Revelation 17: The Judgment of the Great Prostitute

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Revelation 17 unveils the divine judgment of the great prostitute, symbolizing the corrupt systems of the world and their rebellion against God. This chapter highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, exposing the fate of those aligned with worldly powers and opposed to His kingdom. The vivid imagery of the woman and the beast warns of ultimate justice and the victory of the Lamb. Explore how this vision reveals God’s power, justice, and triumph, challenging believers to remain faithful amidst worldly corruption.

Revelation 17 Overview

The Great Prostitute and the Scarlet Beast (vv. 1–6)
The Angel Explains the Beast and the Woman (vv. 7–14)
The Judgment of the Prostitute (vv. 15–18)

The Great Prostitute and the Scarlet Beast

1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality. Those who dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her sexual immorality.”

3 He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 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.”

6 I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered with great amazement.

The Angel Explains the Beast and the Woman

7 The angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present.”

9 Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction. 12 The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 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.”

The Judgment of the Prostitute

15 He said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16 The ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute, and will make her desolate, and will make her naked, and will eat her flesh, and will burn her utterly with fire. 17 For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. 18 The woman whom you saw is the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Bible Commentary

▷ Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Bible, taken from e-Sword app.

Revelation 17:1-6

Rome clearly appears to be meant in this chapter. Pagan Rome subdued and ruled with military power, not by art and flatteries. She left the nations in general to their ancient usages and worship. But it is well known that by crafty and politic management, with all kinds of deceit of unrighteousness, papal Rome has obtained and kept her rule over kings and nations.

Here were allurements of worldly honour and riches, pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds. Prosperity, pomp, and splendour, feed the pride and lusts of the human heart, but are no security against the Divine vengeance. The golden cup represents the allurements, and delusions, by which this mystical Babylon has obtained and kept her influence, and seduced others to join her abominations.

She is named, from her infamous practices, a mother of harlots; training them up to idolatry and all sorts of wickedness. She filled herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She intoxicated herself with it; and it was so pleasant to her, that she never was satisfied. We cannot but wonder at the oceans of Christian blood shed by men called Christians; yet when we consider these prophecies, these awful deeds testify to the truth of the gospel.

And let all beware of a splendid, gainful, or fashionable religion. Let us avoid the mysteries of iniquity, and study diligently the great mystery of godliness, that we may learn humility and gratitude from the example of Christ. The more we seek to resemble him, the less we shall be liable to be deceived by antichrist.

Revelation 17:7-14

The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is. It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect.

This beast was seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other was yet to come. This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns, which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest.

Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it.

Revelation 17:15-18

God so ruled the hearts of these kings, by his power over them, and by his providence, that they did those things, without intending it, which he purposed and foretold. They shall see their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the harlot, and be made instruments in her destruction. She was that great city which reigned over the kings of the earth, when John had this vision; and every one knows Rome to be that city.

Believers will be received to the glory of the Lord, when wicked men will be destroyed in a most awful manner; their joining together in sin, will be turned to hatred and rage, and they will eagerly assist in tormenting each other. But the Lord’s portion is his people; his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure, to his glory, and the happiness of all his servants.

Sermon Themes

Revelation 17 challenges believers to discern between God’s kingdom and the world’s fleeting powers. Explore the following topics to shape your sermon on this chapter of Revelation. Here are some themes based on Revelation 17:

The Judgment of Spiritual Adultery: God will judge the “great prostitute” who engages in “sexual immorality” with the “kings of the earth,” highlighting the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and compromise with worldly powers (Revelation 17:1-2).
The Allure of Worldly Power and Wealth: The woman is depicted sitting on a “scarlet-colored beast” and adorned with “purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,” symbolizing the seductive and deceptive nature of worldly power and material riches.
The Intoxication of Ungodliness: Those who dwell on the earth were “made drunken with the wine of her sexual immorality,” illustrating how sin can be intoxicating and lead to spiritual blindness and moral decay (Revelation 17:2).
Mystery Babylon: The Source of Spiritual Abomination: The name written on her forehead, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH,” reveals a central source of widespread spiritual corruption and rebellion against God (Revelation 17:5).
Persecution of the Faithful: The woman is seen “drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus,” revealing a history of persecution against those who remain faithful to God (Revelation 17:6).
The Beast’s Temporal Power and Ultimate Destruction: The description of the beast that “was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction” speaks to the temporary nature of evil’s power and its eventual judgment (Revelation 17:8, 11).
The Wisdom to Discern Spiritual Truth: The call for “the mind that has wisdom” to understand the meaning of the seven heads (mountains/kings) emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment to interpret prophetic truths and understand God’s plan (Revelation 17:9).
Christ’s Ultimate Victory: The prophecy that “the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings” provides assurance of Christ’s ultimate triumph over all opposing forces (Revelation 17:14).
God’s Sovereign Purpose in Judgment: The statement that “God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind” indicates God’s sovereign control even over the actions that lead to judgment, ensuring the accomplishment of His will (Revelation 17:17).
Resist Worldly Temptations: Don’t be seduced by the allure of worldly power, wealth, or acceptance, which can lead to spiritual compromise (Revelation 17:2, 4). Choose faithfulness to God over the fleeting promises of the world.
Stay Faithful Amidst Opposition: Expect and persevere through challenges and opposition for your faith, remembering the historical persecution of believers (Revelation 17:6). Your faithfulness in difficult times is a testament to your commitment to Christ.
Seek Spiritual Understanding: Pray for wisdom and discernment to understand God’s Word and the spiritual realities of the world (Revelation 17:9). Don’t be passive in your faith; actively seek deeper understanding.
Recognize God’s Hand: Even in confusing or difficult times, trust that God is working out His purposes, even through human actions (Revelation 17:17). Look for God’s hand at work in your life and in the world.
Evaluate Earthly Authority: Understand that worldly powers are not ultimate and should be evaluated in light of God’s kingdom and truth (Revelation 17:18). Your ultimate allegiance is to God, not to any earthly ruler or system.

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▷ Scripture quotations taken from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain.