Our culture is fascinated with the pursuit of relationships,
especially romantic relationships. From reality shows like The Bachelor and
Bachelor in Paradise to dating sites (Match.com, E-harmony, FarmersOnly.com)
and more questionable forums to meet romantic interests (Tender), the
world plays upon our very real need for human connection in many ways.
However, what is more insidious than even these over-the top means by which to
make love connections is the world’s program to get people to fall in love with
it and what she claims she can provide. We all want to be loved, cared for,
enjoy peace, and have freedom to do what we want, and the world would have us
believe that it can give all of these things. However, there is great danger in
hooking up with the world, entering into a relationship with the world, and,
dare I say, marrying the world. When I was dating I would hear parents encourage their
daughters saying, “watch how he treats his mom, for this might indicate how he
will treat you.” These words of advice are offered to help protect those we
love from entering what might prove to be a bad relationship down the line. We
are always trying to predict the future and save ourselves from coming trouble, especially when it comes to relationships. In Revelation 17, God tells you
exactly what you can expect from the world in the end and this he does to try
and prevent people who read it from ever entering into a relationship with the
world. The three parts of God’ commentary on a coming wicked world will have us
asking, “If this is how she will be in the future, why would I want entertain
her even now?”
a. The Coming World
Order is Introduced-17:1-2
The close link
between chapters 16 and 17 is witnessed in the reappearance of the angel who
poured out the seventh bowl—“then one of the seven angels who had the seven
bowl came and spoke with me,…” (17:1a). This also helps frame the next couple
of chapters. The judgment described in chapters 17-19 is really an extension of
the bowl judgments, probably an elaboration of the final two bowls (the drying
up of the Euphrates river and the cosmic earthquake) that leads to the
destruction of Babylon the Great. In other words, what the angel will show John
here is a retelling of the final plagues described earlier in chapter 16.
The angel speaks
with John and says “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot
who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of
immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of
her immorality” (17:2). This is the third time “I will show” appears in John’s Apocalypse
(see 1:1; 4:1). Each time it refers to divine revelation via a vision. In this
vision the judgment of the “great harlot” is in view. This harlot is “Babylon
the Great” introduced in the description of the final bowl in Revelation 16:19.
The first way in which this coming world power is described is as a “harlot” (pornh)—highlighting how she leads the way in
immorality and idolatry (moral and religious prostitution) (Osborne, Revelation,
608). This harlot (coming world order/Babylon the Great) is sitting “on
many waters.” This reference calls to mind both the geographic location of the
center of power –near the mighty Euphrates and its many irrigation trenches and
canals—and the figurative control she has over the people of the world (see
17:15) (Thomas, Revelation 8-22, 283).
Revelation 17:15-“The waters which you saw where the harlot
sits are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.”
This coming world
power is cast as one who has shared her bed with multiple partners—global, economic,
religious, etc.—and with these partners has spread her wicked tendencies and
corruption like a venereal disease—“with whom the kings of the earth committed
acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the
wine of her immorality’…” (17:2). Not unlike a predator seeking to take
advantage of someone by getting them drunk, the vision portrays this harlot as
a temptress who takes advantage of nations by intoxicating with immorality and
manipulating them to perform her will.
b. The Coming World
Order is Described-17:3-6
After hearing this
preview of the vision he is about to witness, John says, “and he carried me
away in the Spirit into a wilderness” (17:3a). Much as he was found “in the
spirit” elsewhere in Revelation (see 1:10; 4:1; 21:10), John’s being in the
Spirit here allows him a supernatural vantage point from which to see what is
going to transpire in vivid detail. Here, John is carried away into the
wilderness—an ominous location that calls to mind a place of temptation (see
Matt. 4), trials (see wandering in Exodus), and desolation (Jer. 50:12). Already,
one can get a sense for what is going to be described with the physical context
that is introduced here.
However, I imagine
nothing could have prepared John for what he observed when he gazed upon this
harlot (Babylon the Great). The first thing he reports on is where she sat—“and
I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast full of blasphemous names, having
seven heads and ten horns” (17:3b). While this woman is the harlot introduced
earlier by the angel, the scarlet beast here is the same beast (Antichrist)
from the sea described earlier in Revelation 13:1 (with the same features). The
harlot’s position on top of the beast is suggestive of her influence over this
coming world leader. That the beast/Antichrist and the harlot/Babylon the Great
are connected is introduced in Revelation 14.
Revelation 14:8-11-“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great,
she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her
immorality. Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud
voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receive a mark on his
forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God…”
Much as a president
is associated with his capital so too will the Antichrist (the beast) be
associated with his seat of power (Babylon the Great). The features of this
beast (as was described in 13:1ff) are indicative of decadence and imitation. Seven
heads suggest complete authority over the world and the ten horns indicates the
decadence and over-the-top nature of his rule via multiple proxy’s spread over
the earth (more on this in a moment).
However, John returns
to the woman riding this beast in verse 4—“the woman was clothed in purple and
scarlet,…” (17:4a). So much can be determined by the characters in the Book of
Revelation by what they wear. Jesus’ garb in Revelation 1 portrayed his power and
authority. The elder’s raiment in Revelation 4 indicated their purity and
righteousness. Even in Revelation 16, clothes indicate readiness for Christ’s
return. Here, the purple and red call to mind great luxury and affluence. Typically
royalty and the very wealthy dressed in these colors, suggesting that this
coming world empire is rich and powerful (Osborne, Revelation, 611).
However, purple was also worn by expensive prostitutes to draw attention to
themselves763 (Keener, IVPBBC, 762). Equal parts powerful and corrupt, the
clothes worn by this women are very connected to her character. However, what
would loud clothes be without corresponding accessories? John continues by
saying, “and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,…” (17:4b). The verb
might be translated “gilded with gold and pearls.” One
commentator points out that this is drawn from the ancient courtesan archetype
who was clad in opulent dress and gaudy jewelry taken from her many lovers (Aune,
Revelation 17-22, 935). This coming world order might best be understood,
giving these descriptions so far, as decadent and debaucherous—a far cry from
the bride of the Lamb who later will be seen “in fine linen bright and clean” (Rev.
19:8).
John moves from what
she was wearing to what she was holding –“having in her hand a gold cup full of
abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality” (17:4c). This golden chalice
adds to the royal appearance of this woman but the contents “epitomizes the
depths of her degeneration” (Thomas, Revelation 8-22, 288). Though in
her cup the woman might believe she carries the proof of her power and
influence over the world, in reality, what she carries in this container—abominations,
uncleanliness, immorality—will ultimately condemn her and those she rules.
Though readers might
be led to believe that this woman is bewitching in appearance (given the
description so far) and that the colors of her dress and the jewelry she wears don’t
really hint at her depraved nature, a tattoo more obviously identifies this
woman’s character—“and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, ‘Babylon
the great, the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth’…” (17:5). Connections
between this woman and Babylon—the ancient pagan empire—abound. Like ancient
Babylon, this coming world order is pagan. Like the Babylon of old, this coming
world order has dominion over other nations. Like Babylon, this harlot is proud
and decadent. As Babylon was associated with gold (see Daniel 2 and 3) so too
is this coming empire richly gilded. However, as Babylon ultimately fell, so to
will this coming world order.
So proud and
powerful is this coming world order/harlot that she pushes the envelope of evil
to the extreme—“And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with
the blood of the witnesses of Jesus” (17:6a). “Among the ancients, being drunk
with blood spoke of a lust for violence, vastness of slaughter, and their
maddening effect on one who was inclined to initiate savagery” (Thomas, Revelation
8-22, 290-91). Because the recently saved during this tribulation period do
not comply with the world order’s rule and ways, efforts to silence and eradicate
the followers of Christ will result in heavy persecution and many deaths—including,
but not limited to the deaths of the two witnesses portrayed in Revelation 11. This,
it would seem, is what finally moves the needle past the limits for God’s
patience. The pressure that has built at the world’s open idolatry and
immorality is shoved passed the threshold when God’s people are systematically
destroyed and, as will soon be made very clear, the world power that is
responsible for the genocide will be held accountable.
c. The Coming World Order
is Explained-17:6b-13
After Babylon the Great
is introduced and described, the angel that led John to this vision explains
what he has seen—“When I saw her, I wondered greatly. And the angel said to me,
‘Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast
that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns” (17:6b-7).
First, the angel
explains the beast—“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to
come up out of the abyss and go to destruction…” (17:8a). In Revelation 1:8 the
Lord God says of himself “I am the Alpha and the Omega,…who is and who was and
who is to come.” This is repeated throughout the Book of Revelation (4:8;
11:17; 16:5). Unlike God—the ultimate eternal sovereign Lord of the universe—this
beast emerges and then disappears—“was and is not…”. The addition of “and is
about to come” is also limiting. While God always existed and will continue to
exist for eternity. This beast has a starting point fixed in the future (“is
about to come”) and then will, when all things are done, be no more. His
emergence will be out of the abyss and into the abyss he will return—“was, and
is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction” (17:8b).
This is the third time the beast is said to come up out of the abyss. In 11:7
he ascends from the abyss to murder the two witnesses. In 13:1 he comes out of
the abyss to take his place among the unholy trinity and conduct war. Here,
when this is fulfilled, he will emerge yet again, only to be cut down and
thrown back from whence he came. After such “… those who dwell on the earth, whose
name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world,
will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come,…” (17:8c).
Those who choose to forsake God and instead follow the beast, bearing his mark
and not the mark of the Lord, will be astonished that so great and mighty a
ruler will be cut down and removed from the face of the earth. All the hopes
and dreams they placed in this wicked world ruler will be lost, leaving them stupefied.
Next, the angel
discloses where one can expect to find this beast—“here is the mind which has
wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, and they
are seven kings;…” (17:9). The original audience would have, no doubt, made
connections between this vision and the Roman empire around them. Rome was
known throughout the ancient world as the city of seven hills. However, to
limit this beast to Rome in a literal or historical sense fails to appreciate
what Rome represented in John’s day—total domination. In many ways, Rome was
the culmination of the gentile empires before it. By using themes and
inventions that John was familiar with in his day, the angel suggests that this
coming world order, like Rome in the ancient world, will have global dominion—it
will, in other words, look and feel like Rome did in its day to some degree. However,
what about these kings? The description goes on to say “and they are seven kings;
five have fallen, on is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must
remain a little while…” (Don’t you just love it when an angel promises an
explanation and leaves you more confused than before 😊 As with Daniel in Daniel 12 so to is it with John here). So many
different interpretations of these kings have been offered, each depending on
when people believe this book was written and when the first of seven emperors
served. That said, generally speaking these seven heads and mountains (that people
are to associate with how Rome looked and felt in its heyday) probably
represent seven successive empires with the seven kings of verse 10 behaving as
the personification of those empires. Concerning these empires, the angel
reports “five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he
comes, he must remain a little while…”. When one considers the many connections
Revelation has with the Book of Daniel and that these “heads” and “Kings” are
no doubt Gentile it is easier to put the pieces together. The five kingdoms/empires
that have fallen probably refer to Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece.
The “one which is” is the Roman empire that was active at the time this was
written in the first century. All of these empires share something in common—they
actively oppressed the people of God in their own way. This will also be the
case in the future during the reign of a future empire—Babylon the Great
described here as “one which has not yet come” (Thomas, Revelation 8-22, 298).
However, unlike Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Greece, and Rome, this empire will be
short-lived (“when he comes, he must remain a little while…”-17:10). Therefore,
“the angel’s clarifying word to John about the seven heads spans essentially
the entire history of Gentile world empires” (Thomas, Revelation 8-22, 298).
Interestingly, the
angel continues by muddying the waters a bit (as if things were not already
complex enough) by saying, “the beast which was and is not, is himself also an
eighth and is one of the seven and he goes to destruction” (17:11). Though
seven has typically articulated completion (and in this context has referred to
the completion of Gentile dominion over the earth throughout history), 8 is
typically a number that speaks of new beginnings. Interestingly, in the world’s
eyes, this beast (the Antichrist) will emerge to power, perhaps with the
promise of delivering new beginnings—bringing about a new world order and
promising (though not producing) world peace. People will, no doubt, be deceived
by this campaign promise, especially after the beast suffers a mortal wound and
is healed miraculously as was described in chapter 13. Some believe that the
idea of the beast as the eighth king is a parody of the resurrection of Christ on
the eighth day or the first day of the following week (which is Jewish thinking
followed the seven days of creation with the “eighth day” of the new creation)
(Beale, Revelation, 875-76; Osborne, Revelation, 620-21). As Christ
was raised on the eighth day of the week, so the beast (the Antichrist) will be
raised in order to deceive the nations into worshiping him as God (Osborne, Revelation,
621).
Now that we know,
perhaps, what to make of the heads and kings associated therewith, the angel
explains the horns saying, “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have
not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast
for one hour,…” (17:12). During the reign of this coming beast/Antichrist he will
delegate power to ten governors/managers over ten respective jurisdictions/provinces
(again much like Rome was divided into ten provinces in the ancient world). These
“client kings” or governors will be given power along with the beast/Antichrist
for a short time—"one hour.” This is yet another way to refer to a short
span of time during the tribulation period. Though the tribulation has been
conceived of as 1 week (see Daniel 9 where a week refers to seven years) and the
great Tribulation (or second half of seven years) as “a time, times, and half a
time” (3.5 years-see Dan. 12 and Rev. 12:14) or 1260 days (Rev. 12:6), here we
are talking about the tail end of this latest period—one hour.
After such a time of acute persecution of God’s people and global unrest “these
[kings] have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast”
(17:13). In other words, all of the world’s domains and power will be
consolidated under the power of the beast (Antichrist) in preparation for the
final battle against the Lord God—the same battle that was introduced to us in
Revelation 16:17ff.
So What?
Still want to run around with the world now? Still want to
entertain company with the systems of our fallen planet? Still believe that the
world and what is in it can ultimately satisfy your very real and present needs
in the best way? This passage is like the advice my dad shared with me as I was
dating. Our heavenly father leaves nothing to the imagination as to what the
world really is (as proven in what she will ultimately be in the future). Sure,
she might be treating you well now, but make no mistake, the world in an of her
present fallen self, is a repulsive, power-hungry, manipulative, prostitute spreading
her disease of idolatry and immorality to all she shares her bed with. One day,
her pimp—the Antichrist—will be calling the shots and enslave you along with
her to do his bidding. Yikes!
Thankfully, there is an alternative to hooking up with the
world. It is entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ and joining the
church as his bride. Unlike the world who only takes and never gives, Jesus gave
his life for you and sacrificed everything on your behalf. Unlike the world that
promises satisfaction but can never ultimately deliver, Jesus provides real
peace, hope, and joy, even in great struggle. Unlike the world that loses in
the end, Jesus is the one who has overcome and by being in him so too can we. This
is a relationship I can endorse with no reservations.
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