In the summer of 1990 the Persian Gulf War began. Along with the war many Biblical interpreters came forth with theories on how the alignment of countries in the Middle East (and for some the European Union) was a possible fulfillment of the Book of Revelation, especially chapter 17. Though the war only lasted seven months, the prognosticators continued for years to write books and produce DVD’s forecasting the coming end of the world. When people try to interpret John’s vision literally there is no end to the possibilities they can conjure up. But, as we have learned, John’s vision in written as apocalyptic literature and as such he is writing symbolically not literally.
Chapter 17 is the beginning of another historical survey contained in chapters 17-19. The major emphasis of this section is the fall of Babylon. John knows that his first readers will see that the great harlot, Babylon, is the political system of Rome that has been persecuting the Christians.
In verse 8 John says the beast “was, and is not, and is about to ascend” (NRSV). This description is the exact opposite of John’s description for God: “The One who is, was, and is to come.” As in chapter 13 the beast uses deception to mislead the people. If there had been any doubt for those first hearing this revelation, as soon as John mentions the seven hills they would immediately know the woman, Babylon, is Rome. The number of rulers is seven denoting something that has come to maturity or fruition. The way John uses the numbers seems to indicate the persecution is near its end, but still has a short time until completion. Overall it seems clear that John is once again declaring that the persecution begun by Nero has been reborn under the Emperor Domitian.
John concludes chapter 17 by teaching that evil is self-destructive (the beast turns on the harlot and destroys her). Interesting John is also suggesting that while the persecution emanating from Rome will come to an end, the city of Rome will survive. The emperors of evil have come and gone, but Rome survives and is now the center of the Roman Catholic faith.
Is this an example of God working all things together for good? Is this an example that with God nothing is impossible?
What does today's reading
reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do
or remember about this passage.
Does God want you to change
anything in your life?
Remember, this is not something
the rest of the world needs to do.
What does God want you to do?
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