The Bible Says
Revelation 17:1-6 Meaning

In Revelation 17:1-7, one of the angels who poured out one of the seven bowls of judgment upon the earth opens a commentary on the impact and culmination these judgments will have in bringing down the global economy and the kingdom of the beast.

We are now in the part of Revelation that tells of what is to come. We saw what was and is in Chapters 1-3 with the letters to the seven churches. Then we saw all of the judgments with the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls in Chapters 4-16.

The judgments have all been executed, but the great war has yet to come. Throughout all of this, the overriding message is the exhortation Jesus gives to believers to be faithful witnesses and not fear rejection, loss, or death. The promised blessing from Revelation 1:3 doesn’t change, Jesus promises to greatly bless those who heed His admonition and do it.

Further, we have seen throughout that God is in control over all. All the judgments in Chapters 4-16 are authorized from God’s throne, which elevates the reality that regardless of the chaos on earth, God is still in control.

John opens his record of the angelic commentary, saying:

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality” (Revelation 17:1-2).

Even though the severe judgments have been pronounced, one of the seven angels invites John to see and understand the reason behind them—God does not operate without purpose. And here the angel reveals that the immediate object of this specific judgment is the great harlot.

John introduces this new character who is also an old character: the great harlot is another image for “Babylon the great” (Revelation 14:8). We will see this at the end of this chapter where the angel reveals “The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18).

The great harlot, which is also Babylon, sits on many waters. Later in the chapter, we learn that these waters represent “peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues” (Revelation 17:15). The harlot, who is also Babylon, is the global economic system of commerce that is filled with immorality.

That Babylon/the harlot represents the world system of commerce is stated in Revelation 18:3, where the “merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality” and Revelation 18:11-17 where “the merchants of the earth weep and mourn” after her destruction because “no one buys their cargoes any more.”

This economic system “reigns over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18). Thus, the economic system apparently has more power than the political system, save for the power of the beast. It is likely due to this great power that the beast and ten kings will hate the harlot and decide to destroy her (Revelation 17:16).

It is always the case that economic systems intertwine with political powers. In this instance, it appears that there is sufficient separation such that the beast comes to a point of great jealousy against the economic/commercial system. It seems that it is not acceptable to the beast that the kings submit to the power of the economic system more than to him. He is the instrument of Satan, who desires to have all power (Isaiah 14:12-14).

We are told in Revelation 17:16 that the “beast” and the ten leaders who give him their support “will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.” This is likely the beast, who is a political ruler, desiring to eliminate the power of private sector commercial interests because the beast desires all power to be unto himself.

In Revelation 18:9, 15, we will see the “kings of the earth” and the earth’s “merchants” both bemoaning the destruction of the great harlot who is also Babylon. We can presume that the beast and his ten supporting kings are not willing to allow any competitor to their complete domination of the earth, including commercial wealth.

Private wealth is a natural competitor to government. The more the private sector thrives the more independent it is from government. So, it makes sense that someone desiring to be a political dictator would want to eliminate competition for power from private sector commercial interests.

Perhaps, in this instance, the beast’s global government chooses to burn down the economic system in order to give the beast complete dominion. Part of the means to gain domination might be indicated in Revelation 13:17, where no one will be allowed to buy or sell unless they have taken the beast’s mark. It could be that the beast uses this same lever and takes control of the economic system, claiming he is doing so for a moral good. Dictators always wrap themselves in an illusion of morality. Even Satan presents himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

It is ironic that the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters comes about through the beast himself. All authorities are ultimately instruments in God’s hand (Romans 13:1). In this case, God uses the evilest of all rulers in all of history to do His bidding. This is another reminder that God is on His throne and is in control of all things: both things that are and that will be.

The immorality of the harlot extends to the kings of the earth as well as those who dwell on the earth. They are said to have been made drunk with the wine of her immorality. Apparently the immorality with which they were made drunk was addictive, for they will weep and mourn when the harlot who is Babylon falls (Revelation 18:9, 11).

We get an idea of the sort of immorality perpetrated by the harlot later in Chapter 18:

• Luxury goods (Revelation 18:11-14)
• Military equipment (“horses and chariots”, Revelation 18:13)
• “Slaves and human lives” that apparently pay the price for the luxury of others (Revelation 18:13)

The inference is that the luxury of the kings and merchants is being financed by the work of “slaves” and at the expense of “human lives.” There is no “love your neighbor” in practice. There is, in its place, great partiality. This appears to be the apex of the world system, which is based on the opposite of a “love your neighbor” philosophy. The world system is based on an ethic of “the strong exploit the weak.” The ancient pagan system of exploitation comes to full bloom. And in its full bloom it is fully judged.

We are told that the primary group who indulged in immorality with the harlot is the kings of the earth. These kings would likely set policies that allow the economic system (that is the harlot and Babylon) to provide its luxuries to the kings at the expense of “slaves” and “human lives.”

The intoxication of the harlot’s immorality spread to those who dwell on the earth, presumably the favored people who participate in the luxury enjoyed by the kings, rather than the slaves and human lives that will apparently fuel the luxury. It seems it is intoxication of luxury and power gained at the expense of others that gives the harlot reign over the kings of the earth. Her seduction controls them, and they appear to gladly comply.

We can contrast this harlot with the saints who sang “the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb” in Revelation 15:3‑4. These saints have already celebrated God’s triumph. Their victory hymn contrasts sharply with the harlot’s gilded cup of abominations we will see in Revelation 17:4.

Assuming these come in order (and prophetic passages often do not), this fits a biblical pattern where there is a lag time between when a victory or new reign is declared and when it becomes a physical reality. One example of this is David being anointed king ten to twenty years prior to assuming the throne of Israel. Another is Jesus being given all authority in heaven and earth then ascending to heaven for an unknown period of time prior to returning to earth to be crowned as king (Acts 1:9-11, Matthew 28:18, Revelation 19:11).

The kings partaking in the harlot’s immorality become drunk, losing proper discernment. It seems they only want “more.” This apparently includes a desire from more oppression and murder of God’s people, those who have chosen to follow the way of the “eternal gospel,” fearing God and refusing to take the beast’s mark (Revelation 14:6-7, 17:6). Earthly powers align with spiritual darkness to oppress God’s people, as is the pattern throughout scripture and as was predicted for the end times in Daniel 7:25.

Given this exceedingly somber picture, we can revisit the promise made to believers at the very beginning of Revelation. In Revelation 1:3, we saw promised a great blessing for those who read, hear, and keep or do the words of this prophecy. The consistent message throughout this book has been an exhortation to believers that those who overcome will gain great rewards.

Revelation admonishes Jesus’s servants, those who have believed in Him, to be faithful witnesses and not fear rejection, loss, or death. Those who overcome temptation and endure as faithful witnesses will gain incredible rewards (as described in Revelation 3:21, 21:7 among many other verses).

Believers in every generation face the temptation to embrace the values of the world’s fallen system. Revelation 17 admonishes us to avoid such entanglements, remain faithful, and remember that aligning with Jesus may come with a cost—yet it is a cost overshadowed by eternal gain.

Now John begins a new adventure as he is whisked away into the wilderness:

And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 17:3).

The wilderness is a setting where God often shapes and refines His servants. For example, Moses was prepared in the wilderness (Exodus 3:1–2), and Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil (Matthew 4:1). Here, John’s wilderness vision grants a perspective of evil that lies behind the glittering façade of worldly power; the first thing John sees is the instrument of the devil—a woman sitting on a scarlet beast.

The scarlet beast is described as having seven heads and ten horns. We saw this same image earlier in Revelation 13:1. Scarlet suggests wealth, power, and at times, the color of sin (Isaiah 1:18). The beast represents the antichrist, Satan’s false “son” in the unholy trinity of the dragon (Satan), the beast, and the false prophet, each mocking and counterfeiting the roles of Father, Son, and Spirit.

The text stresses that this beast is full of blasphemous names (v. 3)—pointing to rebellion against God. Historically, Roman emperors often demanded divine worship. Notable examples include Emperor Domitian (AD 81-96), who inscribed “Lord and God” on official edicts. He would be one of many types of the beast, shadows and birth pangs leading up to what is to come—the ultimate fulfillment of the man of lawlessness, the beast.

The commentary on Revelation 13:1-6 shares some insight on the seven heads and ten horns. We will also be given substantial insight on these heads and horns in Revelation 17:9-13. The woman who is sitting on the scarlet beast is likely the same as the harlot, who is also Babylon (Revelation 17:1, 5). It is notable that the woman is riding the beast, indicating that the beast is at this point less powerful/influential than the harlot.

That the woman sits on the beast is likely why we see in Revelation 17:16 that the ten kings who give their authority to the beast (also represented by the ten horns) will hate the woman and destroy her. Not only do they blaspheme against God, but they are also apparently unwilling to suffer anything they cannot control. We will see that the woman, who also is the harlot and Babylon, represents a global economic system that makes the kings and their followers act like drunks (Revelation 18:3).

By associating blasphemous names with the beast, Revelation alludes to a final world power that exalts itself above the true God, echoing Paul’s statement that the “man of lawlessness” would “exalt himself above every so-called god” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).

Moving deeper into the vision, John notes:

the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality” (v. 4).

The lavish adornments—purple, scarlet, gold, and jewels—underscore her outward display of wealth. Purple and scarlet dyes were extremely expensive in the ancient world, often associated with royalty and high status. This system provides the kings products/results described as “luxurious and splendid” (Revelation 18:14). But the beast will destroy it.

The external splendor hides inward corruption. The gold cup that the woman wields is full of abominations, suggesting that her true essence is found in idolatry and moral filth. This economic system—wealthy and attractive on the outside—apparently lures nations into materialism and self-serving indulgence. That Revelation 18:13 mentions “slaves and human lives” as part of what the woman markets, we can presume that human trafficking and exploitation is bought and sold like candy or beverages.

We can infer that this economic system has become so powerful that it manipulates leaders, even the beast. From Revelation 13:17, we can infer that this economic system plays a key role in persecuting those loyal to God, as those unwilling to take the beast’s mark are not able to buy or sell in the economic system.

We will see in Revelation 17:6 that this economic system is drunk with the blood of the saints. Putting together Revelation 13:17 and Revelation 17:6, we can infer that the economic system not only persecutes but also exploits God’s people. Perhaps Satan will bring back the ancient Roman sport of watching people be murdered in the arena as a mode of entertainment. This would fit with the apparent callousness and darkness that descends on the hearts of men in these last days.

The mention of immorality resonates with other biblical motifs: Israel was warned repeatedly against forming alliances with pagan nations that would lead them into idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:3–4). God gave Israel a covenant/treaty that led them to be self-governing. The three pillars of self-governance (rule of law, consent of the governed, and a love-your-neighbor culture) are the opposite of pagan culture.

The pagans made their own gods who they could manipulate to their own ends and the strong oppressed and exploited those who were weaker, justifying their actions based on their false gods. This economic system that thrives on consuming the lives of men and gets drunk on the blood of the saints seems to be a sort of supercharged pagan culture.

Believers this side of these dramatic end times can take note of the underlying principle. The outward allure of riches can draw us away from faithful discipleship. Jesus reminded us that “you cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24). Thus, the woman’s luxurious clothing and gem-laden appearance stands in stark contrast to the Lamb’s bride, who is clothed in righteous deeds (Revelation 19:8).

Further unveiling occurs with the name on the woman’s forehead:

On her forehead a name was written, a mystery: ‘BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH’
(Revelation 17:5).

This phrase recalls the ancient empire of Babylon—once ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar (6th century BC). It was renowned for its wealth and power but also for its idolatry and oppression, including oppression of God’s people. In Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he placed Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon as the golden head, and him as the king above all kingdoms (Daniel 2:37-38).

Babylon’s famed city was located along the Euphrates River in what is present-day Iraq, boasting impressive structures like the Hanging Gardens. That it was the head of the statue in Daniel 2 signified its ascendance over subsequent kingdoms (Daniel 2:39).

By calling the woman BABYLON THE GREAT, Revelation connects this end-time economic system to the spirit of ancient Babylon: arrogance, idolatry, cruelty and exploitation. The phrase mother of harlots depicts her as the madam of a brothel that peddles its wares of global spiritual unfaithfulness and abominations.

She gives birth to further corruption, perpetuating it among “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15). The infiltration of her influence results in moral and spiritual decay wherever it spreads.

Ancient Babylon’s story ended when the Medes and Persians conquered the city (539 BC). Now, a spiritual Babylon resurfaces as an economic system controlling (and later destroyed by) global rulers. She epitomizes a world culture that exploits others as a means to gain affluence, convenience, and power.

Believers in any age need to remain spiritually alert, recognizing that no matter how powerful or enticing a system appears, it stands under God’s ultimate judgment. Jesus warned that in the end times lawlessness would abound and become so severe that the love of many would grow cold (Matthew 24:12).

When the love of believers grows cold, their witness is tarnished, and God’s capacity to use them diminishes. God told the Ephesian church He would remove their lampstand, representing their witness, if they did not return to their first love (Revelation 2:4-5). Jesus admonishes believers to endure until the end and not lose their love and therefore their faithful witness (Matthew 24:13).

John’s vision then continues:

And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly (v. 6).

This image highlights the harlot’s direct involvement in persecuting and killing believers. By portraying her as drunk, Scripture signifies her satisfaction in violence. This is a chilling reminder that worldly systems—if fully corrupted—do not merely ignore God’s people but gain great satisfaction from violently opposing and destroying them. This can be historically observed under tyrannical rulers.

Within the Roman Empire, under emperors like Nero (AD 54–68) and Domitian (AD 81–96), Christians faced state-sponsored persecution, often losing their lives in brutal spectacles such as gladiator games or mass tortures. Many of these emperors demanded absolute allegiance, tolerating no rival worship. This provides one of many foreshadowings of the kingdom of the beast.

The harlot, who represents an economic infrastructure, conspires with the beast to root out faithful witnesses. Yet, from Revelation’s overarching message, the saints ultimately “overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11). Their faithful witness, even unto death, is an example of what it means to be one who overcomes even as Jesus overcame (Revelation 3:21).

Those who overcome (those who are victorious over sin and temptation) will gain immense rewards, including the reward of reigning with Christ in the new earth (Revelation 3:21, 21:7). Revelation includes the ultimate irony that those who suffer as faithful witnesses and lose their lives for Jesus at the hands of a world tyrant will be given the reward to reign over the earth (Revelation 20:4).

John wondered greatly. This is understandable, this horrifying portrayal would astonish anyone devoted to God. John was already familiar with Rome’s brutality. He was exiled on Patmos and being persecuted for his own witness (Revelation 1:9). That he was astonished at this image indicates that this end-times brutality will make ancient Rome’s cruelty pale in comparison.

But in times of extreme darkness, the call does not change—believers are to maintain their testimony, rely on God’s power, and refuse to fear rejection, loss, or death (Luke 12:4–7). Even the mightiest earthly powers cannot thwart God’s redemptive plan.

All of these unfolding events remind us that we should keep our eyes on God, who is ultimately in control. When worldly systems seduce and then devour, we can know that God is neither surprised nor overwhelmed. He is always on His throne. Nothing transpires in this book of Revelation that He does not first authorize.

God’s throne room is referenced repeatedly in Revelation, constantly reminding us that God is in control. This is difficult to remember when the world is spiraling into such chaos. But final justice belongs to God, and He will make all things right. For those who remain faithful, not fearing death, and giving testimony of Christ’s love, there is the promised blessing made by God in the opening verses of Revelation (Revelation 1:3).

The events of Revelation call us to watchfulness and perseverance in resisting the world, confident that Jesus, the King of kings, will triumph in the end and greatly reward those who endure as faithful witnesses.