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13. What is significant about the “great city” being divided in connection with the seventh bowl?
REVELATION – LESSON 8
I. JUDGEMENT UPON THE GREAT HARLOT (17:1-
A. The “great harlot” (17:1) – the city of Rome (17:18) representing seductive materialism and worldly lust and power
1. Sits upon many waters – widespread influence through commerce on many peoples (17:1, 15)
2. Kings of the earth commit fornication with her – united with her in false religion of emperor worship for selfish gain (17:2).
3. Sits on scarlet colored beast – scarlet suggests royalty and luxury which Rome had as supported by Roman Empire (17:3).
4. Arrayed in luxury, but holds abominable things (17:4)
5. Upon her forehead her true character is set forth – “MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (17:5).
6. Drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus – cause of great amazement as a strong center for persecutions (17:6)
7. Rome is the sum of the four harlot cities of the Old Testament:
a. Nineveh – harlot of conquest and cruelty (Nah. 3:1,4)
b. Tyre – harlot of commerce (Isa. 23:15-
c. Babylon – harlot of pride and pleasure (Isa. 47:5-
d. Jerusalem – harlot of unrighteousness and religious whoredom (Isa. 1:21, Jer. 2:20)
B. The scarlet colored beast – the supporting Roman Empire (17:3, 8-
1. Same beast as revealed in chapter 13 – similar characteristics
2. Seven heads – seven mountains – seven kings (17:9-
a. Rome was a city known as built upon “seven hills.”
b. Seven emphasizes the completeness of the emperors in their
worldly wisdom and power as they dwelt in Rome – figuratively presenting Past, Present and Future. Five are fallen (many of the rulers had already fallen) one is (in power at the present –
Domitian) and one is not yet come (there will be more after Domitian, but only for a little while).
3. Beast is also “an eighth” and is “of the seven” (17:11)
a. While the Roman Empire was supporting lustful Rome, another facet of the “beast” would appear after the fall of the Roman Empire. Though not a world empire, it would have the character of the beast in that it would be antagonistic toward the principles of God. It would be of the seven in that through rulers it would continue to support lust, greed and materialism.
b. After the Empire is destroyed, an enemy of God and His people would arise (Gog and Magog) only to be destroyed or suffer perdition (cf. 19:20; 20:7-
4. The ten horns: the vassal kings who support the Roman Empire (17:12-
a. Receives no kingdom, but receives authority through Rome for a short time – one hour (17:12)
b. Have one mind – obey Rome (17:12)
c. Wars against the lamb – the cause of Christ and His faithful ones (17:14)
d. Shall hate the harlot – only serve for selfish gain (17:16-
C. The fall of Babylon – seductive Rome is judged (18:1-
1. Angel lights earth with authoritative announcement that Babylon is fallen (18:1-
2. Rome deserves to fall because she has become a guard or prison for unclean spirits and things (18:2b-
3. Saints are called to have no fellowship with her idolatry, and therefore escape God’s wrath that is to come upon her. God will “double unto her the double according to her works” – will reward her with a balanced or proper punishment for her severe works (18:4-
a. Rome’s sinful works are on one side of the scale and God’s punishment is on the other side; Rome filled her cup with wine of sin now God was filling another cup – thus making 2 or “double” – with His judicial wrath. (cf. Isa. 40:2, Jer. 16:18).
4. She thought herself as “queen” – boastful of position, “not a widow” – not in need; never will mourn – never will sorrow; but she would suffer destruction, like the Babylon of old (18:7-
a. Destruction would come suddenly in contrast to such boastful pride – total ruin (death, mourning, famine and fire).
b. Many kings, merchants, shipping people will mourn her demise (selfishly) (18:9, 11-
c. Heaven, saints, apostles, prophets – God’s persecuted cause and people rejoice that they have been vindicated (18:20).
5. Rome, like a millstone cast into the sea, never to rise again as it once was in its prosperity (18:21-
a. Amusement, business, home-
D. Saints have reason to rejoice (19:1-
1. Four “hallelujah’s” (19:1-
a. Rome judged for her whoredom and bloodshed of God’s servants; Lord reigns in truth and righteousness.
2. The marriage (espousal) of lamb is come (19:7-
a. Espousal is described in Scripture as marriage (cf. Matt. 1:18,20; 2 Cor. 11:2) – saints made ready by “righteous acts.”
b. Final consummation later (cf. Rev. 21-
3. John, in awe, falls before the angel to worship him. – told to worship God (created beings).
a. Angel is a fellow servant with those who hold the testimony of Jesus – the life of the prophecy of this book.
QUESTIONS:
1. What TWO general characteristics describe the woman in chapters 17-
2. Is the great harlot a “city?”
3. Identify the “mighty waters” upon which the harlot is sitting:
4. Identify the “great harlot:”
5. What similarities exist between the beat of Revelation 13 and the beast of Revelation 17?
6. Why is the “scarlet” connected with the beast of Revelation 17
7. Who are the “seven heads?”
8. How is the beast “an eighth” and yet “one of the seven?”
9. Identify the “ten horns” in Revelation 17:
10. What two things do they do in connection with the beast?
11. Why is it imperative to “not have fellowship” with Babylon the great’s sins?
12. What does it mean for God to render to the great harlot “double?”
13. Who mourns over the fall of Babylon the great? Why?
14. Who rejoices over the fall of Babylon the great? Why?
15. Why is the great city described as a great millstone cast into the sea?
16. What does “hallelujah” mean?
17. For what two reasons did God judge the great harlot?
18. The marriage of the lamb that is come refers to what part of the ancient custom of marriage?
19. Who is the wife of the lamb? What is she wearing?
20. Why does the angel tell John not to worship him?
21. What relationship does the testimony of Jesus have with the prophecy of this book?