The seventh bowl has been poured out, and now one of the bowl angels offers to show John something shocking: the judgment of the great harlot. This isn't some random womanâthis is the most important revelation in the entire book about the identity of God's enemies.
Get ready for one of the most controversial interpretations in all of Scripture. According to Chilton and the preterist view, this "Great Harlot" isn't Rome, isn't some future world systemâit's Jerusalem herself, the city that should have been Christ's bride but instead became unfaithful to her divine husband.
The Great Harlot = Apostate Jerusalem. The city called to be the Bride of Christ instead chose to commit spiritual adultery with the political powers of the world, ultimately choosing Caesar over Jesus.
How does a bride become a prostitute? The tragedy began with the failure of Israel's priesthood. The priests were supposed to represent the Bridegroom (Christ) to the Bride (Israel) and guard her faithfulness. Instead, they led the people in apostasy.
Jerusalem was meant to be the "Gate of God" (that's what "Babylon" literally means), the place where God met with His people and blessed the nations.
Instead of faithfulness to God, Jerusalem pursued political alliances and false worship, becoming exactly like the original rebellious Babylon.
Throughout the Old Testament, when Israel was unfaithful to God, the prophets called her a harlot or prostitute. This wasn't about literal sexual immoralityâit was about spiritual unfaithfulness, worshipping other gods and trusting in political alliances instead of God.
John sees this woman dressed to killâliterally. She's clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. This isn't some poor street prostitute; this is luxury and wealth beyond imagination.
The colors of royalty and priesthood. Interestingly, the temple veil itself was made of purple and scarletâthe very colors this false bride wears to seduce the nations.
The wealth of temple offerings and international trade. Jerusalem was incredibly rich in the first century through her religious commerce.
A parody of true communion. Instead of the cup of blessing, she offers a cup "full of abominations and unclean things."
"MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"
Why "Mystery"? Because even in judgment, Jerusalem still has a role in God's plan. She will be destroyed as the old covenant city, but renewed as part of the New Jerusalem. Only Jerusalemânot Rome or any pagan cityâcould be both judged and renewed in this way.
The most damning evidence of the harlot's identity: she's drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses of Jesus. Who was the primary persecutor of the early church? Not Rome initiallyâit was the Jewish religious leaders!
Jewish leaders arrest Peter and John
Jewish council stones Stephen
Jews plot to kill Paul repeatedly
Jewish leaders expel Paul and Barnabas
Jews create riots against Christians
Jewish mob wants to kill Paul
Jesus himself said it: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her!" (Matthew 23:37). John tells us that "in her was found the blood of prophets and saints and all who have been slain on the earth" (Revelation 18:24). This points directly to Jerusalem as the persecutor par excellence.
The harlot doesn't stand aloneâshe's riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. This represents her unholy alliance with Rome. When the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, they famously declared: "We have no king but Caesar!" (John 19:15)
The color of blood and persecutionâthis alliance will be drenched in the blood of God's people
The seven hills of Rome and the succession of Roman emperorsâearthly political power
Complete political authorityâthe ten imperial provinces of Rome that aided in persecuting Christians
Roman emperors claimed divine titles: "Augustus" (worthy of worship), "Deus" (God), "Lord and Savior"
The angel explains that the ten horns represent ten kings who receive authority with the beast for one hour. These aren't necessarily literal kings, but represent the complete network of political powers that allied with Rome against Christianity.
These represent the totality of rulersâgovernors, provincial leaders, client kings, and local authoritiesâwho aided Rome in persecuting the Church. They had "one purpose": to wage war against the Lamb and His followers.
But here's the twist: "the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings". The very political powers that Jerusalem trusted to destroy Christianity would turn on her and burn her with fire. History proved this true when Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
The angel reveals the ultimate justice: the ten horns and the beast will hate the harlot, make her desolate, strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. The very political alliance Jerusalem trusted became the instrument of her destruction.
The love affair turns to hatredâRome grows tired of Jewish rebellions and demands
The city will be left empty and abandoned, exactly as Jesus prophesied
Remove all her wealth, glory, and religious privilegesâtotal humiliation
The penalty for priestly adultery (Leviticus 21:9)âJerusalem burned as an unfaithful priest's daughter
"For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose" (v. 17). Even Rome's destruction of Jerusalem was part of God's plan. He used the pagan empire to judge His unfaithful people and make way for the New Covenant to go to all nations.
Dispensationalists look for a future fulfillment involving a global religious system, while preterists see this as the historical judgment on first-century Jerusalem, with the harlot representing the apostate Jewish religious system that rejected Christ and persecuted the early Church.
Understanding this chapter isn't just about historical interpretationâit's about recognizing the danger of spiritual unfaithfulness in every generation. Any religious system that trusts in political power more than God's truth is in danger of becoming a "harlot."
Beware of compromising the gospel for political power or social acceptance. The church's allegiance must be to Christ, not earthly kingdoms.
Don't put your ultimate trust in political systems, wealth, or worldly success. These can become idols that lead us away from faithfulness to God.
Nations that claim God's blessing while rejecting His authority invite judgment. Privilege brings responsibility.