Chapter Seventeen

In chapter 17 John is given a closer look at the judgment of Rome, the great harlot who sits on many waters. Waters represent people, and Rome sat on many nations.

This chapter marks the beginning of the sixth section of the book. So chapter 17 fits into the pattern of opening each section with a vision. Notice the language of verse three.

This section will tell of the judgment of God against the harlot, the two beasts and the dragon. Notice that they exit in reverse order of their appearance in chapters 12-13.

John sees in verse three a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. It is interesting to remember that, in chapter 12 a woman was protected by God in the wilderness. Now we contrast that with one who is to be punished by God in the wilderness. But exactly who is this woman of chapter 17?

The last verse of the chapter says the woman is the great city that reigns over the world of John's time. Verse nine says she sits on seven hills. There are several other clues to her identity in chapters 17 and 18, but it doesn't take much effort to figure out that this Rome.

She is the one who has plundered the world and buried it in her immorality, as we see in verses 3-5. She is the great persecutor of the church, as we notice in verse 6. She rides on a beast with seven heads and ten horns. This is the sea beast of chapter 13, We promised to take a closer look at the beast when we arrived at this point.

The first five emperors of the Roman empire were Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. Following Nero the empire was ruled in quick succession by Galba, Otho and Vitellius. The total reign of one year by these three was a period of civil war, and survival was the only concern of each. Vespasian then took over, followed by the short reign of his son Titus. Another son, Domitian, ruled until his assassination in A.D. 96.

The beastly persecution of the church began with Nero. It passed with the demented ruler, and did not rear its head again until Domitian revived it.

Revelation 17:10 says that the seven heads of the beast are seven kings. Five have fallen. The insignificant reigns of Galba, Otho and Vitellius do not count. So Vespasian is the one that is. Titus is the one who is to come for a short while. That makes Domitian number eight. With him, the monster of persecution that appeared to have died with Nero is resurrected.

Eight is the number of resurrection. If seven is a complete number, then eight marks the beginning of a new cycle. The eighth day of a week is the first day of a week. Christ was raised on the first... and eighth... day of the week. In fact, 888 was the symbolic number attached to Jesus in some early circles.

Perhaps this explains why the reigns of the three insignificant rulers are ignored. This makes Domitian the resurrection. Only, in this case, the resurrection is not a good one. It is one of persecution of the saints.

Horns represent power. So ten horns represent the great power of the Roman empire. This power is presented in verse 12 as ten kings. Rome operated with a system of puppet kings who ruled in the various provinces. These have limited power, as verse 12 points out. They try to destroy the people of God but are defeated. Verses 16-17 foretell that they will eventually turn on the harlot and destroy her.

Verse 15 confirms what we said earlier about the waters where the harlot sits. These are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.

The harlot and the scarlet beast promised great things to these people. They promised power, wealth and prosperity. The names have changed, but the foes of God promise the same things today. But these promises are lies. Only God can provide. Another thing that these enemies promise is freedom. All their lies can deliver is slavery. Only the truth that comes from God can set us free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."