Revelation 17:5,6
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."
Revelation 17:5-6 is a passage from the Book of Revelation that describes a mysterious and symbolic figure known as "Babylon the Great." These verses are part of the Apostle John's vision, revealing a woman sitting on a scarlet beast—representing a corrupt and powerful entity. This passage portrays Babylon the Great as a force leading people further away from Christ and persecuting His followers. It serves as both a prophecy and a warning about spiritual deception and the ultimate judgment of evil.
Revelation 17:5 identifies "Babylon the Great," symbolizing a powerful, deceptive, and spiritually corrupt religious and political organization. It represents the alliance between the religious Jews of the first century and their league with the Roman government in persecuting believers who remained faithful to the Lord Jesus. This Antichrist alliance sought to corrupt the church, but the title "Babylon the Great" suggests influence over nations, immorality, and rebellion against God. Despite this persecution, the truth of the Gospel, established through Christ's death and the blood of the martyrs, continued to grow with God's blessing. As the Lord Jesus Christ declared: "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Revelation 17:6 reveals that (false religion) actively persecuted and killed the elect of Christ's church, for whom He had paid the price for sin on the cross. The imagery of being "drunken with the blood" signifies the severity of persecution against Christians. Many wrongly assume that this passage describes a future tribulation at the end of the world. However, John was writing about what the early church was already enduring in the first century. The Book of Revelation states:
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John" (Revelation 1:1). The things that "must shortly come to pass" refer to what John and the early church would experience in their lifetime for the sake of Christ and His accomplished salvation on the cross.
The Apostle Paul also warned: "Beware of dogs" (Philippians 3:2). He used this strong language to describe false teachers—those who outwardly appear religious but have no true care for men's souls. Religion may seem to emphasize love, compassion, and service to humanity, but when it does not exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, it ultimately seeks to devour souls. Such organizations and institutions align themselves with the great harlot, Babylon the Great. The term "whore" is used because of the deceptive nature of false religion, which, like a harlot, seduces and leads people away from the truth. It integrates human works and will with the exclusive message of Christ crucified, thereby corrupting the Gospel (Galatians 1:6-10).
In this passage, the whore is depicted as one who has been unfaithful to her husband—forsaking the covenant of God and prostituting herself to the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:2 states:
"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." False religion is widespread, reaching every corner of the world. It propagates a mixture of truth and error, deceiving many. Revelation 17:4 describes her appearance:
1. "Arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls."
These adornments are mere imitations of the true Gospel, much like a harlot who uses enticing outward appearances to seduce. The book of Proverbs warns about the "strange woman" who allures men to their destruction—symbolic of false religion. Similarly, Babylon the Great uses religious symbols, such as purple for royalty and scarlet for the sacrifice of Christ, to create the illusion of legitimacy. However, false religion leads people to believe that salvation depends on their efforts rather than on Christ alone. True salvation is the work of the Lord from beginning to end; if it were not entirely His work, none would be saved.
2. Revelation 17:5 states: "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." In ancient times, some harlots would publicly display their names on signs, openly identifying themselves. Likewise, Babylon the Great is marked by blasphemy and deception. She represents all that is false and opposed to the Truth. Revelation further describes her as being "drunken with the blood of the martyrs," illustrating her deep hatred for Christ’s true followers. This enmity against God's people persists even today, as spiritual warfare continues between the Truth of the Gospel and the deception of false religion. This is the full manifestation of the enmity that God put between the seed of the serpent and the
Seed of the woman, (Genesis 3:15). The Seed of the woman (Christ) has prevailed by His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
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