Rev 17 | MHM | STEP | The Fall of Babylon This section begins a new vision that continues the story of the last three vials. The vision is about the judgment of the “great whore,” a symbol of a city that has been unfaithful to God. This city, called Babylon, is known for idolatry, pride, and cruelty. The angel invites John to see the true character and coming punishment of this corrupt power. The vision describes Babylon’s riches, power, and terrible sins, especially her violence against God’s people. v. 1 : One of the seven angels invites John to witness the judgment of the “great whore.” This title is shameful. It means someone who was once joined to God but became unfaithful, breaking her promises. She has also led the kings of the earth into sin and made them drunk with her evil ways (Revelation 17:1 ).

‏ Revelation of John 17

The Fall of Babylon

This section begins a new vision that continues the story of the last three vials. The vision is about the judgment of the “great whore,” a symbol of a city that has been unfaithful to God. This city, called Babylon, is known for idolatry, pride, and cruelty. The angel invites John to see the true character and coming punishment of this corrupt power. The vision describes Babylon’s riches, power, and terrible sins, especially her violence against God’s people.

v. 1: One of the seven angels invites John to witness the judgment of the “great whore.” This title is shameful. It means someone who was once joined to God but became unfaithful, breaking her promises. She has also led the kings of the earth into sin and made them drunk with her evil ways (Revelation 17:1 ^a).

v. 2: The angel shows that this “great whore” has committed spiritual adultery with world leaders. She has influenced them with her false religion and led many people away from God (Revelation 17:2 ^b).

v. 3: John sees her sitting on a beast with seven heads and ten horns. This beast stands for Rome, the city on seven hills, famous for its idolatry, cruelty, and blasphemy. The woman’s power comes from her connection with this beast (Revelation 17:3 ^c).

v. 4: She is dressed in purple and scarlet, decorated with gold, jewels, and pearls. This shows her great wealth, pride, and worldliness. Her appearance is meant to attract people who care about riches and honor (Revelation 17:4 ^d).

v. 5: On her forehead is a name: “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” This shows who she really is. Babylon is not the old city from the past but a symbol for a new city that acts in the same evil ways. She is called the “mother” because she leads others into false religion and wickedness (Revelation 17:5 ^e).

v. 6: She is drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She has killed so many of God’s people that she is overwhelmed by their blood. Her hatred and violence against believers have no limit (Revelation 17:6 ^f).

The Fall of Babylon

This section explains the mystery of the vision of the woman and the beast. The angel helps John understand the symbolic meaning of what he has seen. The beast is described as a power that changes forms over time but remains a source of idolatry and oppression. The seven heads represent both the hills of Rome and different kinds of rulers. The ten horns symbolize other kings who will align themselves with the beast for a short time. The explanation reveals that this vision is key to understanding earlier visions and shows the ultimate fate of this evil system.

v. 7: John is astonished by the vision, but the angel tells him that he will explain the mystery of the woman and the beast she is riding. This explanation will help reveal the meaning behind the vision (Revelation 17:7 ^g).

v. 8: The beast represents a power that “was, and is not, and yet is.”This means it was once a system of idolatry and persecution, then appeared to be gone, but still exists in a new form. The beast comes from the bottomless pit, meaning it originates from hell, and it will eventually return to destruction. Those whose names are not in the book of life will be amazed by the beast (Revelation 17:8 ^h).

v. 9: The angel explains that the seven heads of the beast have two meanings. First, they represent the seven hills of Rome, the city where this power is based. Second, they symbolize seven types of rulers or forms of government that have controlled Rome over time .

v. 10: The seven heads also represent seven kings or governments. Five of these had already fallen by the time of the prophecy. One existed during John’s time (the pagan emperor), and one was still to come (the Christian emperor). This shows that Rome’s power changes over time but continues to support idolatry and oppression (Revelation 17:10 ⁱ).

v. 11: The beast itself is described as an eighth power that comes from the earlier seven. This refers to the papacy, which will reintroduce idolatry and take control through a new form of authority (Revelation 17:11 ^j).

v. 12: The ten horns of the beast represent ten kings who do not yet have kingdoms during John’s time. These kings will rise later, near the end of the antichrist’s power. They will rule for a short time and will give their authority to the beast, fully supporting its cause (Revelation 17:12 ^k).

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The Fall of Babylon

This section gives a preview of Babylon’s downfall, which will be described in more detail in the next chapter. It shows the final battle between the forces of evil and the followers of Christ. Even though the enemies of Christ seem powerful, the Lamb and His faithful people will win the victory. God’s plan is at work, even in the actions of kings and nations.

v. 14: The beast and his followers make war against the Lamb and His followers. To human eyes, the beast’s army looks much stronger than the Lamb’s. But the Lamb, who is Jesus, will overcome them. Christ will keep fighting until all His enemies are defeated, because He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet(1 Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 17:14 ^l).

v. 15: The angel explains that the waters where the woman sits represent many peoples, nations, and languages. This shows that Babylon’s influence is worldwide. She rules over many different groups and even over kings (Revelation 17:15 ^m).

v. 16: God causes the ten kings, who once supported the beast and the woman, to turn against her. They will hate her, strip her of everything, and destroy her. These kings will finally see how they were deceived and will become the instruments God uses to punish Babylon (Revelation 17:16 ⁿ).

v. 17: God is in control of these events. He puts it into the hearts of the kings to give their power to the beast for a time, and then to turn against Babylon. This fulfills God’s purpose and shows His power over the hearts of rulers (Revelation 17:17 ^o).

v. 18: The woman is described as the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. This city is Babylon, a symbol for a powerful and corrupt system that has led many into sin (Revelation 17:18 ^p).