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NASB | Revelation 17:18 "The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 17:18 "The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over and dominates and controls the kings and the political leaders of the earth." |
Subject: Who is the great harlot in Rev. 17? |
Bible Note: From www.blueletterbible.org: "David Guzik Study Guide for Revelation Chapter 17 (Part 2 of 3) Revelation 17 - The Fall of Religious Babylon i. This harlot must be larger than any one branch of a religious institution; she is the embodiment of Satan's own ecumenical movement - the religion of the world system ii. Our world, with its "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe" philosophy is ripe for the harlot's seductions; we see the casual disregard for the truth crippling the church today g. She not only persecutes; she revels in her persecution of the godly as a drunk revels in wine h. Why is John amazed? Because this isn't pagan persecution (such as he knew in his day), but religious error and persecution; this is a psuedo-church after the blood of the saints i. We should never forget that some of the most vicious persecution conducted against true Christians has been done in the name of the church; in the days when the Roman Catholic Queen Mary ruled England (known as "Bloody Mary" for good reason), some 288 Christians were burnt at the stake for their stand for Christian truth between 1555 and 1558. The first of these martyrs was a man named John Rogers, who, as he stood chained to a stake, and the fire rose around him, up to his legs and shoulders, he rubbed his hands in the flames as if he were washing his hands in cold water; then he lifted his hands to the heavens and held them high until he was completely consumed by fire. This barbarity was committed in the name of religion, in the name of the church. But Rogers went to the stake with such calm and dignity that the French Ambassador wrote that he went to his death "as if he was walking to his wedding." His courage was so evident that the huge crowd burst into applause when they saw him walking to the stake." C. The great harlot is interpreted 1. (7) The angel tells John that the harlot will be explained to him a. The focus of the explanation is on the beast; it appeared that the harlot ruled (rode) the Antichrist's system, but he is the dynamic factor, using her as tyrants have always used religion - as a mere tool to accomplish their purposes 2. (8) The beast is plainly connected with the beast of chapter 13 3. (9) Seven mountains a. Many associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills; yet, literally, the Greek word means mountains, not hills b. But, mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains c. It is probably better to see the seven mountains as the seven kings/kingdoms described in verse 10; many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism as irresistible; yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be bigger than Roman Catholicism i. Indications about Roman Catholicism's ultimate partnership with a one-world religion are evident in Pope John Paul II's bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions ii. In addressing a prayer gathering of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were "unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace"; the Pope pledged that "the Catholic Church intends to 'share in and promote' such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation." iii. The Catholic Review commented on this and said, "The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and leading to toward the light in which we all believe. 4. (10) Seven kings/kingdoms a. Some have looked to explain these seven kings, five past, one present, and one to come in the succession of Roman Emperors in John's era; but there are many difficulties with this approach b. More likely, it is a reference to the five world empires preceding John's day (Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece), the one of his day (Rome), and the one world empire to come (a revival of the Roman Empire)" (Part 2 of 3) |