Two-Edged Sword Ministries
Revelation 17 introduces a woman as a mysterious prostitute ...
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." [ Rev 17:1-2 NIV]
"Prostitution is explained in detail throughout the old and new testaments. It always refers to an apostate religion or where the word of God has been tainted by man. " We have also seen in the study of Revelation, chapter 3, that the church of Thyatira was being tainted by a prostitute. Prostitution, in the Bible, involves influencing the people of God in such a manner where they are taught doctrines and beliefs that are contrary to the word of God. Over the centuries, this occurred in different forms. This woman is referred to as a "Great prostitute" who has many people influenced by her. Let us now consider what Revelation 17 reveals about her character:
She was a great prostitute - The fact that she is identified as a prostitute immediately tells us that she is a religious system. Harlotry has always been indicative in the Bible of a false religious spirit.
She sits on many waters - "The many waters refers to the nations and its people. We do not need to interpret this either as verse 15 tells us she represents many nations, peoples and tongues of the world. This
Rulers of the Nations are drunk with her immorality. She had a gold cup filled with her immorality. - "Once again, this confirms that this prostitute is a religious system that influences the rulers of the nations and they accept her distorted teachings."
"We have already examined the prophecies relating to the scarlet beast and have shown her to be the revived Roman Empire. Therefore, this woman must be influential over the entire area of this revived empire; and obviously have an enormous effect on borders outside this empire, as the previous scriptures have indicated that she influenced many tongues and peoples of the world.
The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing.
She was covered with beautiful jewellery - "signifies that this prostitute was extremely wealthy"
Her name was a mystery. It was "Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World." - John does not imply that she is Babylon the literal city, but rather associates her name with Babylon which was previously the symbol of ultimate immorality against God. She is not only shown as a prostitute but is a breeding ground of many other prostitutes. After all, if she was Babylon, the city, she could never be a mystery. It is also important to consider that what is a mystery for the world; is not a mystery for Gods people ... consider why did Jesus speak in parables?
She was drunk with blood of Gods' Holy people who were witnesses for Jesus - "There is no doubt that this is referring to the Jews themselves. Jesus was born a Jew and is a witness to the world. That is why; Jesus said himself - Salvation is first for the Jews". Obviously, it might also include Christian persecution, as we see that many believers in Christ die on the release on seal number five. This also implies that this religious system has been in existance for many years.
There are many different viewpoints as to who this woman is. These viewpoints include the woman being identified as Jerusalem, the U.S.A., Rome, an apostate religious system; or specifically the Roman Catholic church, including some really wonderful flyers.
Some of them even present initially compelling evidence. So let us now carefully consider some of the evidence against what we have gathered about this woman.
Some of them even present initially compelling evidence. So let us now carefully consider some of the evidence against what we have gathered about this woman.
Does the U.S.A., Jerusalem, Rome or the literal city of Babylon fulfil the scriptural requirements of the "woman that rides the beast"?
First of all note that no city can fulfil the role of this woman. This woman is described as a religious/political system. She has influence over the whole world in terms of morality and the word of God - In fact, she is a blasphemer; which shows that she openly negates or challenges the word of God. Also the scriptures reveal quiet clearly that she has influence over all the rulers and nations of the world. Jerusalem, Rome, Babylon or the U.S.A. does not rule the whole world, no matter how we try to fit it. Jerusalem; can never qualify in any event; as it makes no sense for the city of Jerusalem to kill its own people; as remember, she was responsible for the killing of God's holy ones; which we know scripturally are the Jews.
Does "Apostate Chrisitianity" or the "Roman Catholic Church" fit the description of this Woman?
What? A few people just fell off there chairs. Before you panic, remember that this "woman" has existed for many years and will be clearly aligned with the kingdom of the beast identified as the revival of the former Roman Empire.
It is not our desire to knock those believers in the Catholic church, as they do form part of the church of Christ who has also performed many wonderful works over the centuries. And of course, lets not forget from the message to the seven churches, that every church has its faults. But the scriptures helps us identify this woman as the "Apostate" form of the Roman Catholic church by providing the following evidence:
It is not our desire to knock those believers in the Catholic church, as they do form part of the church of Christ who has also performed many wonderful works over the centuries. And of course, lets not forget from the message to the seven churches, that every church has its faults. But the scriptures helps us identify this woman as the "Apostate" form of the Roman Catholic church by providing the following evidence:
We are told point blank in verse nine; that the woman resides in the city of Seven hills. This confirms the fact that the woman is indeed seated in Rome. Rome initially formed on seven hills and most historical evidences or writings refer to Rome as being situated on seven hills. In fact, there has been no other city that has been referred to as being situated on seven hills. We also know from the above description that she was riding on the beast.
Having studied the kingdom prophecies and the beast of revelation 13, we realize that it is the revision of the Old Roman Empire that has to take place in the last days. The prostitute is also shown as riding on the head of the beast; in other words, she exerts influence and control over the nations and its people in the Revised Roman Empire territories.
Having studied the kingdom prophecies and the beast of revelation 13, we realize that it is the revision of the Old Roman Empire that has to take place in the last days. The prostitute is also shown as riding on the head of the beast; in other words, she exerts influence and control over the nations and its people in the Revised Roman Empire territories.
In verse 18, John tells us that this woman represents the great city that rules "is ruling" over the kings of the earth. In John's day, it was the city of Rome that ruled over the earth. Take note; she is not described as being the great city; but once again showing that she is associated with this city. Where is the Vatican? - the headquarters of the roman Catholic church ... Rome!
And of course, don't forget that the Roman Catholic church spans accross all the continents of the earth. In fact, the world heralds her as the official spokesperson on behalf of Christianity. She is incredibly wealthy and incidently the clergyman use the colour purple quite commonly. But let him that has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the seven churches ...
We recall from the studies of Revelation, chapter two that there was one church that would be thrown into the great tribulation. This church, Thyatira; although existing before the Roman Catholic church came into being, also had a prostitute that obscured the word of God and influenced its people. We also illustrated how through history these seven churches represented clearly marked stages in history. This was the tolerating age; represented by the Roman catholic rule over the nations - Is this mere prophetic co-incidence?
Also note, from the message to the seven churches, that this "prostitute" would not only be thrown into the great tribulation; but we learn from Revelation 2:23; that her children will perish during this period; as a result of following its teachings; whilst the remainder was told that they must wait for Christ to appear. In fact, the scriptures even point out that there are deeper things being planned by Satan for this church. For those that do not know these deeper things, God won't judge, but insists that they just focus on His return.
Here, in Revelation 17, we are told that the Antichrist will destroy this woman and burn her with fire once she has accomplished his purpose. The judgments of this woman is swift and certain.
Many believe that at this stage, the antichrist declares himself to be God in the temple of the Jews and moves his centre of worship to the original city of Babylon and in the process, turns against the woman who drew so many people to support him.
Also note, from the message to the seven churches, that this "prostitute" would not only be thrown into the great tribulation; but we learn from Revelation 2:23; that her children will perish during this period; as a result of following its teachings; whilst the remainder was told that they must wait for Christ to appear. In fact, the scriptures even point out that there are deeper things being planned by Satan for this church. For those that do not know these deeper things, God won't judge, but insists that they just focus on His return.
Here, in Revelation 17, we are told that the Antichrist will destroy this woman and burn her with fire once she has accomplished his purpose. The judgments of this woman is swift and certain.
Many believe that at this stage, the antichrist declares himself to be God in the temple of the Jews and moves his centre of worship to the original city of Babylon and in the process, turns against the woman who drew so many people to support him.
Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa
Copyright © May 2003 [ T.E.S. Ministries ]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
Scripture quotations marked " NIV " are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by Permission of Zondervan Publishing house [2]