The Great Harlot

Now we zoom in even closer to the final judgment. Aptly, it is an angel with one of “the seven bowls,” one who will execute a plague of judgment, showing John the crimes that lead to the judgment.

But who is “the great harlot”? We’ve seen her alluded to previously in the second angel’s message: Babylon falls “because she … [makes] all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:8). Babylon is symbolized as an adulteress, a “harlot.” Is “the great harlot” actually “great Babylon” (16:19), “that great city”? (14:8). We have already studied the woman of Revelation 12, who represents the church faithful to God.

Today, we are being introduced to her opponent, the harlot church who has been unfaithful to Him. Scripture consistently equates the idolatrous acts of God’s people with whoredom. For instance, of Israel, the Lord said, “You have played the harlot with many lovers. … You have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness” (Jeremiah 3:1, 2). And of Judah, God said, “She revealed her harlotry and uncovered her nakedness. … She multiplied her harlotry” (Ezekiel 23:18, 19).

By this strong imagery, the Lord is describing broken trust as in a marriage covenant. The Bible likens God to a husband and His people, or the collective church body, to God’s wife (2 Corinthians 11:2). But when that wife forsakes God to worship other gods, like the false idols of pagan nations that the children of Israel and Judah began following, she is no longer a wife but a harlot. “The great harlot” masquerades as God’s beloved but, in reality, she is an idol worshiper.

Interestingly, as the city of ancient Babylon sat on the waters of the Euphrates, so “the great harlot … sits on many waters,” which we know to be a symbol for international populations (Revelation 17:15). So this harlot will exercise power over all peoples. That sounds just like the “authority” the first beast will wield over the earth (13:3, 4, 7, 8).

Loving Lord, help me to find or remain in Your faithful church and not be seduced by those who commit adultery against You.

For Further Study: Jeremiah 51:13; Hosea 2:2, 3; Nahum 3:4, 5

Key Bible Texts

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (Revelation 17:1 KJV)