Revelation 17 - Introduction

Introduction

This chapter will focus on Babylon. She is also known as the “great whore” (KJV) and “great harlot” (NKJV & ASV). To understand the interpretation of these symbolic terms, it is important to notice the terms that are used to describe her. In verse 2 she is described as “drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

There are two possible explanations given.

1. Apostates. This harlot represents those who claim to believe in God but have abandoned Him to avoid persecution. This would include, as Woodruff comments, “anyone who claims to follow God but not according to the teachings of the New Testament. It also includes anyone who has been a member of the church but has left to follow other gods.” (1, 292-293) This view finds the harlot represents spiritual adultery. There is some reference to this type figurative language in the Old Testament. (Exodus 34:14; Exodus 34:17; Jeremiah 3:1) Israel was in covenant with God. When they began to worship idols, they committed spiritual adultery. I was leaning this direction until I came to 17:2. This view fails to explain verse two.

2. Immorality. It is my view that the harlot represents all forms of immorality. Satan used persecuting governments in seeking to destroy the church. He used false teachers to lead people astray. He also used immorality. Baalam did this. (2:14) He led the people of Israel into adultery. I believe that the woman, Babylon, the great harlot, represents all manner of immoral behavior.