Revelation 17:15-18 interprets the phrase “many waters” from 17:1. The great prostitute was seated on the waters indicates she rules over the nations.
Waters are a common metaphor for the nations in apocalyptic literature. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah describe the coming armies of the Assyrians (Isaiah 8:6-8) the Babylonians (Jeremiah 47:2), David Aune points out a similar interpretation of Nahum 1:4, the Lord roars and the seas dry up. In 4Q Nahum Pesher (4Q169 Frags. 1–2:3) the sea refers to the Kittim, the Romans. God roars “to car[ry out] judgment against them and to eliminate them from the face of [the earth.]” In the third Sibylline Oracle, “Beliar will come from the Sebastēnoi and he will raise up the height of mountains, he will raise up the sea” (Sib. Or. 3.63–64), referring to the armies of Rome.
The woman sits on many waters, upon the beast, and upon seven hills (17:1, 3, 9) and in 18:7 the prostitute boasts she “sits as a queen.” The word here is the common verb κάθημαι. In Revelation, either God or the Lamb is seated on the throne (4:2, 3, 9, 10; 5:1, 7, 13; 6:16; 7:10, 15; 19:4, 20:11, 21:5) and three times the word is used for the “son of man” seated on a cloud. The word therefore has a connotation of authority, the one who is “seated” has some sort of authority associated with their location (Schneider, TDNT 3:441-42). The “one on the throne” is sovereign because he is enthroned in Heaven, as is the Lamb since he too is seated on the heavenly throne. The elders have some rulership since they also sit on thrones around the throne of God (4:4) The dead who are raised after the final judgment are seated on thrones and are given authority (20:4). This future enthronement is promised 3:21 where those who overcome are promised “the right” to sit on the Father’s throne.
In the light of these observations, “seated” in Revelation 17 is an “anti-enthronement” of the great prostitute. She claims to be the queen of the word (18:7) therefore she is “enthroned” on many waters, on the “beast”, and on seven hills. If the authority comes from where one is seated, there is a clear contrast between God’s sovereignty, enthroned in heaven, and the prostitute’s authority, seated on earth.
The readers of Revelation know who is really enthroned above creation, but on earth the great prostitute appears sovereign. Her authority, however, is derived from the beast (the location of her enthronement). The beast in turn received his authority from the dragon (13:4) who we know to be Satan himself (12:9). Chapter 17-18 forms a culmination of the enthronement theme as Satan’s representative is clearly seen for what she is, a drunken whore who makes the nations mad with her wine.
The ten horns from 17:3 are kings or nations allied with the Beast (17:12). But now both the ten kings and the beast “will hate the prostitute. It is possible rumor this is another allusion to the Return of Nero myth, this time coming from the east with Parthian armies to conquer Rome (Aune, 3:957).
The ten kings will make the great prostitute “desolate and naked and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire.” Aune sees this as an allusion to Ezekiel 23:26-29, those who survive the fall of Jerusalem will be treated like a prostitute, stripped naked and driven through the streets (cf. Jer 13:26-27; Ezek 16:37-38; Hosea 2:5, 12; Nahum 2). Beale, on the other hand, argues this text alludes to Isaiah 23 (Revelation 850). Although the trade of Tyre is described as the wages of a prostitute (23:18), Tyre is not personified as prostitute. Julia Myers O’Brien argues Tyre is not punished for her promiscuity, but rather the wages of her prostitution is dedicated to the Lord, in Nahum (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2002), 69.
Beale suggests “eating flesh” is an allusion to Elijah’s prediction dogs would eat the flesh of Jezebel (2 Kings 9:36). The Baal worship promoted by Jezebel was as much economic as idolatrous and Revelation has already used the name Jezebel to describe a prophetess who likely promoted Christian participation in Roman cultic activity (perhaps for economic reasons). Like the fall of the great prostitute, Jezebel’s grisly death was “according to the word of the Lord” (Revelation, 883-84).
The eighth Sibylline Oracle predicts the destruction of Rome by fire when Nero returns from the end of the earth (Sib. Or. 8.68–72). Although this apocalyptic text is later than Revelation, the immediately preceding section in the Oracle is a warning against greed and the following section describes Rome as the “luxurious one.” Like Revelation 18, Rome’s opulence and economic oppressive will result in her destruction; she will be “utterly ravaged.”
Sib. Or. 8.37–41 One day, proud Rome, there will come upon you from above an equal heavenly affliction, and you will first bend the neck and be razed to the ground, and fire will consume you, altogether laid low on your floors, and wealth will perish and wolves and foxes will dwell in your foundations.
Sib. Or. 8.128–130 You will be utterly ravaged and destroyed for what you did. Groaning in panic, you will give until you have repaid all, and you will be a triumph-spectacle to the world and a reproach of all.
This rebellion against the great prostitute was prompted God. God “put it into their hearts” is a “Semitic idiom” (See Neh 2:12; 7:5, for example; Aune 3:958). They have one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast. These infinitive clauses explain what God has prompted the nations to do.
The fall of Babylon / Rome results in great economic loss for the empire (Rev 18). Although the Roman imperial cult is certainly in the background of Revelation 17, it is important to not separation religious duty from political loyalty and economic prosperity. The reason people worshiped the goddess Roma, the empire and its emperors was to ensure their own continued peace and prosperity. Political loyalty, religion and economic prosperity were as incestuously intertwined in the Roman world as they are in our own.
The fall of the great prostitute in Revelation 17 is very hard to understand, It is very complex but I think this blog post does a great job of explaining this better. The interpretation of “many waters” as being the representation of the nations is interesting to think about. It gives a better understanding of the great prostitute’s dominion, showing that her influence goes over more territories. This idea of her being “seated” as an “anti-enthronement” gives us a good idea of the spiritual conflict that is at play. It is a good contrast between powers on earth and divine sovereignty, going over the authority of God and the Lamb. The picture of Babylon/Rome’s fall is a direct result of divine judgment, that is directed by God Himself, this is a very important reminder to us as Christians of the main theme of God’s sovereignty over human affairs. The reference to historical context like the eighth Sibylline Oracle gives even more understanding in showing how these themes resonate throughout ancient literature. The main thing that stuck out to me was how the blog post connected the nature of politics, religion, and economics in the Roman world and how it is similar to contemporary society.
Although I don’t think it is explicitly mentioned, from both a reading of the text itself and your post, this vision appears to have both a near and far meaning. Clearly, this vision has much to do with Rome. You provide us an abundance of examples to pick from to illustrate this well. You begin by stating, that the “many waters” in 17:1 is indicative of the great prostitute ruling over the nations. This is not dissimilar from Rome; who’s military excellence allowed them to conquer most of the known world in the first century.
The woman is seated atop a scarlet beast, who had seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 17:3). The seven heads are directly identified within Revelation, to be mountains, wherein the city of Rome sits atop those seven mountains (Rev 17:9, ESVSB, 2008). Those ten horns are also directly identified within the text to be 10 kings, who have not yet gained control. She is said to be clothed in purple and scarlet, which were ridiculously expensive fabrics in the first-century world, and is highly descriptive of royalty. (Thomas & Macchia, 2016, p. 294). In addition, she is “adorned with god and jews and pearls,” (Rev 17:4) adding to her showcase of exorbitant wealth.
In her hand is a golden up, which contrasts nicely with the golden bowl in Revelation 8:3. In it are “abominations and in the impurities of her sexual immorality,” (Rev 17:4b). Which commentators Thomas and Macchia draw it to the language of Old Testament prophets in reference to idols (2016, p. 295), (Jer 13:27, 32:35, 44:22; Ezek 5:9, 11; 6:9). This distinction would make plenty of sense for an intensely polytheistic nation that was Rome. Does this scripture find both a near and far fulfillment of the passage? Does it both predict the near fall of Rome and still hold a later fulfillment? Is the red dragon, (who is identified to be Satan) the cause of both the fall of Rome and its future fulfillment? I suppose if you have any insight on this, I would deeply appreciate that.
The comparison between Jezebel and the great whore of Babylon is interesting. A comparison between the two will show that they both were motivated by idolatry for financial gain. Jezebel wanted the vineyard and Babylon profits off of its people to the point of oppression. Also, with both of them having similar punishment of not only having their flesh eaten but both punishments relate to wild animals as well. Jezebel was eaten by wild dogs and Babylon is described as being overrun by wild animals and even demons.
Jezebel also has influence over King Ahab and Babylon has influence over the kings of the earth. This shows or symbolizes the corruption behind earthly powers and political authorities. Violence against God’s people is another commonality between the two. In 1st Kings 18:4 Jezebel is killing off the prophets of God in multitudes and in revelation 17 Babylon is “Drunk with the blood of the saints”. (17:6) Lastly, the prostitute is stripped, eaten and burned by the ten kings and the beast who were her former allies. Similarly, Jezebel is defenestrated by her attendants at Jehu’s command. I’m not sure if there is anything to these similarities but I thought it was an interesting observation at the very least.
This passage of Revelation is among one of the most interesting ones, and the hardest to understand. I did not read this passage a lot of times, but I never got the metaphor of the waters being the nations. I did not know that it was so common in this kind of literature. I also did not realize the connection between the great prostitute and the fate of Jezebel back in Ezekiel. Seeing how these things connect now, I am surprised I did not see it sooner. According to a commentary named “Revelation Verse by Verse”, evil never builds up, it only destroys. This is why the kings and the beast ultimately turn on the great prostitute and destroy her. No external enemy could defeat them, but This kind of civil war was a great fear for Rome, since it was something that nearly caused the empire to self destruct several times. It also says that this betrayal happened because it was God that put it in the hearts of the false trinity to do it. Even if these kings submit to and obey the beast, they are still ultimately fulfilling God’s purpose (Osborne, 2016). even if this time is not here yet, modern Christians encounter evils and false teachers often, and it is important to stay true to God despite that.
The idea that the many waters represent nations makes sense, especially when you connect it to how water Is used symbolically in Isaiah and Jeremiah. It shows that the great prostitute is not just one place but has influence over many nations.
I also found it interesting how the word seated shows authority. Usually in Revelation its God or the Lamb who is seated on the throne. But here, the prostitute is also seated which makes it like a false authority. This shows the clear contrast between Gods real power and the temporary power of evil.
The depravity shown in the Great Prostitute is very sad; all the ways that humanity has denied God’s design for sex and have made it into whatever they want. Her fall is so great because of how rampant this issue is. Sexual immorality seems so prevalent today, but there was so much of it in biblical times as well. All the way back in Genesis with the Great Flood, which was the solution to humanity almost being wiped out. This enthronement of the Great Prostitute was because of how high up the people held their perverted ways. The higher the being, the greater the fall. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, the Bible talks about how all other sin is outside the body, but sexual immorality is sinning against one’s own body. This is not just a mental destruction in battling the sin, it affects actions severely. Still, people hold it in such high regard, which is why, like Revelation 18:7 says, she is enthroned and claims to be queen of the world. This perversion draws its power from Satan, just as the Great Prostitute does from the Dragon (also recognized as Satan). Until the end Satan tried to take everything God made and make it evil and self-seeking. It is comforting to know that the judgment will come where God rights all these wrongs.
It is interesting to me the power dynamic between the great prostitute seated on a throne on earth and God seated on a throne in Heaven. This parallel reminds of Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4. Satan tries to convince Jesus to bow down to him by offering all the kingdoms of the earth. Jesus rebukes Satan with Scripture: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Every time I have read this story, I always shake my head at Satan. He knows that God is greater and more powerful than him, but he still tries to boast of his great power. I always thought it was ridiculous to try and offer ownership of creation to the literal Creator.
However, it is true that Satan and his armies are given rule over the Earth before Jesus comes back. It does indeed seem like they are all powerful instead of God, but it is simply an illusion. The same is true for the great prostitute. She arrogantly boasts of her power over the earth, but the reader knows just how futile that boasting is.