In Revelation 17, the Apostle John describes a vision of a prostitute riding a beast, a passage rich with symbolism and prophecy. This chapter holds significant importance in understanding the dynamics of power, religion, and evil during the Tribulation period. The vision reveals a contrast between the unfaithful, idolatrous ecumenical church and the political empire of the Antichrist, ultimately culminating in a dramatic shift at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
Word count: 1943 / Time to read: 10 minutes
The Prostitute (Harlot)
The harlot in Revelation 17 represents the ecumenical false church, which engages in spiritual adultery against God. Described as sitting on many waters, the harlot’s influence is widespread, indicating her dominance over peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. Her name, “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth,” signifies her role in leading many into idolatry and false worship. The golden cup she holds is filled with abominations and impurities, symbolizing the corrupt and defiled nature of her spiritual practices.
The harlot’s attire also reflects her seductive and deceptive nature. She is dressed in purple and scarlet, glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls, symbolizing wealth, luxury, and allure. Yet, despite her outward beauty, she holds a golden cup filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This imagery highlights the contrast between her attractive appearance and her inner corruption.
The Beast
The beast upon which the harlot rides is described as scarlet and covered with blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. This beast represents the Antichrist’s political empire, characterized by blasphemy and rebellion against God. The heads and horns symbolize the empire’s power and alliances, with the ten horns representing ten kings who will give their power and authority to the beast.
The scarlet color of the beast signifies the bloodshed and violence that will characterize the Antichrist’s reign. The blasphemous names indicate the beast’s utter defiance and opposition to God. This political entity will be a coalition of nations, unified in their rebellion against divine authority, and will play a central role in the events of the Tribulation.
Control and Influence in the First Half of the Tribulation
During the first half of the Tribulation, the harlot exercises control over the beast, symbolizing the false church’s significant influence over the political landscape. This period sees the ecumenical church’s dominance, where it plays a crucial role in shaping global politics and religious practices. The harlot’s initial control over the beast suggests a time when religious apostasy aligns closely with political power.
This influence is described in Revelation 17:3, where the angel carries John away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and he sees a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. This imagery conveys the false church’s power and authority during the early part of the Tribulation. The ecumenical church will likely promote a message of unity and peace, gaining the trust and support of political leaders and the general populace.
Midway Point of the Tribulation
A dramatic shift occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation. Revelation 17:16 indicates that the beast and the ten kings will turn against the harlot, stripping her of power and destroying her. This shift aligns with the casting out of Satan from heaven and the Antichrist’s rise to absolute power, demanding worship and allegiance.
At this midpoint, Satan is cast out of heaven, as described in Revelation 12:9. No longer able to accuse the brethren before God, Satan focuses his wrath on the inhabitants of the earth. Concurrently, the Antichrist, who initially rose to power on a platform of peace and diplomacy, reveals his true nature. He demands to be worshipped as God and establishes himself in the temple, an act of ultimate blasphemy described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
The harlot’s destruction signifies the end of the false church’s influence, as the Antichrist no longer needs a religious facade to maintain control. The beast and the ten kings will bring her to ruin, leave her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. This violent imagery underscores the ruthless nature of the Antichrist’s regime and his absolute disdain for any entity that does not directly serve his purposes.
Life in the Second Half of the Tribulation
The second half of the Tribulation, often referred to as the Great Tribulation, is marked by intense persecution of believers and the imposition of the mark of the beast. Those who refuse to worship the beast or accept his mark face severe persecution and martyrdom. The destruction of the harlot signifies the end of any pretense of religious tolerance, as the Antichrist’s regime enforces strict allegiance to his blasphemous rule.
During this period, the Antichrist will wage war against the saints and overcome them. The mark of the beast becomes a means of economic control, where no one can buy or sell unless they have the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This system of control will ensure that only those loyal to the Antichrist can participate in the economy, further tightening his grip on the world.
The Antichrist’s unchallenged rule during the second half of the Tribulation will be characterized by unparalleled tyranny and oppression. The false sense of peace and security promoted by the harlot will be replaced by a reign of terror, where allegiance to the beast is enforced through coercion and violence.
Symbolism and Contrast
The symbolism in Revelation 17 is profound:
- Harlot: Represents spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. She is the epitome of religious apostasy, leading many astray from true worship.
- Beast: Symbolizes the blasphemous political empire of the Antichrist. It is a manifestation of satanic power and rebellion against God.
- Cup: Filled with abominations and impurities, representing the corrupt and sinful nature of the false church. The cup signifies the outward appearance of wealth and splendor, hiding the inner corruption and moral decay.
This vision contrasts sharply with the imagery of the pure virgin bride, representing the faithful believers who are devoted to Christ. The harlot’s adulterous nature starkly contrasts with the bride’s purity and faithfulness. The bride, adorned in fine linen, bright and clean, stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people, symbolizing the true church’s commitment to Christ.
Scholarly Insights
John Walvoord, in “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” notes, “The vision of the harlot and the beast underscores the ultimate futility of false religion and the transient nature of political power opposed to God.” This insight highlights the temporary nature of the false church’s influence and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom.
Charles Ryrie, in the “Ryrie Study Bible,” comments, “The harlot’s destruction by the beast marks a significant turning point in the Tribulation, illustrating the Antichrist’s unbridled pursuit of power.” Ryrie emphasizes the pivotal moment when the Antichrist’s true nature is revealed, leading to the downfall of the false church.
J. Dwight Pentecost, in “Things to Come,” states, “Revelation 17 reveals the intricate relationship between false religion and political power, culminating in the Antichrist’s full control.” Pentecost’s analysis underscores the close ties between religious apostasy and political tyranny, ultimately leading to the Antichrist’s domination.
Scriptural Support
Revelation 17:1-2: “One of the seven angels…said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery…'”
Revelation 17:3: “Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.”
Revelation 17:5: “The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth.”
Revelation 17:4: “The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.”
Revelation 17:12-13: “The ten horns…are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”
Revelation 17:16: “The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”
Additional References
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
Revelation 12:9: “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
Revelation 13:5-8: “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”
Revelation 13:16-17: “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”
Revelation 19:7-8: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people).”
Conclusion
Revelation 17 offers a detailed and symbolic portrayal of the power dynamics and spiritual apostasy during the Tribulation. Understanding this passage is crucial for comprehending the eschatological events leading to Christ’s ultimate victory. The harlot’s rise and fall highlight the transient nature of false religious power, while the beast’s eventual domination underscores the brutal reality of the Antichrist’s reign.
By studying this chapter, believers can gain insight into the prophetic fulfillment of Scripture and the importance of remaining faithful to Christ. As we anticipate the fulfillment of these prophecies, we are reminded of the ultimate triumph of Christ and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. This understanding should inspire believers to live with greater devotion and vigilance, knowing that the final victory belongs to the Lamb and His pure, faithful bride.
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people).
Revelation 19:6-8
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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