Revelation 17:1-2 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger explains:
Throughout the writings of Israel’s prophets, there are a number of important references to pagan empires and nations, in which they are said to be drunk on military power, or great wealth, or false religion and self-righteousness. In Ezekiel 16:15-34, the prophet speaks of Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness in terms of adultery and prostitution. Israel loves her sinful ways so much she takes lovers without charging them her normal fee. In Nahum 3, we read of God’s impending judgment on Ninevah. In Isaiah 23, and Ezekiel 27-28, we read of the prophecies against the cities of Tyre and Sidon, cities which boasted in their great wealth and military power, but which we filled with wickedness. In Jeremiah 50-51 (including our Old Testament lesson) we read of God’s impending judgment upon the historic city of Babylon, which had conquered Israel and held God’s people in captivity.
Thus when John speaks of the great prostitute who seduces the kings of the earth, he has in mind the culmination all of these Old Testament images. He also has in mind the fourth beast of Daniel 7, namely the city of Rome and the mighty Roman empire which extended to the ends of the earth. For Rome is not only the beast which persecutes the church, but Rome’s military prowess, her great cultural attainments and her massive economic power had already seduced a number of Christians. This was clearly seen in the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, when John mentions that the church in Thyatira tolerated the false teaching of Jezebel, while Christians in Laodicea placed great confidence in their wealth and success even though they actually are poor, blind and naked, and about to come under the judgment of Christ.
Through the use of apocalyptic imagery, John not only has in the mind the city of Rome and the Roman empire which was even then both the beast and the harlot, the great prostitute Babylon the Great also symbolizes the city of man in every age, which through wealth, celebrity, and luxury, seduces Christians away from Christ into the arms of the bride of the dragon, and who, after the seduction, will leave them with nothing, much the same way a female black widow spider kills its mate after he has fulfilled his obligation to his bride. Therefore, the harlot is Rome, while at the same time is symbolic of any idolatrous nation or empire which persecutes Christ and his church, and which attacks the church, not with the sword, but through seduction. Like most harlots, who think their actions will gain them love and affection, it will not be long before her pimp, the beast, will cast her away the moment her glory fades.
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