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)

The angel as an interpreter is common in apocalyptic literature: Zech. 1:9, Dan 7:16

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 12-14

• 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 15-18

• 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 6-7

• 7-8 - explanation of the command

• v 6-7 the lex talionis is seen

• See also Mt 7:1-2, 18:23-25

• v 7-8 - 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 11-14

• 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 15-19

• 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. 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). 1011-1014

• Koester, Craig. Revelation and the End of All Things, Grand Rapids:Erdmans (2001) 154-170

• Taylor, Ross. “The Interpretation of Revelation” Available on the web here

• Click here for Revelation verses and notes