Revelation 17

Revelation 17 presents a vivid symbolic portrayal of a harlot, Babylon, riding a scarlet beast, symbolizing the corrupt religious system united with political powers that oppose God. The chapter reveals the judgment of this great prostitute, who represents false religion and worldly power in rebellion against God. It also exposes the mystery behind her influence over nations and the ultimate victory of Christ over these forces.

Revelation 17:1-2 (NKJV) "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.'”

The angel invites John to witness the judgment of a great harlot, symbolizing a false religious system. This harlot is described as sitting on many waters, indicating her influence over many peoples and nations. The kings of the earth committed fornication with her, symbolizing political alliances with corrupt religion for personal gain. The inhabitants of the earth are said to be drunk with the wine of her fornication, representing how people are deceived and led astray by this system.

Revelation 17:3 (NKJV) "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."

John is carried in the Spirit to the wilderness, where he sees a woman (symbolizing the corrupt religious power) sitting on a scarlet beast. The scarlet beast represents the political power that supports this system, full of names of blasphemy, showing its opposition to God. The seven heads and ten horns symbolize political kingdoms and authorities that align themselves with this blasphemous power.

Revelation 17:4 (NKJV) "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."

The woman’s luxurious attire of purple and scarlet, along with her adornment of gold, precious stones, and pearls, reflects the outward appearance of wealth, power, and influence. However, the golden cup she holds is filled with abominations and the filth of her immoral alliances, revealing the underlying corruption and spiritual filth that her beauty hides.

Revelation 17:5 (NKJV) "And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

The woman has a name on her forehead: "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth." Babylon here symbolizes a corrupt system of false religion and rebellion against God. She is called the "mother of harlots" because she spawns other corrupt systems and ideologies that lead people away from truth and holiness.

Revelation 17:6 (NKJV) "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."

The woman is seen drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs, indicating that this system is responsible for the persecution and death of God’s faithful people. John is astonished, reflecting the magnitude of this system's deceptive power and cruelty toward the people of God throughout history.

Revelation 17:7 (NKJV) "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 angel notices John’s amazement and promises to reveal the deeper meaning behind the woman and the beast. The angel's explanation will unveil the spiritual and political realities behind these symbols, providing insight into the forces that oppose God’s kingdom.

Revelation 17:8 (NKJV) "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."

The beast is described as having a paradoxical existence: it "was, and is not, and will ascend." This speaks of a political or spiritual power that once held influence, temporarily lost it, and will rise again to deceive the nations. Those not written in the Book of Life will marvel at this revival, being deceived by its reappearance.

Revelation 17:9-10 (NKJV) "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 seven heads represent seven mountains, symbolizing kingdoms or empires. Five of these kingdoms have already fallen, one currently exists in John’s time, and one more is to come, but its rule will be brief. This reveals the progression of world powers throughout history and points to the short reign of a future oppressive kingdom.

Revelation 17:11 (NKJV) "The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition."

The beast, though part of the seven kingdoms, will itself emerge as an eighth, representing a final form of opposition to God’s kingdom. However, its fate is sealed—it is heading toward destruction. This eighth kingdom is the culmination of all worldly opposition to God.

Revelation 17:12-13 (NKJV) "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."

The ten horns symbolize ten kings or rulers who will rise to power in the end times. They will align themselves with the beast, lending it their authority for a short period. Their unity in giving their power to the beast shows a collective rebellion against God.

Revelation 17:14 (NKJV) "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."

These kings will unite in opposition to Christ (the Lamb), but they will be defeated because Christ is the ultimate authority, the "Lord of lords and King of kings." His victory is assured, and those who follow Him—His faithful, chosen people—will share in His triumph.

Revelation 17:15 (NKJV) "Then he said to me, 'The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.'"

The waters, where the harlot sits, are revealed to represent peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. This indicates the vast and global influence of this false religious system, which impacts every nation and culture.

Revelation 17:16-17 (NKJV) "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."

In a dramatic turn, the kings (symbolized by the ten horns) will turn against the harlot, destroying her completely. This reveals a divine judgment in which God uses even the enemies of His people to fulfill His purposes. The false religious system will be exposed and utterly ruined, as God’s sovereign plan is carried out.

Revelation 17:18 (NKJV) "And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."

The woman is identified as a great city that exercises control over the kings of the earth. This represents a powerful political-religious system that holds sway over world powers, symbolizing spiritual Babylon—a corrupt influence that opposes God’s kingdom on earth.