One of the bowl angels shows John the judgment of the great prostitute seated on many waters, drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus, riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls, holding a golden cup full of abominations. Her forehead bears the name "Babylon the Great, Mother of Prostitutes and Earth's Abominations." The angel reveals the mystery: the beast was, is not, and will ascend from the abyss to destruction; the seven heads are seven mountains and seven kings; the ten horns are ten kings who will give their power to the beast, make war on the Lamb, then hate and destroy the prostitute—the great city reigning over earth's kings.
Read Revelation Chapter 17 Summary
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Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
The Wilderness
View on MapThe wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
Babylon
View on MapBabylon was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews into exile here for 70 years. Daniel and his friends served in the Babylonian court. The Tower of Babel, where God confused human language, was built in this region. In Revelation, Babylon symbolizes worldly power opposed to God.
Position in Book
Vision of ChristChapters 1
Letters to ChurchesChapters 2-3
Heavenly ThroneChapters 4-5
JudgmentsChapters 6-16
Babylon's FallChapters 17-18
The harlot city destroyed.
Christ's ReturnChapters 19-20
New CreationChapters 21-22