Revelation 17:1

Revelation 17:1

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:

a. NLT: One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters.

b. NIV: One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.

c. YLT: And there came one of the seven messengers, who were having the seven vials, and he spake with me, saying to me, 'Come, I will shew to thee the judgment of the great whore, who is sitting upon the many waters,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls then came and spoke to me, saying, Come with me! I will show you the doom (sentence, judgment) of the great harlot (idolatress) who is seated on many waters,

e. Worrell Translation: And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowl, and spake with me, saying, “Come hither! I will show you the judgment of the great harlot that sits on many waters.

1. “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials…”

a. And [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. there came [Strong: 2064 * erchomai er'-khom-ahee middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) eleuthomai el-yoo'-thom-ahee, or (active) eltho el'-tho, which do not otherwise occur) to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.]

c. one [Strong: 1520 * heis hice (including the neuter (etc.) hen); a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.]

d. of [Strong: 1537 * ek ek or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

e. the seven [2033 * hepta hep-tah' a primary number; seven:--seven.]

f. angels [Strong: 32 * aggelos ang'-el-os from aggello (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.]

g. which [Strong: 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

h. had [Strong: 2192 * echo ekh'-o, including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

i. the seven [2033 * hepta hep-tah' a primary number; seven:--seven.]

j. vials [Strong: 5357 * phiale fee-al'-ay of uncertain affinity; a broad shallow cup ("phial"):--vial.]

1). These seven angels first appeared earlier in Revelation.

a). Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

2). These seven angels poured out the wrath of God in the next chapter. All of Revelation 16 is devoted to seven angels pouring out their wrath upon the earth.

a). Revelation 16:1-21.

3). These seven angels were in reality seven men, probably Old Testament prophets who were given the honor of dispensing the wrath of God on a world that had rejected God.

a). Revelation 22:8, 9 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

4). This school of thought lines up with the rest of Scripture as to the responsibilities of redeemed men and women. I am not saying that redeemed men and women become angels, such thinking is hogwash. Men and angels are two different creations, each occupying a distinct place in God’s overall creation. What I am saying is these were redeemed men probably Old Testament prophets who were chosen by God to dispense His wrath upon the nations and John identified them as angels or “messengers”. Again, this lines up with the rest of Scripture as to the future rewards and responsibilities given to men and women who were faithful during their lives on earth.

a). 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

b). Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

c). Luke 19:11-27

2. “…and talked with me, saying unto me…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. talked [Strong: 2980 * laleo lal-eh'-o a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.]

c. with [Strong: 3326 * meta met-ah' a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between 575 or 1537 and 1519 or 4314; less intimate than 1722 and less close than 4862):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.]

d. me [Strong: 1700 * emou em-oo' a prolonged form of 3449; of me:--me, mine, my.]

e. saying [Strong: 3004 * lego leg'-o a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

f. unto me [Strong: 3427 * moi moy the simpler form of 1698; to me:--I, me, mine, my.]

3. “…Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:”

a. Come hither [Strong: 1204 * deuro dyoo'-ro of uncertain affinity; here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto:--come (hither), hither(-to).

b. I will shew [Strong: 1166 * deiknuo dike-noo'-o a prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show (literally or figuratively):--shew.]

c. unto thee [Strong: 4671 * soi soy dative case of 4771; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.]

d. the judgment [Strong: 2917 * krima kree'-mah from 2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")):--avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.]

e. of the [Strong: 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

f. great [Strong: 3173 * megas meg'-as (including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also 3176, 3187); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.]

g. whore [Strong: 4204 * porne por'-nay feminine of 4205; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:--harlot, whore.] [Thayer: a woman who sells her body for sexual uses, a prostitute, a harlot, one who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain, any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust,  metaph. an idolatress, of "Babylon" i.e. Rome, the chief seat of idolatry.] [Zodhiates: a harlot or prostitute…Babylon is called porne, the great harlot being the chief seat of idolatry, since porneia is symbolic of idolatry.]

h. that sitteth [Strong: 2521 * kathemai kath'-ay-mahee from 2596; and hemai (to sit; akin to the base of 1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside:--dwell, sit (by, down).]

i. upon [Strong: 1909 * epi * ep-ee' a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).]

j. many [Strong: 4183 * polus pol-oos' including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

k. waters [Strong: 5204 * hudor hoo'-dore, and genitive case, hudatos hoo'-dat-os, etc. from the base of 5205; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:--water.]

1). The Greek word for “whore” here is the same Greek word for “harlots” in Revelation 17:5. Both words can be linked to Judah’s and Israel’s idolatry and linked to contemporary Christianity. All through the Old Testament this theme of Israel being unfaithful to God through her idolatry is revealed and God referred to her as a whore or a harlot.

a). Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

b). Jeremiah 3:6-9 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

3:7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

3:9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

2). This same theme of being a spiritual adulterer through spiritual infidelity toward God is continued in the New Testament.

a). James 4:1-4 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4:4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

3). This woman is a false religious system. She is identified as a city.

a). Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

b). The religious system of Israel which God ordained had become a harlot was institutionalized in Jerusalem.

c). Isaiah 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

4). New Jerusalem is also described by the Apostle John as a faithful bride.

a). Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

5). For years I have wondered who would be included in the harlot church, the apostate church of Revelation 17. I believe the Scripture interprets itself. The more we get familiar with the Word of God the Holy Spirit will give us other Scripture shedding more light on passages and giving us God’s intended interpretation of a Scripture. In light of that let’s look at some verses that has the word “whore” in them. The word “whore” is only used 15 times in the King James Bible. A very important one that links the whore to contemporary Christianity is found in Isaiah.

a). Isaiah 57:3-5 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

57:4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,

57:5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

b). Modern day abortion is the equivalent of the idolatry of child sacrifice and embraced by apostate Christianity.

6). The word “harlot” is linked through a verse in Ezekiel.

a). Ezekiel 16:35, 36 Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:

16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them.

7). In order to give a general view of how the idolatry of child sacrifice is entrenched in contemporary Christianity we need only look at the positions of some denominations on abortion. I list them as pro-abortion because they are against any kind of legislation limiting abortion.

a). Presbyterian Church (USA) 2.3 million members: pro abortion.

b). United Church of Christ, 1.2 million members: pro abortion.

c). American Baptist Churches, 1.5 million members: pro-abortion.

d). Episcopal Church, 2.5 million members: pro-abortion.

e). Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), 5 million members: pro-abortion.

f). The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 600,000 members, pro-abortion.

h). Millions of men and women, boys and girls attend churches that are pro-abortion. Though not all individually are pro-abortion, they still attend churches that support and some preach that a woman has a right to kill her unborn child. The United Methodist Church, one of the founding members of Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights (RCAR), later changed to Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). In the spring of 2016 the leadership of the United Methodist Church voted to remove itself from their membership. Though many members are no doubt still pro-abortion, the leadership of the denomination have changed to a pro-life stand.

8). One of the church groups the whore of Revelation 17:1 will be composed of is churches and Christians that support abortion rights. This includes some high profile names like President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  A clueless world only sees a divide between Christians, while those within the body of Christ who are Bible believing know there can be no spiritual unity between those faithful to Scripture and those who are apostate. As faithful Christians we should not work with groups or churches that are pro-abortion in their philosophy, lest we should be “partakers of her sins”. Regardless of its unfaithfulness God, He still calls to His people within the whore to repent and come out of her and back to Him.

a). Revelation 18:4, 5 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

9). Abortion is a sin like any other that can and will be forgiven by God if we come to Him and become born again. Jesus said we must be born again, it is the only way to heaven and the only way to enter the family of God. Even if a Christian falls into sin gets pregnant and has an abortion, God will forgive them if they sincerely repent. If you are a professing Christian but are pro-abortion and you believe a woman has the right to kill her unborn child then you are apostate in your heart because and you reject what God’s word says about babies in the womb. You may go to a pro-life church but in your heart you belong to the apostate church of Revelation 17.