We left off last time having looked at Voices of Victory!
Beginning in Revelation 17, John describes the Lamb’s step-by-step victory over “the beast” and his kingdom. In Revelation 17, the religious system is judged; in Revelation 18, the political and economic systems fall. Finally, the Lord Himself returns to earth; judges Satan, “the beast,” and the false prophet (Rev. 19:19–20); and then establishes His kingdom
One reason John used symbolism was so that his message would encourage believers in any period of church history. The true church is a pure virgin (Rev. 19:7–8; see also 2 Cor. 11:2), but the false religious system is a “prostitute” who has abandoned the truth and sold herself for personal gain.
In the same way, every age has featured a “Babylon,” a political and economic system that has sought to control people’s minds and destinies. Just as the contrast to the “prostitute” is the pure bride, so the contrast to “Babylon” is the City of God, the New Jerusalem, the eternal home prepared for the Lamb’s wife (Rev. 21:9ff.).
The Despair of the Prostitute (Ch. 17)
The scene begins with an invitation (Rev. 17:1–2). One of the angels asks John to come and see what God will do with “the beast’s” worldwide religious system. Four times in this chapter, the woman is called a “harlot” (Rev. 17:1, 5, 15–16), and her sin is called “fornication” (KJV) “adultery” (NIV) (Rev. 17:2, 4). Her evil influence has extended to the whole world, reaching even into high places (“the kings of the earth”).
Following the invitation, John was carried away “in the Spirit” into the wilderness. There he saw “the prostitute” and wrote down the description of what he saw (Rev. 17:3–6).
Genesis 2 speaks of a pure bride in a lovely garden, but by the Bible’s end, civilisation has degenerated to an impure harlot in a wilderness! That is what sin does to the world.
The description is very detailed.
The woman is dressed in expensive garments, decorated with gold and precious stones. She is holding a golden cup in her hand and is drunk with the blood of the saints. On her forehead (see Rev. 13:16; 14:1) she wears a special name.
Her posture is important. She is seated beside “many
waters” (Rev. 17:1), and upon a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. John was “greatly astonished” when he beheld the woman and “the beast.”
But what did it all mean?
Remember I have said we will not venture into speculation if the Bible is not clear to us what a symbol means. Thankfully, the angel gave John (and all believers) the explanation of these symbols (Rev. 17:7–18).
The woman:
Let’s begin with the woman. Revelation 17:18 makes clear that she is identified with a city that existed in John’s day (“reigns” is present tense). This city is prosperous and powerful, but also idolatrous (“blasphemy”) and dangerous. For one thing, it pollutes the nations with its filth and abomination (pictured by the golden wine cup); for another, it persecutes those who belong to the Lord (Rev. 17:6).
Power, wealth, pollution, persecution: these words summarise the “great harlot’s” involvement on a worldwide scale.
Babylon:
The woman’s name also involves “mystery” (Rev. 17:5). In the New Testament, a “mystery” is a hidden truth that only the spiritually re-born can understand.
To grasp one of God’s mysteries requires spiritual intelligence and discernment. In this case, the mystery has to do with Babylon.
The city of Babylon was founded by Nimrod (Gen.10:8–11). The name Babel means “the gate of God.”
Ironically, the famous tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9) was an idolatrous attempt by man to defy God. When the Lord sent judgment on the builders by making mankind’s one language into many, the word babel came to mean “confusion.”
Later in history, Babylon became a great empire before finally falling to Media-Persia. But from the beginning of Nimrod’s city in Genesis 10, a decptive anti-God “Babylonian influence” has been felt throughout history.
The woman is “the great prostitute,” but she is also “the mother of prostitutes.” The Babylonian system has, in one way or another, given birth to all false religions. She has also seduced men into opposing God and persecuting His servants.
Seven Hills:
The seven hills (Rev. 17:9) would have taken the Christinas in the seven churches to the idea of Rome, built on seven hills. In John’s day, the Roman Empire was living in luxury, spreading false religion, polluting the nations with its idolatry and sin, and persecuting the church.
John’s readers would not be surprised when he used an evil harlot to symbolise a wicked city or political system. Some Christians make the leap to the Roman Catholic church; but John’s audience would not have done so (although there is much in the RC Church that troubles me).
We also know the number seven is seen as one of perfection or completeness; seven hills.
So what is going on here?
John is being told by the angel that this Babylonian kingdom will be in the same mould of the Roman empire, where someone, a Caesar, sets himself up as God and demands worship. The fake religion of the woman in Revelation 17 will be pushing people to worship the ruler of this (the eighth). The number 7 in this passage is telling them and us that God is in control and the political system will run its course but will come to an end.
Scarlet is the colour of Satan (Rev. 12:3) and of sin (Isa. 1:18). Scarlet was a popular colour in Rome, and both scarlet and purple were associated with rank and riches (17:4).
Kings and Kingdoms:
But the woman must not be separated from “the
beast” that carries her. “The beast” has seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads symbolise seven mountains (Rev. 17:9) and also seven kings or kingdoms (Rev. 17:10), in keeping with Old Testament imagery (Ps. 30:7; Dan. 2:35).
The seven mountains can be interpreted geographically as the seven hills of Rome, but they may also be interpreted historically (for us) as seven kingdoms.
According to Revelation 17:10, five of these kings (or kingdoms) had passed off the scene, one was present in John’s day, and one was yet to come.
If so, then the five past kingdoms would be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. The present kingdom would be Rome, and the future kingdom would be that of “the beast.”
In order to understand Revelation 17:10–11, we must consider Revelation 17:12. “The beast” not only has seven heads, but also ten horns, which represent ten kings. But these enable “the beast” to rise to power and are even willing to yield their authority to him. (Recall that at the opening of the first seal, Rev. 6:1–2, Antichrist began his “peaceful” conquest of the nations.)
He organised ten kings (some believe this to be Europe but there’s no evidence for this) and brought peace to the Middle East, and appeared to be the great leader the troubled world was seeking.
But in the midst of the seven-year period, this ruler broke his covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27) and began to persecute the people of God as well as the nation Israel.
Driven by Satan and assisted by the false prophet, “the beast” became the world’s dictator and its god.
In this way, “the beast” was both “one of the seven [kings, kingdoms]” but also “the eighth.” (17:10).
His kingdom was nothing but a revival of the Roman Empire (“one of the seven”), but it was a new kingdom (“the eighth”).
No Compromise:
But how does all this relate to Babylon? The “Babylonian system” of false religion has been a part of history since Nimrod founded his empire. It will look like the true Christian faith! It is Satan’s counterfeit of God’s truth.
We see seeds of this already (remember the rapture signifies the final transition into the tribulation and many things will be ready for the beast to take the next step). We see this in Christians living in a way that’s against God’s Word. I recently heard someone commend a Christian member of the government as an answer to prayer that there’s a Christian in a high office, but that person is in a same-sex relationship. Another person praised a Christian MP who opened the parliamentary prayer breakfast in prayer, but that same Christian voted for assisted suicide and to allow abortion up to birth just a few days before.
Friends, compromise comes not as a flood breaking through a dam wall, but as a trickle until you have drowned in the Babylonian version of Christianity!
When John’s prophecy is fulfilled, an amazing thing will happen: “the prostituted church” will be made desolate by the very system that carried her!
It is important to note that “the beast” carries “the
prostitute.” Satan (and Antichrist) will use the apostate religious system to accomplish his own ends (i.e., attain world power), but then he will do away with “the prostitute” and establish his own religious system (Rev 17:17).
And all of this will be the fulfilment of God’s Word Rev. 17:17: For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.
Since “the beast” sets up his image in the temple about the middle of the tribulation, we can assume
that “the harlot” and “the beast” work together during those first three-and-a-half years. This is corroborated by the fact that the ten kings assist him in desolating “the prostitute” (Rev. 17:16).
Throughout history, political systems have “used” religious bodies to further their political causes. At the same time, church history reveals that religious groups have used politics to achieve their purposes. The marriage of church and state is a rocky one, and has often spawned children that have created serious problems.
The Church of Jesus Christ has been most influential in the world when it has maintained a separated position. (Wiersbe)
True Motives:
Those who trust the Lord are not influenced by “the prostitute” or defeated by the kings.
Rev. 17:14: They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
The real motives of “the beast” is to attack those who have come to Jesus in the tribulation, to attack the Lamb. Despite his efforts, Jesus is still at the centre of heaven (Rev. 5:6).
The true believers are the over-comers.
Satan’s counterfeit religion is subtle, requiring spiritual discernment to recognise.
Do not be seduced away from your devotion to Christ 2 Cor. 11:1–4: I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
The Destruction of Babylon (Ch.18)
In Revelation 18, Babylon represents the world system of “the beast,” particularly in its economic and political aspects. At the same time, John calls Babylon a “city” at least eight times (Rev. 14:8; 17:18; 18:10, 16, 18–21).
Old Testament prophecy seems to make clear that the city of Babylon itself will not be rebuilt (Isa. 13:19–22; Jer. 51:24–26, 61–64).
Yet the spirit behind Babylon lives on, for now.
John heard four voices give four important announcements.
The voice of condemnation (18:1–3).
This announcement was anticipated in Revelation 14:8.
There is a definite reference here to Jeremiah 51—52, where the prophet saw the fall of historical Babylon.
John saw the destruction of spiritual Babylon, the world system organised by “the beast.” It was no ordinary angel that made this announcement, for he had great power and a glory that radiated throughout the whole earth (Hab. 2:14).
The phrase “Fallen! Fallen!” not only adds dramatic effect to the announcement, but suggests a dual judgment: ecclesiastical Babylon, “the harlot,” in Revelation 17, and political Babylon here in Revelation 18.
This thought is amplified in Revelation 18:6 when God announces that Babylon will receive “double” for
her many sins.
1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Christians in every age have had to heed the warn- ing of 1 John 2:15–17. How easy it is to become captivated by the things the world has to offer. The world system is addictive. The world system that opposes Christ has always been with us, and we must beware of its subtle influence.
The voice of separation (18:4-8)
John offered two reasons for God’s people separating themselves from the diabolical system.
The first is that they might avoid pollution, becoming “share in her sins” (Rev. 18:4). The word means “joint fellowship or partnership.”
The second reason is that God’s people might be spared the terrible plagues He will send on Babylon. God had patiently endured the growing sins of the evil
system, but now the time had come for His wrath to be poured out.
The voice of mourning (18:9–19).
This long paragraph describes the mourning of the merchants as they see Babylon go up in smoke and all their wealth destroyed.
The image here is that of a prosperous ancient city that is visited by many ships. The wealth of the city provides for many nations and employs many people.
Note: only do the merchants lament the fall of Babylon (Rev. 18:11) but also the kings of the earth (Rev. 18:9). Business and government are so intertwined that what affects one affects the other.
Last on the list, and most disturbing, is “human beings being sold as slaves” (Rev. 18:13).
Is John suggesting that there will, in the end times, be a return to slavery?
In truth slavery has never really stopped. Think of he brick factories of Pakistan where 3-4 million a ‘bonded brick workers’ or the Madagascan mica quarries where more than half the ‘minors’ scavenging for mica are five years old! But if you think that is far away and doesn’t concern you, how about Temu where many buy their bargains? There is an extremely ‘high risk’ that many of the products purchased there are as a result of forced labour (Charlotte Pointing, “Is Temu Ethical? The High Cost of The App’s Too-Good Deals”, May 18, 2025, The Ethos Group, accessed 10/07/25. https://the-ethos.co/is-temu-ethical/#:~:text=According to a U.S. congressional, are linked to forced labor.)
It seems that this Babylonian economy is so unethical that human trafficking and modern day slavery is celebrated for its economic contribution. When it is gone, the people behind it mourn!
The voice of celebration (18: 20–24).
In contrast to the lament of the kings and merchants is the rejoicing of heaven that Babylon has fallen.
God’s people need to look at events from God’s point of view. In fact, we are commanded to rejoice at the overthrow of Babylon, because in this judgment God will vindicate His servants who were martyred (see Rev. 6:9–11).
This description of Babylon’s losses indicates to us that both the luxuries and the necessities will be removed.
We must not think that this voice of celebration calls us to be glad because sinners are judged. The fact of divine judgment ought always to break our hearts, knowing that lost sinners are condemned to eternal punishment.
The joy in this section centres on God’s
righteous judgment, the fact that justice has been done.
We must never cultivate personal revenge (Rom. 12:17–21), but we must rejoice at the righteous judgments of God.
Landing this Message:
At this point in our series, the political and economic system of “the beast” has at last been destroyed.
All that remains is for Jesus Christ to come from heaven and personally meet and defeat “the beast” and his armies. This He will do, and then establish His
righteous kingdom on earth.
But the important question is: “Are we citizens of ‘Babylon’ or citizens of heaven?”
Can you rejoice because your name is written in heaven? If not, then the time has come for you to trust Jesus Christ and “get out of Babylon” and into the family of God.
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