Rev 17:1-6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 17:1-18:24: 17:1–19:10 The great drama in this section focuses on the powers that are hostile to God and responsible for the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power was captivating to many (17:6 ); John purposely defines Rome’s sins and provides God’s assessment (17:3-18 ) before outlining its fall (18:1-24 ) and heaven’s response (19:1-10 ). 17:1 One of the ... angels of judgment addresses John and summons him to a new scene in which he sees the coming judgment of the great prostitute, who rules over many waters . Rome, located on the Tiber River, controlled the seats of power and water trade routes throughout the Mediterranean, from the British Isles to the Euphrates River.

Summary for Rev 17:1-18:24: 17:1–19:10 ^a The great drama in this section focuses on the powers that are hostile to God and responsible for the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power was captivating to many (17:6 ^b); John purposely defines Rome’s sins and provides God’s assessment (17:3-18 ^c) before outlining its fall (18:1-24 ^d) and heaven’s response (19:1-10 ^e). 17:1 ^f One of the ... angels of judgment addresses John and summons him to a new scene in which he sees the coming judgment of the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. Rome, located on the Tiber River, controlled the seats of power and water trade routes throughout the Mediterranean, from the British Isles to the Euphrates River.
17:2 ^g Adultery with her is a biblical image for serving other gods (see, e.g., Exod 34:12-16 ^h; Judg 2:17 ⁱ; Hos 2 ^j).

• drunk by ... her immorality: Drunkenness in Scripture often depicts nations that indulge in wanton and immoral behavior (see Rev 18:3 ^k, 9 ^l; Jer 25:27 ^m; 51:7 ⁿ; Lam 4:21 ^o; Ezek 23:33 ^p).
Summary for Rev 17:3-4: 17:3-4 ^q John is carried in the Spirit into the wilderness, his way of describing a visionary experience (see 1:10 ^r; 4:2 ^s). He sees a depiction of Rome’s moral corruption and excessive luxury (see 18:12-13 ^t, 16 ^u) that illustrates how such wealth can become an abomination to God.

• The beast here is like the second figure in the evil trinity (see 13:1-4 ^v).

• blasphemies against God: See 13:5-6 ^w.

• purple and scarlet: Clothing in these two colors indicated royalty and carnality, respectively.

• a gold goblet: See Jer 51:7 ^x.
17:5 ^y Using code language, John was probably referring to Rome (see 17:9 ^z) as Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes. Babylon was a symbol of the idolatries and demonic obscenities of the world. As Mother, she had produced offspring who copied her character. Rome, like Babylon, prostituted herself to false gods and led other nations into adultery and idolatry.
17:6 ^aa God’s holy people ... were witnesses for Jesus to the point of shedding their blood (see 16:6 ^ab; Heb 12:4 ^ac). In John’s time, Rome was responsible for this persecution.