Revelation | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

REVELATION 17

THE PROSTITUTE + THE SCARLET BEAST

In his vision, John is carried away and shown a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. The woman is adorned in purple and scarlet clothing, wearing gold, jewels, and pearls. She holds a cup full of impurities and sexual immorality. She is called Babylon, with the name “mother of prostitutes” written above her forehead. The woman is drunk off of the blood of the martyrs, those who died for sharing the news of Jesus.

John marvels at her sight in wonder and confusion. An angel explains to John that the beast with seven heads and ten horns represents earthly kings of the past, present, and future. These kings will wage war on the Lamb, but the Lamb will ultimately conquer and defeat the beast. The Lamb is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.

Eventually, the beast will hate the prostitute. She will be made desolate and naked, and the beast will devour her flesh with fire. The woman, although wicked, is still under God’s authority. The angel reveals that God has strategically placed her to carry out His purposes until God’s Word is fulfilled. The prostitute represents a dominant city or power. In John’s time, this likely refers to Rome, the oppressive empire.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Revelation 17:6 describes the prostitute as intoxicated with the blood of the saints and martyrs. How might this contrast with the wine of communion, which honors the blood of Jesus?