Revelation 17 - What is Going on?
Judgement of Great Prostitute
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls went to John. He showed him the judgement of the great prostitute. Prostitute in the Greek is πόρνη which in this case indicates the designation of a government that is hostile to God and His people.
This prostitute is seated on many waters where the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality. Sexual immorality (πορνεύω) in this case involves the engagement in polytheistic cults and the practice of idolatry. It is with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk. This wine is an imagery of punishments that God has inflicted on the wicked.
John in Wilderness Saw Woman
The angel carried John away in the Spirit into the wilderness (ἔρημος-uninhabited region). He saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast (θηρίον-animal-like being of transcendent kind). Characteristics of this woman include the following:
- full of blasphemous names,
- had seven heads and ten horns,
- was arrayed in purple and scarlet,
- was adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls,
- holds the golden cup full of abominations and impurities of her sexual immorality, and
- had a name written on her forehead which said Babylon the great, the mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.
John saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. He marveled greatly when he saw her.
The Mystery of the Woman and Beast
The angel questioned why John would marvel and said he would tell John the mystery of the woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. This carrying (βαστάζω) involves the aspect of animals used for riding.
Beast
The angel explains the beast John saw was and is not and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. The dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast because it was and is not and is to come.
Calls for Mind with Wisdom
Seven Heads and Beast Who was Not
The seven heads are the seven mountains-which indicates higher than minor elevation as in a hill or mountain-on which the woman is seated. The seven heads also are the seven kings-five who have fallen, one who is, and one who is to come and remain a little while. As for the beast who was and is not, it's an eighth but belongs to the seven and goes to destruction.
Ten Horns
The ten horns John saw are the ten kings who have not yet received royal power but are to receive authority as kings for one hour together with the beast. They're of one mind and hand over power and authority to the beast.
They will also make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He's the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.
Further Explanations from Angel
Waters
The angel mentioned that the waters John saw earlier where the prostitute is seated are peoples, multitudes (ὄχλος - large mass number of people), nations, and languages.
Ten Horns vs. Prostitute
The ten horns John saw along with the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire for God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast until God's words are fulfilled.
More on Woman
The woman John saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.
What is the Great City?
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