Revelation 17:1-18

Babylon the great Harlot

The judgment on Rome, which had been announced before, is now shown in detail. The identification of 'Babylon' with Rome, here and elsewhere in Rev., is supported (HDB.) by the following considerations:—The name Babylon in Revelation 17:5; 'is described as mystery, i.e. a name to be allegorically interpreted... B. is described (1) as “the harlot” the supreme antithesis of “the bride,” “the holy city,” “the new Jerus.” (2) as the centre and ruler of the nations, Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 17:15; Revelation 17:18; (3) as seated on “seven mountains,” Revelation 17:9; (4) as the source of idolatry and impurity, Revelation 17:2.; Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:2... (5) as a great trading centre, Revelation 18:3; Revelation 18:11; (6) as enervated by luxury, Revelation 18:7; Revelation 18:12,. Revelation 18:22; (7) as the arch-persecutor of the saints and of “the witnesses of Jesus,” Revelation 17:6; Revelation 19:2.' Babylon, as the seat of world-empire, and the ancient and persistent enemy of the people of God, was a striking type of Rome. Many think Rome is meant in 1 Peter 5:13.

1f. Rome is spoken of by the herald angel of the bowls as a harlot, cp. Isaiah 23:15. (Tyre), Nahum 3:4; (Nineveh), sitting on many waters, cp. Jeremiah 51:13; (Babylon), which signify the peoples over whom Rome ruled, cp. Revelation 17:15.