“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18).

This begins the final words of interpretation given by the Vial angel – the fourth in a series (17:8, 9-11, 12-14, 18).[1] It also swings open the door for the next chapter, 13, which follows 17 timewise.

“And the woman which thou sawest" (vs 18)

John’s first vision of this harlot was when the angel “carried me away” (17:3) into the “wilderness.” This focus is a provocative missive! Here’s why:

The word for wilderness (eremon) is highly symbolic in Biblical typology. It represents a place of refuge and salvation (Isaiah 40:3; Jeremiah 31:2, 8:6; Ezekiel 34:25; Psalm 55:7-8). Intriguingly, the Qumran community understood their presence in the wilderness as having an eschatological fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 (1 QS 8:12-14, 9:19-21). Revelation 12:6 and 14 are understood in that Jewish understanding.[2]

Why are the harlot and the beast first observed in a place of “refuge”? That represents the protective setting that the kings of the world give it as a key component of this prophecy! The leaders of this world – before they even have a kingdom (13:1 – horns with crowns) – are providing protective support for her detestable beliefs and actions.

John is asked to recall the harlot in that setting. Then comes this incisive statement:

“is that great city,” (vs 18)

This label is first tied to Babylon in the second angel’s message (14:8). It is a city that is fallen because it made all nations drink of her wine (doctrines – beliefs – teachings). These were positions at variance to the issues presented in the first angel’s message (Revelation 14:6-7).

The Babylon concept was first noted without that name but was designated by the words “great city” in chapter 11, where the two witnesses lay dead in its streets (they were silenced). There, several important thoughts are developed (11:7-8).

1.   They are “killed” by the beast (same one as later noted in chapters 13 and 17) – which resides in Rome (17:9).

2.   There, the beast comes out of the abyss (hell) where Satan and his minions are at home (cf. 9:1-2, 17:8) – then it did its heinous acts within that “great city.” Later, we are told that the “dragon gave him [the beast] his power” (13:2). They are both represented as originating from the abyss or bottomless pit. Rome/Babylon has leaders from hell!

3.   That “great city” has two spiritual (symbolic) names – Sodom (depravity) and Egypt (evil like the wicked world).

Then we learn in 14:8 that the great city is Babylon; then in 17:5 it is also the harlot. That represents an apostate church that rules over Rome – which could be none other than the Roman Catholic Church.

• Thus, in the linguistic ties that thread through these clues we can see emerging a timing association with:

  ●    The two witnesses (3½-year activity) (11:3) – in great city

  ●    Persecution (3½-year activity) (11:2) – by beast

  ●    Second angel’s message – great city, Babylon, spiritually fallen

  ●    Harlot named Babylon with her world support

  ●    Her “falls” are collectively described in chapters 16, 17:16 and chapter 18.

As noted in Revelation 13, the beast is given 42 months (3½ years) to fulfill its mission. The “great city” designation confirms that final period ties also to the harlot. New insight is now given.

“which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (vs 18)

The woman sat on the seven “hills/mountains” (17:9), denoting her administrative control over Rome. She sat on many “waters” (17:1), which represents power or rule over the people of the world (17:15). The ten horns are ten kings of the world divisions that “receive power with the beast” (17:12). Horns give power and authority to the beast. The world leaders will acquiesce this control over an element of global governance to the harlot that commands the beast. This is to such a degree that the Bible here notes that she has control over the kings of the earth (ten kings implied)!

As we have noted, they will later turn against her. But we now know that that will not occur until all the prophecy, specifically chapters 11–14 and 17–18, is fulfilled. This means a stunning and fearful series of horrific events lie just ahead, all tied to the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church.

Those events are portrayed in Revelation 13. We will visit that next and end with a more detailed view of Babylon and the harlot’s end in Revelation 18.

References:

Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; Prophecy Research Initiative © 2009