Revelation 17

I talked with me, etc. Having performed his appointed work, the angel now brings before John a fuller exhibition of the chief subject of the Divine judgements. “The great harlot” is ancient Babylon (see Jer. li. 13, and note), here used symbolically (see ver. 15) “for that seductive influence or crafty policy which seeks to draw others into subjection” (Speaker’s Commentary). The evident contrast between the woman persecuted by the dragon (xii. 1-6) and the woman supported by the beast, and between the meretricious splendour and transient prosperity of the latter, and the white raiment and everlasting blessedness of the bride of Christ, has been taken to support the view that this figure denotes antichristian empire, or more specifically, corruption and apostasy in the Church. The same figure is often used in the Old Testament: cp. Isa. i. 21; Nahum iii. 4, etc.

2 drunk with the wine of her tornication. Cp. Jer. li. 7.

3 names of blasphemy. See note on xiii. 1.

4 purple and scarlet. Symbols of royal power and magnificence.

5. Mystery. On “mystery” see note on Matt. xiii. 1. It probably means that the name which follows is symbolical; “a mystery, BABYLON THE GREAT, etc.” (R.V. marg.).

6 admiration. Rather, “wonder.” The angel intimates (ver. 7) that the end will explain all.

8 was, and is not. Those who accept the early date of the Apocalypse, and who understand its symbols as derived in part from contemporary events, generally apply this passage to Nero. Through a misunderstanding of John’s words, the Christians of succeeding generations held that Nero would reappear in bodily form.

9 here is the mind which hath wisdom. Here is room for the exercise of a mind that has wisdom (see note on xiii. 18).

10. And there are seven kings. Rather, “And they were seven kings.” The “seven mountains” evidently point in some way to Rome: and the “seven kings” appear to denote seven dynasties or forms of government, or individual rulers, in Rome. On the supposition of the earlier date of the vision, Galba, or perhaps Vespasian (acc. A.D. 69) would be the emperor that “now is.” Titus followed, and held the throne “for a short space” (just two years), when Domitian succeeded, who might be called, in his relation to the Church, a re-incarnation of the spirit of Nero.

17. For God hath put in their hearts, etc. In yielding for a time their support to the patroness of evil, they only fulfil the purposes of God; and when at last they destroy her, they execute undesignedly God’s sentence on her. Thus the Church in all ages is taught that both the temporary prevalence of evil, and its final destruction, will work out His wise and holy purposes.