The Woman and the Scarlet Beast – Revelation 17

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #255.  Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 17 together: The angel explains to John about the Woman and the Scarlett Beast.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

Well, dear ones, the Welcome will be short today.  We all have family and traditions to attend to.  I do want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for each one of you who have gone on this journey with Mitch and I this year.  I am grateful for each comment, for each revelation, and for the new habits that we have formed for reading our Bibles systematically.  I pray that God will richly bless you for your obedience.  

Now, quick!  Get your Bible reading done so you can go be with your family!  Mitch and I wish each and every one of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.  Don’t forget to share your stories with me at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Revelation Chapter 17

The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute who is seated on many waters. The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.” Then he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness.

I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. She had a golden cup in her hand filled with everything detestable and with the impurities of her prostitution. On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Detestable Things of the Earth. Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The Meaning of the Woman and of the Beast

Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the ten horns, that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. This calls for a mind that has wisdom.

“The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. The beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

God’s Purpose Fulfilled

He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The ten horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman you saw is the great city that has royal power over the kings of the earth.”

Closing Thoughts

This chapter expands on the judgement of Babylon.  The imagery here represents Babylon and all the rebellious nations.  As difficult as it is for us to understand, it would have been very clear to John.  

Most times, when the Bible talks about prostitutes and prostitution, it means that the people have wandered off to follow other gods and broken their vows to the one true God; not unlike adultery is in marriage.  So it is with the idolatrous nations, not drunk on wine but definitely intoxicated by the pleasures of Babylon.

This woman, this prostitute, this Babylon is of course representative of the human condition.  

What was interesting to me – perhaps even amusing – is how God will use these wicked nations.  They will think they are of one mind under Satan…and they will be.  But that does not mean they are out of God’s reach to fulfill His own purposes.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Lord, I praise You because nothing is beyond Your control.  That goes for us and for Satan.  We can be oh so arrogant, Father, thinking that we’ve got it all figured out.  Thank You for Your mercy when we are foolish.  Help us always to see Your way.  Give us wisdom to see beyond our own folly.  And, Lord, we would be remiss if, on this sacred celebration day, we did not thank You once again for sending Your Son to save us from Your judgement of sin.  Thank You.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.