William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Revelation 17:3

Observe here, 1. That St. John was not in one continued ecstasy, but at several times in the spirit, that is, in an ecstasy or rapture of mind, wherein his outward senses being bound up, his understanding was fixed and raised up to the contemplation of divine objects, represented to him in the vision.. spiritual frame of mind is requisite for discerning the visions of God: He carried me away in the spirit.

Observe, 2. The place whither St. John was carried, and where he saw the following vision, namely, in the wilderness; He carried me away into the wilderness;. place of privacy, say some, where he might discern things undisturbedly and undistractedly. Solitude is fittest for contemplation.. wilderness, say others, was the fittest place to see that church in. vision, which was itself. wilderness; the apostolical church before was driven into the wilderness; here the apostate church follows her, as an harlot succeeding to. faithful city.

Observe, 3. The vision itself, I saw. woman sit upon. scarlet- coloured beast, &c. The woman here is the same with her that was called whore, Revelation 17:1. namely, idolatrous Rome; she is represented as. woman richly and splendidly arrayed, with her wealth and riches, with her pomp and power, enticing the world to her idolatry, called so often whoredom and spiritual fornication; and the golden cup in her hand is an allusion to harlots, who with their philters, or enchanted cups, do allure and provoke men to sensual satisfaction; in like manner doth Rome by her outward splendour allure, and by other specious pretences and means draw persons to idolatries and superstitions.

Note lastly, The name written on her forehead, to wit, Mystery, Babylon the Great; that is, not literal, but mystical Babylon, the great city of Rome, the mother of idolatry, the pattern of cruelty, the patroness of all impiety; and propagating all these by her power and policies, who calls herself the mother church, but is indeed the mother of harlots, and of all manner of abominations; that is, of abominable doctrines and practices.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Revelation 17:3

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