Revelation 17

1 Then one [out of seven] of the seven angels [messengers of God] with the seven bowls [vessels for pouring libations] came and said to me, “Come [hither, draw near], I will show [exhibit, reveal] you the punishment [judgment, condemnation] of the great [intense, severe] prostitute [harlot, one who engages in spiritual adultery], who sits [is seated, resides] on many [numerous, abundant] waters. word study 2 The kings [rulers, sovereigns] of the earth [the world, soil] were immoral [committed fornication, sinned sexually] with her, and those who dwell [reside, inhabit] on the earth [the land, globe] were intoxicated [made drunk, under the influence] with the wine of her immorality [sexual sin, wickedness].” word study 3 And the angel carried me away [in a prophetic vision, by the Spirit’s power] in the Spirit into a wilderness [deserted, desolate area], where I saw a woman [married or unmarried] sitting on a scarlet [deep red, crimson-colored] beast that was covered with blasphemous [slanderous, evil-speaking] names and had seven heads and ten horns. word study 4 The woman [married or unmarried] was dressed in purple [a purplish-red colour] and scarlet [a deep red color, signifying luxury and sin], and adorned with gold [a precious metal] and precious stones [gemstones of great worth] and pearls. She held in her hand a golden [made of gold] cup full of abominations [detestable things, idolatrous practices] and the impurities [unclean things, morally corrupt] of her sexual immorality [fornication, sinful desires]. word study 5 And on her forehead [upon her brow, on her front] a mysterious [secret, hidden truth] name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT [that great Babylon, the evil city], THE MOTHER [the source, origin] OF PROSTITUTES [harlots, immoral women] AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS [detestable things, idolatries] OF THE EARTH [the world, the soil]. word study 6 I could see that the woman [drunken with the wine of] was drunk with the blood [of the martyrs] of the saints [holy ones, set apart] and witnesses [those who testify, martyrs] for Jesus [God’s salvation]. And I was utterly amazed [with great wonder, perplexed] at the sight [experience, perception] of her. word study 7 “Why are you so [utterly] amazed [or bewildered]?” said the angel [messenger of God]. “I will tell you the mystery [secret or hidden truth] of the woman [married or unmarried] and of the beast [a wild and dangerous animal] that carries [or supports] her, which has the seven heads and ten horns [symbols of strength or power]. word study 8 The beast [wild animal] that you saw—it was [existed in the past], and now is no more [does not currently exist], but is about to come up [ascend, rise] out of the Abyss [deep, seemingly bottomless pit] and go to its destruction [perdition, eternal loss]. And those who dwell [reside, live] on the earth [world, soil] whose names were not written [recorded, inscribed] in the Book of Life [scroll of eternal existence] from the foundation [beginning, creation] of the world will marvel [be amazed, astonished] when they see the beast that was [existed], and is not [does not currently exist], and yet will be [exist again, come into being]. word study 9 This calls for a mind [having spiritual understanding] with wisdom [higher or spiritual understanding]. The seven heads are seven mountains [high elevations of land, or seats of power] on which the woman [a female figure] sits [is seated, or resides]. word study 10 There are also seven kings [rulers, sovereigns]. Five have fallen [collapsed, come to an end], one [a single, unified ruler] is [exists, currently reigning], and the other [another, different king] has not yet come [arrived, been revealed]; but when he does come [arrive, appear], he must remain [stay, continue] for only [a short, limited] a little while [a brief time, a short space]. word study 11 The beast [wild animal] that was [existed in the past], and now is not [no longer exists, is absent], is an eighth king, who belongs to [is part of, connected with] the other seven [a complete set, perfection] and is going into [toward, destined for] destruction [perdition, eternal loss, ruin]. word study 12 The ten horns [symbolizing strength and power] you saw are ten kings [rulers, sovereigns] who have not yet [at this point in time] received a kingdom [domain, realm], but will receive [be given, obtain] one hour [a short time, a brief period] of authority [power, dominion] as kings [rulers, monarchs], along with [together, in association] the beast [a wild animal]. word study 13 These [specific, previously mentioned] kings have [possess, hold] one [unified, single] purpose [resolution, decision]: to yield [give, surrender] their [belonging to them] power [strength, ability] and [also, in addition] authority [freedom to act, dominion] to the beast [wild animal, antichrist]. word study 14 They will make war [fight, engage in battle] against the Lamb [Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will triumph [conquer, overcome] over them, because He is Lord [the supreme ruler] of lords [those in authority] and King [the sovereign ruler] of kings [those with earthly power]; and He will be accompanied by His called [chosen, invited by God] and chosen [select, favored by God] and faithful [trustworthy, loyal] ones.” word study 15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute [a harlot, used also of idolatry] was seated, are peoples [nations and languages] and multitudes [crowds of people] and nations [Gentile nations] and tongues [languages and dialects]. word study 16 And the ten horns and the beast [a wild or dangerous animal] that you saw will hate [detest or love less] the prostitute [a harlot or one who engages in spiritual adultery]. They will leave her desolate [laid waste or destroyed] and naked [exposed or vulnerable], and will eat her flesh [consume or destroy her] and burn her with fire [completely consume or destroy her with divine judgment]. word study 17 For God [the supreme deity, Creator of all] has put it into their hearts [minds, inner beings] to carry out His purpose [will, divine plan] by uniting [being of one mind, in agreement] to give their kingdom [royal power, dominion] to the beast [a wild animal], until the words [messages, declarations] of God [the ultimate authority, divine voice] are fulfilled [completed, accomplished, brought to pass]. word study 18 And the woman [married or unmarried] you saw is the great [magnificent, powerful] city [a large town, a center of influence] that rules [reigns, has dominion] over the kings [sovereign rulers, monarchs] of the earth [the world, the terrestrial sphere].” word study