Revelation 17: The Judgment of the Great Prostitute

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.”

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.

Related Bible Readings

• Revelation 15: Preparation for the Bowls
• Revelation 16: The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath
• Revelation 17: The Judgment of the Great Prostitute
• Revelation 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great

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