Revelation Chapter 17 — The Mystery of Babylon
An angel shows John the judgment of a mysterious woman called Babylon who sits on a scarlet beast and rules over the kings of the earth.
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Notable Verses
Revelation 17:5
“And on her forehead a name was written, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.””
This verse provides the formal name and identity of the mysterious figure who serves as a central antagonist in the chapter.
Revelation 17:14
“These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
This verse declares the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over the forces that oppose Him.
Chapter Summary
In Revelation 17, John is carried into the wilderness by an angel to witness the judgment of a prostitute named 'Mystery, Babylon the Great.' She is depicted wearing purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and jewels, and sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. The woman is described as being drunk with the blood of the saints. The angel explains the symbolic meaning of the vision: the waters she sits upon represent peoples and nations, while the seven heads represent both seven mountains and seven kings. The ten horns signify ten kings who give their power to the beast to war against the Lamb. Ultimately, the Lamb will overcome them because He is the King of kings. In a surprising turn, the beast and the ten kings eventually turn against the woman, destroying her as part of God's sovereign plan. The chapter concludes by identifying the woman as the great city that reigns over the earth's rulers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text identifies the woman as 'Mystery, Babylon the Great' and describes her as a great city that reigns over the kings of the earth. She is depicted as being adorned in luxury and drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
The angel explains that the seven heads represent seven mountains on which the woman sits, as well as seven kings. The ten horns represent ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom but will receive authority to rule with the beast for a short time.
The text states that although the beast and the ten kings war against the Lamb, the Lamb overcomes them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who follow the Lamb are described as called, chosen, and faithful.
Study Note
The description of the woman sitting on 'seven mountains' in verse 9 is a historical detail that many scholars associate with the topography of ancient Rome.
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