Revelation 17 (July 26, 2025)

The Great Prostitute and the Beast

17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.” 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.[a]

When I saw her, I marveled greatly. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit[b] and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. 11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. 12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

15 And the angel[c] said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

Footnotes

Revelation 17:6 Greek the witnesses to Jesus

Revelation 17:8 Greek the abyss

Revelation 17:15 Greek he

Revelation 17

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Summary

Revelation 17 presents one of the most vivid and symbolic visions in the book.

Verses 1 & 2: "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”

She is arrayed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls, holding a golden cup full of abominations (v. 4). Her name is “Babylon the Great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations” (v. 5). What do these images symbolize?

This image portrays the seductive power of the world’s corrupt systems. The "powers" of the fallen world are "seductive" symbolically compared to the sexual immorality. Since God describes Christians as His Bride, it is right that our unfaithfulness should be compared to that of prostitution. How are we unfaithful? When we make financial wealth our rock of salvation. When we make earthly pleasures supersede the heavenly happiness.

Verses 9-11, "This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.

The "woman" in this passage is depicted riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, symbolizing the political power that supports and is intertwined with her corruption. The beast, echoing chapter 13, is empowered by Satan and leads kings and peoples into rebellion against God. The seven heads represent both kingdoms and kings, symbolizing the long history of worldly powers that oppose God but will ultimately be destroyed.

At the chapter’s end, we see a shocking turn: the very kings who supported "Babylon" (i.e., this worldly system) will turn against her, devouring her flesh and burning her with fire (v. 16). This is no accident. Verse 17 reminds us that God is sovereign over even the schemes of the wicked. He is the one who puts it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose until His words are fulfilled.

Who is God

God is sovereign over the rise and fall of nations on earth. Even as the world rages against Him, every king and kingdom operates under His ultimate authority (v. 17). He is the righteous Judge who exposes the seductive corruption of “Babylon,” showing that all human power, wealth, and glory apart from Him will collapse. He is also holy and just, ensuring that evil does not have the last word. Though the world appears powerful, it is God who directs history to its appointed end, fulfilling His Word perfectly.

What is our Guilt

Our guilt lies in our fascination with Babylon. We are attracted to her wealth, comfort, and power. We admire what she represents. At the glitter of earthly success, influence, and indulgence, we easily forget that these are fleeting and corrupt. Like those in John’s vision, we are prone to compromise, aligning ourselves with worldly systems in pursuit of security or status.

We also forget that spiritual adultery is as real as physical adultery. If we confess Christ with our lips, yet give our loyalty to lesser lords such as political leaders, cultural values, or personal idols, then we are the "woman" in this passage. How foolish we are to exchange the beauty of Christ with the earthly and perishing things, however appealing they may be.

How does Grace Shine

Grace shines in God’s sovereignty and justice. Verse 17 reminds us that God is in control, even of wicked kings and corrupt systems. Their downfall is not random. It fulfills God’s plan. This assures us that evil, no matter how powerful, cannot escape His judgment.

Grace also shines in the fact that we are called out of "Babylon." The redeemed are not abandoned to be seduced. God seals His people, giving them eyes to see that Babylon’s glory is empty. The Lamb, not Babylon, reigns forever. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are freed from Babylon’s grip and given a lasting hope.

Prayer

Sovereign Lord,

We praise You as the King who rules over all nations and the Judge who will bring down every corrupt power. You are holy, righteous, and faithful, and Your Word never fails.

Forgive us for being enamored with the glory of Babylon. Forgive us for seeking comfort, wealth, or approval in this world more than we seek You. Forgive us for our divided hearts and our willingness to compromise truth for ease.

Thank You that in Christ we are no longer slaves to this world’s seduction. Strengthen us to live as citizens of Your kingdom, to stand apart from Babylon, and to trust Your justice even when evil seems strong.

Help us to endure in faith, confident that the Lamb reigns and will triumph. May our lives reflect allegiance to Him alone.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.