REVELATION CHAPTER 17
In this chapter John is shown why the plagues of chapter 16 were just. This chapter is comparable to Nephi’s vision in I Nephi 14. Read 14:10; 1 Nephi 22:22-23 and 2 Nephi 10:16. The reading of this chapter is somewhat rewarding for our class, because we see many symbols which we have already seen in previous chapters and we have an idea as to their meaning. We should also pay particular attention to the contrast between a whore and a bride.
Verse 1 - One of the seven angels (15:1). Seven vials contained the 7 pre-millennial plagues. Judgment=punishment, see 1 Nephi 22:13-16. Whore=2 Nephi 10:16. Many waters, see 17:15 and Jeremiah 51:13.
Verse 2 - This verse is a description of the wickedness of the leaders of the earth and of their following Satan rather than God. Why fornication rather than adultery? "To a greater or lesser degree, as the case may be, all of the governments of the earth are in league with the great whore in that, from time to time, they do such things as the following: Prohibit the worship of god; Enact laws defining religious beliefs and prescribing forms of worship; Maintain state-supported, false systems of religion; Deny freedom of religious belief to all their citizens; Impose the religious beliefs of conquerors upon conquered people; Permit the mingling of religious influence with civil government; Foster one religious society and proscribe another; Deny to men their inherent and inalienable rights; Fail to guarantee the free exercise of conscience, the right andd control of property; and the protection of life; Enact laws which curtail the agency of man; Require the teaching of false principles in their educational systems; Deny the representatives of certain churches the right to teach their doctrines or proselyte among their people; and Fail to punish crime and protect the rights of their citizens, particularly unpopular minority groups." (Millet p. 50-51)
Verse 3 - Examples of other prophets carried away in the Spirit. Nephi, Jesus, Adam, Lehi, Nephi (of the Book of Helaman), Ezekiel, Mary. The woman he sees is the counterfeit of the Woman who is the Church. It is the whore. The scarlet “kokkinos” beast represents sin. This was the color of the ribbon tied around the neck of the scapegoat on the day of Atonement. Scarlet is also the color of royalty or governing power. The beast appears to be the same one from 13:1. Both have seven heads and 10 horns. A description of what the heads and horns represent is given in 17::9-10. The numbers may be symbolic rather than literal. The blasphemy is because the beast pretends to represent God.
Verse 4 - The apparel of the woman is in imitation of the priesthood. Purple and scarlet were colors for the High Priest (Exodus 26:1, 31, 36) Decked means excessive. See 1 Nephi 13:7-8. The cup in her hand stands in contrast to the golden chalice held by the Levitical high priest and used in the temple for making a wine offering to God.
Verse 5 - Mystery=Secret Combinations. Revelation mentions a mark on the forehead 7 times. In 13:16; 14:9; & 20:4, the mark of the beast is on the forehead of those who follow him. In 7:3; 9:4; 14:1 & 22:4 it is the mark of God on the righteous. Some authorities believe it was common in ancient Rome for prostitutes to write their names on their foreheads. (Parry, p. 222) Babylon the great is the church of the devil. It is proper to remark that there is nothing in the original as written by John, so far as now known, that corresponded with what is implied in placing this inscription in capital letters; and the same remark may be made of the "title" or inscription that was placed over the head of the Saviour on the cross, Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19. Our translators have adopted this form, apparently for the sole purpose of denoting that it was an inscription or title.
Verse 6 - John’s wonder is with surprise, astonishment and wonder, not admiration.
Verse 7 - The angel serving as a guide is reminiscent of the angel in I Nephi 8 & 11. He is offering an explanation of the Revelation 13 beast.
Verse 8 -Perhaps meaning Satan was here on the earth, is not here anymore, because he is in perdition. (Ridges) The beast stands in contrast to He who is and was and is to come. Satan’s comings and goings are controlled by Him.
Verse 9 - Rome is known as the city of 7 hills and represents all that is powerful and corrupt in the world in any age.
Verse 10 - Lots of speculation as to who the kings might be. The number 7 is a possible indication that they represent kings of all times. Millet gives alternative explanations tied to the Roman Empire. (Rome being built upon 7 hills and the reference to the different Roman emperors or world empires
Verse 11 - The beast will lose. The message of the whole Book of Revelation and also of 1 Nephi 13, 14 & 22.
Verse 12 - The 10 Kings represent kings who have no power at the time of John but will hold it in the future. They receive power from the beast, but not for long.
Verse 13 - Unity of kingdoms in favor of the beast
Verse 14 - A fixed fight. WE WIN!
Verse 15 - See verse 1- remember a flood influences everything in its path.
Verse 16 - Those who served Satan shall turn on him. See Isaiah 49:2, Mormon 4:5 & Alma 30:60
Verse 17 - God uses the wicked to perform his work. He doesn’t inspire them. See JST Ex. 4:21.
Verse 18 - The woman is the Church of the Devil. Here Rome is possibly the symbol.
