Revelation 17:1-7 Babylon the Harlot

Revelation 17:1-18 This entire chapter is an explanation of Babylon and the beast. Multiple metaphors provide insight into a number of different characteristics of them. It seems that they are two distinct entities, yet behind both of them is Satan. This is a preface to the destruction of Babylon in Rev. 18, and the beast at the end of chapter 19.

Revelation 17:1-7 That Babylon is the great harlot seems incontrovertible from the context. The following attributes are perhaps not intended to identify the city as to describe the manifold dimensions of her wickedness.

•    That she is a harlot implies many lovers and adultery. As the Old Testament shows adultery as a metaphor for worship of false gods, this is likely a reference not to atheism, but to devotion to polytheism. (See Rev. 9:20) We cannot exclude the more mundane form of sexual immorality. Although the kings of the earth may have made bargains with the false gods of Satanically-inspired religions, the people of the earth are more likely intoxicated by the pure hedonism of unrestrained sexual indulgence. It is not coincidence that many of the pagan cults from as far back as recorded history include temple prostitutes or some equivalent "religious" practice.

•    The woman is seated on a scarlet beast. While scarlet implies blood, the beast implies the purges of the wildbeast described earlier, so she rides on the blood of martyrs.

•    Whether the harlot or the beast is full of blasphemous names is less important than that the names are blasphemous. In the Biblical context names denote character, so this is a word picture telling us that the woman and/or wildbeast blaspheme. Perhaps this relates to the little horn in Daniel 7 who uttered great boasts. The third commandment (Exodus 20:7) describes what is likely blasphemy, that is, taking the Lord's name in vain. This is not simply a careless or casual use of God's name, but a deliberate and intentional attribution to God of characteristics inconsistent with and unworthy of His nature and character.

•    She rides on the beast with seven heads and ten horns.

•    Being clothed in purple and scarlet and wearing costly jewelry

•    A gold cup full of abominations and adultery (the uncleanness of her prostitutions).

•    Why is this name a mystery? Her attributes have just been described and the name on her forehead simply confirms this description. Perhaps this is the mystery of iniquity (2 Thess 2:7) or perhaps her identity will only be revealed in the end times. But the next section suggests that it reveals this mystery. (Rev. 17:18)

          The beast with seven heads and ten horns hearkens back to Daniel 7:6-7, although Daniel's third beast had four heads, the fourth beast had ten horns but Daniel did not mention how many heads it had.

          What is the significance of horns and heads? Heads denote leadership and authority, at least in the New Testament. (Ephesians 4:15, 5:23) Seven heads could denote sequential rulers (for example, the Roman Caesars in succession), or seven confederated rulers, or a council of seven.  Horns, at least of animals, are their weapons for fighting, so this may signify ten armies. In Daniel, one of the horns boasts and magnifies itself, so perhaps this is a general who becomes egotistical and ultimately takes complete power. The next passage (Rev. 17:8-13) deals primarily with the beast's description and its meaning.

          Why does the woman ride the beast? She may be a passenger, going where he takes her, or she may be riding and controlling him. Or perhaps they are fellow travelers on the path the devil is impelling both of them. Having sold their souls like Faust for worldly success, they now manifest the devil's nature and character. (John 8:44) And God is about to judge them for it.