Revelation 17 Study

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Introduction

Revelation 17-18 are a description of God’s judgment on Babylon. Babylon represents all worldly systems that oppose God. In Revelation 17, Babylon is presented as a prostitute. We’re going to talk about how she is described and what that means. The chapter also describes how the earth-dwellers sink will sink deeper and deeper into sin. Ultimately though, this is a message of hope because of the Lamb who will conquer.

Let’s go ahead and read the whole chapter. Some read vv. 1-8 and then someone else pick up vv. 9-18.

Revelation 17 ESV

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. 11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. 12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” 15 And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

v. 1 speaks of a woman who is a prostitute. How is she described in vv. 1-6?

What is the significance of this description? What about how she is presented as a prostitute?

She is presented as beautiful in the world’s eyes. She dressed in all of these fine clothes and jewelry.

One person said, “Symbolizing Babylon as a harlot connotes her alluring and seductive nature in attempting to draw people away from Christ” (Beale).

How is the beast described in v. 3?

Before we keep going, let’s talk about what the angel says to John in v. 1. How would this message have been comforting to John as he observed this vision?

In the midst of what seems like chaos, John knows who is the victor. Though the prostitute and beast would be terrifying, they will not win.

How does that give us hope for today as we face difficult or fearful situations?

Knowing that God is the ultimate victor gives us comfort when facing these hard situations. We can have confidence that whatever situation we are facing, we will not be ultimately defeated if we are in Christ.

vv. 2-6 speak to some of the evils and wickedness of the world. We see sexual immorality, drunkenness, blasphemy, and persecution of Christians. This is presented as spiritual adultery. How are we seeing spiritual adultery in the world today?

Attacks on life (abortion, genocide, assisted suicide, etc.)

Rejection of God’s design (gay marriage, transgenderism, etc.)

Idolatry (many forms, materialism, worshipping the creature over the Creator)

False religions

Different gospels (prosperity, health and wealth, word of faith, legalism)

Atheism

Let’s talk about how we can respond to spiritual adultery. What are some ways that we should and shouldn’t respond to spiritual adultery in our world?

We should be careful not to become so worried that we turn to prayerlessness and despair. We must pray constantly for God to save the lost.

We must be careful not to be so argumentative that we end up being unChristlike to people. We must stand for the truth, but that requires grace as well.

We can’t just neglect it or turn a blind eye.

We should seek to share the gospel with the lost people around us. They need to know that there is a holy God who they can have a relationship with through Jesus Christ, his sacrificial death, and resurrection. They need to know that judgment is coming, but those who are trusting in Christ will be on the conquering side with him.

The rest of the chapter describes, in a rather difficult way, the symbolism of the beast with its seven heads and ten horns.

These are not just one empire or government but any oppressive government throughout history. We know that they will rule for a period of time, but it won’t be forever. v. 14 tells us:

Revelation 17:14 ESV

14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

This is a promise that no matter how bad things will get, Christ and his people will be victorious in the end.

The reign of this worldly empire will come to an end in maybe an unexpected way, but not so unexpected when you think about the nature of sin.

v. 16 tells of how these rulers of the people and the beast will turn on the prostitute and will devour her.

v. 17 tells us what is really behind this. How do we see God’s sovereignty in v. 17?

God works in the hearts of even evil people to carry out his purposes.

How does that strengthen and encourage believers today?

He is bigger than evil. We’re not talking about a level playing field where God is trying to outsmart evil. No, he has power over all. God’s plans will be carried out despite the wickedness of the world.

Prayer

Need to wrap up by 8:30