The American Wisdom Series

Revelation chapter 17
A "close up" view of the judgment of the "Great Whore"

In chapter 16 we saw the 7 Vials containing the wrath of God poured out upon those who had the mark of the beast in their foreheads (minds) and who worshipped Satan, the false messiah, as Jesus Christ. We will now see one of those 7 angels who poured out the vials come and give us a "close up" view of the judgment of the "Great Whore". Maybe we should update the terminology a little and call her the "Great Slut" because the Holy Spirit wants us to get a real good PICTURE of exactly how He looks upon the false religious system that spews forth from that great city where the "son of perdition" will sit claiming that he is God (2 Thes. 2).  Also, be it known that our Father deals in reality, so if the terminology used here is offensive then one can always go to a church where they only teach nice things like cute little bunny rabbits and Ishtar eggs, real Biblical gems.

Now, if you have read all of God's Word, then you are already familiar with "whores" and "harlots" and how their actions are use to describe "idolatry". You see, idolatry is a far greater sin than being a whore, for the latter is of the flesh but the former is of the spirit. And while most whores know they are "whoring around" most idolaters of religion think they serve God, yet they violate the very 1st Commandment of God.

For those, however, who are not familiar with God's Word, for perhaps they are just beginning to study His Word, then it would serve them well, if they wish to understand this great chapter 17 of Revelation, to first read and understand the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament. Hosea means "salvation" which is what the Book of Hosea is about! That's right, the book titled "Salvation" is in the Old Testament. Then perhaps they will SEE how our Father feels about and looks upon "idolatry", false religion. As the apostle Paul documents in 2 Thes. 2:3, there's a Great Apostasy about to be born and this Great Whore in Rev. 17 will be its mother and give it birth.

So if you read the Book of Hosea you will read that God tells Hosea to go marry a whore! That's right! "Go marry a whore, Hosea! I want you to know what it is like being married to someone who is unfaithful to you!"

Hosea 1:2
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

Hosea 2:2
Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

[3] Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

[4] And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.

[5] For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge...

Here then is verse one of chapter 17:

Rev. 17:1
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

By the way, here's Strong's definition of "whore". It is from where we get the English word "porno".

porne, por'-nay, Greek 4204; feminine of Greek 4205 (pornos); a strumpet; figurative an idolater :- harlot, whore.

Now, looks who's has been sleeping with this whore?

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Now the angel makes good his word and takes John in the spirit to the desolate place, even the place of the desolator, and shows him a PICTURE!

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Hey, we know who the "scarlet coloured beast" is. He's the "Red Dragon" of Rev. 12:3 & 13:1. It is Satan and his power structure. We've identified these 7 heads and 10 horns before!  Now, if we just knew who this woman was! (Let's scan the rest of the chapter and see if we are told who the "woman" is, like we were told what the "waters" were). BINGO! Don't you just love it?

Rev. 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Rev. 11:8
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Let's return to Rev. 17 and learn more about this woman.

Rev. 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Ooooh! Did you see what was in that cup? I don't even want to describe it! Yeeeech!

You know what? We've seen this "golden cup" before. Not only that we've read of the "earth being made drunk with her wine", too! Have you read the entire Bible! Imagine how little we'd know if just ran around with half the book, like just the New Testament, and said "Just believe, little ones, and you'll be safe. Why don't you know, you're going to fly away into a place of safety (the ushers will now pass the collection plate as we listen to the beautiful special music)."

So where did this golden cup come from? Let's read Jeremiah chapter 51 and find out. Here's verses 6 & 7:

Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompence.

[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Again, "confusion" is what Babylon means. Here's Strong's definition of Babylon:

Babel, baw-bel', Hebrew 894; from Hebrew 1101 (balal); confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire :- Babel, Babylon.

Here now is the woman's official title shown to us by the angel:

Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Next we'll document the simplicity of the meaning of this name written upon the woman's forehead!

Have you ever read the book "Sargon the Magnificent" by Mrs. Sidney Bristowe?  It is a remarkable work revealing and tracing Cain in secular history as Sargon of Akkad. It begins with his ousting from the presence of God and his journey into the land of Nod, Sumer, and the founding of Babylon from whence originates the "golden cup" full of abominations. He is reported to have lived 730 years and founded many religions of the earth in his travels including sun worship, dragon worship, etc.,etc.)

We read of John's description of a beautiful woman clothed in purple and scarlet colours and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a "golden cup" in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. In other words, she was gorgeous, but she was a whore! She had a name on her forehead which we will look at again shortly.

But first, haven't you ever wondered how it could possibly be that Satan when he comes to earth is able to "deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:9)?  If what "main stream" Christianity is teaching, i.e. their traditional doctrines, is true, then how could this be? Is the majority right when most professing Christians are completely Biblically illiterate? Think about it? If a person is deceived it means that they believe something to be true that is, in fact, not so. Folks, it is "religion" that prevents our people from seeing the truth of God's Word.

So, while the majority of Christianity today teaches that Jesus Christ can return at any moment, both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul WARNED about being deceived concerning His return. Jesus said repeatedly that many would come claiming to represent Him, i.e. as Christian ministers, and would deceive MANY, the multitudes, not just a few! Take a look at what the majority teaches concerning our gathering back to Christ, then read what Paul says in 2 Thes. 2. Here it is:

2 Thes. 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 Thes. 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Satan will be revealed as Jesus Christ! It is a mystery to most. Hang on a few verses!

[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

musterion, moos-tay'-ree-on, Greek 3466; from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) :- mystery.

Note: Many, way too many, churches teach that the "only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" in verse 7 refers to the Holy Spirit departing the earth when they are Raptured away. That's because the "mystery" has already completely taken over their unlearned minds. They are not going anywhere before Satan as the spurious messiah is revealed. Paul just said so in plain and simple language.

The subject being discussed is when will the "man of sin" be revealed? The answer is when Michael let's him go in Rev. 12:7-9. Michael is holding him back! Here's verse 7 from the Living Bible translation:

2 Thes. 2:7 As for the work this man of rebellion and hell will do when he comes, it is already going on, but he himself will not come until the one who is holding him back steps out of the way. (Living Bible)

Back to the KJV and continuing in 2 Thes.:

2 Thes. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Forehead = Brain location
Mystery is "musterion" = Hidden Religion
Babylon = Confusion
Mother = One who gives birth, brings forth
Harlots & Whores (same Greek word) = Idolaters
Abominations = Idolatries
Earth = World

Rev. 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Note: Did you know that our Father chose Jerusalem to become the Headquarters of the Universe? You can read of it in Ezekiel 16 where He "took to wife" that location, and in Rev. 21 we see the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to that location. Is it any wonder that Satan has so attacked this great city and has chosen it for his headquarters when he comes here with an "in your face" attitude?

It is true that the great city, Jerusalem, has been filled with the blood of saints and the blood of martyrs down through the ages. But the context of this chapter 17 is the judgment time of the great whore, when Satan and his angels will sit in the temple of that great city, exercising world domination both religiously and politically and shall kill the two witnesses as we learned in chapter 11. Then shall there be great rejoicing and merrymaking.

Rev. 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

[8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

[10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Rev. 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

[8] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

And in verse 8 we also read for the "umpteenth time" that if you are not one of God's elect, if your name is not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, then you are going to love this beast! (For a further explanation of "from the foundation of the world" as also spoken of by the apostle Paul, visit Ephesians here on the site.

We continue now with who the beast is:

Rev. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

Note: Many people would like to say that this means the "great city" is San Francisco or Rome or some other city that is built on 7 literal mountains. But first of all, the woman isn't even the subject. It's the beast and his political system. The angel doesn't change the subject to the woman until verse 18. That is why this verse is prefaced with "here is the mind which has wisdom". Wisdom comes from knowing God's Word, all of it. If you do then this verse and this chapter is a "no brainer". If you don't, you'll probably get out a topographical map and look for cities built on mountains. It's your choice.

[10] And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Now, verse 11 makes it really simple. Again, what is the subject? We are talking about the beast that was and is not. The beast is who? Satan! In as much as he will also have an 8th role at the end of the Millennium, he is of the seven, ALL SEVEN, because he was 1-5 and is now 6 and shall be 7, i.e. he is all seven kings. So just as the 8th is of the 7, the 7th is of the 6, and the 6th is of the 5. The 7 kings are the same king in series of reigns not 7 contemporary kings.

Here come the 10 kings who are contemporary kings:

[12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

[14] These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Rev. 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

[16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

[17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Next we will get an even closer view of the Great Fall of the Great Babylon of the end times. It is most fascinating indeed!

In chapter 17 we learned that the great whore who "sitteth upon many waters (peoples of the world)", was is not a woman at all, but is in fact that Great City, which will reign over the kings of the earth, the city where the beast, Satan, sits atop the one world political and religious systems, the city in which the son of perdition sits in the temple and claims he is Jesus Christ. The woman is that great city, Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified.

Let's review the last verse of chapter 17 so that no one gets any brainy idea to identify the woman as something other than that great city.

Rev. 17:18
And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

And so we see and understand why people are confused! They believe their religion, their church, is right and holy and pure and good! They cannot see that they have already been led astray from the TRUTH by the traditions of men, perpetuated by Biblically illiterate pastors and ministers, though many are well meaning, who follow the doctrines of their church. But they lead our people astray from the God's Word and let them wander the hills of confusion!

Is something new? Not a chance! It's been going on since ancient Babylon who "hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad (Jeremiah 51:7)."

In order for us to more fully understand this chapter 18 of Revelation we all need to go back and read the 50th and 51st chapters of the Book of Jeremiah. It concerns Babylon and it will read much like that which we shall read in Revelation 18 and it is relative to TODAY!

The apostle Paul taught us a principle that we must always remember as we study God's Word. And that is that the history of the events that happened to our people occurred and are recorded as examples for us, in these end times, TODAY, to LEARN from and SEE in detail the types set forth.

1 Cor. 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

It will not be "Jesus in Jerusalem" when the false-christ arrives. It will be "Satan in Babylon"!

The false messiah comes first but he will "Look Like the Lamb Slain", "With Two Horns", i.e. wielding both the power of King of kings and Lord of lords, both the powers of the one world political system and the worldwide religious system with him as Jesus who performs miracles in the sight of men. Do you remember chapter 13? Rev. 13:11 "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." The "beast", the "dragon"! Come on, you know who that is! We've seen it revealed many times?  In the last chapter, Rev. 17:8, we were even told that the beast is the son of perdition. What does it take for a person to "see"?

Satan is coming as Jesus Christ and the whole world will believe him! It is that simple, but the world doesn't see it. The waters are confused because they have sipped from the filthy, muddy, golden cup of Babylon. And if they don't wake up they will get to share the whore's name, which is the same as the beast's mark!  Why? Because you be a little HARLOT! You'll be worshipping Satan!

You remember the "Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne?  Well, you'll get to wear (not literally, of course) the "Scarlet Number" by Satan the Beast, which is "666" !

So our people are confused and led astray. Whose fault is that, other than their own for not studying His Word? Have you read Jeremiah 50 and 51 yet?

Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.