1 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, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were 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 sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 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. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6a I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
Which angel talked with John?
1a Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me,
What this angel going to show to John?
1b saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot
Where this great harlot sits?
1c who sits on many waters,
What this great harlot doing?
2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
Where this angel took John?
3a So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness.
What this angel showed to John?
3b And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast
How this beast looks like?
3c which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
What this great harlot wore? or How this great harlot/woman looks like?
4a The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,
What this great harlot has in her forehead?
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
What this great harlot has in her hand?
4b having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
What this woman does?
6a I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
What are all characters involved in this passage in addition to John and the angel?
The Great Harlot/Women: 1-6
The Beast: 3
The Kings: 2
Inhabitants of the earth: 1,2
The Saints and the martyrs of Jesus: 6a
6b And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. 7 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. 8 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. 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 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. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
12 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. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 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." 15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 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. 17 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. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
What is John's reaction after seeing the harlot/woman?
6b And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
What is the angel's response?
7 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.
Where this woman/harlot sits?
9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
How is the beast described?
3c which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
8 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.
10 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.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
What is the ten horns of this beast represent/means?
12a The ten horns which you saw are ten kings
When these ten kings receive their kingdom?
12b who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
What did the kings do with given power and authority?
13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
What did the kings really do after they given their power and authority to beast?
14a These will make war with the Lamb,
16 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.
Who will overcome this war/battle?
14b 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."
How God accomplish all these?
17 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.
What is the waters where the harlot sits really means?
15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
What this woman really represents? Who is this woman?
18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
What are all characters involved in this chapter in addition to John and the angel?
The Great Harlot/Women: 1-6,9,18;
The Beast: 3,7,8,10,11;
The Kings: 2,12-14,16,17;
Inhabitants of the earth: 1,2,15;
The Saints and the martyrs of Jesus: 6a
Describe The Beast:
Where this beast come from?
8a The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit
Where this beast go for?
8b and go to perdition.
Perdition here means destruction. This is this beast's final destination.
How this beast is described?
3c which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 13:1c - having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2a Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.
In Rev 12:3 Dragon also described similar to this beast with minor difference
Rev 12:3 - And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
What did the people on the earth do?
8c 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,
Why did the people on the earth marvel?
8d when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
People didn't marvel at wild appearance of the beast because they didn't see the beast like this appearance. Instead they marvel at the beast "the beast was, and is not, and yet is" (the beast's past, absence and presence (not future)).
To understand this better we need to closely dig into what the seven heads and ten horns means especially Rev 17:8,10-12.
What is the ten horns of this beast represent/means?
12a The ten horns which you saw are ten kings
What is the seven heads of this beast represent/means?
10 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.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
Read What these sign means? and What is the 7 heads, 10 Horns and Crowns means? topic in Rev 13:1-3.
Read Who might have caused this deadly wound to this beast? topic in Rev 13:2b-3a.
(WW) "The beast" has seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads symbolize seven mountains (Rev. 17:9) and also seven kings or kingdoms (Rev. 17:10), According to Revelation 17:10, five of these kings (or kingdoms) had passed off the scene, one was present in John's day, and one was yet to come. If so, then the five past kingdoms would be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. The present kingdom would be Rome, and the future kingdom would be that of "the beast." In order to understand Revelation 17:10-11, we must consider Revelation 17:12
When these ten kings receive their kingdom? and How long?
12b who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
This one hour may refers to brief period here it may refers to initial 3.5 years of the last 7 year Great Tribulation period because at the mid of this last 7 year Great Tribulation period they give their authority to the beast.
What did the kings do with the given power and authority?
16 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.
Read What is the Judgment for this great Harlot? topic below.
When this will happen?
Read the Overview of The Antichrist (Beast), The Great City (Harlot/Babylon) and The Kings below topic........
(DG) This violence probably takes place at the mid-point of the tribulation period. Here, apostate religion discovers the true nature of the beast.
Ultimately, the Antichrist will not tolerate any worship except of himself: The son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
What the kings will do after they destroy the harlot?
13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
How could they give their power to the beast? or How God accomplish all these?
17 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.
(DG)
God has put it into their hearts: God has directed the judgment against religious Babylon. God will sometimes use a wicked group (here, the ten kings) to be an instrument of His judgment against another wicked group (here, religious Babylon).
To be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast: God has ordained the political support of these ten kings for the Antichrist. In doing so, God gives the world exactly what it wants: godless religion and godless rulers.
What did the kings really do after they have given their power and authority to beast?
14a These will make war with the Lamb,
Who will overcome this war/battle?
14b 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."
the Lamb will overcome them,
Read What is the outcome of this battle? topic in Rev 16:14.
for He is Lord of lords and King of kings;
and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
Matt 22:1-14 - 1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
How God will accomplish His will/work through us?
God Puts His desire/burden in our hearts to those you delight in Him and accomplish His tasks
Matt 11:28-30- 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
The burden which God gives is light. We get this light God's burden in exchange of our heavy burden unloaded/given to Him.
Ps 37:4-5,23-24 - 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass......23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
NLT: Ps 37:4-5 - 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you
In the above verse God is not fulfilling our desire but giving His desires to us. Following are the verses that God fulfills our desire of our hearts:
Psalms 20:4 - May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose.
Psalms 145:19 - He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
Jeremiah 31:33 referred in Hebrews 8:10 - For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Why God puts His desire in our hearts?
Because God has plan for you...
Jer 29:11 - 1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive--to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. ........... 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters--that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord. 10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
NIV Jer 29:11 - 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Eph 2:10 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
NLT:Eph 2:10 - For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
2Tim 1:9 - who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
What is the plan for the 144,000 Israelite men who saved during Great Tribulation time?
To be live as virgins to evangelize during that Great Tribulation period.
Read Why these many are called to be virgins? topic in Rev 14:4-5 for more details.
In Jer 29:1-10 God has unique plan for those Israelites who where in exile.
In Rev 7-14 God has unique plan for 144,000 Israelite men during Great Tribulation period.
Same way God has unique plan to each one of you and your family.
So believe in Jesus whole heartedly. Trust Him always in all circumstance and situations:
Prov 3:5-8 - 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
Ps 37:23 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
NLT Ps 37:23 - The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Ps 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, , Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
Ps 33:10-11 - 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
God expects us to complete the task/plan with His Help that He has for us:
NIV: Revelation 3:2 - Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God
God will complete the task that he has prepared for us long before the foundation of this world:
Phil 2:13 - for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
NLT: Phil 2:13 - For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
Heb 13:20-21 - 20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Phil 1:6 - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
Describe this great harlot:
Who is this great harlot?
What this great harlot has in her forehead?
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Rev 17:18 - And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Rev 14:8 - And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
Rev 18:2 - 1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!
Where this great harlot sits? What it means?
1c who sits on many waters,
3b And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast
9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
What is "many waters" really means?
Rev 17:15 - Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
This great Babylon is built by multiracial people from many nations and different language speaking people.
What this scarlet beast means?
This scarlet beast means the Antichrist described in Rev 13:1-10; Rev 17:8-11;
What is "seven mountains" means?
The Greek word means mountains, not hills.
Mountain: a natural elevation of the earth's surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, usually greater than 2000 feet (610 meters).
Hill: a natural elevation of the earth's surface, smaller than a mountain.
This may represent a city located on top of seven mountains.
This may also represent a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35).
Dan 2:35 - Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Where could be this great city physically located?
Historical Babylon: As per the prophesy in Is 13:20; Jer 51:59-64 Biblical Babylon is not yet physically wiped out. So, this great city may literally mean Biblical historical Babylon where Iraq is located now.
Gen 10:8-10 - 8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord." 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Gen 11:4-9 - 4 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." 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel (or Babylon means confusion), because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
NLT: Gen 11:4 - Then they said, "Come, let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world."
Is 13:20 - 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there. 21 But wild beasts of the desert will lie there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches will dwell there, And wild goats will caper there. 22 The hyenas will howl in their citadels, And jackals in their pleasant palaces. Her time is near to come, And her days will not be prolonged."
Jer 51:8,11 - 8 Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed. Wail for her! Take balm for her pain; Perhaps she may be healed. 9 We would have healed Babylon, But she is not healed. Forsake her, and let us go everyone to his own country; For her judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up to the skies. 10 The Lord has revealed our righteousness. Come and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God. 11 Make the arrows bright! Gather the shields! The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it, Because it is the vengeance of the Lord, The vengeance for His temple.
Jer 51:37 - Babylon shall become a heap, A dwelling place for jackals, An astonishment and a hissing, Without an inhabitant.
Jer 51:59-64 - 59 The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And Seraiah was the quartermaster. 60 So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that would come upon Babylon, all these words that are written against Babylon. 61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, "When you arrive in Babylon and see it, and read all these words, 62 then you shall say, 'O Lord, You have spoken against this place to cut it off, so that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but it shall be desolate forever.' 63 Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall tie a stone to it and throw it out into the Euphrates. 64 Then you shall say, 'Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary.' " Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
(DG)
Babylon is mentioned 287 times in the Scriptures, more than any other city except Jerusalem.
Babylon was a literal city on the Euphrates River. Genesis 11:1-10 shows that right after the flood, Babylon “was the seat of the civilization that expressed organized hostility to God.” (Tenney)
Babylon was later the capitol of the empire that cruelly conquered Judah. “Babylon, to them (the Jews), was the essence of all evil, the embodiment of cruelty, the foe of God’s people, and the lasting type of sin, carnality, lust and greed.” (Tenney)
To those familiar with the Old Testament, the name Babylon is associated with organized idolatry, blasphemy and the persecution of God’s people.
As a religious system, Babylon came into being long before Christianity, but in Satanic imitation it anticipated the coming true Messiah. According to religious history and legend, the Babylonian religion was founded by the wife of Nimrod (a great-grandson of Noah), named Semiramis. She was a high priestess of idol worship, and she gave birth to a son who she claimed was conceived miraculously. The son, named Tammuz, was considered a savior. Many ancient artifacts remain with the familiar motif of the mother Semiramis holding the savior-infant Tammuz, which predate Christianity. It was also said that Tammuz was killed by a wild beast and then miraculously brought back to life. Baal was the local, Canaanite name for the Babylonian Tammuz.
The Bible makes specific mention of some of the features of the classic religion of Bablyon:
Ezekiel protests against the ceremony of weeping for Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14)
Jeremiah mentions the heathen practice of making cakes for the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 7:18) and offering incense to the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 44:17-19, 44:25)
Revelation 16:19 and 14:8 have already declared Babylon’s fall. In Revelation 17 and 18, the fall of Babylon is carefully detailed.
The concept of Babylon is greater than Revelation 17-18 and the Antichrist’s reign. Babylon was present in John’s day (typified by Rome), in our day, and throughout history, as the “world system.” But under the Antichrist, Babylon (in both its religious and commercial aspects) will hold sway over the earth as never before.
“In John’s day Rome epitomized all the antagonism and opposition to the Christian faith.” (Mounce) In some ways, the city of Rome was the clearest fulfillment of the “Babylon” attitude. If we had to pick one city today that most exemplifies the world system, perhaps we would say that Los Angeles is the “Babylon” of today.
Rome in European Union
(WW) The seven mountains (Rev. 17:9) probably symbolize the city of Rome, built on seven hills. Certainly in John's day, the Roman Empire was living in luxury, spreading false religion, polluting the nations with its idolatry and sin. and persecuting the church. Perhaps Peter was using Babylon as a "code name" for Rome when he wrote his first letter.
1 Peter 5:13 - 12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
(JC) Only one city in history is known as “The City of Seven Mountains”: Rome.
2002 - Greek Euro Coin Set:
Reverse side
Front side
Description
2 Euro:
This coin depicts a scene from a mosaic in Sparta (third century AD), showing Europa (woman on the beast) being abducted/kidnaped by Zeus, who has taken the form of a bull.
Europa is a figure from Greek mythology after whom Europe was named.
(DG)
Many quickly associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills. Yet literally, the Greek word means mountains, not hills.
Many commentators - especially those who see all of Revelation fulfilled in history - regard the seven mountains as an irrefutable connection with Rome. Clarke is a good example of this when he writes, “This verse has been almost universally considered to allude to the seven hills upon which Rome originally stood.”
But in the Bible mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains.
It is probably better to see the seven mountains as the representing the seven kings and kingdoms described in Revelation 17:10. Many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism irresistible, yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be much bigger than Roman Catholicism.
Indications about Roman Catholicism’s ultimate partnership with a one-world religion are evident in Pope John Paul II’s bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions.
In addressing a prayer gathering of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were “unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace.” The Pope pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to ‘share in and promote’ such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.”
The Catholic Review commented on this and said, “The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and leading to toward the light in which we all believe.”
The Head quarters of the United Nations. Now it is in New York City, as viewed from the East River (few blocks NE of Empire State Building). For more details read The Antichrist Kingdom may functions like United Nations (UN) but he keep every Kingdoms under His power and authority
Any other dominant city popular at that time.
Application: Like tower of Bable all religion other than Christianity teaches that they do many things to reach God but Christianity teaches that God so love the world and He came down to save all humanity those who believe and provide them citizenship in heaven.
John 3:16-18 - 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Eph 3:6 - 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Why this great city described as harlot?
What is harlot means? What are all possible interpretation available for the Harlot/Prostitute?
A woman (or man) who engages in sexual acts for money.
Harlot Accepts Everyone who pays money of any kind: No Racial/Color/Religious Discrimination
Person who goes to harlot Slowly starts with On Demand.
That person eventually become slaves. Harlot/Prostitute seduce their party/customer and eventually rule over them.
Following are few consequence/judgment to the person who goes to Harlot/Prostitute:
Prov 6:26,29 - 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24 To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. 25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. 27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
NLT: Prov 6:26,29 - 23 For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life. 24 These commands and this teaching will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman. 25 Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coyness seduce you. 26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, and sleeping with another man's wife may cost you your very life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap and not be burned? 28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man's wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. 30 Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 31 But if he is caught, he will be fined seven times as much as he stole, even if it means selling everything in his house to pay it back.
Prov 23:27 - 26 My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. 27 For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well.
A person who willingly uses his or her talent or ability in a base and unworthy way, usually for money.
Smuggling, Stripping, Porn of any sort, Gangsters, murderers...
A person/city/country slowly backslide from worshiping true and living God and worship other gods or idols. (Lack of trust/dependency on God, lack of spiritual faithfulness,)
(WW) John's readers would not be surprised when he used an evil harlot to symbolize a wicked city or political system. God even called Jerusalem a harlot (Isa. 1:21). Isaiah said that Tyre was a harlot (Isa. 23:16-17). and Nahum used this same designation for Nineveh (Nahum 3:4). (Read Jer. 50-51 for further historical parallels to John's prophetic message.)
Is 1:21 - How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.
Ezekiel 23:1-10 - 1 The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: 2 "Son of man, there were two women, The daughters of one mother. 3 They committed harlotry in Egypt, They committed harlotry in their youth; Their breasts were there embraced, Their virgin bosom was there pressed. 4 Their names: Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister; They were Mine, And they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem is Oholibah. 5 "Oholah played the harlot even though she was Mine; And she lusted for her lovers, the neighboring Assyrians, 6 Who were clothed in purple, Captains and rulers, All of them desirable young men, Horsemen riding on horses. 7 Thus she committed her harlotry with them, All of them choice men of Assyria; And with all for whom she lusted, With all their idols, she defiled herself. 8 She has never given up her harlotry brought from Egypt, For in her youth they had lain with her, Pressed her virgin bosom, And poured out their immorality upon her. 9 "Therefore I have delivered her Into the hand of her lovers, Into the hand of the Assyrians, For whom she lusted. 10 They uncovered her nakedness, Took away her sons and daughters, And slew her with the sword; She became a byword among women, For they had executed judgment on her.
Ezekiel 16:10-20 - 10 I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. 12 And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty. 14 Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you," says the Lord God. 15 "But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it. 16 You took some of your garments and adorned multicolored high places for yourself, and played the harlot on them. Such things should not happen, nor be. 17 You have also taken your beautiful jewelry from My gold and My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself male images and played the harlot with them. 18 You took your embroidered garments and covered them, and you set My oil and My incense before them. 19 Also My food which I gave you--the pastry of fine flour, oil, and honey which I fed you--you set it before them as sweet incense; and so it was," says the Lord God. 20 Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter,
Hosea 1:2 - 1 The word of the Lord that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the Lord." 3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.
(WW) The true church is a pure virgin (Rev. 19:7-8; see also 2 Cor. 11:2), but the false religious system is a "harlot" who has abandoned the truth and prostituted herself for personal gain.
In every age, there has been a "harlot" who has persecuted God's people: and this will culminate in the last days in a worldwide apostate religious system.
2 Cor. 11:2,3 - For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
NLT: 2 Cor. 11:2,3 - I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.
Rev. 19:7-9 - 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
Application:
How is your walk with our Lord?
Gal 3:3 - 1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Are you playing harlotry?
Even if we play harlotry, God is extending His Grace to us and with His great Love opening His hands and calling us to come back.
Jer 3:1-3,6,7a - 1 "They say, 'If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man's, May he return to her again?' Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me," says the Lord. 2 "Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them Like an Arabian in the wilderness; And you have polluted the land With your harlotries and your wickedness. 3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot's forehead; You refuse to be ashamed. 4 Will you not from this time cry to Me, 'My father, You are the guide of my youth? 5 Will He remain angry forever? Will He keep it to the end?' Behold, you have spoken and done evil things, As you were able." 6 The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 And I said, after she had done all these things, 'Return to Me.' But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.
This is the reason Jesus warns all Christians to keep wearing God given garments (Righteousness by keep filling with His Holy Spirit) every time.
Rev 16:15 - "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
What this great harlot does?
She live and offers Luxury and Power:
What this great harlot wore?
4a The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,
(WW) scarlet is the color of Satan (Rev. 12:3) and of sin (Isa. 1:18). Scarlet was a popular color in Rome, and both scarlet and purple were associated with rank and riches.
(DG) The woman is clothed with emblems of luxury (purple . . . gold and precious stones) and government (scarlet)....
Purple and scarlet were colors of splendor and magnificence; the dyes to make fabric these colors were rare and costly.
“We find in the course of church history that one of the deadliest marks of ecclesiastical corruption is the lust for temporal power.” (Barnhouse) Purple and scarlet were the colors of rulers, whether economic or political.
This great harlot/city is wealthy so luxuriously provides her body/place for money, invest on to Kings and inhabitants of the earth.
Rev 18:3 - For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
Rev 18:7 - In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.
Rev 18:9 - "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,
Accepts Everyone: No Racial/Color/Religious Discrimination
All people long to be resident of this city or invest on this city.
Put all their energy to be productive and make money. May be running online business such as Amazon.com, OneWorld.com, ...
NLT: Gen 11:4 - Then they said, "Come, let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world."
Rev 18:3 - For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
This city is advanced/top in Medicines, Technology,...
From this city their President (the Antichrist's) come back to life from the deadly wound.
Rev 13:3 - And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
From this city their Mayor (the false prophet, the 2nd beast in Rev 13:11) made President's (the Antichrist's) idol/image using the people and made the idol to speak.
Rev 13:15 - He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed
All residents has
freedom of speech, they can live as they like (lawlessness),
no need to marry any one can live together as long as they want which is equivalent to marriage (sexual immorality),
hate and curse the true and living God (blaspheme God).
Starts with On Demand: Flexible job timing, work if needed/wanted.
Eventually become slaves: Harlot/Prostitute seduce their party/customer and eventually rule over them.
They love their job first with all their heart so eventually they become slaves to the city.
She make the people and kings to worship idols (abominations) and make them stay impure (filthiness of her fornication)
What this great harlot has in her hand?
4b having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
(DG) ... Yet she offers idolatry (abominations) and impurity (filthiness of her fornication) in this sumptuous setting.
Matt 24:15 - "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand)
2 Thes 2:4b - 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Rev 13:14b-15 - 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
Rev 17:2 - with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
She is Prideful and offers Pride of Partnership:
What this great harlot has in her forehead?
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
(DG) The name on her forehead identifies her in more ways than one. Roman prostitutes frequently wore a headband with their name engraved upon it.
This also shows her pride.
She Persecutes Christians:
What she has in the cup?
6a I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
(DG) The woman not only persecutes, she revels in her persecution of the godly as a drunk revels in wine.
(WW) The woman is dressed in expensive garments, decorated with gold and precious stones. She is holding a golden cup in her hand and is drunk with the blood of the saints. On her forehead (see Rev. 13:16; 14:1) she wears a special name.
All residents hate and blaspheme the true and living God.
They will ask "How this Loving God could pour out all these plagues?" and they define themselves that He is a mean God...and worship Satan and the Antichrist.
Rev 13:5-8 - 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 16:9- And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Rev 16:11- They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Rev 16:21 - And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Why the kings hate the harlot?
Rev 17:16 - 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.
Because.... she reign over the kings.
Rev 17:18 - And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Why the kings weep and lament when the harlot was judged?
Because they lost their entire investment. This is their security and hope for their life. Everything will be gone at this time.
Rev 18:3,9,11-14 - 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."....
9 "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' 11 And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.
When the kings hatred changed to love towards this harlot?
This happens at the middle of last 7 year period just before Jesus 2nd coming.
This mortally wounded Antichrist will revive back to life and this make every kings and peoples to marvel at him and submit him whole heartedly.
Rev 13:3,14 - 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
How the kings hatred changed to love towards this harlot? When?
The following question "Overview of The Antichrist (Beast), The Great City (Harlot/Babylon) and The Kings" answers this in details.
Applications:
Have you seen any city like this in present day?
Many metropolitan or popular cities are like this.
What is the Judgment for this great Harlot?
What is the God's Judgment for Harlots/Prostitutes?
Ezekiel 16:35-40 - 35 'Now then, O harlot, hear the word of the Lord! 36 Thus says the Lord God: "Because your filthiness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your harlotry with your lovers, and with all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them, 37 surely, therefore, I will gather all your lovers with whom you took pleasure, all those you loved, and all those you hated; I will gather them from all around against you and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness. 38 And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy. 39 I will also give you into their hand, and they shall throw down your shrines and break down your high places. They shall also strip you of your clothes, take your beautiful jewelry, and leave you naked and bare. 40 They shall also bring up an assembly against you, and they shall stone you with stones and thrust you through with their swords.
Who Judges this great Harlot?
The 10 Kings judges this great Harlot/City at the middle of the last 7 year period:
How does these kings judge this great Harlot/City?
Rev 17:16-17 - 16 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. 17 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.
Why do the kings judge this great Harlot/City?
18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Initial 3.5 years of last 7 year period this city and the antichrist used these kings and their power to build their city, formed universal law that bounds these kings,...Due to this power game theses kings really hate this harlot/city including the Antichrist.
When will these kings judge this great Harlot/City/Babylon?
At the middle of the last 7 year period just before Jesus 2nd coming.
Rev 19:2-3 - 1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." 3 Again they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!"
God judges this great Harlot/City at the end of the last 7 year period just before Jesus 2nd Coming:
How does the Lord God Almighty judge this great Harlot/City/Babylon?
Rev 18:-6 - 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.
Rev 16:19 - Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
When will the Lord God Almighty this great Harlot/City/Babylon?
At the end of the last 7 year period just before Jesus 2nd coming.
Rev 19:2-3 - 1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." 3 Again they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!"
Why there is two judgments?
As prophesized by God that the harlot will be judged by whom the harlot loved/used as in Ezekiel 16:35-40. So, the kings judge the harlot.
As prophesized in Is 13:20 God will completely wipeout the Babylon. This will be fulfilled at this time.
Is 13:20 - It (Babylon) will never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.