But you did something even worse than that–you sacrificed your own children to those idols! You slaughtered my children, so you could offer them as sacrifices. You were so busy sinning and being a prostitute that you refused to think about the days when you were young and were rolling around naked in your own blood. Now I, the LORD God, say you are doomed…” (Ezekiel 16:1-23 CEV).
“So he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness, and there I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. Now the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality. On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth’” (Revelation 17:3-5 NET).
These verses present us with a powerful and disturbing image of spiritual prostitution in the form of a woman astride this scarlet beast. But as noted in our opening study of these verses, we shouldn’t overlook the central theme of this chapter: “Come, and I will show you the judgment passed upon the great harlot who is seated upon many waters” (Revelation 17:1 Phillips). The emphasis is not on the extent of her misconduct or the image she presents, but on the consequences that will follow as a result of her behavior.
Our text from Revelation chapter seventeen provides us with an extensive description of this woman and her deeds. First, we’re told that she was involved in an immoral relationship with the world’s political leaders, according to Revelation 17:2. As we’ll discover later in verse fifteen, her sphere of influence was borderless and trans-cultural in scope.
The beast she rode was a seven-headed monstrosity, with ten horns that defamed God. Verse four tells us she was arrayed in scarlet and purple, the color of royalty, and accessorized with gold, precious stones, and pearls. In her hand was a drinking vessel filled with the corruption that stemmed from her immoral behavior. She was also intoxicated, but not with alcohol. Instead, she was drunk with the blood of those who had given their lives for Christ.
Finally (and perhaps most prominently), she had a name that was written across her forehead. Several Biblical translations (such as the New King James Version) capitalize that name in the form of a title: “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
As mentioned earlier, this reference to “Babylon,” with its decadent imagery of excess and corruption, symbolizes the attitude held by those who aggressively reject their Creator. It might also refer to a political, economic, or religious system that is based upon a similar mindset. With these things in mind, we’ll consider what these images may represent next.
“The kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her…” (Revelation 17:2 CEB).
The woman who sat astride the scarlet beast of Revelation seventeen had a history of immoral relationships with the world’s political leaders. To better understand that dynamic, we should first remember that selfishness is an underlying (and often under-recognized) component of any immoral relationship. In the context of an inter-personal relationship, this involves one (or both) partners who seek to use one another to satisfy their various needs.
Here in Revelation 17:2, this reference to immorality likely means these governmental leaders (or “kings of the earth“) exploited this godless political system to serve their interests. Those interests might have involved tangible assets (like material or financial wealth), along with non-tangible assets like power or influence. This reminds us that it’s easy for leaders (and others) to become embroiled in various forms of immorality if they fail to recognize God’s sovereignty over their lives.
“…the people of the world became drunk from drinking the wine of her immorality” (Revelation 17:2 GNT).
One of the more unpleasant consequences of excessive drinking is the hangover that usually follows. The same is true of sinful acts and behaviors. While it may seem as if the “party will never end,” a hangover always follows in the form of judgment for such conduct.
“Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness…” (Revelation 17:3 NIV).
A wilderness area is typically associated with a remote, undeveloped region that is isolated from human activity. But much like everything else, this woman’s behavior could not escape the penetrating gaze of God’s Spirit, no matter where it took place.
“…I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was entirely covered with blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns” (Revelation 17:3 AMP).
We should note that the creature who bore these blasphemous names is the one who supports this woman. This emphasizes the demonic underpinnings of her activities along with those who engage with her.
“The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality” (Revelation 17:4 NLT).
These opulent accessories point to the characteristic qualities of wealth, power, royalty, and prominence. The gold cup presumably appeared beautiful on the outside, but its interior held the filth of her adulteries. In like manner, this image reminds us that looking good and being good are not necessarily synonymous. As Jesus once reminded us, “…just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT).
“And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations’” (Revelation 17:5 ESV).
During our earlier study of Revelation chapter thirteen, we looked at the meaning behind the “mark of the beast.” According to Revelation 13:16, that mark will be placed on one’s right hand or forehead, two locations that are highly symbolic. For instance, consider how we employ such references today.
Let’s say we have someone who is naturally adept at fixing or repairing various items. We might refer that person as someone who is “handy.” Or perhaps we might associate a high-quality piece of “handiwork” with the labor of a skilled craftsman. With these things in mind, we can view this reference to one’s hand as an allusion to the work or activity of our lives. This is especially true of the “right hand,” a term that symbolizes power or authority.
In a similar manner, the “forehead” serves to represent our thought life. In other words, this reference alludes to what we think or who we are. We can see an example of this imagery in the efforts of two or more people who “put their heads together” to solve a challenging problem.
We can also apply this idea to our text from Revelation 17:5. For example, the label written on this woman’s forehead offers a revealing insight into her inner nature. Her beautiful clothing and precious jewelry masked an inner mindset that was preoccupied with obscenities (NLT), abominations (NKJV), and detestable things (CSB).
We should also note the use of the word “mystery” in regard to this woman. This conveys the idea of something that is not obvious to the understanding. (1) While others may have been blinded by her opulent appearance, God has personally unveiled the reality that lies within.
The reference to “great” is a derivative of the ancient word “mega,” a word that is still employed today as a prefix in words such as megaphone, megabyte, or megahertz. This refers to something large, weighty, or powerful. In the context of our text from Revelation 17:5, it can also mean “…full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God.” (2)
This brings us to another reference to the word “Babylon.” As mentioned previously, “Babylon” refers to a place, as well as an attitude or mindset. To illustrate this idea, let’s consider three modern-day locations within the United States…
- Hollywood: “Hollywood” is a place, but it is also used to represent the filmmaking industry.
- Wall Street: Wall Street is a literal street, as well as a financial center.
- Detroit: Detroit is a city, but also refers to a center of automotive design and manufacturing.
In a similar manner, “Babylon” represents a historic location, as well as a blasphemous political, religious, and economic ideology.
Image Attribution: Themissmargaux, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
(1) G3466 – mysterion – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3466/kjv/tr/0-1/
(2) G3173 – megas – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3173/kjv/mgnt/0-1/
“On her forehead a mysterious name was written: I AM THE GREAT CITY OF BABYLON, THE MOTHER OF EVERY IMMORAL AND FILTHY THING ON EARTH” (Revelation 17:5 CEV).
The Scriptures mention ” Babylon” over two hundred and fifty times within the pages of the Old and New Testaments. We can gain insight into the spiritual aspect of “Babylon” when we examine this word in greater detail. The name “Babylon” is derived from the word “babel.” The “Bab” portion of that word means “gate” and the “el” portion refers to God. When we put those segments together, we arrive at the following definition: “gateway to God.” (1)
Humanity’s most obvious attempt to build such a gateway appears in Genesis chapter eleven. That portion of Scripture relates the account of the Tower Of Babel…
“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth’” (Genesis 11:1-4).
So these builders had two primary objectives…
- They sought to construct a tower that would enable them to advance to the heavens on their own terms.
- They sought to make a name for themselves.
However, there was someone who was notably absent from that building project. That Person was God Himself. This helps us understand this reference to Babylon in our text from Revelation 17:5. The Babylonian approach to religious observance, political leadership, and/or economic practice is characterized by a human-oriented ideology. That mindset has little or no concern for God or His will (if it acknowledges God at all). Instead, it seeks self-deification on its own merits, often in an aggressively humanistic fashion.
This philosophical perspective is rooted in the ancient mindset that sought to erect the Tower of Babel. (2) Unfortunately, that ideology may sometimes lead to violent confrontations with those who seek to honor God. For instance, Revelation 17:6 will go on to tell us that this woman was intoxicated with the blood of God’s saints. That disturbing word-picture reminds us that peaceful co-existence between those who serve God and those who don’t, may be an elusive ideal.
Thus, we can apply Jesus’ message to His disciples in a modern-day context: “Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves” (Luke 10:3 CEV).
Image Attribution: Александр Михальчук, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
(1) See G897 – babylon – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g897/kjv/tr/0-1/ and “Babylon” – Easton’s Bible Dictionary – Bible Gateway. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/eastons-bible-dictionary/Babylon
(2) For a detailed study of this topic see Genesis – Chapter Eleven https://traed.net/wp-content/uploads/11-Genesis-Chapter-Eleven.pdf
Revelation 17:7–15 — An Angelic Explanation
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:6).
It’s easy to understand our author’s astonishment at the scene presented to him in the opening verses of Revelation chapter seventeen. After all, if we were presented with the image of a finely-attired woman who proved to be a drunken, bloodthirsty, prostitute, we’d likely be amazed as well. However, our author’s angelic escort was quick to address that response…
“But the angel said to me, ‘Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful’” (Revelation 17:7-14).
The symbolic imagery behind this passage is difficult to unravel, and there is no single answer that is likely to satisfy every reader of these verses. Nevertheless, we should not find fault with this angelic explanation. The real issue is related to our understanding of that explanation. This should not deter us from a prayerful effort to understand these symbolic elements; instead, it should encourage us to seek the Author of these verses for additional insight.
With these things in mind, we can draw encouragement from a familiar portion of Scripture as we wrestle with this difficult passage…
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).
We can begin our exploration of the central portion of Revelation chapter seventeen with a closer look at verse eight: “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition” (NIV). This enigmatic reference may make better sense if we view it from the perspective of John, the author of Revelation.
The beast mentioned here “was” in the sense that it existed prior to the scene John witnessed. It “now is not” (NIV) because it was held within the bottomless pit (or Abyss) during the period when the book of Revelation was originally authored. Finally, it “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit” (KJV) in the future when these events take place.
We get some further insight in verse nine: “…The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Some Biblical scholars view this passage as a reference to the city of Rome, a city that is historically recognized as “the city on seven hills.” Verse ten then continues by saying, “There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.”
From a Scriptural perspective, there have been six global powers that have arisen on the Biblical timeline: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Each of those first four empires played a significant role in Old Testament history. The fifth, Greece, provided the language that was used to author the books of the New Testament. Those five kingdoms may represent the “five kings that have fallen” mentioned in Revelation 17:10.
These kingdoms were “fallen” in the sense that they were superseded by the sixth world power: Rome. The Roman Empire dominated the known world of John’s day, but has long since faded into history. That leaves us with the seventh “king” whose kingdom has yet to come to fruition. This seventh kingdom “must remain only for a little while” (NIV) which likely means that it will be quickly replaced by the eighth king seen in verse eleven: “The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition” (NIV).
This eighth kingdom belongs to the seven previous kingdoms in the sense that it shares the same godless characteristics. This reference to “perdition” conveys the idea of waste, ruin, or the loss of well-being. (1) One source associates this word with “the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell.” (2) This eighth kingdom thus shares another characteristic with the seven previous kingdoms; they each share the same eternal destination.
(1) See G684 apoleia Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers, https://biblehub.com/greek/684.htm
(2) G684 apoleia Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g684/kjv/tr/0-1/
The closing verses of Revelation chapter seventeen continue with an explanatory discourse on the woman who sat astride a scarlet beast mentioned earlier in verse three…
“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast” (Revelation 17:12).
This likely refers to a confederacy of ten nations that will join in solidarity with this beast. The following verse identifies the unquestioned leader of that alliance: “These kings will be of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13 CEB). So these ten heads of state will pledge their complete allegiance to this beast and his agenda.
But these ten leaders will exhibit more than just solidarity; they will also back their commitment with military power…
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).
The matter-of-fact tone of this passage hides an astonishing thought: the members of this multi-national alliance actually seem to believe they possess the capability to launch a successful military attack against Jesus Himself. But such a victory is unachievable for “…he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings” (CEV). We should also note that the “called, chosen, and faithful” who accompany Jesus will be there to witness the Lamb’s victorious counter-offensive.
John’s angelic chaperone then concluded his explanation with a few additional insights…
“Then he said to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:15-18).
This reference to “…masses of people of every nation and language” (NLT) highlights the global nature of the godless religious philosophy held by those who are represented here. That philosophy is not merely indifferent to the things of God; instead, it violently opposes them, as evidenced by this hapless attempt to defeat the Lamb through the use of military force.
We’ll conclude our look at Revelation chapter seventeen with some final thoughts from this passage next.
Revelation 17:16–18 — The Woman and Her Destiny
“And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire” (Revelation 17:16 ESV).
Something unusual happens here in Revelation 17:16, for the members of this godless coalition turn upon one of their own. But how could such a thing occur? The answer may lie in an observation from earlier within this chapter: selfishness is an underlying (bur often overlooked) aspect of any immoral relationship. In this instance, these parties were likely exploiting one another to get something they each desired. That is, until one side no longer needed the other.
First, let’s consider the description of this prostitute from earlier in this chapter: “‘The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality’” (Revelation 17:2 CSB). At one time, the beast and these kings profited from that arrangement in various ways. However, that dynamic shifted dramatically once their need to exploit that relationship ceased to exist.
This serves to remind us of the potential consequences that can befall those who partake in immoral relationships: one side may abandon the other when their needs are no longer being met. Here in Revelation seventeen, that act of abandonment turned violent and destructive when it no longer served one party’s interests.
Another interesting aspect of this passage appears in verse seventeen: “For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled” (NLT). By taking this action, God is giving the global population exactly what it desires: the complete absence of God-honoring leadership in the political arena. Thus, the tragic edict of Romans 1:28 will come to fruition once again: “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done” (NET).
Finally, this chapter ends with an ominous and enigmatic message: “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (NIV). So what prominent city might this refer to? One possibility involves a modern version of the literal, physical city of Babylon. Another possibility is Jerusalem, a place cited in Revelation 11:8 as “the great city… where also our Lord was crucified.” Or it might be Rome, a city that was commonly known to be the greatest city of that era. Finally, it may be an unknown city of the future that has yet to be established.
Featured Image: Joshua Keller, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons