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Revelation 17 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. ²The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” ³And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. ⁵And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. ⁶I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her. ⁷“Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns. ⁸The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be. ⁹This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. ¹⁰There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction. ¹²The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings, along with the beast. ¹³These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.” ¹⁵Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. ¹⁶And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. ¹⁷For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. ¹⁸And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

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Revelation

Revelation 17

"The Fall of Babylon"

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Detailed Analysis

Event Description

Vision of the Prostitute: An angel shows John a vision of a woman sitting on a scarlet beast full of blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns. The woman is described as "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth." The Woman's Adornments and Cup: The woman is adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She holds a golden cup filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries, symbolizing the seductive and corrupting influence of Babylon. Drunken with the Blood of Saints: The woman is drunk with the blood of God's holy people and the witnesses of Jesus, indicating her persecution of the saints.

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Downfall of Corrupt Babylon

The Vision of Depravity: Picture the vivid and disturbing image of the richly adorned woman on the beast, representing the zenith of human corruption and opposition to divine authority. The Beast's Nature and Allies: Visualize the complex nature of the beast and its alliance with the ten horns, a confederation destined for self-destruction and divine judgment. The Lamb's Ultimate Victory: Amidst this dark portrayal, remember the assurance of the Lamb's victory, a beacon of hope and divine sovereignty over all earthly powers.

The Downfall of Corrupt Babylon

Song

Babylon's Demise

Full Poem

THE HARLOT'S OPULENT GUISE Upon the beast, she boldly rides, In luxury's lap, where sin resides. Babylon the Great, in gold arrayed, With saints' blood, her path is laid. THE BEAST'S EIGHTH FORM The beast of old, from the Abyss it rises, In its wake, mankind's demise. Seven hills and kings, its power claims, An eighth yet comes, in shadows and flames. THE LAMB'S TRIUMPHANT STAND Against the Lamb, they dare to fight, But He prevails, in His might. King of kings, and Lord of lords, In His victory, our hope restored.

Conclusion

Corruption, Judgment, and Divine Victory: Chapter 17 paints a picture of the ultimate corruption and fall of Babylon, a symbol of worldly systems opposed to God, and contrasts this with the inevitable victory of the Lamb. Cross-References: Isaiah 21:9: The fall of Babylon proclaimed, "Babylon has fallen, has fallen!" Daniel 2:31-45: Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue representing various kingdoms, culminating in God's eternal kingdom. 1 Timothy 6:15: Jesus Christ proclaimed as King of kings and Lord of lords, highlighting His supreme authority over all earthly powers. In summary, Revelation 17 offers a vivid and allegorical depiction of Babylon, the embodiment of human sin and rebellion against God. This chapter underscores the inevitable judgment and downfall of such corrupt systems, contrasting the transient nature of earthly power with the eternal victory and sovereignty of the Lamb.