Rev 17:15-18 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 15. And he saith unto me . The angel, . This commences the more literal statement of what is meant by these symbols. The waters which thou sawest . . Are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues . For an explanation of these terms, . The meaning here is, (a) that these waters represent a multitude of people. This is a common and an obvious symbol--for outspread seas or raging floods would naturally represent such a multitude. See . Compare Iliad, v. 394. The sense here is, that vast numbers of people would be subject to the power here represented by the woman. (b) They would be composed of different nations, and would be of different languages. It is unnecessary to show that this, in both respects, is applicable to the Papacy. Nations have been, and are, subject to its control, and nations speaking a large part of the languages of the world. Perhaps under no one government-not even the Babylonian, the Macedonian, or the ancient Roman--was there so great a diversity of people, speaking so many different languages, and having so different an origin. (g) "waters" (h) "peoples"

Revelation of John 17:15-18

Verse 15. And he saith unto me. The angel, Rev 17:7. This commences the more literal statement of what is meant by these symbols.

The waters which thou sawest. Rev 17:1.

Are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. For an explanation of these terms, Rev 7:9. The meaning here is,

(a) that these waters represent a multitude of people. This is a common and an obvious symbol--for outspread seas or raging floods would naturally represent such a multitude. See Isa 8:7-8, 17:12-13, Jer 47:2. Compare Iliad, v. 394. The sense here is, that vast numbers of people would be subject to the power here represented by the woman.

(b) They would be composed of different nations, and would be of different languages. It is unnecessary to show that this, in both respects, is applicable to the Papacy. Nations have been, and are, subject to its control, and nations speaking a large part of the languages of the world. Perhaps under no one government-not even the Babylonian, the Macedonian, or the ancient Roman--was there so great a diversity of people, speaking so many different languages, and having so different an origin.

(g) "waters" Rev 17:1, Isa 8:7 (h) "peoples" Rev 13:7 Verse 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast. Rev 17:3. The ten powers or kingdoms represented by those horns. Rev 17:12.

These shall hate the whore. There seems to be some incongruity between this statement and that which was previously made. In the former, (Rev 17:12-14,) these ten governments are represented as in alliance with the beast; as "giving all their power and strength" unto it; and as uniting with it in making war with the Lamb. What is here said must, therefore, refer to some subsequent period, indicating some great change in their feelings and policy. We have seen the evidence of the fulfilment of the former statements. This statement will be accomplished if these same powers represented by the ten horns, that were formerly in alliance with the Papacy, shall become its enemy, and contribute to its final overthrow. That is, it will be accomplished if the nations of Europe, embraced within the limits of those ten kingdoms, shall become hostile to the Papacy, and shall combine for its overthrow. Is anything more probable than this? France (Rev 16:1) has already struck more than one heavy blow on that power; England has been detached from it; many of the states of Italy are weary of it, and are ready to rise up against it; and nothing is more probable than that Spain, Portugal, France, Lombardy, and the Papal States themselves will yet throw off the yoke for ever, and put an end to a power that has so long ruled over men. It was with the utmost difficulty in 1848 that the Papal power was sustained, and this was done only by foreign swords; the Papacy could not probably be protected in another such outbreak. And this passage leads us to anticipate that the period will come-- and that probably not far in the future--when those powers that have for so many ages sustained the Papacy will become its determined foes, and will rise in their might and bring it for ever to an end,

And shall make her desolate and naked. Strip her of all her power and all her attractiveness. That is, applied to Papal Rome, all that is so gorgeous and alluring--her wealth, and pomp, and splendour-- shall be taken away, and she will be seen as she is, without anything to dazzle the eye or to blind the mind.

And shall eat her flesh. Shall completely destroy her--as if her flesh were consumed. Perhaps the image is taken from the practices of cannibals eating the flesh of their enemies slain in battle. If so, nothing could give a more impressive idea of the utter destruction of this formidable power, or of the feelings of those by whom its end would be brought about.

And burn her with fire. Another image of total destruction. Perhaps the meaning may be, that after her flesh was eaten, such parts of her as remained would be thrown into the fire and consumed. If this be the meaning, the image is a very impressive one to denote absolute and total destruction. Compare Rev 18:8.

(i) "these" Jer 50:41,42 (k) "naked" Eze 16:37-44 (l) "burn" Rev 18:8,18 Verse 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will. That is, in regard to the destruction of this mighty power. They would be employed as his agents in bringing about his designs. Kings and princes are under the control of God, and, whatever may be their own designs, they are in fact employed to accomplish his purposes, and are instruments in his hands. Isa 10:7.

And to agree. See Rev 17:13. That is, they act harmoniously in their support of this power, and so they will in its final destruction.

And give their kingdom unto the beast. Barnes on "Re 17:13".

Until the words of God shall be fulfilled. Not for ever; not as a permanent arrangement. God has fixed a limit to the existence of this power. When his purposes are accomplished, these kingdoms will withdraw their support, and this mighty power will fall to rise no more.

(m) "For God hath" Acts 4:27,28 (n) "fulfilled" Rev 10:7 Verse 18. And the woman which thou sawest. Rev 17:3.

Is that great city. Represents that great city.

Which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Rome would of course be understood by this language in the time of John, and all the circumstances, as we have seen, combine to show that Rome, in some form of its dominion, is intended. Even the name could hardly have designated it more clearly, and all expositors agree in supposing that Rome, either as Pagan or as Christian, is referred to. The chapter shows that its power is limited; and that although, for purposes which he saw to be wise, God allows it to have a wide influence over the nations of the earth, yet in his own appointed time the very powers that have sustained it will become its foes, and combine for its overthrow. Europe needs but little farther provocation, and the fires of liberty, which have been so long pent up, will break forth, and that storm of indignation which has expelled the Jesuits from all the courts of Europe; which has abolished the Inquisition; which has more than once led hostile armies to the very gates of Papal Rome, will again be aroused in a manner which cannot be allayed, and that mighty power which has controlled so large a part of the nations of Europe for more than a thousand years of the world's history, will come to an end.

(o) "that great city" Rev 16:19