Revelation 17 brings us into a vision of judgment upon Babylon, the great city that represents the corrupted systems of the world. In this chapter, we are shown the fall of the world’s most seductive and rebellious power, the one that has led countless people astray through its immorality and defiance of God. This passage forces us to examine the forces at work in our own world and to consider how we are influenced by them. Are we aligning ourselves with God, or are we entangled in the ways of the world?
The chapter begins with one of the seven angels who carried the bowls of God’s wrath calling John to witness the judgment of “the great prostitute.” This figure represents a corrupt and seductive world system, enticing people with wealth, power, and sinful pleasures. She sits on many waters, symbolizing her influence over peoples, nations, and rulers. The world, in its rebellion, often presents evil as attractive, and we are constantly being pulled in different directions. This vision reminds us to be discerning, recognizing what is truly of God and what is meant to deceive.
John is then carried in the Spirit to the wilderness, where he sees this woman riding a scarlet beast covered in blasphemous names. The beast has seven heads and ten horns, resembling the creature we saw earlier in Revelation. This imagery connects the woman to the evil world powers that oppose God. She is dressed in rich purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls—everything that signifies luxury and wealth. In her hand is a golden cup, but it is filled with abominations and the filth of her immorality. What looks desirable on the outside is actually poisoned with corruption and sin. The world often masks its evil with glamour, but here we are reminded to look beyond appearances and see things as God does.
The woman’s forehead bears a name: "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth." Babylon has long symbolized a world power that stands against God. From ancient times, it represented pride, idolatry, and opposition to God’s kingdom. In this vision, it stands for the final great system of wickedness, the spiritual enemy that has intoxicated the world with its rebellion. The woman is drunk with the blood of the saints, showing how she has persecuted and killed those who belong to God. This reminds us that standing for God’s truth in a fallen world often comes with a cost.
John is astonished by this vision, but the angel explains the meaning behind it. The beast she rides is one that “was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss.” This language hints at the deceptive and cyclical nature of worldly powers—they rise, fall, and rise again, always trying to mimic God’s eternal nature. Yet despite their temporary influence, they are doomed to destruction. The beast’s seven heads are described as both seven mountains and seven kings. This likely symbolizes kingdoms and rulers that have played a role in history, leading up to a final kingdom that will arise before being destroyed.
The ten horns represent ten kings who have not yet received power but will rule for a short time with the beast. They will join forces, giving their authority to the beast in opposition to God. These leaders will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them. This is a reminder that no matter how powerful the forces of evil seem, Jesus reigns supreme. The world may rebel, but it cannot defeat God’s kingdom. We are called to remain steadfast in this truth, trusting in Christ’s victory.
The angel also reveals that the waters on which the woman sits represent the multitudes of people she has influenced. The beast and its ten kings will ultimately turn against the woman, bringing her to ruin. This is a striking image—evil destroys itself. The very powers that once supported Babylon will tear her apart, and this will happen according to God’s sovereign plan. This reminds us that the world’s systems, no matter how strong they seem, are built on instability and will not last.
At the end of the chapter, the angel confirms the identity of the woman: she is "the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth." This points to a dominant world power, not just in a political sense, but in the way it controls minds and hearts through its values, wealth, and influence. This world system demands our loyalty, urging us to compromise our faith for comfort, security, and pleasure. But in the end, it will fall.
Revelation 17 is a wake-up call. It warns us about the seductive nature of sin and the systems that oppose God. The world tries to lure us into its ways, promising us success, pleasure, and acceptance, but ultimately, it is leading to destruction. The things we see as powerful today will not last. The nations, governments, and institutions that seem immovable are, in reality, temporary and fragile. Only God’s kingdom is eternal.
This chapter challenges us to examine our allegiances. Are we drawn to the wealth and influence of Babylon, or are we committed to the Lamb? It can be easy to be deceived by the glittering temptations of the world, but we must remain focused on the truth that only Christ brings lasting life and security.
At the same time, this chapter is also a message of hope. The forces of evil may seem to have the upper hand for a time, but their end is certain. God is in control, and His plan will unfold exactly as He intends. The Lamb will triumph, and those who are with Him—those who are called, chosen, and faithful—will share in His victory.
As we reflect on this passage, we are encouraged to stay faithful, to resist the pressures of the world, and to live in the hope of God’s coming kingdom. The world around us may be entangled in Babylon’s influence, but we do not have to be. We can choose to stand apart, to align ourselves with Christ, and to remain firm in our faith, knowing that in the end, righteousness will prevail.