Written by Lesallan Bostron – May 11, 2023
BIB3560 Revelation (ONLSP23)
Ohio Christian University
Pastor Alexander Soultz
Insights Found in Revelation 17 (ESV)
Below are the five most significant insights that this student has found in the Book of Revelation, chapter 17 (ESV):
Revelation chapter seventeen begins by describing the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality (Revelation 17:1-2, ESV).
The figure described as the “great prostitute” is frequently called and referred to as the “Whore of Babylon,” whose meaning is meant to be symbolic rather than literal. The woman symbolizes “the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18, ESV). What is represented by the “great prostitute” is a wicked city. In the Old Testament, the prophets often used the image of a prostitute or harlot to describe cities known and understood as being immoral and idolatrous. The great prostitute is described as being “seated on many waters” (Revelation 17:1, ESV). Found in Revelation 17:15 (ESV) is the explanation that the waters represent “peoples and multitudes and nations and languages” (Revelation 17:15, ESV). From this, it can be inferred that the great prostitute refers to a city that exercises control over many individuals and nations. When Revelation was written, many interpreters considered the great prostitute (Revelation 17, ESV) as representing the city of Rome. Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire and was known for its immorality and idolatry. The city of Rome is also called “Babylon” in other parts of Revelation (Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 18:2,10,21, ESV).
The woman is arrayed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls, holding a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality (Revelation 17:4, ESV).
What is represented by the woman in Revelation 17:4 (ESV) is a representation of a powerful, false religious system that has long been a deceiver and ruler over many nations and peoples. What is represented by the purple and scarlet clothing is used to indicate her wealth and authority; this is also representative of her bloody disposition to the saints. The golden cup in her hand symbolizes her spiritual adultery and corruption.
On her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations” (Revelation 17:5, ESV).
The name of mystery in Revelation 17:5 (ESV) means that the name is not literal but symbolic. Mystery indicates that something hidden behind the name will be revealed in time. The name mystery also implies that the woman’s true identity and influence are not yet apparent to the world but require wisdom and discernment to understand. Revelation 17:5 (ESV) further reveals the identity of the woman dressed in purple and scarlet as Babylon the Great, symbolizing her corrupt and idolatrous influence over the world. The woman is also called the mother of prostitutes because she has spawned many false religions and doctrines and has led people astray from the one true God. This woman is also the source of earth’s abominations, which are wicked, evil, and immoral. The woman condones and promotes these abominations.
The woman is “drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6, ESV).
This verse in Revelation 17:6 (ESV) means that the woman is guilty of persecuting and killing God’s people throughout history. She has become intoxicated with the pleasure and power of shedding innocent blood. She also is insensitive and insensible to the dire consequences of her actions and the wrath of God that awaits her. She is the evil one, directly in contrast to the saints who are washed by the blood of the Lamb.
The “waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages” (Revelation 17:15, ESV).
Revelation 17:15 (ESV) means that this woman has global influence and domination over many groups and cultures. She controls many followers and is supported by these followers and allies who share her corrupt and idolatrous religious system. She is opposed by and opposes many others who do not conform to her false teachings and immoral practices. Her opponents are those who resist her corrupt and idolatrous religious system and remain faithful to God and His truth. The saints and the martyrs of Jesus, whom the woman persecutes and kills, are opponents who resist her corrupt and idolatrous religious system and remain faithful to God. Her greatest opponents are the beast and the ten horns, who eventually turn against the woman and destroy her. All her opponents are motivated by God’s sovereign purpose and judgment.
References:
Book of Revelation – ESV – Bible Study Tools. (n.d.). Biblestudytools.com. https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/revelation/
Keener, C. S. (2014). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament. Intervarsity Press.
Revelation 17:5 Commentaries: and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (n.d.). Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/17-5.htm
Treybig, D. (n.d.). Revelation 17: Who Is the Scarlet Woman? Life, Hope & Truth. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/revelation-17/
