REVELATION
CHAPTER 17
“As evil increases
in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the
world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those
who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and
greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of
the Holy
Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight.” (Neil L. Anderson, BYU, Aug. 15, 2015)
In Revelation 16:17, the
seventh angel poured out his vial, signaling the final destructive events that
will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. These
concluding events include the fall of Babylon, described in Revelation 17–18
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 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. Scholars
have historically interpreted the beast with seven heads as an allusion to the city
of Rome because Rome was founded upon seven hills, as well as a reference to a
number of Roman emperors in the first century A.D. Though
these are possible meanings, a broader interpretation may be that Rome
represented a seat of corruption in John’s day. As such, this worldly city may
be likened to similar centers of corruption in all eras.
Vs.
2-6- The culture of Babylon permeates the world!
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 and 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 Savior 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 – Drunken indicates excessive. John’s wonder is with surprise, astonishment
and wonder, not admiration. The slaying of righteous has an intoxicating
influence on those who carried it out.
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. I
think the message is that all worldly kingdoms are temporary.
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! - “The war goes on. It is waged across
the world over the issues of agency and compulsion. It is waged by an army of
missionaries over the issues of truth and error. It is waged in our own lives,
day in and day out, in our homes, in our work, in our school associations; it
is waged over questions of love and respect, of loyalty and fidelity, of
obedience and integrity. We are all involved in it. … We are winning, and the
future never looked brighter” (GBHinckley, “The
War We Are Winning,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 43,
45).
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.
Vs. 1 - A new
and powerful angel whose presence provides light.
Vs. 2- The
ancient city of Babylon was an enormous city, with walls said to be 335 ft.
high, 85 ft. wide and 56 miles long. See BD. The period of Babylonian captivity was
possibly the low point in the history of Israel. It thus becomes a symbol for
all that is Anti-Israel and Anti-Christ. "John shows that Babylon's
seductive power tempts almost everyone. In the face of this reality the angel
gives a command and warning: 'Come out of her, my people...that ye receive not
of her plagues' (vs. 4) The Saints in the latter days have received the same
warning, 'The voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye
out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other (D&C 133:7) And more explicitly:
'Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of
wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon' (C&C 133:14). The Lord means the
Saints to take him seriously; he warns: 'After today cometh the burning-this is
peaking after the manner of the Lord-for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud
and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I
am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon' (D&C
64:24) Draper p. 200.
Vs. 3- Who has
not been influenced by Babylon?
Vs. 4- Just as
the Saints of John's day were warned not to be partakers of the pagan worship,
we are warned to not associate with Babylon. Do we do missionary work in
Babylon? Yes and No. We do missionary work, but we do not give up our home
court advantage. We flee Babylon and invite others to join us.
“Much of the world is
being engulfed in a rising river of degenerate filth, with the abandonment of
virtue, righteousness, personal integrity, traditional marriage, and family life. … “… Despite pockets of evil, the world
overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people.
God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the
degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous,
productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your
Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness” (RGScott,
Ensign, May 2004, 100)
Vs. 5- The
idea that God does not know what Babylon is doing is put to rest.
Vs. 6- See
D&C 1:7-10
Vs. 7- Do you
know people who seem satisfied and feel bullet-proof because they have wealth,
fame and power, in their wicked ways? Individuals and empires are prone to feel
bullet-proof. (Isaiah 47:7-8)
Vs. 8 - See
D&C 5:9 64:24: 88:94
Vs. 9 - The
change in lifestyle of the wicked will not be an easy day.
Vs. 10-The cry
and lament of fair weather fans of the whore. It won’t take long for Babylon to
fall.
Vs. 11 -I
guess we have to be careful what we build our foundation upon.
Vs. 12 & 13 - An
incomplete list of things Satan uses to buy the last item on the list;
"the souls of men.” (Mormon 8:32)
Vs. 14 - "You
have no doubt noticed that repetition is of used in the scriptures to drive
home a point. What you are seeing in John's vision here is an example of this
teaching technique."(Ridges) When
the Lord repeats himself, it is not because he forgot he already said it.
Repetition is the Lord's exclamation mark.
Vs. 15-19 - True
friends stick with us through thick and think. Read Ann Dibb's talk about being
True in the May Ensign, 2011.
Vs. 20- This
vengeance fulfills the promise made back in Rev. 6:9-11
Vs. 21- When
you throw a giant stone which is used to grind wheat into the ocean, it doesn't
float. (Remember Matt. 18:6 and those who offend little children. See also
Jeremiah 51:60-64)
Vs. 22- The
sounds of people seeking worldly pleasure or working or doing anything will not
be seen. When the millstone stops grinding, people go hungry, but then Babylon
is not.
Vs. 23-Satan's
deceptions were accepted through the whole world.
Vs. 24-All of
Babylon's sins have been uncovered. Babylon is guilty as charged. See 3 Nephi
9:5, 7-9, 11; Alma 14:11; John recorded that in Babylon “was found the blood of
prophets, and of saints” (Revelation 18:24),
meaning that those who uphold Babylon are to blame for the martyrdom of
prophets and Saints throughout earth’s history. At the Second Coming, Babylon
and its inhabitants will be recompensed for their evil works (see Revelation 18:6; D&C 1:10),
for the blood of the martyrs will stand as a testimony against those who have
slain them (see Revelation 6:10; 16:6; 18:24; D&C 109:49).
A similar time of judgment was recorded in 3 Nephi 8–9,
when whole cities were destroyed “that the blood of the prophets and the saints
shall not come any more unto me against them” (3 Nephi 9:5;
see also verses 7–9, 11; Alma 14:11; Revelation 19:2;
thecommentary for Revelation
16:6).
