CHRIS' COMMENTARY NOTES FOR REVELATION CHAPTER 17
Revelation 17: Intro.
It is exciting to have a chapter that explains itself! Reading this chapter all the way through will be very helpful for understanding. See notes on “Revelation 18” to see the comparison between “Religious Babylon” (here) and “Commercial Babylon” (chapter 18). Below is a chart from Guzik (part of the comparison in the notes on “Revelation 18”):
It is exciting to have a chapter that explains itself! Reading this chapter all the way through will be very helpful for understanding. See notes on “Revelation 18” to see the comparison between “Religious Babylon” (here) and “Commercial Babylon” (chapter 18). Below is a chart from Guzik (part of the comparison in the notes on “Revelation 18”):
What country is Babylon? Everyone has a different opinion but a friend I had named Steve (that read Revelation many times and I trusted) felt that the Babylon mentioned in chapter 17-18 was the United States. I have given no proofs because I am not dogmatic on this point but it’s worth considering.
Other Scripture: it is probable that Jeremiah chapters 50 -51 apply to this. These are last day prophesies (Jer. 50:4-5) because all tribes of Israel are back together again (Ez. 37).
Other Scripture: it is probable that Jeremiah chapters 50 -51 apply to this. These are last day prophesies (Jer. 50:4-5) because all tribes of Israel are back together again (Ez. 37).
Notes on Revelation 17:1-18.
17:1. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls. See notes on Rev. 16 about the Seven Angels with the Seven Bowl Judgments.
The judgment of the great harlot. “The great harlot” is “that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” according to Rev. 17:18, but this takes some more explanation. The woman is Babylon which is the compromised, false church. Halley’s says, “The Harlot Woman, in alliance with the Beast, called Babylon, is on a Throne of World-Government, reigning over kings of the earth.” Since the “True Church, Bride of Christ, Wife of the Holy Lamb, is also called a City, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City ([Rev.] 19:7; 21:2, 9)… Two cities: Babylon and the New Jerusalem. The Harlot Church and the True Church, thus, in antithesis, are set the one over against the other. The One seated, in Power, on a Throne of Worldly Splendor, driving the Other Underground by Persecution” (Source 1, p. 731).
She causes John to “marvel” (Rev. 17:6) but notice the non-Christians “marvel” at the beast instead (Rev. 17:8). It is my OPINION that John marvels because she has the appearance of righteousness (being “arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup…” v. 4) and yet is murdering his brother and sister believers (Rev. 17:6).
who sits on many waters. The meaning of “who sits on many waters” are “peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues” (according to Rev. 17:15).
17:2. Kings of the earth committed fornication. We see that the context here are kings and kingdoms. These are rulers on earth who have chosen Satan over God. One cannot practice fornication if they have not known the truth and committed themselves to their mate. So these people know the truth of God and his desire to have relationship over religion, but they choose a religion instead.
Inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wind of her fornication. These are the non-Christians left on earth, with the same conviction that the kings above have (see note titled, "Kings of the earth committed fornication").
17:3. Sitting on a scarlet beast. Initially the woman (see note on Rev. 17:1 titled, “The judgment of the great harlot”) is associated with the beast (see note on Rev. 17:8 titled, “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend…was, and is not, and yet is”) but this doesn’t last long when the beast rips her apart (Rev. 17:16). “Scarlet” stands for royalty, riches and luxury in the Bible. So this beast has the worldly perspective of affluence and wealth, which is used to convince people that the false religion is regal and legitimate.
Having seven heads and ten horns. The “seven heads” are empires that Satan has ruled and the “ten horns” are future kingdoms that the Anti-Christ will exalt during his reign. See Rev. 12:3 for both notes titled, “Seven heads” and also “Ten horns” for more. Also note on Rev. 13:1 titled, “ten horns” for more. And review notes on Rev. 17:10 titled, “…Seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come” for more.
17:4. Arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations in the filthiness of her fornication. This is a similar description to Commercial Babylon in Rev. 18:16.
Regarding “adorned”, MacArthur says, "prostitutes often dress and find clothes and precious jewels to a lower their victims (cf. Prov. 7:10)" (Source 2, p. 2016).
As mentioned above (in Rev. 17:2) “scarlet” stands for royalty, riches and luxury in the Bible.
Regarding “golden cup”, MacArthur says, this is "still another evidence of the harlots great wealth (cf. Jer. 51:7); but the pure gold is the file by the filthiness of her immorality. Just as a prostitute might first get her victims drunk so the harlot system deceives the nations into committing spiritual fornication with her" (Source 2, p. 2016).
17:5. And on her forehead a name was written: MacArthur says, "it was customary for Roman prostitutes to wear a headband with their name on it (cf. Jer. 3:3) parading there wretchedness for all to see. The harlot’s forehead is emblazoned with a 3-fold title descriptive of the world's final false religious system" (Source 2, p. 2016).
MYSTERY. MacArthur states, "spiritual Babylon's true identity is yet to be revealed. Thus, the precise details of how it will be manifested in the world are not yet known" (Source 2, p. 2016). Earlier (in Rev. 10:7, notes titled, “The mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets”) when “mystery” is used in the New Testament it has been revealed from the Old Testament.
BABYLON THE GREAT. MacArthur says, "this Babylon is distinct from the historical, geographical city of Babylon (which still existed in John's day). The details of John's vision cannot be applied to any historical city" (Source 2, p. 2016). Although Halley's spends quite a bit of time talking about how Babylon is probably Roman Catholicism, and the fall of Babylon here in Chapter 18 was a forecast of the protestant Reformation, and I think the statement with the greatest truth is that "'Babylon the Great Harlot' may be Heavens Name for Apostate Christendom as a Whole" (Source 1, p. 733). See the note titled, “Revelation 18” for how the Babylon mentioned here is intertwined yet somehow separate from the Babylon of chapter 18.
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. MacArthur says, "all false religions stems ultimately from Babel, or Babylon (cf. Gen. 11)" (Source 2, p. 2016).
17:6. Drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. What a horrifying image! Religious Babylon, like a tiger, has developed a taste for blood (Source 3). Worse than just murdering believers these religious zealots have become “drunk” on it: never being satisfied, causing irrational thinking and actions and ultimately being their undoing.
I marveled with great amazement. As mentioned in Rev. 17:1 (under the notes titled, “The judgment of the great harlot”) in my OPINION John marvels here because he sees Religious Babylon’s outward portrayal of Christianity but in reality they’re slaughtering believers which shocks him. It is similar when we trust a wolf in sheep’s clothing teacher or a brother or sister who appeared to be a Christian but was really a hypocrite, only much worse! Also note that non-Christians “marvel” at the beast (Rev. 17:8). It’s nice to know Guzik agrees (“Because this isn't pagan persecution (such as he knew in his day), but religious error and persecution. This is a psuedo-church, thirsty for the blood of the saints” – Source 6).
17:7. “Why did you marvel?” See note on Rev. 17:6 titled, “I marveled with great amazement” for more.
17:8. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend…was, and is not, and yet is.
This is a demon (“out of the bottomless pit”). Also see note on Rev. 17:11 titled, “Beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven” for more.
Regarding “was”, means was on the earth in the past. It could be the same demon that possessed Alexander the Great, Hitler, Nero, etc. and here is possessing the Anti-Christ.
Regarding “is not”, means is not currently on the earth. Currently on the earth, probably in John’s day but it is very possible that it is here now.
Regarding “yet is”, means still exists and will appear amongst the false church, going “to perdition.”
The word “perdition” is apoleia (G#684) meaning “destroying, utter destruction: of vessels” or “a perishing, ruin, destruction: of money or the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell” (Source 4).
17:9. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. These mountains are kingdoms. 5 are fallen: Egypt, Assyrian, Babylon, Medo-Persians, Greece. Of all the kingdoms of the earth why are these five singled out? Because God is only concerned with His chosen people. Many think these mountains represent Papal Rome (Catholicism) but see below for why it is my OPINION that this isn’t Catholic Rome. MacArthur notes “the 7 mountains in context likely symbolize the 7 kingdoms and their kings of v. 10” (Source 2, p. 2016).
Note that the word is “mountains” which is oros (G#3735) in Greek meaning “a mountain (Source 5). It is used for when Satan took Jesus to an “exceeding high mountain” (Mt. 4:8) and when Jesus says if you have faith the size of a mustard seed then you will be able to cast “this mountain” into the sea (Mt. 17:20). Many say this is Rome but I don’t believe it is. There are several good reasons that people have for thinking this is Rome and what they’re insinuating is that it’s the Romans Catholic religion. One of their points is that Rome was built on 7 hills and has been called “the ‘Seven-Hilled City’” (Source 1, p. 731). The problem is that mountains are different from hills. MacArthur acknowledges that Rome will probably be included in “the final world-wide system of false religion” however it won’t be “limited to, Rome” (Source 2, p. 2016).
17:10. …Seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. See below for who these 7 kings are but also note that 3 are missing
Regarding “five have fallen”, these are probably: Egypt, Assyrian, Babylon, Medo-Persians and Greece - had all fallen at the time of John’s writing. MacArthur agrees with this (Source 2, p. 2016). But why are only these five empires mentioned here? Because God is only concerned with His people, specifically who intereacts with them. Many people don’t understand this because they misinterpret Ez. 23 (2 daughters: Israel and Judah who have been split in God’s mind since before the exodus, vv.2-3, are rejected by God (v. 18) and divorced.
Regarding “one is”, this is probably Rome, which was current to John. MacArthur agrees with this (Source 2, p. 2016). As opposed to the theory that Rome (specifically Roman Catholicism) is one ruling kingdom seated on the 7 mountains (see note on Rev. 17:9 titled, “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits” for more.
Regarding “and the other has not yet come” is the Anti-Christ beginning a kingdom. MacArthur agrees with this (Source 2, p. 2016). 10 fingered and 10 toed is partially weak/ partially strong kingdom.
When he comes, he must continue a short time. This means that he will not come and hang out for a long period of time, instead when he does come he will only last for a brief while.
17:11. Beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven. As explained in Rev. 17:8 this demon has been on the earth in the past (“was”), is not currently on the earth (“is not”), and is the “eighth”. In my OPINION he is possibly a combination of a head, mountain and king all rolled into one. This demon inhabiting the 8th king/kingdom/empire appears to be part of the seven prior, which would make sense if this demon had inhabited these prior empires that he would unite all of the imagery (king/kingdom/empire) in the crescendo of Satan’s plan (however being the eighth means missing the number 7 of perfection). Guzik says “This plainly is a difficult passage!” (Source 6).
Is going to perdition. See note on Rev. 17:8 titled, “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend…was, and is not, and yet is” for the definition of the Greek word apoleia which is “perdition”.
17:12. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as of yet. As seen in multiple places a “horn” stands for power (see Rev. 12:3 note titled, “Ten horns” for more) and here specifically “kings.” These are 10 kings who haven’t come to power yet. They will be puppet kings in that they won’t think for themselves but will be used by the beast.
7:13. Of one mind. We see in Rev. 17:17 that God has made them “to be of one mind” and to give their kingdoms to the beast so He can “fulfill His purpose.”
17:15. The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits. Referencing Rev. 17:1, see note there titled, “the great harlot who sits on many waters” for more.
are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. This shows us that “waters” represent people. See Rev. 4:6 titled, “Sea of glass” for more.
17:18. that great city. For more see note on Rev. 14:8 titled, “Babylon is fallen” and note on Rev. 18:2 titled, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.”
Chapter 17 References:
Source 1: Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 1965.
Source 2: John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997.
Source 3: http://news.discovery.com/animals/do-some-animals-get-a-taste-for-human-blood-140207.htm
Source 4: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G684&t=KJV
Source 5: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3735&t=KJV
Source 6: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_17.cfm?a=1184001
17:1. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls. See notes on Rev. 16 about the Seven Angels with the Seven Bowl Judgments.
The judgment of the great harlot. “The great harlot” is “that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” according to Rev. 17:18, but this takes some more explanation. The woman is Babylon which is the compromised, false church. Halley’s says, “The Harlot Woman, in alliance with the Beast, called Babylon, is on a Throne of World-Government, reigning over kings of the earth.” Since the “True Church, Bride of Christ, Wife of the Holy Lamb, is also called a City, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City ([Rev.] 19:7; 21:2, 9)… Two cities: Babylon and the New Jerusalem. The Harlot Church and the True Church, thus, in antithesis, are set the one over against the other. The One seated, in Power, on a Throne of Worldly Splendor, driving the Other Underground by Persecution” (Source 1, p. 731).
She causes John to “marvel” (Rev. 17:6) but notice the non-Christians “marvel” at the beast instead (Rev. 17:8). It is my OPINION that John marvels because she has the appearance of righteousness (being “arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup…” v. 4) and yet is murdering his brother and sister believers (Rev. 17:6).
who sits on many waters. The meaning of “who sits on many waters” are “peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues” (according to Rev. 17:15).
17:2. Kings of the earth committed fornication. We see that the context here are kings and kingdoms. These are rulers on earth who have chosen Satan over God. One cannot practice fornication if they have not known the truth and committed themselves to their mate. So these people know the truth of God and his desire to have relationship over religion, but they choose a religion instead.
Inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wind of her fornication. These are the non-Christians left on earth, with the same conviction that the kings above have (see note titled, "Kings of the earth committed fornication").
17:3. Sitting on a scarlet beast. Initially the woman (see note on Rev. 17:1 titled, “The judgment of the great harlot”) is associated with the beast (see note on Rev. 17:8 titled, “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend…was, and is not, and yet is”) but this doesn’t last long when the beast rips her apart (Rev. 17:16). “Scarlet” stands for royalty, riches and luxury in the Bible. So this beast has the worldly perspective of affluence and wealth, which is used to convince people that the false religion is regal and legitimate.
Having seven heads and ten horns. The “seven heads” are empires that Satan has ruled and the “ten horns” are future kingdoms that the Anti-Christ will exalt during his reign. See Rev. 12:3 for both notes titled, “Seven heads” and also “Ten horns” for more. Also note on Rev. 13:1 titled, “ten horns” for more. And review notes on Rev. 17:10 titled, “…Seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come” for more.
17:4. Arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations in the filthiness of her fornication. This is a similar description to Commercial Babylon in Rev. 18:16.
Regarding “adorned”, MacArthur says, "prostitutes often dress and find clothes and precious jewels to a lower their victims (cf. Prov. 7:10)" (Source 2, p. 2016).
As mentioned above (in Rev. 17:2) “scarlet” stands for royalty, riches and luxury in the Bible.
Regarding “golden cup”, MacArthur says, this is "still another evidence of the harlots great wealth (cf. Jer. 51:7); but the pure gold is the file by the filthiness of her immorality. Just as a prostitute might first get her victims drunk so the harlot system deceives the nations into committing spiritual fornication with her" (Source 2, p. 2016).
17:5. And on her forehead a name was written: MacArthur says, "it was customary for Roman prostitutes to wear a headband with their name on it (cf. Jer. 3:3) parading there wretchedness for all to see. The harlot’s forehead is emblazoned with a 3-fold title descriptive of the world's final false religious system" (Source 2, p. 2016).
MYSTERY. MacArthur states, "spiritual Babylon's true identity is yet to be revealed. Thus, the precise details of how it will be manifested in the world are not yet known" (Source 2, p. 2016). Earlier (in Rev. 10:7, notes titled, “The mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets”) when “mystery” is used in the New Testament it has been revealed from the Old Testament.
BABYLON THE GREAT. MacArthur says, "this Babylon is distinct from the historical, geographical city of Babylon (which still existed in John's day). The details of John's vision cannot be applied to any historical city" (Source 2, p. 2016). Although Halley's spends quite a bit of time talking about how Babylon is probably Roman Catholicism, and the fall of Babylon here in Chapter 18 was a forecast of the protestant Reformation, and I think the statement with the greatest truth is that "'Babylon the Great Harlot' may be Heavens Name for Apostate Christendom as a Whole" (Source 1, p. 733). See the note titled, “Revelation 18” for how the Babylon mentioned here is intertwined yet somehow separate from the Babylon of chapter 18.
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. MacArthur says, "all false religions stems ultimately from Babel, or Babylon (cf. Gen. 11)" (Source 2, p. 2016).
17:6. Drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. What a horrifying image! Religious Babylon, like a tiger, has developed a taste for blood (Source 3). Worse than just murdering believers these religious zealots have become “drunk” on it: never being satisfied, causing irrational thinking and actions and ultimately being their undoing.
I marveled with great amazement. As mentioned in Rev. 17:1 (under the notes titled, “The judgment of the great harlot”) in my OPINION John marvels here because he sees Religious Babylon’s outward portrayal of Christianity but in reality they’re slaughtering believers which shocks him. It is similar when we trust a wolf in sheep’s clothing teacher or a brother or sister who appeared to be a Christian but was really a hypocrite, only much worse! Also note that non-Christians “marvel” at the beast (Rev. 17:8). It’s nice to know Guzik agrees (“Because this isn't pagan persecution (such as he knew in his day), but religious error and persecution. This is a psuedo-church, thirsty for the blood of the saints” – Source 6).
17:7. “Why did you marvel?” See note on Rev. 17:6 titled, “I marveled with great amazement” for more.
17:8. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend…was, and is not, and yet is.
This is a demon (“out of the bottomless pit”). Also see note on Rev. 17:11 titled, “Beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven” for more.
Regarding “was”, means was on the earth in the past. It could be the same demon that possessed Alexander the Great, Hitler, Nero, etc. and here is possessing the Anti-Christ.
Regarding “is not”, means is not currently on the earth. Currently on the earth, probably in John’s day but it is very possible that it is here now.
Regarding “yet is”, means still exists and will appear amongst the false church, going “to perdition.”
The word “perdition” is apoleia (G#684) meaning “destroying, utter destruction: of vessels” or “a perishing, ruin, destruction: of money or the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell” (Source 4).
17:9. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. These mountains are kingdoms. 5 are fallen: Egypt, Assyrian, Babylon, Medo-Persians, Greece. Of all the kingdoms of the earth why are these five singled out? Because God is only concerned with His chosen people. Many think these mountains represent Papal Rome (Catholicism) but see below for why it is my OPINION that this isn’t Catholic Rome. MacArthur notes “the 7 mountains in context likely symbolize the 7 kingdoms and their kings of v. 10” (Source 2, p. 2016).
Note that the word is “mountains” which is oros (G#3735) in Greek meaning “a mountain (Source 5). It is used for when Satan took Jesus to an “exceeding high mountain” (Mt. 4:8) and when Jesus says if you have faith the size of a mustard seed then you will be able to cast “this mountain” into the sea (Mt. 17:20). Many say this is Rome but I don’t believe it is. There are several good reasons that people have for thinking this is Rome and what they’re insinuating is that it’s the Romans Catholic religion. One of their points is that Rome was built on 7 hills and has been called “the ‘Seven-Hilled City’” (Source 1, p. 731). The problem is that mountains are different from hills. MacArthur acknowledges that Rome will probably be included in “the final world-wide system of false religion” however it won’t be “limited to, Rome” (Source 2, p. 2016).
17:10. …Seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. See below for who these 7 kings are but also note that 3 are missing
Regarding “five have fallen”, these are probably: Egypt, Assyrian, Babylon, Medo-Persians and Greece - had all fallen at the time of John’s writing. MacArthur agrees with this (Source 2, p. 2016). But why are only these five empires mentioned here? Because God is only concerned with His people, specifically who intereacts with them. Many people don’t understand this because they misinterpret Ez. 23 (2 daughters: Israel and Judah who have been split in God’s mind since before the exodus, vv.2-3, are rejected by God (v. 18) and divorced.
Regarding “one is”, this is probably Rome, which was current to John. MacArthur agrees with this (Source 2, p. 2016). As opposed to the theory that Rome (specifically Roman Catholicism) is one ruling kingdom seated on the 7 mountains (see note on Rev. 17:9 titled, “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits” for more.
Regarding “and the other has not yet come” is the Anti-Christ beginning a kingdom. MacArthur agrees with this (Source 2, p. 2016). 10 fingered and 10 toed is partially weak/ partially strong kingdom.
When he comes, he must continue a short time. This means that he will not come and hang out for a long period of time, instead when he does come he will only last for a brief while.
17:11. Beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven. As explained in Rev. 17:8 this demon has been on the earth in the past (“was”), is not currently on the earth (“is not”), and is the “eighth”. In my OPINION he is possibly a combination of a head, mountain and king all rolled into one. This demon inhabiting the 8th king/kingdom/empire appears to be part of the seven prior, which would make sense if this demon had inhabited these prior empires that he would unite all of the imagery (king/kingdom/empire) in the crescendo of Satan’s plan (however being the eighth means missing the number 7 of perfection). Guzik says “This plainly is a difficult passage!” (Source 6).
Is going to perdition. See note on Rev. 17:8 titled, “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend…was, and is not, and yet is” for the definition of the Greek word apoleia which is “perdition”.
17:12. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as of yet. As seen in multiple places a “horn” stands for power (see Rev. 12:3 note titled, “Ten horns” for more) and here specifically “kings.” These are 10 kings who haven’t come to power yet. They will be puppet kings in that they won’t think for themselves but will be used by the beast.
7:13. Of one mind. We see in Rev. 17:17 that God has made them “to be of one mind” and to give their kingdoms to the beast so He can “fulfill His purpose.”
17:15. The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits. Referencing Rev. 17:1, see note there titled, “the great harlot who sits on many waters” for more.
are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. This shows us that “waters” represent people. See Rev. 4:6 titled, “Sea of glass” for more.
17:18. that great city. For more see note on Rev. 14:8 titled, “Babylon is fallen” and note on Rev. 18:2 titled, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.”
Chapter 17 References:
Source 1: Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 1965.
Source 2: John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997.
Source 3: http://news.discovery.com/animals/do-some-animals-get-a-taste-for-human-blood-140207.htm
Source 4: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G684&t=KJV
Source 5: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3735&t=KJV
Source 6: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_17.cfm?a=1184001