Revelation 17

V1. In the previous chapter you were a witness of the final judgments on the earth, executed by seven angels by the means of seven bowls. In this way the wrath of God was finished (Rev 15:1). In the description of the judgments in just one verse only of the previous chapter there was mention of the judgment on Babylon the great (Rev 16:19). In the Revelation 17-18 John, and we with him, gets a detailed explanation of this judgment. That explanation he gets from one of the seven bowl angels, one who is involved, someone who knows what he’s talking about.

But it is not only an oral explanation. John also gets to see something. The angel invites John to join him to go to a place where he wants to show him how Babylon the great will come to her end.

Before they arrive there the angel informs John about what he gets to see. He will become an eye witness of the judgment on the city that is presented as “the great harlot” (verse 18; cf. Isa 1:21). From the description that follows it appears that this is an indication of the roman-catholic church. He sees further that the harlot “sits on many waters”. What those many waters represent is written in verse 15. They represent the peoples of the earth and particularly the nations that belong to the restored Roman empire, which appears from verse 16.

The harlot is the church which is Christian in name and which pretends to represent Christ, but in practice has fully allied itself with the world, the “many waters”. John sees the roman-catholic church in the connection she has established with the kings of the earth. Her unfaithfulness therefore appears from her love expressions to the governments of the world.

The fact that she ‘sits’ on it indicates that she has control over many governments. You see that in particular in the countries where the roman-catholic church has many followers. In her corruptness she dominates the governments. She acts as if she is defending a good cause, but in reality she is out for power.

Like no other church the roman-catholic church has pretended to be the true church and the true bride of Christ. She has also, like no other church in its history, demonstrated thoroughly worldly, demonic, practices in the most heinous ways. It is a real anti-church that in this and in the following chapter is shown and judged in her true nature.

Everything that is said of this false church will make clear that the title of ‘great harlot’ is totally justified. She acts as if she is the bride of Christ, but she is a harlot. And not just a harlot, no, she is the ‘great’ harlot. There is no greater contrast imaginable with a God-given marriage relationship.

To think through still deeper this enormous contrast between the true church and the false church you should compare the verses 1-5 of this chapter with Revelation 21 (Rev 21:9-11), where the true church is presented.

V2. “The kings of the earth”, the world leaders, have sought rapprochement to her. They have accepted her invitation. Of course they have done that out of purely selfish reasons. The roman-catholic church is rich, powerful and influential. Therefore they accepted and drank with greed from “the wine of her immorality”. They even got “drunk” by it. Through their dealings with her, they came under her influence and became intoxicated by it. They do not see through her true intentions. Once those intentions become clear to them, they will turn in hatred against the harlot and kill her (verse 16).

The kings of the earth represent the inhabitants of the countries they rule. In their dealings with the great harlot they drag all their subjects with them, which are all “those who dwell on the earth”. When the pope visits a place today, it attracts masses of people. Everyone tries to catch a glimpse of him. In his position he is the radiation of the power of the church. The mass is blind for his pretense to be the substitute of Christ. To them he is the Christ. He is visible and influential and he is surrounded by mysticism. That’s what the mass likes.

V3. It seems that the angel is showing John a vision. In that vision he sees himself carried away in spirit “into a wilderness”. A wilderness is a territory where death rules. In a wilderness life and the possibility for life there are totally missing. In that wilderness John sees “a woman”, the great harlot of the previous verse. The territory of death seems to be the residence of the harlot. This residence is a good reflection of her spiritual condition. She is full of death. There is no life out of God and with God there.

John also sees that this woman is sitting “on a scarlet beast”. Earlier in Revelation 13 (Rev 13:1-8) you have already come across the description of this beast. There you saw that this beast represents the restored Roman empire. In what John sees here, it seems that the roman-catholic church is sitting on the beast, that is, she rides it and controls it.

This scene symbolizes what is known from church history. There have been periods that the pope had absolute power over the kings of Europe. In the end time the political and the religious power of the roman-catholic church will be great again. You will see this increase of power in the increasingly explicit involvements of the pope with the events in the world. He receives world leaders and they receive him.

You also hear increasingly clear calls from the pope to world leaders on a variety of topics related to life on earth. With such calls the roman-catholic church gives the impression of wanting to stand up for a righteous and tolerant, peaceful society. She also gives the impression of wanting to accomplish that with the world leaders. But she does not worry about the fact that the beast is “full of blasphemous names”, which means that all different forms of blasphemy are present in this beast. The only thing that she wants is to have control over the “seven heads and ten horns”. You have seen what is meant by the seven heads and ten horns when discussing Revelation 13:1.

V4. Now follows a more detailed description of the woman. It shows that hideous creature represents the roman-catholic church:
1. You see that in her dressing (verse 4), which indicates her attachment to worldly luxury.
2. Furthermore she is drunk with the blood of the saints (verse 6), which indicates that she has persecuted the true believers by fire and sword.
3. In this context also the seven heads are clearly a representation of the seven mountains (verse 9) on which Rome lies and of which it is said that the woman is sitting on it.
4. Finally it is said in plain language that the woman is the great city (verse 18).

The luxury in which she bathes makes her connection to the world undeniable. She is adorned with all earthly splendor and in that way she competes with the worldly leaders. As the beast has a scarlet color (verse 3), she clothes herself with the same colors. Her luxury is so great that the worldly leaders even derive their luxury from hers (Rev 18:3b). Her influence is therefore not only political and religious. Also economically she has a lot to offer and she participates in it by offering her merchandise. As long as it brings profit, either in hard currency or in prestige and influence.

The cup that she has in her hand is “full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality”. ‘Abominations’ means idolatry. The roman-catholic church has introduced idolatry in the Christian church with great craftiness, determination and persistence. The most striking proof is the adoration of Mary and many other people canonized by her.

Recently I read a message which is quite interesting to tell in this context. It confirms that saint worship is still rampant:

Italian Catholics hoping for the support of a saint no longer have to carry a portrait of him or her. They can also download the saint's portrait on their cell phone. Not every roman catholic leader is happy with the new service, saying it is crude and too commercial. ‘We discovered a gap in the market and filled it’, says Barbara Labate of the company offering the saints on the cell phones. In many taxicabs, passenger cars and trucks in Italy you find a santino (a portrait of a saint) hanging on the dashboard. Millions of Italians carry a santino in their purse or bag. [End of message.]

Of the cup it is also said that it is full of ”the unclean things of her immorality This indicates her connection to the elements of the world. You can observe that everywhere in pagan countries where the roman-catholic church has gained a foothold. There she has made the pagan customs to become Christian customs instead of abolishing them. She has provided very cunningly the idolatry ceremonial service, which formerly characterized these nations, with a Christian coating.

Whatever you find in the Bible about Babylon is connected to idolatry. The first reference of Babel in Genesis 11 (Gen 11:1-9) in the history of the tower building of Babel, already shows that connection. The sinful striving for unity and power came from the will of man to be like God. The will to be like God is idolatry in its essence. God is not written off, but He is deprived of His true place. Man puts himself in the place of God and decides for himself how to serve God. Idolatry is born.

That goes together with ascribing spiritual value to something that is visible and tangible and which serves to satisfy the spiritual feelings of man. Also here is mention of an abominable mixture of worldly elements with religion, turning this religion into harlotry. The roman-catholic church is full of these elements. Just think of crucifix, altar and wafer, to name a few.

Now read Revelation 17:1-4 again.

Reflection: What elements of idolatry do you know of in the roman-catholic church?

V5. The religious feelings which are propagated by the adulterous church and which are expressed, are received with devilish gratitude by demons. Scripture makes clear that satan is hidden behind idolatry (1Cor 10:20). Any admiration for what is visible and tangible ends up with him. Babylon is called for a reason “mystery”. Although she displays her name for all “on her forehead”, her true nature is still hidden for all who are under her control. ‘Mystery’ means that insight is necessary to get to know the true nature of Babylon. That true nature is that she is “the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth”.

A (Bible book as) Revelation is necessary to see through her true nature. The rapprochement of the protestant churches to the roman-catholic church shows that it is still a mystery to many. By the way, this rapprochement is also more and more found with evangelical Christians. In the light of the rapprochement of protestant and evangelical churches and groups, also her other name, ‘the mother of harlots’, is significant. This name indicates that the roman-catholic church has children who follow her in her connection with the world. She is the mother of daughters who have the same traits as her.

It can be recognized in all those churches that are connected to the world council of churches, including many protestant churches. You also see it in the state churches that emerged from the roman-catholic church. With them certain characteristics of spiritual harlotry are visible which are also visible in the roman-catholic church. As a result, they should morally be labeled as ‘daughters’. That she is also ‘the mother of the abominations of the earth’ means that she has brought forth idolatry, that she is its origin. Look again at the explanation of the previous verse.

The blindness of the mass for the true nature of the roman-catholic church is also caused by the lack of personal Bible study. And in case people read in the Bible, then it is often because they want to have a ‘practical’ benefit of it or to have some kind of emotion. It must feel good. Roman-catholicism, with all her rituals and icons, fits in perfectly with this. That is why its appeal is so great and why these things are finding more and more followers. That there is a warning written in large letters on her forehead does not penetrate.

V6. John sees how the woman completely indulges in killing of believers. These “saints” are not the saints that are canonized by the roman-catholic church, but they are the true saints in the sight of God. Such saints arouse her bloodthirstiness. Her bloodthirstiness is also aroused by “the witnesses of Jesus”. These believers do not testify of the roman-catholic church as the only true church, but of Jesus. Jesus is the name of the Lord that refers to the time that He was on earth in humiliation, in complete poverty and insignificance. That is in huge contrast to the lavish opulence in which the roman-catholic church bathes.

The blood that the woman sheds makes her drunk. With devilish pleasure she sucks up the blood until she is excessively saturated by it. The sight of it makes that John ”wondered greatly”. Such massacres and the lascivious and devilish pleasure that go together with it would not have marveled him if they were attributed to the Roman empire. This is why we too should not be amazed when the world hates us. What marvels John is the cruel nature of the woman who claims to be the substitute and representative of Christ. Instead of being a protector of God’s people she persecutes and murders the very ones who belong to Christ. That is the cause of his great amazement.

V7. In response to John’s amazement the angel says that the fact that the woman reveals herself like that, must not wonder him that much. Nor do we have to be very wondered. After all, man is capable of anything. Is it not exactly religious people who killed the Lord Jesus, the Son of God? And how did that come about? Because in Him they saw a threat to their position. This is why every religious system wants to cast out or resist everyone who even has any doubt about their right to exist. What is according to the flesh always persecutes what is according to the Spirit (Gal 4:29).

The angel is going to reveal the mystery. In verse 5 the mystery only concerns the woman, but here he adds the mystery “of the beast” and his characteristics. This mystery is opposite a mystery of a totally different character. That is the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph 5:32). While that mystery is associated with complete purity, holiness and unity in the good, this mystery speaks of darkness, destruction and deception.

V8. John receives a more detailed explanation of things that have been earlier described or to which is already briefly referred (Rev 11:7; 12:4; 13:1-9). Then the angel starts to tell him what the images represent. He starts with the beast.

He first mentions four periods in the history of the beast, which is the Roman empire. These periods are described in this verse as follows: “was”, then “is not” and then “is about to come up out of the abyss”. The fourth and last period is “go to destruction”.

1. The first period, “was”, starts when Rome is established in 753 BC. Since then, it has undergone a steady and great development, culminating in the acquisition of world domination in about 168 BC. The Roman empire possessed world domination indisputably for several centuries until in the fourth and fifth centuries AD a decline starts which finally resulted in the fall of Rome in 476.

2. Then the second period begins, which is the period in which the empire does not exist, “is not”. This is the period in which we still are since the fall of Rome. At this moment, the Roman empire does not exist. During this period many have tried to establish this empire, such as Charlemagne and Napoleon). This period has had its longest time.

3. The time is coming when the beast will “come up out of the abyss”. That will be the third period. Here the restoration is indicated of the Roman empire that was considered to be lost and that this restoration has a particular source. Never before has an empire risen from the abyss. It is not an empire given by God, but by satan and his demons. It is of demonic origin.

This origin is new. Until now there had been no authority but from God (Rom 13:1-6; cf. Dan 2:37; 5:18). The beast receives his authority not from God, but from the dragon. The abyss is the territory of demons (Rev 9:1-11). The restoration of this empire will provoke admiration all over the world (Rev 13:3). You have already seen these aspects in Revelation 13.

4. The fourth period of this empire is that of destruction, “and go to destruction”. His government will come to an end and that happens through the judgment that will be executed by the Lord Jesus (verse 14). That is described in more detail in Revelation 19 and we will pay attention to it later.

V9. To understand these things you need “the mind which has wisdom”. The angel explains it further. The “seven heads” represent the “seven mountains” on which Rome lies. That makes clear that Rome is the political center of the empire. Rome is also the center of the church, represented by “the woman” that sits on the seven mountains.

V10. But there is second meaning of the seven heads. The seven heads do not only represent seven mountains, but they also represent “seven kings”. How does that reconcile with the ten horns of which we know that they also represent kings (verse 12; Dan 7:24)? The explanation is that the seven heads are seven kings or governments that have exercised power one after the other. That appears from this verse.

We read about “five” kings or forms of government that have taken place, “the one” that is now – the imperial form, at the time of John –, and “the other” that is to come. Of the ten kings or rulers, however, we read in verse 12 that they received authority for one hour as kings together with the beast, which means at the same time. What in verse 12 is called a period of ”one hour”, is here called ”a little while”. From Revelation 13 you know that it is about the relatively short time of three and a half years.

At the time of John there have already been five forms of government. It cannot exactly be determined which forms are concerned here. To mention some possibilities we may think of forms as kings and consuls. In any case, in the days of John the sixth form existed, which is the imperial form.

Now read Revelation 17:5-10 again.

Reflection: What is the explanation of the mystery?

V11. In the days of John the sixth form of government exists, which is the imperial form. The seventh form is still to come, for today we still live in the period that is indicated as “and is not”. There is a great chance that this seventh form is the form in which the ten kings will freely join and will together give their power to the beast, the head of the empire. Here the empire is identified with his eighth and last form of government, which is the restored Roman empire with its demonic dictator. The beast represents both the empire and its head.

The seventh form is the covenant of the ten kings and the eighth is the dictator. Of this last form we read that it is “of the seven”. That is, it is a form that was earlier known and it will therefore not be a new one. It may well therefore be the imperial one. Here also it is not possible to definitely indicate the kind of form. But looking at the data we have, the most plausible form is the imperial one. In any case, it is a dictatorial form.

V12. The “ten horns” are not on the head of the beast, but are to be distinguished from the beast. Those are the “ten kings” that receive power together with the beast that is seen here as the last ruler over the empire. The fact that the beast comes into power at the expense of three of the kings, is mentioned in Daniel 7 (Dan 7:24-25), but not here. When the beast rules, the kings are also in power. They rule together “with the beast”.

V13. But the real power is in the hands of the beast, the dictator. The cause of it is that the ten kings join to become a state union or the united states of Western-Europe. They will freely – although probably due to their own incapability to face all problems – give up “their power and authority” to put it in the hands of the beast.

V14. The monstrous alliance of united Europe culminates in man’s revolt against the Lamb. The Lamb is called “Lord of lords and King of kings”. These names reflect His majesty and superiority above every power and authority on earth. In a few words the outcome is mentioned of the war that the kings in their arrogance dared to wage against the Lamb. The result is beyond doubt. “The Lamb”, together with all who are already with Him in heaven and who follow Him from heaven, “will overcome them”. That is described in Revelation 19 (Rev 19:11-16).

The Lord Jesus will not come alone, but together with those who are “called and chosen and faithful”. No one can be with the Lamb except he is ‘called’ (1Cor 1:9; 2Tim 1:9). And he who heeds the call of God has done that because he has been “chosen” (Rom 8:29-30) by God. As for their life on earth, those who are called and chosen are identified by their ‘faithfulness’, by the trust they have had in Him and by which they have made certain their calling and their being chosen (2Pet 1:10).

V15. After the angel has shown John what the beast, the seven heads and the ten horns represent and what will happen to them, he explains the end of the other person in the mystery (verse 7). He briefly refers to what John has seen of the harlot and recalls the great influence of the woman, that is the influence that the roman-catholic church has worldwide.

V16. But her religious domination will at a certain moment no longer be tolerated by the dictator and the ten kings that reign with him. Every form of religion, even if it is in the corrupted form of roman-catholicism, is a suppression for the dictator and his companions, from which they will get rid.

The kings and the beast will make an end to Babylon, to her harlotry. She who wanted to exercise her manipulating power over the world, is made “desolate and naked” by that same world. She will have no more followers and she will be robbed from her power and splendor. What she possesses of earthly wealth, the kings will “eat”, that is, will appropriate.

Finally they “will burn her up with fire”. Nothing remains of all her religious pretensions. Her spiritually corrupted teachings and her earthly possessions can in no way offer her protection. She is consumed by the fire of the judgment that God has executed over her by the means of those with whom she has had such intimate relationships and over whom she had exercised power in such an unjustified way.

Burning with fire is the appropriate judgment. It is in accordance with the law that a daughter of a priest who commits harlotry must be burned with fire (Lev 21:9). Here we find the fulfillment of the seventh bowl by which an end is put to Babylon (Rev 16:19; cf. Eze 23:25-29; 2Kgs 9:30-37).

The world leaders “will hate the harlot”, the harlot, not the city that benefits them so much. What happens here is always true. The political and economic powers despise a church that commits harlotry and that seeks to have influence and favor, because they see through her hypocrisy. By the way, their hatred is only fed by purely selfish motives. With even more hatred they wage war against the Lamb. They do not tolerate any power above them.

V17. God knows how to use everything for His purpose. He uses the hatred of the beast and the kings against every religiosity to judge the false church. He puts it in their hearts to destroy her. In which the kings are of one mind, is given in their heart by God (cf. Jdg 9:23), for His purpose is executed by them. This will be the end of the religious power of Rome, but not yet the end of the political, economic and cultural power of Rome.

V18. Babylon as a harlot is judged. But she still has another character which is that of the city. This indicates the political and economic interest of the roman-catholic church. Religiously, her role is over, but she must also be judged as a political and economic stronghold. Papacy has come to its end. Vatican City is still to be judged. We find the description of it in the next chapter.

Now read Revelation 17:11-18 again.

Reflection: Why do the kings and the beast hate the harlot?