Bullet Point Bible - Revelation 17

The Vision of the Great Prostitute and the Scarlet Beast

¹ Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me. "Come," he said, I will show you the condemnation and punishment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters,² with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality and the earth's inhabitants got drunk with the wine of her immorality."³ So he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness, and there I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.⁴ Now the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality.⁵ On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: "Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth."⁶ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of those who testified to Jesus. I was greatly astounded when I saw her.

This vision is introduced by one of the seven bowl angels, connecting the judgment described here to the plagues in Revelation 16.
The "great prostitute" symbolizes a vast, idolatrous system (religious, political, economic) that seduces world powers ("kings of the earth"). Her "prostitution" signifies spiritual unfaithfulness to God and compromise with evil.
"Sitting on many waters" (v. 1) indicates her global influence and control over diverse populations, as explained in Rev 17:15.
The "wilderness" (v. 3) is often a place of testing, judgment, or encounter with the divine/demonic, suggesting the woman's domain is spiritually desolate despite its apparent splendor.
The "scarlet beast" she rides represents the anti-God political power supporting her, closely linked to the beast from the sea in Revelation 13, characterized by blasphemy (opposition to God).
Her luxurious attire (purple, scarlet, gold, gems, pearls) signifies royal pretensions and immense wealth, likely acquired through corruption and exploitation.
The "golden cup" contains the essence of her corrupting influence – idolatry ("abominations") and spiritual/moral impurity ("sexual immorality") – offered to the world.
The name "Babylon the Great" evokes the historical enemy of God's people, symbolizing the ultimate archetype of a godless, oppressive world system throughout history.
Her drunkenness "with the blood of the saints" reveals her violent persecution of Christians ("those who testified to Jesus").
John's profound astonishment (v. 6) underscores the shocking power, seductive nature, and sheer evil embodied by this woman-beast alliance.

The Angel Promises Explanation

⁷ But the angel said to me, "Why are you astounded? I will interpret for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.

The angel directly addresses John's reaction, acknowledging the vision's disturbing nature.
This verse marks a shift from the symbolic vision to its divine interpretation.
The term "mystery" (Greek: *mysterion*) here refers not to something unknowable, but to a divine secret now being revealed through the angel.
The angel promises to explain the interconnected relationship between the woman (the corrupt system) and the beast (the power supporting it).
The specific features needing explanation are the beast's seven heads and ten horns, key symbols of its structure and power.
The need for angelic interpretation highlights that apocalyptic symbols require divine insight for proper understanding.
John's astonishment serves to emphasize the gravity and significance of the revelation being imparted.

The Mystery of the Beast Explained

⁸ The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss and then go to destruction. The inhabitants of the earth-all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world-will be astounded when they see that the beast was, and is not, but is to come.⁹ (This requires a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains the woman sits on. They are also seven kings:¹⁰ five have fallen; one is, and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time.¹¹ The beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of the seven, and is going to destruction.

The beast's description ("was, and is not, and is about to come") is a demonic parody of God's eternal existence ("who was and is and is to come," Rev 1:8), signifying its transient yet recurring evil nature.
The "abyss" is the source of demonic power and imprisonment (cf. Rev 9:1-11), indicating the beast's infernal origin. Its destiny is "destruction" (*apoleia*).
The world's astonishment at the beast's reappearance contrasts with the security of believers, whose names are in the "book of life," linking worship of the beast to damnation.
Understanding the vision requires "wisdom" (v. 9), a call for spiritual discernment similar to Rev 13:18.
The seven heads are interpreted dually:
The beast itself is paradoxically an "eighth" king while also being "of the seven," suggesting either a revived leader/empire or the culmination of all previous anti-God powers in one final entity.
The repetition of the beast's ultimate fate ("goes to destruction") emphasizes the certainty of its defeat despite its apparent power.

The Mystery of the Ten Horns Explained

¹² The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority as kings with the beast for one hour.¹³ These kings have a single intent, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.¹⁴ They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful."

The ten horns symbolize a coalition of ten future kings or political powers allied with the final beast.
Their rule is yet future ("have not yet received a kingdom") relative to the main period of the beast's power.
They receive authority "for one hour," signifying a very brief but intense period of shared dominion with the beast near the end.
Their unity ("single purpose") lies in consolidating power under the beast's leadership.
The ultimate expression of their rebellion is direct conflict ("wage war") against Jesus Christ, the "Lamb."
The outcome is certain: the Lamb's victory is guaranteed by His supreme divine authority as "Lord of lords and King of kings." This title affirms Christ's absolute sovereignty.
Believers who stand with Christ are identified by three key characteristics: "called" (by God), "chosen" (elected by God), and "faithful" (demonstrating loyal perseverance).
This section highlights the final, futile cosmic battle between the forces allied with the beast and the triumphant Christ with His followers (cf. Rev 19:11-21).

The Mystery of the Waters Explained

¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.

The angel provides a clear interpretation of the symbolic "waters" mentioned in verse 1.
The waters represent the vast, diverse populations of the world under the influence or control of "Babylon the Great."
This confirms the global extent of the prostitute's seductive power and dominion.
The fourfold description ("peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages") is a common biblical formula for universality (cf. Rev 5:9, 7:9).
This interpretation reinforces that the prostitute system derives its influence from its sway over humanity worldwide.
It connects to Old Testament imagery where tumultuous waters can symbolize chaotic Gentile nations (e.g., Isa 17:12).

The Beast Turns on the Prostitute

¹⁶ The ten horns that you saw, and the beast-these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire.¹⁷ For God has put into their minds to carry out his purpose by making a decision to give their royal power to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.

A shocking turn of events: the beast and his allies (the ten horns) violently destroy the very prostitute system they previously supported.
The graphic language ("hate," "desolate," "naked," "devour her flesh," "burn her") depicts total annihilation and humiliation, echoing judgments on ancient cities like Tyre and Babylon (Ezek 26; Jer 51).
This signifies the inherent instability and self-destructive nature of evil alliances. Political power ultimately consumes the corrupt religious/economic system it once used.
Verse 17 reveals the stunning theological truth: God is sovereign even over this betrayal. He orchestrates events so that the beast and kings fulfill *His* purpose in judging the prostitute.
God works providentially ("put it into their hearts") through the wicked intentions of these powers to accomplish His predetermined plan.
Their temporary unity in service to the beast is part of God's larger design, lasting only until His prophetic "words" regarding judgment are completed.
This demonstrates God's ultimate control over history, using even the wrath and treachery of evil agents to bring about His righteous judgments.

The Woman Identified as the Great City

¹⁸ As for the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth."

The angel provides the final, explicit identification of the woman symbol.
She represents "the great city" exercising dominion over world rulers ("kings of the earth").
In John's first-century context, this pointed unmistakably to Rome, the capital of the empire that dominated the known world.
Beyond Rome, "Babylon the Great" serves as a trans-historical symbol for any powerful human civilization or system characterized by idolatry, pride, materialism, persecution of the faithful, and rebellion against God.
This verse connects the symbolic imagery of the prostitute back to a tangible geopolitical reality – a dominant world power centered in a city.
The concept of the evil "great city" stands in stark contrast to the "holy city, the New Jerusalem," which represents God's redeemed people and righteous kingdom (Rev 21:2, 10).
The prostitute's defining feature is her exertion of worldly power and political control, the very antithesis of the servant leadership of Christ's kingdom.

The Bullet Point Bible

Revelation 17