Revelation 17

The Revelation of Jesus Christ Part 2: Session 4 – Revelation 17

Cheat Sheet

The great prostitute is identified at the end of the chapter as “the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.” This builds on ideas developed in earlier chapters of God’s judgement and opposition to human empires and attempts at dominion without God. The Old Testament prophets Nahum and Isaiah used similar language in their criticisms of Nineveh and Tyre. Yet this image in Revelation is also a coded critique of the Roman Empire. Rome was a city that sat on seven hills (17:9) and was often portrayed as a woman of great beauty in Roman thought. Yet here John sees her as a seductive prostitute, dressed to attract and hold the gaze.

A scarlet beast upon which the prostitute sits, is partially “explained” in 17:7-8, although the explanation itself may still confuse us. This is the same beast that first appeared in chapters 12 and 13. On both places, the beast is a metaphor for an empire that persecutes Christians. The “astonishment” that the world expresses is in response to the beast’s apparent ability to be reborn, again and again. For the Christian reader, this is a sobering reminder that while persecution might go away for a time, it has incredible staying power and will reappear again.

Seven kings have been the subject of much speculation: do they refer to a specific group of leaders or empires? Here, as elsewhere, it is important to work from the assumption that many if not all of Revelation’s numbers are symbolic. Seven symbolises completion or wholeness. So, the most likely explanation for the seven kings is that they are a symbol of the total and complete authority and power that the Roman Empire wielded at that time. The fact that five of these kings are already dead, and there is only one more predicted after the present ruler, is best understood as an encouraging word that the oppressive empire is nearly finished.

Ten future kings are also, most likely, a symbolic group, referring to another group of leaders who persecute the church and lust after power, but ultimately fall apart and wage war on each other and on the prostitute. The prophet Daniel saw something similar in Daniel 7, and it is possible that both Daniel and John saw something here that will only be fully realised at the end. John may also have been prophesying against the Roman Empire, which did eventually break apart into smaller groups and wage civil wars against itself. Like so many of the other images in Revelation, it can be helpful to think about how such dynamics have occurred across history, as well as recognising that these are things that might emerge immediately prior to Christ’s return.

Study

Read Revelation 17

The angel who introduces

Take some time to compare Revelation 17:1-6 with Revelation 21:9-27. If you would like, you can use the chart in the Optional Extra Resources section to help with this.

In comparing these two scenes, we get a clear sense of juxtaposition. The angel wanted John to see the prostitute first, and then, later, to see the heavenly city.

Why do you think the angel did this?

What might this have meant to the first hearers of this vision?

Persecution Through God’s Eyes

Much of Revelation 17 is highly relevant to the persecuted church. This is sometimes hard for comfortable, Western Christians to understand, and can explain in part why differing interpretations have been offered in the West, particularly in North America. But a detailed reading of Revelation 17, particularly with some understanding of what the images might mean, can teach us a lot about how God sees the persecuted church.

In Revelation 17:1-4, we see a prostitute, an image of wealth and seduction. Importantly, in Revelation, the persecution of Christians is not restricted to direct acts of violence aimed at believers. It can also appear in more subtle forms, such as the temptation to accumulate wealth or compromise your values in order to win work and make a profit. (This was one of the big problems the seven churches were grappling with.)

What are some of the things that Christians in New Zealand can be “seduced” by?

How might we understand this as a form of persecution?

In Revelation 17:6, we see yet another reference to the death of Christians at the hands of an evil empire. (You can find similar references in Revelation 2:13, 6:9, 11:7, and 13:7.)

Why do you think God would allow this to happen?

Why do you think it gets mentioned multiple times in Revelation?

In Revelation 17:9-11, we get a sense of the temporary nature of this persecution. Eventually, evil will run out of leaders, and the beast will be destroyed. This is another key theme that is woven through the book as a whole.

Why do you think God allows persecution of Christians, even if it’s only for a while?

In Revelation 17:11-18, we are shown the ultimate destiny of the persecutors. This is explored, and celebrated, more fully elsewhere in Revelation. But here we are reminded of two important truths:

Even the persecutors only exist because God allows them to, for a while at least.

Ultimately, evil is not sustainable: it turns in on itself and is torn apart by its own action.

What are some practical things that Christians can do, that might help them endure a season of persecution and difficulty?

Optional Extra Resources:

A handy chart:

For both of these passages Rev 17:1-6 Rev 21:9-27 answer the questions below:

What is the angel showing John?

Where does the Spirit carry John?

What do the prostitute and the holy city sit on?

What names does John see written?

How are these things decorated?

What are these things filled with?

How do the kings of the earth interact with what John sees?

If you have time, go back with your group tohttps://www.opendoorsuk.org/ and pray for Christians in a part of the world where there is persecution. If you were able to do this earlier in the year, pick a different part of the world, or organise your group and your prayers differently. It is never a bad idea to stop and pray for the persecuted church!