The Christians who received the book of Revelation in the first century, those who were worshipping in the churches of Christ scattered throughout Asia Minor, were being persecuted by their own government, the Roman Empire. They were being persecuted economically because of their religious convictions (13:17); they were being thrown into jail (2:10); some of them were being killed because of their religious convictions (2:13).
The expression “Babylon the Great” is used 6 times in the Bible, only once in the OT: Daniel 4:30. The other five times are in the book of Revelation, beginning at 14:8. When the nation of Rome attacked the city of Jerusalem in AD 66-70, the capital of the Jewish nation and the place of origin of the Christian faith, both Jewish and Christian writers started referring to Rome as “Babylon” or “Babylon the Great.”
There is no doubt that any reader of Revelation in the first century, whether Roman pagan or Christian or Jew, if he or she read Revelation 17, they would know that John was talking about the Roman Empire…
BABYLON (ROME) IS GOING TO FALL!
The Mother of Prostitutes – 17:1-5:
These kings, in order to benefit from Rome’s wealth, committed immorality with her and drank from the wine of her immorality. Countries that want to benefit from the US’s wealth have to play by the US’s rules, right? Money always comes with strings attached.
Just as Babylon did in the times of the OT, so Rome had a negative influence on the peoples around them and the peoples over whom they ruled. They did not encourage people to worship the true God, to follow God’s Son, Jesus Christ. They encouraged people to worship their gods, the gods of the Greeks and Romans. They were exporting idolatry as much as anything.
Seven Heads as Mountains and Kings – 17:6-13:
This woman, notice in verse 6, is drunk with the blood of saints and the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. Make no mistake about it – the destruction of Rome came about because of her treatment of Christians. If she had respected Christians and left them alone to live and evangelize, the Roman Empire might even still be in existence today. But you don’t mess with God’s people!
It doesn’t really matter who all these kings are, the angel tells John, because each one of them is going to end in destruction (verses 8, 11). They give their power to the Roman Empire, the beast, but they are still going to lose their war with Jesus Christ…
The Lamb is Victorious – 17:14-18:
All these kings wage a war against the Lamb – remember this is a metaphor – but the Lamb wins! The verb translated “will overcome” is used 17 times in the book of Revelation, beginning with 2:7. This is one of the most used verbs in the whole book! Jesus wins! The Lamb wins! All those who are faithful to the Lamb win!
Why? Because notice… Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings.” He is supreme. He is the “Author” in the word “authority.” No one will take down Jesus Christ. They killed Him physically, but He rose from the dead, proving that He has power over life and death. His followers are called to follow Him, they are chosen to follow Him, and they are faithful in following Him.
God uses the nations around Rome that had been dependent on her, to fight for their own independence, and then they turn around and take down Rome – verse 17. The Parthians specifically become the group of people whom God chose to execute His purpose on the nation that was persecuting God’s people. Then, the words of God will be fulfilled.
And if there is any doubt who the woman is, the angel tells John in verse 18 that she is that “great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” That would be none other than Rome.
The Lamb has won the war against evil. We need to make sure we are on His side and we stay on His side!
Paul Holland