This chapter is a difficult chapter to understand. It is wrapped in an oscillating narrative of the spiritual and physical explanation of end-times description. We also have the Harlot in this chapter, which is intertwined with Babylon. So first, before we begin, let’s look at Babylon.
There are two Babylon’s. They are intertwined with each other, but also unique.
The first is the Mystery Babylon, which we will be discussing i this chapter. We have a few characters who dominate the storyline:
Harlot woman Rome (inland) Woman, whore, mother A city guilty of abomination A city destroyed by the power that supported her
The second is the Material Babylon, which we will discuss at length in chapter 18. It also has many character traits: Great city Coastal city Habitation, great city, marketplace Guilty of greed and self-indulgence Destroyed by a sudden act of God
Together, both Babylons stand for a symbol of the world. Mystery Babylon is Mid-Tribulation. Material Babylon is Post Tribulation. Babylon is mentioned in scripture 287 times (2nd only to Jerusalem). Jerusalem mentioned 806 times. In the Old Testament, Babylon is literal; In the New Testament, Babylon is symbolic.
Babylon was founded by the wife of Nimrod. She was a high-priestess of idol worship. Her son, Tammuz, claimed a miraculous birth and thus was viewed as a savior. The name Tammuz, translated into the Canaanite language, means Baal.
The reason why this is important is because Nimrod was the leader of the Jews back in Genesis 11. He was the leader who insisted on building a tower. This tower, known as the tower of Babel, was in the fledgling Babylon. They built a tower to make a name for themselves. God struck them down and scattered them, but the early roots of Babylon grows deep, and the very idea of Babylon stems from its early moments. Babylon is synonymous with organized rebellion against God. As we talk about Babylon going forward, it is important to remember this.
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
Mystery, Mid-Tribulation Babylon
Judgement is already set. This judgment is reserved for the great prostitute. This is a spiritual force that presides over many nations. Because of this great spirit, the world falls under its intoxication; the leaders are defiled. It is a type of empty religion. Attractive and perhaps spiritual, but also immoral.
The Harlot is the Spirit of seductive culture active in the deception and destruction of God’s people. This governmental culture continues to rise over and over during history.
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
The woman is dressed in purple and scarlet (royalty and luxury), glittering with gold (government), holding a golden cup (idolatry), with names written on her head (impurity). This last part is considered a mystery, but can also be considered a seal.
Babylon the Great: Known for its decadence and impurity Mother of Prostitutes: Influence Abomination of the earth: Affects the entire world The woman is not Babylon, but has something to do with the overall structure of Babylon
7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
She is the source of idolatry and spiritual idolatry This is the religion of the new world system The Harlot rules antichrist’s world system The Antichrist is main character and she (harlot) is a tool to accomplish his desires
9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
Verse 9 can be misconstrued, depending on which interpretive road you take. So we’ll look at two possible interpretations.
Interpretation 1: Hills The 7 hills refer to Rome. Rome, when discussing a world system, is often interpreted as the Roman Catholic Church. So if we are to look at the Hills as the Catholic Church, Mystery Babylon is a city. Mystery Babylon presides over a vast international system (headquarters). The city sits of 7 hills (Rome). She is clothed in purple and red (cardinals wear red, bishops and archbishops wear purple). Concept: Therefore, the Roman Catholic church is the Great Prostitute
Interpretation 2: Mountains The word for hills can also be translated as mountains. So we have seven mountains instead of hills, and mountains are often used symbolically for governments (Daniel 2:35). Concept: Therefore, the verse points to an international government power that accepts and promotes the Harlot’s message.
10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
This passage refers to both past kings and the one to come. The five that have fallen are Egypt , Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece. The one, now, is Rome. The future king to come is the government of end-times. The Beast is the 8th king.
12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
This passage speaks to a 10-nation confederation (Daniel 2:24-25). These are allies of the beast and will join him to wage war against the lamb.
15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
The harlot’s influence is worldwide. The true nature of the beast is revealed and the allies of the beast (10 horns) turn on the harlot. The reason for this is simple: the beast cannot tolerate any worship but his own (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). He uses religion for his purpose, then destroys it.
17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
God directs all of this. God sometimes uses evil to thwart evil and bring about his will. And finally, the woman you saw is the great city…that is Rome.