Revelation 17:1- 19:10

Chapter 17 V1 begins with a continuation of the 7 bowls - as one of the Angels who was holding a bowl speaks to John –links passage to 16:17 ff The angel will explain the meaning of the woman and the beast with 10 horns and seven heads (More on the Beast and a modern application)(More on the Beast and a modern application) The angel as an interpreter is common in apocalyptic literature: Zech. 1:9, Dan 7:16

V 2-6 Judgement is announced for the harlot and all those who have followed her The woman is identified as “Babylon” She is seated on the beast Who is Babylon ? Jerusalem ? The prophets sometimes identify Jerusalem with a prostitute (Isa 1:21, Ezek. 16:15-45) Here it is to be identified with Rome –see v 9,18 The identification of a city as female and with a prostitute was common in Hebrew literature Also an allusion to the Roman goddess roma The identification of a city as female and with a prostitute was common in Hebrew literature Also an allusion to the Roman goddess roma

Verse 2 -3 Earth’s inhabitants have grown drunk on her wine and committed fornication with her John is taken to the wilderness to have the woman and beast explained The color of the beast recalls the dragon of ch 12 The blasphemous names identify it with the beast of ch 12 –both have 7 heads and ten horns This beast may be the equal of the one in ch 13

Verses 4-6 She is dressed in purple and scarlet, with gold and pearls these were the trapping of the rich –see LK 16:19 v 5 - Names on her forehead Roman prostitutes often had their names on their foreheads Reminds on of the followers of the lamb and the beast - both identified by markings on forehead see 7:3, 9:4, 13:16, 14:1,9

Verses 6-8 V 6 - John is astonished (also marveled) why ? Perhaps he can see the draw of worldly temptations and why many are drawn to them v 7 - Who does this refer to ? Nero - He was the emperor, he is currently dead, but may return from the underworld to rule again

V 9-11 Where is Babylon ?- Heavenly wisdom is necessary - common to apocalyptic literature It is Rome - built on 7 hills 7 kings refers to 7 emperors Difficult to know who is being referred to The number 7 may indicate that all roman emperors are being referred to v 11 - beast is Nero - who is was feared would return

V There was a legend that Nero had not died, but escaped to Parthia and would return with allies rule for one hour - only for a short time This battle is foreshadowed in 16:12-16 There will also be a battle between the beast and Christ 6:12-17, 6th bowl; 11:15-19, 7th trumpet

V The ten kings will turn against the harlot and fulfill God’s will in the end also corresponds to the fate waiting for those who oppose God Can be applied to times other than the present (for John)

Ch 17 How is the chapter to be understood ? Is Rome itself being condemned ? And the Roman people ? The chapter seems to be condemning all that Rome stood for –corruption, depravity, etc It is the opposite of the new Jerusalem that will be ruled by Christ

Chapter 18 Describes the fall of Babylon This takes the form of an announcement of judgement Another angel relays this information Is this angel Christ ?

18:2-3 Continues theme of 17:16-17 –punishment of Babylon Now a description is given Condemnation of those who followed her For “fallen, fallen” see Isa 14:8, 21:9, Jer 51:8 –for the fall v 3 - addressed to those who consented to her authority because it would be profitable for them to do so

V 4-5 A voice from Heaven is now heard a warning and the reasons for it a further warning against assimilation Once again, be in the world but not of the world

V 6-8 The command to bring about the judgment explanation of the command v 6-7 the lex talionis is seenlex talionis See also Mt 7:1-2, 18:23-25 v reversal

V 9-10 An announcement of judgement on those kings who were loyal to Rome and received authority from it judgement is announced by those who were loyal to Rome V 10 relates back to 17:12 Without Babylon their power is gone a self centered sorrow - does not lead to repentance Again - one hour of persecution leads to one hour of punishment

V Announcement of judgement against merchants Why ? Conflict between following Christ and accumulating wealth the rich continued getting richer V 14 dirge directed at Babylon rather than the merchants themselves

V V 15-17: merchants mourn not for Babylon but for the loss of business once again this happens in one hour 17-19: judgement against mariners more lament at the loss of profits - rather than any real repentance

18:20-24 Rejoicing at the punishment another angel enters - see vv. 1-3 there is now a silence in Babylon - parallels the announcement of the angel in verses 2-3 The section ends with reasons being given for the judgement For further explanation of ch. 18For further explanation of ch. 18

Ch 19: 1-10 V 1 refers back to 18:20 and the call for rejoicing this section speaks of God’s judgement and salvation Those loyal to God have been avenged

19:4 First there is rejoicing in Heaven 1-5 focus on God’s victory v 5 - call to rejoice on earth v 6-8 marriage of Lamb to bride V 9-10 do not worship the angel - only God is to be worshipped This was part of the problem in rome

Sources Collins, Adela, Yarbo “Revelation”. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (eds. Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, Roland Murphy) Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall (1990) Koester, Craig. Revelation and the End of All Things, Grand Rapids:Erdmans (2001) Taylor, Ross. “The Interpretation of Revelation” Available on the web herehere Click here for Revelation verses and notes