The Prostitute and the Beast

Introduction

As we mentioned previously sin is seductive, sinful pleasure can be intoxicating, and it all leads to an eternal hangover in the end. Sadly the kingdoms of the world are drunk on power, control, wealth, and so many other things that are leading the multitudes astray.

Today we will look behind the scenes of this seductive power and explore what this chapter says about the Great Prostitute and the Beast.

In today’s text from Revelation 17, we are shown a system of power and a culture of rebellion.

Revelation 17:1–18 NKJV

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? 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. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with 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.” Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Introduction

Revelation 17 opens at the end of the 7 bowl judgments. One of the angels who had been holding one of the bowls approaches John and begins speaking with him about the judgment of the “Great Prostitute” who sat on many waters. Let’s take a few minutes and look at this prostitute and consider who she is...

The Prostitute

First let’s take note of...

Her Identity (vv. 1-3a, 5, 7, 15, 18)

Verse 1: She is referred to as the “great harlot who sits on many waters.”

Sadly prostitutes and brothels were very common throughout the Roman empire. God is going to use an analogy of something John’s readers would have been very knowledgeable of in this culture...

Notice Revelation 17:15

Revelation 17:15 NKJV

Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.

Don’t miss this...this prostitute’s influence touches all the peoples, nations, and languages of the world. She has a GLOBAL INFLUENCE!

Verse 2: It is said that the “kings/rulers of the earth” had committed “fornication” with this prostitute and the population of the earth was made “drunk” with the “wine of her fornications.”

We know that the idea of a “prostitute” here is figurative, not literal, so we must also understand that the “fornication” spoken of in verse 2 is also figurative, not literal. In other words the nations of the world have committed “spiritual adultery/idolatry” with this “prostitute.”

Her evil, seductive influence has permeated cultures across the globe and have intoxicated people with lust for power and possessions, immorality, and sinful pleasures, rendering them incapable of making sober decisions!

Verse 3: One other note about her identity is found in verse 3. She is sitting on a scarlet beast...Some see the color “scarlet” as a representation of riches while others see it as a representation of its destructive nature. This beast is full of blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns.

Verses 5: Another interesting note is that she is wearing a “headband.” This was common among the prostitutes of the day. They would wear headbands with their names written on them. This was a “badge of dishonor” so to speak. This headband was worn for all to see when she was on duty as a billboard of sorts.

Notice what the inscription reads, “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots of the Abominations of the Earth.” This title leaves no doubt regarding the message she is trying convey. As we mentioned previously, Babylon was not only a literal place that we read about in Daniel and other places, but came to symbolize a “system of opposition against God.” It referenced a “system of godlessness.” In John’s day and time, there was probably no doubt that Babylon and Rome were often equated with one another. This becomes more evident as the city is described in greater detail.

Notice that the inscription on her headband says that she is the “mother” of prostitutes. In other words she is the ORIGIN of false religions, spiritual adulteries...she is the ringleader of it all!

Verse 7: If there was any doubt up to this point, verse 7 ties this prostitute to the Beast. We’ve already explored in other messages that this “beast” is the Antichrist and the fact that this woman is sitting on the beast let’s us know in uncertain terms that have a close relationship and are working together to accomplish Satan’s master plan.

Now that we have clarified her identity, let’s notice...

Her Enticement (v. 4a)

Notice again Revelation 17:4

Revelation 17:4 NKJV

The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.

Not only is she wearing this purple and scarlet garment, but she is also decked out with gold, precious stones, and pearls. Gwyn Pugh notes that “her gaudy jewelry...reflected the lucrative rewards of her profession.” Her appearance was designed “to draw attention.”

Proverbs 6:24–25 NKJV

To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.

Proverbs 7:10 NKJV

And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

One of the reasons Scripture teaches us to dress modestly, is because our clothing (or lack thereof) and appearance sends a MESSAGE to others! What kind of message do you want your appearance to send?

As we move on, notice...

Her Impurity (v. 4b, 6)

At the end of verse 4, John describes a “cup” she has in her hand. It appears to be a beautiful, gold cup, but inside this cup idolatrous defilement and impurities related to her prostitution. It is vile, filthy, putrid… she is making a mockery of those she has led astray and imprisoned by her seduction.

If you think I’m stretching the truth notice Revelation 17:6

Revelation 17:6 NKJV

I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

Finally notice...

Her Relationship to the Beast (v. 3b, 7)

It appears from verse 3 that she is not only sitting on the beast, but it’s as if the beast is carrying her weight. She is a force of evil that is carried by the beast! They have a close connection and alliance.

Let’s move on to the other character in this chapter...the Beast. Some of this is review, but I do want us to briefly notice some things about him.

The Beast

First, notice an interesting phrase about the beast in Revelation 17:7-8

Revelation 17:7–8 NKJV

But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? 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. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

“The beast that you saw was, and is not...”

Compare that to Revelation 1:4

Revelation 1:4 NKJV

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Some see this as a reference to the beast being killed and resurrected as we learned about a couple of weeks ago, while others see it as a mockery of sorts...God is the One who is, who was, and who is to come...while the Antichrist is the one who “was and is not.”

In this passage we also notice...

The Seven Heads (vv. 7-11)

We are told in this passage that the seven heads represent seven mountains on which the woman (the great prostitute) sit. It’s interesting to note that Rome is known as the “city of seven hills.” Not only do the seven heads represent seven mountains, but also seven world empires:

Revelation 17:9–10 NKJV

“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.

Most scholars believe that the 5 “kings” or “kingdom” represent kingdoms that existed before John wrote this: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.” The one that “is” most likely refers to the kingdom reigning at the time of John—Rome, and there is still one more to come.

We assume that this seventh kingdom, is the kingdom of the Antichrist which is still to come...

Revelation 17:11 NKJV

The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

Finally, notice...

The Ten Horns (vv. 12-14, 16-17)

Revelation 17:12–14 NKJV

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with 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.”

These 10 horns/kings are going to make an alliance with the seventh mountain (the antichrist) and they will rule the known world during this time. Not only that but they will make war with the Lamb and be demolished!

Revelation 17:16–17 NKJV

And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Notice what they are going to do to the Prostitute. They are going to unite and TURN on her.

That’s always what Satan does. He uses people and then he throws them on the trash heap of eternity.

We see this pattern throughout human history...Consider men who rose to power by serving a figure like Hitler. They were given temporary glory, power, luxurious homes, and the authority to commit unspeakable evils. They believed they were indispensable, secure, and part of a glorious new order.

But as soon as they lost a battle, failed a political purge, or simply became a political liability, the dictator—the ultimate earthly image of the satanic system—did not retire them. He simply executed them.

The moment the servant became a threat or a nuisance rather than a tool, they were eliminated. Their name was wiped from the record, their family was punished, and they were discarded without a single thought.

Hitler valued loyalty only as long as it served his ambition. Once a person's utility ran out, whether by becoming too powerful, holding a different opinion, or simply failing, they were immediately thrown onto the ash heap.

Satan offers the same deal: temporary power for eternal debt. He uses people not because he loves them, but because he despises the God who created them. Once they have accomplished his destructive purpose, he has no use for their souls and consigns them to the very end he himself faces.

This directly parallels the spiritual warning: Satan's system of "Babylon" (Revelation 18) uses the wealth, power, and lives of men to oppose God, but in the end, that system and all who serve it face a sudden, final, and merciless disposal.

So what can we take home with us today?

Be Reminded of God’s Complete Control

Notice Revelation 17:17 again

Revelation 17:17 NKJV

For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

When all the world seems to be spinning in chaos, we see God, working and moving behind the scenes in full and complete CONTROL!

We are Reminded of God’s Ultimate Victory

Revelation 17:14 NKJV

These will make war with 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.”

As we contemplate this passage, I want to ask you to:

Identify Your Scarlet and Purple Seduction

The Great Prostitute used her beauty, her skills, and her dress to lead nations astray, but I wonder what tools and tricks of the devil have worked time and time against you? What glittering temptation does he put in your path? What things does he offer you to self-medicate with? What false comforts are constantly calling your name? What constantly distracts you from the King of kings?

Guard Against the Drunkenness of Apathy

Someone once asked, “What is apathy?” Someone replied, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

This passage talks about the people being drunk with the wine of her fornication. If we aren’t careful we will find ourselves constantly consuming the toxic things of our culture, that numb us to the things of God.

Rest in the Victory of the Lamb

Salvation

Baptism

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