Revelation 17

 Wow! What another beautiful day we were blessed with yesterday! After a great Bible study, I spent most of the day running some errands and getting some last-minute things done. But I did have some time to get outside and (as my mom used to say) "get the stink blown off me"! Today looks like another good one! It is lectionary day for me and then lunch at McCoys! I have never been there, so I am excited! By the way- the sunrise this morning was beautiful!

This morning's sunrise!

Today's reading focuses on Babylon and the "Great Whore of Babylon". Babylon is mentioned about 300 times in the Bible; it is the second most named city after Jerusalem! Babylon was a real city at one time; it is associated with idol worship, lust, greed, and the persecution of God's people. In John's time, Babylon often referred to Rome.

Some backstory to "help" things?! Babylon was a religious city, but their religion was founded on Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod (great grandson of Noah). She claimed to have given birth to a son (Tammuz) without having intercourse who was called the Messiah. He was reportedly killed by a wild beast and then brought back to life a few days later. Story sound familiar?! Ezekial (8:4) protests worship of Tammuz.

Babylon is an international character, as she sits on many waters (v 1). This "woman" is a false religion that will persuade many nations to come to her idolatry. Remember- Rome at this time was a powerful international force that "persuaded" many people to follow their way. A powerful system (religious or otherwise) can make people "drunk" and they will follow them. This is Babylon- the false idol making people think she is the way to follow. 

The angel that John is with (one of the seven that poured out the plagues) takes him to the wilderness and John sees the whore (Babylon) riding the demon beast we met in 13:1- Satan, the Antichrist. She is associating with the Antichrist! Her riding shows that they are intimately associated- she is in control, yet still relies on the power of the beast. If you have ever ridden a horse- you know that feeling. You are in control yet dependent upon the power of the horse. She wears purple and scarlet- colors of royalty and splendor. Roman prostitutes often wore a headband with their name on it; this whore of Babylon had her name on her forehead! She is the embodiment of Satan's world and revels in the fact that people have spilled their blood (the martyrs).

"The Whore of Babylon"
1523, woodcut, Hans Burgkmair

John is amazed (v 6) at the pseudo-religious aspect of delighting in the blood of the martyrs! The angel goes on to explain who the whore is and who the beast is. The seven heads are related to the seven mountains; Rome and the Catholic papacy is identified here. Rome is known as the city of seven hills (mountains). Some see it as the seven kingdoms identified in 17:10. The majority of theologians see Rome and the Catholic church here. The early Roman Catholic Church wanted complete universal control of the world. The angel talks about the seven heads- each head represents a king or empire. The five kings that have fallen may have been the five Roman emperors that predated John or may have been the empires Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Meso- Persia, and Greece. One refers to Rome during John's time, and the one to come is the revival of the Roman empire (maybe??). The seventh king is the clearly the beast (Satan).

The angel then talks about the horns. There are 10. There is no clear idea who the ten are (some think the nations of the European Economic Community). Whoever these ten are, they will ally with Satan, the Beast and wage war on Jesus (the Lamb). The whore comes back wielding power and influence on all of these nations and kings. 

There is a turn of events though. The Whore has helped the beast, but once the beast gets what "he" wants, the Beast will destroy the whore.  Once Satan gains control, Satan will have no need for Babylon and will destroy Babylon. God will use the ten kings (the horns of the beast) to do God's will and destroy Babylon. Will God use an evil group to further God's goal?

The angel concludes by saying "that woman was the great city". Rome was the great city during John's time. Is this story prophesying the fall of Rome? Rome did fall eventually. Food for thought!

Some confusion here in this chapter, but an interesting read! Tomorrow we read more of the fall of Babylon!

Have a great day! Thanks for the hard work. I cannot believe we are almost done!

Shalom+

Pastor Paul