When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife inclined to infidelity, and children of infidelity; for the land commits flagrant infidelity, abandoning the Lord.” - Hosea 1:2
Good morning. Today’s message is part 2 of the sermon we started last Sunday. We are looking at Revelation 17 and talking about John’s description of “Babylon the great”. As you recall, John was talking with 1 of the 7 angels that had just finished pouring out the bowls of God’s wrath. This angel carried him away “in the Spirit” into a wilderness where he saw a woman riding on a scarlet beast.
In part 1 of this sermon, we specifically discussed and sought to identify this terrifying beast. Based upon the characteristics given, especially the creature's heads and horns, I strongly believe (as do many other respected commentators) that this beast represents the Satanic kingdom of the Antichrist, which will be a revived and modern form of the old Roman Empire. As such it will be a civil, political, and governmental structure.
In part 2 of this message we will consider the mysterious woman that was seated on the beast. Who is she and what does she represent? Again, various suggestions have been made as to the identity of this woman. Today I’ll share my perspective...
I. THE WOMAN’S SIN (Revelation 17:1-3,7)
Though we already studied these verses last week and I touched on them again in the introduction of today’s message, let’s take a moment to consider a few particular details about this woman. The angel described her as “a great prostitute who sits on many waters”. She seduced the kings of the world into committing acts of sexual immorality with her. She also caused those who live on the earth to become drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.
The Bible deals with prostitution in much the same way as it does adultery. When a married or betrothed person had sex with someone other than their spouse, they were said to be “prostituting themselves” or “playing the prostitute”. In other words, there is a scriptural equivalent between the traditional prostitute (who engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money, favors, or religious purposes) and the adulterer (who cheated on and thereby sinned against their husband or wife). Both are depicted as prostitutes.
To me, the difference is quite subtle. I would describe a prostitute (in the Bible) as a person who intentionally allured or enticed someone other than their spouse into having sex with them. They purposefully sought out and initiated the relationship. Thus, a “prostitute” might be a single person using their body as a means of making a living or a married person looking to have an illicit affair. The latter describes Old Testament Israel who, spiritually speaking, violated her covenant relationship with God by chasing after idols, false gods, and other worldly things (Jeremiah 3:1-10).
II. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WOMAN (Revelation 17:4-6)
The prostitute riding on the beast was clothed “in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls.” These were the colors worn by royalty and the upper-class of society. Interestingly, they are also quite similar to those worn by the high priest (Exodus 28). In addition, she held “a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her sexual immorality.” Though herself shameful and debased, she associated with (and allowed herself to be used by) the affluent and wealthy elites of the earth.
On her forehead was written, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” This can be compared with the aforementioned worshippers on the beast, who took his mark on their foreheads (or right hands). It can be directly contrasted with the 144,000 Messianic Jews who were sealed with the mark of God on their foreheads and thereby received His divine protection. Based on this verse, the great prostitute John saw is commonly called “The Whore of Babylon”.
This woman was “drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.” In other words, the harlot was responsible for martyring the saints of God - both His prophets and people. This could apply to the Old Testament. Furthermore, she persecuted and killed those who bore witness to Jesus Christ - ie, the early disciples and born-again Christians. This could apply to the New Testament. In short, she was a murderer of God’s children (Matthew 23:37).
III. OTHER IMPORTANT CLUES (Revelation 17:15-17)
The angel said to John, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages.” In other words, she had misled most of the world - from the greatest to the smallest - making them commit acts of lewd and sinful immorality. Throngs of people and nations had been seduced by her ruinous charms.
The Antichrist and the 10 kings who submitted themselves to his authority (pictured by the horns which we discussed last week) fiercely hated the prostitute. They sought to make her “desolate and naked” by destroying and devouring her. Ironically, the very beast that the prostitute rode upon despised her and wished her dead. This animosity toward her was consistent with God’s purposes, and He used the beast to discipline the harlot.
Finally, the angel plainly said that the prostitute was “the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” Twice already in the book of Revelation John used this phrase. When discussing the execution of the 2 witnesses, he wrote that the Antichrist would leave their bodies lying in the streets of “the great city… where their Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8). Later, when describing the 7th bowl, he stated that “The great city was split into three parts” (Revelation 16:19) by a tremendous earthquake. In both of these previous instances, the great city obviously referred to Jerusalem. Could the prostitute be Jerusalem?
CONCLUSION
There are 2 leading theories as to the identity of “The Whore of Babylon”. Some argue that she is Rome, or perhaps the church of Rome. Though there is some support for this view, I find it ultimately unconvincing. Many who take this position are simply hesitant to identify the prostitute as Jerusalem because they don’t want to be labeled as anti-semitic. But the beast itself already represents Rome, thereby making this hypothesis rather redundant.
Remember, the beast hates the prostitute and seeks to kill her. How could Rome hate Rome and why would it seek to destroy itself? To me, the evidence clearly supports the alternative theory - that the prostitute is, in fact, Jerusalem. After all, the Bible repeatedly describes Israel as a prostitute practicing open infidelity toward God (and the Bible isn’t anti-semitic, is it?). Jerusalem figuratively “reigns” because it is the most prominent religious center in the world, influencing and impacting the lives of millions.
It is important to clearly differentiate between “True Israel” and “Apostate Israel”. True Israel consists of those who share in the saving faith of Abraham, especially those Jews who trust in God and believe that Jesus is the messiah. These righteous believers are depicted by the pure and faithful mother who fled away into the wilderness to be protected by God during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 12:1-2,5-6). “Apostate Israel” is made up of those Jews that have unfaithfully violated God and His covenant, and have rejected and crucified His beloved Son Jesus Christ. These are portrayed by the great harlot.
In closing, though narrowly exemplified as Jerusalem and Apostate Israel, broadly speaking the “The Whore of Babylon” represents all religions and empty philosophies that compromise themselves with the world, glorify earthly things, and worship other false gods. Finally, the woman and the beast together illustrate the entire corrupt and carnal world system - both secular and spiritual - that stands at enmity against God. This was foreshadowed by the collusion of the Jews (the religious authorities) and the Romans (the civil authorities) who conspired in Jesus’ crucifixion. In the end, the whole sinful world order - Babylon - will fall.
Good morning. Today’s message is part 2 of the sermon we started last Sunday. We are looking at Revelation 17 and talking about John’s description of “Babylon the great”. As you recall, John was talking with 1 of the 7 angels that had just finished pouring out the bowls of God’s wrath. This angel carried him away “in the Spirit” into a wilderness where he saw a woman riding on a scarlet beast.
In part 1 of this sermon, we specifically discussed and sought to identify this terrifying beast. Based upon the characteristics given, especially the creature's heads and horns, I strongly believe (as do many other respected commentators) that this beast represents the Satanic kingdom of the Antichrist, which will be a revived and modern form of the old Roman Empire. As such it will be a civil, political, and governmental structure.
In part 2 of this message we will consider the mysterious woman that was seated on the beast. Who is she and what does she represent? Again, various suggestions have been made as to the identity of this woman. Today I’ll share my perspective...
I. THE WOMAN’S SIN (Revelation 17:1-3,7)
Though we already studied these verses last week and I touched on them again in the introduction of today’s message, let’s take a moment to consider a few particular details about this woman. The angel described her as “a great prostitute who sits on many waters”. She seduced the kings of the world into committing acts of sexual immorality with her. She also caused those who live on the earth to become drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.
The Bible deals with prostitution in much the same way as it does adultery. When a married or betrothed person had sex with someone other than their spouse, they were said to be “prostituting themselves” or “playing the prostitute”. In other words, there is a scriptural equivalent between the traditional prostitute (who engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money, favors, or religious purposes) and the adulterer (who cheated on and thereby sinned against their husband or wife). Both are depicted as prostitutes.
To me, the difference is quite subtle. I would describe a prostitute (in the Bible) as a person who intentionally allured or enticed someone other than their spouse into having sex with them. They purposefully sought out and initiated the relationship. Thus, a “prostitute” might be a single person using their body as a means of making a living or a married person looking to have an illicit affair. The latter describes Old Testament Israel who, spiritually speaking, violated her covenant relationship with God by chasing after idols, false gods, and other worldly things (Jeremiah 3:1-10).
II. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WOMAN (Revelation 17:4-6)
The prostitute riding on the beast was clothed “in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls.” These were the colors worn by royalty and the upper-class of society. Interestingly, they are also quite similar to those worn by the high priest (Exodus 28). In addition, she held “a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her sexual immorality.” Though herself shameful and debased, she associated with (and allowed herself to be used by) the affluent and wealthy elites of the earth.
On her forehead was written, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” This can be compared with the aforementioned worshippers on the beast, who took his mark on their foreheads (or right hands). It can be directly contrasted with the 144,000 Messianic Jews who were sealed with the mark of God on their foreheads and thereby received His divine protection. Based on this verse, the great prostitute John saw is commonly called “The Whore of Babylon”.
This woman was “drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.” In other words, the harlot was responsible for martyring the saints of God - both His prophets and people. This could apply to the Old Testament. Furthermore, she persecuted and killed those who bore witness to Jesus Christ - ie, the early disciples and born-again Christians. This could apply to the New Testament. In short, she was a murderer of God’s children (Matthew 23:37).
III. OTHER IMPORTANT CLUES (Revelation 17:15-17)
The angel said to John, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages.” In other words, she had misled most of the world - from the greatest to the smallest - making them commit acts of lewd and sinful immorality. Throngs of people and nations had been seduced by her ruinous charms.
The Antichrist and the 10 kings who submitted themselves to his authority (pictured by the horns which we discussed last week) fiercely hated the prostitute. They sought to make her “desolate and naked” by destroying and devouring her. Ironically, the very beast that the prostitute rode upon despised her and wished her dead. This animosity toward her was consistent with God’s purposes, and He used the beast to discipline the harlot.
Finally, the angel plainly said that the prostitute was “the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” Twice already in the book of Revelation John used this phrase. When discussing the execution of the 2 witnesses, he wrote that the Antichrist would leave their bodies lying in the streets of “the great city… where their Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8). Later, when describing the 7th bowl, he stated that “The great city was split into three parts” (Revelation 16:19) by a tremendous earthquake. In both of these previous instances, the great city obviously referred to Jerusalem. Could the prostitute be Jerusalem?
CONCLUSION
There are 2 leading theories as to the identity of “The Whore of Babylon”. Some argue that she is Rome, or perhaps the church of Rome. Though there is some support for this view, I find it ultimately unconvincing. Many who take this position are simply hesitant to identify the prostitute as Jerusalem because they don’t want to be labeled as anti-semitic. But the beast itself already represents Rome, thereby making this hypothesis rather redundant.
Remember, the beast hates the prostitute and seeks to kill her. How could Rome hate Rome and why would it seek to destroy itself? To me, the evidence clearly supports the alternative theory - that the prostitute is, in fact, Jerusalem. After all, the Bible repeatedly describes Israel as a prostitute practicing open infidelity toward God (and the Bible isn’t anti-semitic, is it?). Jerusalem figuratively “reigns” because it is the most prominent religious center in the world, influencing and impacting the lives of millions.
It is important to clearly differentiate between “True Israel” and “Apostate Israel”. True Israel consists of those who share in the saving faith of Abraham, especially those Jews who trust in God and believe that Jesus is the messiah. These righteous believers are depicted by the pure and faithful mother who fled away into the wilderness to be protected by God during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 12:1-2,5-6). “Apostate Israel” is made up of those Jews that have unfaithfully violated God and His covenant, and have rejected and crucified His beloved Son Jesus Christ. These are portrayed by the great harlot.
In closing, though narrowly exemplified as Jerusalem and Apostate Israel, broadly speaking the “The Whore of Babylon” represents all religions and empty philosophies that compromise themselves with the world, glorify earthly things, and worship other false gods. Finally, the woman and the beast together illustrate the entire corrupt and carnal world system - both secular and spiritual - that stands at enmity against God. This was foreshadowed by the collusion of the Jews (the religious authorities) and the Romans (the civil authorities) who conspired in Jesus’ crucifixion. In the end, the whole sinful world order - Babylon - will fall.