Revelation 17

The Woman and the Beast

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: Judgment: Revelation 15:1, 16:19, 19:2, Isaiah 1:21. Parallel theme: Revelation 21:9, Isaiah 57:3, Jeremiah 2:20, 51:13 +3

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. Kingdom: Revelation 17:17, 18:3, 18:9. Creation: Revelation 14:8, Jeremiah 51:7. Parallel theme: Revelation 3:10, 18:23 +2

3 So he carried me away in the spiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. 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. Spirit: Revelation 21:10, Ezekiel 8:3. Parallel theme: Revelation 12:3, 12:6, 12:14, 17:4, 17:18, Daniel 7:8, 7:20, 7:25 +5

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: Parallel theme: Revelation 14:8, 18:12, 18:16, 19:2, 1 Kings 14:24, Jeremiah 51:7, Lamentations 1:9, Ezekiel 24:11, 24:13, Daniel 11:38 +5

5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. References Babylon: Revelation 14:8, 16:19, 18:2, 18:21. Parallel theme: Revelation 17:7, 19:2, Isaiah 3:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:7 +3

6 And I saw the woman drunken with the bloodBlood: αἷμα (Haima). The Greek haima (αἷμα) denotes blood. Christ's blood 'cleanseth us from all sin' (1 John 1:7), securing 'eternal redemption' (Hebrews 9:12) through His once-for-all sacrifice. Believers have been 'purchased with his own blood' (Acts 20:28). of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. Holy: Revelation 13:7, 16:6, Daniel 7:25. Blood: Revelation 12:11, Acts 22:20. Parallel theme: Revelation 2:13, 13:15, Habakkuk 1:13 +3

7 And the angelAngel: ἄγγελος (Angelos). The Greek angelos (ἄγγελος) means angel or messenger. Angels announced Christ's birth (Luke 2:9-14), ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11), and will accompany His return (Matthew 25:31). 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. Parallel theme: Revelation 17:8

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 3:5, 3:10, 11:7, 17:11, Daniel 7:11, Matthew 25:34, John 17:24, Ephesians 1:4, Titus 1:2 +4

The Mystery Explained

9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. Parallel theme: Revelation 13:1, 13:18, 17:3, 17:7, 17:18, Daniel 12:4, Hosea 14:9, Matthew 13:11, 24:15 +4

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 17:8

12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdomKingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia). The Greek basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom—both the realm ruled and the exercise of royal authority. The 'kingdom of God' is central to Jesus' teaching, representing God's saving rule breaking into history. as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Kingdom: Daniel 7:24. Parallel theme: Revelation 12:3, 13:1, 17:16, 18:10, 18:17, 18:19, Daniel 7:20 +3

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Parallel theme: Revelation 17:17, Ezekiel 38:10, Philippians 1:27, 2:2

14 These shall make war with the LambLamb: ἀμνός / ἀρνίον (Amnos / Arnion). The Greek amnos (ἀμνός) means lamb. John declared Jesus 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). In Revelation, Christ is the slain Lamb (arnion) who alone is worthy to open the scroll., 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. Kingdom: Revelation 16:14, Daniel 2:47, 1 Timothy 6:15. Faith: Revelation 1:5, 2:10. References Lord: Deuteronomy 10:17, Jeremiah 1:19. Parallel theme: Revelation 3:21, Matthew 22:14, Romans 8:30 +5

15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Parallel theme: Revelation 10:11, 11:9, 17:1, Psalms 65:7, Jeremiah 51:13, 51:55

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. Parallel theme: Revelation 18:8, 18:19, Leviticus 21:9

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. References God: Revelation 10:7, 2 Corinthians 8:16. Kingdom: Ezra 7:27, Proverbs 21:1. Word: John 13:18. Parallel theme: Revelation 17:13, Psalms 105:25, Jeremiah 32:40, Luke 22:22, John 13:2 +5

18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Parallel theme: Revelation 16:19, 18:2