RevelationSample

In Chapter 17, the “unveiling” continues with a new image (or metaphor): The Great Whore of Babylon. She is magnificent and beautiful wearing “gold, precious stones and pearls,” but looking closer there are uglier characteristics to be seen. She is drunk and drinking from a cup of debauchery and fornication, and John writes that even “the kings of the earth” drink from her cup and are drunk as well. She is a counter-image of the woman who is attacked by the dragon in Chapter 12. The people of God see the dragon defeated by “the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (12:11), but this image sees the “Great Whore” sitting on a beast with “blasphemous names” (an anti-testimony) and drinking the blood of the saints or martyrs (anti-blood of the Lamb). There are again references to Daniel 7 in verses 9-14, like we looked into last week.