Reading Revelation 17:1-8: The Scarlet Woman and the Beast
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jun 10
- 8 min read
Ever felt like you're caught in a rigged game, where the powerful seem to get away with anything and everything just looks shiny on the outside? That feeling of being played or misled? The Bible's last book, Revelation, isn't just some spooky puzzle; it digs deep into those real-world problems.
In Revelation 17:1-8, we get a wild picture that shows us the true colors of powerful systems and how easily people can get tricked. It's about spiritual traps, the dangers of selling out your beliefs, and how God is ultimately in charge, no matter how tough things look. This section of the Bible pulls back the curtain on how fake religion and worldly power can get tangled up, creating a fancy front that hides something rotten. It makes you ask some hard questions: How do we spot these tricks in our own lives and in the world around us? And how can we hold onto hope when everything seems upside down, knowing God has the final say?
Setting the stage: Revelation 17:1-8
Today, we're looking at Revelation 17:1-8. It's a part of the Bible that has confused and fascinated people for a long time. John sees a vision of a "great prostitute" sitting on "many waters," and then on a scarlet beast. This isn't a friendly image. Good Bible scholars tell us not to get caught up trying to match every detail to today's news. Instead, we should be striving to understand the powerful symbols. These symbols come from stories found in the Old Testament of the Bible and the time when John first wrote this down.
The "great prostitute" reminds us of Old Testament prophets who often called Israel's turning away from God "prostitution." (You can see this in Ezekiel 16 and 23, and Isaiah 1:21). This isn't about physical sex. It's about being unfaithful to God. It's about turning to other powers, whether they are political, about money, or just about what society values. Craig S. Keener points out that calling a nation a "prostitute" was a common way for prophets to talk about countries that made deals with other powerful nations, often for money, instead of staying true to God.
John's vision of the "great prostitute" sitting on "many waters" (verse 1) probably refers to ancient Babylon. Jeremiah 51:13 describes Babylon as rich and living by many waters. This image is no accident; Babylon was the main oppressor of God's people in the Old Testament. But for the people John was writing to in the late first century, the "Babylon" in Revelation was almost certainly a secret code for Rome. The team at Walkingthetext.com emphasizes that early Christians often used "Babylon" as a stand-in for Rome. Rome was known for its huge power, its pagan gods, and its persecution of Christians.
The "scarlet beast" (verse 3) that the woman rides is also very symbolic. Scarlet is the color of wealth, kings, and disturbingly, blood. This beast has "seven heads and ten horns." This is a direct echo of the beast in Revelation 13, which stands for the Roman Empire and its emperors. The seven heads often symbolize the seven hills of Rome, or a line of emperors. The "names of blasphemy" on its heads make it clear it's against God. As we discover, studying ancient history, Roman emperors demanded to be worshipped. This was a direct insult to the Jews and Christians, who believed in only one God. This wasn't just a political disagreement; it was a spiritual battle over who you served.
The woman is decorated with "gold and precious stones and pearls." She holds "a golden cup full of abominable things and the filth of her immoralities" (verse 4). This fancy look, like a rich, tempting queen, hides a corrupt and destructive truth inside. It shows how worldly power and wealth can be tempting. They can blind people to the spiritual rot within. The "filth of her immoralities" highlights the moral emptiness behind the glittering appearance.
Her name, "Babylon the Great, Mother of Prostitutes and of Earth's Abominations" (verse 5), makes it clear she's the source of widespread spiritual corruption and false worship. She is drunk "with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (verse 6). This is a strong reminder of the persecution early Christians faced under the Roman Empire. John is telling his readers that God sees their suffering and that the empire's apparent victory is actually temporary and will be judged.
The angel says, "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her" (verse 7). Now, for many of us reading this today, you'd think, "Great! Finally, some clear answers!" But then you read verse 8: "The beast that was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction." And if you're like most people, you're probably thinking, "Wait a minute, that didn't clear anything up! That's even more confusing!"
So, what's going on here? What did the angel mean by "explain" and what are we, as modern readers, missing?
The key here is that "making things clear" back then was different from how we think of it today. We expect a straightforward, step-by-step breakdown. Like a mechanic explaining an engine problem: "This part does this, that part does that, and here's why it broke." But in John's time, especially in apocalyptic writing like Revelation, "explaining a mystery" often meant giving a deeper, symbolic understanding that connected to things the original readers already knew. It wasn't about simplifying it to a kindergarten level.
Here's what the modern reader is often missing:
Shared Knowledge of History and Symbols: John's audience was living under Roman rule and knew their history. They understood the Old Testament prophets and their use of symbols. When John says "Babylon," they immediately thought "Rome" because it was a well-known code. When the beast "was, and is not, and is about to come up," it wasn't a riddle for them. They likely connected it to certain emperors, periods of Roman power, or even the persistent, evil nature of empires that seemed to die but always reappeared.
The Nature of Prophecy and "Mystery": In the Bible, a "mystery" isn't something impossible to know. It's a truth that God reveals, but often in a way that requires spiritual understanding or a connection to existing knowledge. The angel's "explanation" wasn't meant to be a literal blueprint for the future that we could put on a timeline. It was meant to confirm for John and his readers that God knew what was going on, that these powers were not random, and that God had a plan for them.
Emphasis on God's Control, Not Just Details: The phrase "was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction" might seem vague to us. But for the persecuted Christians, it was a powerful statement about the temporary nature of their oppressors. It said: "This big, bad power you see? It's been around, it might seem gone for a bit, but it's coming back for one last hurrah, and then it's done for good." The "abyss" meant it came from a dark, evil source, and "going to destruction" meant God had its number. It was about the certainty of its end, not the exact date or the specific historical figures involved.
So, while we might want clear-cut names and dates, the angel's "explanation" was about revealing the underlying truth: Worldly power, even when it looks overwhelming and unstoppable, is just a temporary copy of true power. It imitates life and resurrection, but it's a false front that leads to its own ruin. It's a powerful message of hope and warning, meant to strengthen faith in a time of struggle, even if it doesn't solve every detail for our modern, logical minds.
There's more to this Reading Revelation 17:1-8 STUDY GUIDE
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:
Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)
A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)
Modern Day Application Ideas
Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!
Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss
How do you see the "seductive power" of the prostitute showing up in our world today, even for Christians?
What "beasts" or oppressive systems in our society today demand our loyalty in ways that might go against our faith?
How does understanding that Rome was "Babylon" back then help us understand the challenges Christians face today?
Journey Group Discussion Starter
In what ways do we, as individuals or as a church, sometimes get "drunk" on the appeal of worldly power, money, or trying to fit in with what everyone else thinks is acceptable, possibly hurting our loyalty to Christ?
Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)
Modern-Day Application: Go from "reading Revelation" to applying the lessons and principles:
This passage isn't just a history lesson; it's a timeless warning and encouragement.
Be Smart: We need to develop spiritual smarts to recognize the "Babylons" of our time. These are the systems, ideas, or cultural trends that subtly (or not so subtly) demand our ultimate loyalty, pulling us away from Christ. This could be anything from endless shopping to putting politics above God.
Don't Fall for the Gimmicks: The prostitute's flashy clothes remind us that evil often looks good on the outside. We are called to resist the pull of power, money, and status when they are gained or chased in ways that go against our Christian values.
Stand for What's Right: The blood of the martyrs reminds us that following Jesus might cost us something. We are called to stand strong in our faith, even when things are tough or people are against us, remembering that God sees and remembers.
Hope in God's Control: Even with all the scary pictures, the main message is that God is in charge. The beast will eventually be destroyed. This should fill us with hope and courage, knowing that even in the darkest times, God is running the show and will have the final victory.
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Welcome to YourJesusJourney.com! We're a different kind of ministry. We're here to help you understand the Bible, find Christian friends to study God's Word with, and grow as someone who helps others find their faith. Go to our website to learn more and get your Free Resource, "Stop reading the bible wrong: 7 Strategic Shifts that Change Everything." Just click the "Free Gift" button at the top, and we'll send you this life-changing e-book today.
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