“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns” (Revelation 17:6-7).

John Reacts

In verse 2, 4 and 5 the woman is associated with beverage imagery that develops into the meaning of this verse (see box below).

“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood” (vs 6)

This is stunning language and is understood as a metaphor from the “OT (Isa. 34:5, 7 LXX; 49:26; Jer. 46:10; Ezek. 39:18-19) and from ancient writers (Josephus, J.W. 5.8.2 §344; Suetonius, Tiberius 59). It pictures the great joy with which depraved armies would slaughter entire families as well as opposing armies.”[1]

This woman, a church, indulges in this heinous drunken orgy though representing “Godliness” to the world. That influence is seen by the world accepting her counsel and teaching, beginning with its leaders (kings). Can you imagine what God is really saying about the Roman church? The end-time horrors of persecution are concentrated within the parochial walls of Catholicism. No wonder God wants to assure His people that this despicable religious order will come to an end.

Scholars often refer this imagery to the massacre of Nero when Rome burned (A.D. 64) or an allusion to the Dark Ages, when the Roman Church was involved with the slaughter of millions. But this is prophecy of the end of earth’s history! It ties directly to other eschatological prophecies regarding this time:

• Dragon hated God’s true church (woman) and made war against her offspring (Revelation 12:17).

• Holy City (God’s true people) is persecuted 42 months (Revelation 11:2).

• Beast makes war with the saints 42 months (Revelation 13:5, 7)

• God’s holy people persecuted time times and an half – then the end (Daniel 12:7)

That can only mean the Roman Church – the Roman Catholic Church – will be involved with horrifying butchery and carnage in the very near future.

Many will plead that there is no prospect that popery will ever be revived. If it shall regain its lost ascendancy, it will be by Protestantism's giving it the right hand of fellowship. If it shall be legislated into power by the concessions of time-serving men, the fires of persecution will be rekindled against those who will not sacrifice conscience and the truth for the errors of the papacy. Once let the minds of the Christian world be turned away from God; let his law be dishonored and his holy day trampled upon, and they will be ready to take any step where Satan may lead the way.”[2]

“Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution will be revived, and the fires of persecution will be rekindled.”[3]

“with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:” (vs 6)

This text doesn’t intend to describe two separate groups of individuals. The saints are those who have patience, keep God’s commandments and have the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12). It is from that loyal group that those killed become martyrs. But we are told: “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:10). The earth beast (the United States) “causes that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15).

John saw that drunken woman. The angel explained that it was from drinking blood from God’s people. No wonder John then said:

“and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.” (vs 6)

John’s response is similar to Daniel’s at his hearing of the imminent demise of the Babylonian king: “he marveled greatly” (Daniel 4:19), “Then Daniel … was astonished for one hour.” A drunken woman on a beast in the desert will only become more astonishing with the facts being fully explained! She’s a murderess – and it is first degree homicide!

The seer had expected to see how the harlot – Babylon – came to her end. So far she seems to have been triumphant, tyrannical and murderous against God’s people. The prophetic setting was designed as a preamble to the explanation that follows.

• A beautiful woman

• Seductively dressed

• On a strange beast

• Is suddenly observed to be drunk

  • On blood

  • Of God’s people

His curiosity and puzzlement, as ours would be, is at its peak. He is ready for what follows.

Before we go on, there are important observations that must be made: The saints are the people of God who conquer Satan by “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives even to the point of death” (Revelation 12:11).

• This is a golden thread that draws together these many themes in this book.

• God’s people remain faithful in spite of end-time persecution.

•  AND … “There is no hint anywhere that during this terrible persecution the saints are hiding in forests, caves, and remote places lest they be killed. Rather, they engage in fearless witness throughout this period.”[4]

• God’s people are not to be isolationists! There is a mission of completing the work of bringing the gospel to the world. Then the end comes – not before.

“And the angel said unto me,” (vs 7)

The vial angel has been “talking” with and “showing him” this visionary experience all along. It appears that John’s emotional reaction to the last scene brought an abrupt response from this angel. John admits, before the prophetic communiqué resumes, that he was personally admonished.

“Wherefore didst thou marvel?” (vs 7)

“Why are you filled with wonder and perplexity?”[5] This also appears to be rhetorical. “Don’t be so dismayed. At the end Satan will work through his agents/agencies and reveal the true nature of his heart. You must understand how evil he is and the character of those loyal to his rebellion.” This imagery – John’s reaction – and heaven’s response are for us to fully decipher, completely discern and explicate. We will experience what is typified!

In God’s sovereign foreknowledge He has already revealed the temporary triumph of her malicious power in Revelation 13. He now wants to demystify the future by strengthening our faith. Terrible ordeals are to be encountered. God will triumph in the end with His loyal subjects (Revelation 13:10).

Intriguingly, the woman has the colors on her garb close to that of Aaron and his priest sons. They all represented various redemptive themes and God’s character. The only key color absent was blue, which symbolized the purity and nature of God’s law. Thus, this portrayal undoubtedly added to John’s emotions. The harlot defies God’s law.

This all describes an emotional transition between the vision of the harlot and the interpretation of her symbolism. What follows is a focus on the beast. The imagery of that creature will now unfold deeper issues regarding the harlot church.

“I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.” (vs 7)

The mystery or secret that surrounds the woman is now also tagged to the beast. This suggests that they both share one mystery. The fate of one is inextricably tied to the other. Information regarding the evil of one will be explicitly associated with the other.

It is significant to note that the woman sat on the beast (vs 3) in an administrative leadership portrayal. Here, she is carried by the beast. This suggests that without that kingdom/state (the Vatican), the Roman Catholic Church would be ineffective. This is stunning and extremely important prophetically. This symbiotic relationship is the Holy See. It is the Holy See that has a “Permanent Observer” relationship with the United Nations (since 1945). It is the Holy See that has ambassadors to other nations and they to her. Thus, the Roman Catholic Church, by being “carried by the Vatican state,” has by default diplomatic ties to 177 (2009) countries around the world.

Like no other church/state (woman/ beast) is this, which began legally in 1929.

Thus, as the mystery is now unfolded – end-time cues related to that Rome-centered power will come into view! What is about to be shared is vital information for God’s people to prepare and relate to the stunning heartaches and victories that will be their companions for many months.

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