Revelation 17:8 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

8 The beast G2342 that G3739 thou sawest G1492 was, G2258 and G2532 is G2076 not; G3756 and G2532 shall G3195 ascend G305 out of G1537 the bottomless pit, G12 and G2532 go G5217 into G1519 perdition: G684 and G2532 they that dwell G2730 on G1909 the earth G1093 shall wonder, G2296 whose G3739 names G3686 were G1125 not G3756 written G1125 in G1909 the book G975 of life G2222 from G575 the foundation G2602 of the world, G2889 when they behold G991 the beast G2342 that was, G3748 G2258 and G2532 is G2076 not, G3756 and yet G2539 is. G2076

Cross Reference

Revelation 11:7 STRONG

And G2532 when G3752 they shall have finished G5055 their G846 testimony, G3141 the beast G2342 that ascendeth G305 out of G1537 the bottomless pit G12 shall make G4160 war G4171 against G3326 them, G846 and G2532 shall overcome G3528 them, G846 and G2532 kill G615 them. G846

Revelation 17:11 STRONG

And G2532 the beast G2342 that G3739 was, G2258 and G2532 is G2076 not, G3756 even G2532 he G846 is G2076 the eighth, G3590 and G2532 is G2076 of G1537 the seven, G2033 and G2532 goeth G5217 into G1519 perdition. G684

Revelation 19:15-21 STRONG

And G2532 out of G1537 his G846 mouth G4750 goeth G1607 a sharp G3691 sword, G4501 that G2443 with G1722 it G846 he should smite G3960 the nations: G1484 and G2532 he G846 shall rule G4165 them G846 with G1722 a rod G4464 of iron: G4603 and G2532 he G846 treadeth G3961 the winepress G3025 G3631 of the fierceness G2372 and G2532 wrath G3709 of Almighty G3841 God. G2316 And G2532 he hath G2192 on G1909 his vesture G2440 and G2532 on G1909 his G846 thigh G3382 a name G3686 written, G1125 KING G935 OF KINGS, G935 AND G2532 LORD G2962 OF LORDS. G2962 And G2532 I saw G1492 an G1520 angel G32 standing G2476 in G1722 the sun; G2246 and G2532 he cried G2896 with a loud G3173 voice, G5456 saying G3004 to all G3956 the fowls G3732 that fly G4072 in G1722 the midst of heaven, G3321 Come G1205 and G2532 gather yourselves together G4863 unto G1519 the supper G1173 of the great G3173 God; G2316 That G2443 ye may eat G5315 the flesh G4561 of kings, G935 and G2532 the flesh G4561 of captains, G5506 and G2532 the flesh G4561 of mighty men, G2478 and G2532 the flesh G4561 of horses, G2462 and G2532 of them that sit G2521 on G1909 them, G846 and G2532 the flesh G4561 of all G3956 men, both free G1658 and G2532 bond, G1401 both G2532 small G3398 and G2532 great. G3173 And G2532 I saw G1492 the beast, G2342 and G2532 the kings G935 of the earth, G1093 and G2532 their G846 armies, G4753 gathered together G4863 to make G4160 war G4171 against G3326 him that sat G2521 on G1909 the horse, G2462 and G2532 against G3326 his G846 army. G4753 And G2532 the beast G2342 was taken, G4084 and G2532 with G3326 him G5127 the false prophet G5578 that wrought G4160 miracles G4592 before G1799 him, G846 with G1722 which G3739 he deceived G4105 them that had received G2983 the mark G5480 of the beast, G2342 and G2532 them that worshipped G4352 his G846 image. G1504 These both G1417 were cast G906 alive G2198 into G1519 a lake G3041 of fire G4442 burning G2545 with G1722 brimstone. G2303 And G2532 the remnant G3062 were slain G615 with G1722 the sword G4501 of him that sat G2521 upon G1909 the horse, G2462 which G3588 sword proceeded G1607 out of G1537 his G846 mouth: G4750 and G2532 all G3956 the fowls G3732 were filled G5526 with G1537 their G846 flesh. G4561

Revelation 3:10 STRONG

Because G3754 thou hast kept G5083 the word G3056 of my G3450 patience, G5281 I also G2504 will keep G5083 thee G4571 from G1537 the hour G5610 of temptation, G3986 which G3588 shall come G3195 G2064 upon G1909 all G3650 the world, G3625 to try G3985 them that dwell G2730 upon G1909 the earth. G1093

Revelation 3:5 STRONG

He that overcometh, G3528 the same G3778 shall be clothed G4016 in G1722 white G3022 raiment; G2440 and G2532 I will G1813 not G3364 blot out G1813 his G846 name G3686 out of G1537 the book G976 of life, G2222 but G2532 I will confess G1843 his G846 name G3686 before G1799 my G3450 Father, G3962 and G2532 before G1799 his G846 angels. G32

Matthew 25:34 STRONG

Then G5119 shall the King G935 say G2046 unto them on G1537 his G846 right hand, G1188 Come, G1205 ye blessed G2127 of my G3450 Father, G3962 inherit G2816 the kingdom G932 prepared G2090 for you G5213 from G575 the foundation G2602 of the world: G2889

Revelation 13:1-12 STRONG

And G2532 I stood G2476 upon G1909 the sand G285 of the sea, G2281 and G2532 saw G1492 a beast G2342 rise up G305 out of G1537 the sea, G2281 having G2192 seven G2033 heads G2776 and G2532 ten G1176 horns, G2768 and G2532 upon G1909 his G846 horns G2768 ten G1176 crowns, G1238 and G2532 upon G1909 his G846 heads G2776 the name G3686 of blasphemy. G988 And G2532 the beast G2342 which G3739 I saw G1492 was G2258 like G3664 unto a leopard, G3917 and G2532 his G846 feet G4228 were as G5613 the feet of a bear, G715 and G2532 his G846 mouth G4750 as G5613 the mouth G4750 of a lion: G3023 and G2532 the dragon G1404 gave G1325 him G846 his G846 power, G1411 and G2532 his G846 seat, G2362 and G2532 great G3173 authority. G1849 And G2532 I saw G1492 one G3391 of his G846 heads G2776 as it were G5613 wounded G4969 to G1519 death; G2288 and G2532 his G846 deadly G2288 wound G4127 was healed: G2323 and G2532 all G3650 the world G1093 wondered G2296 G2296 after G3694 G1722 the beast. G2342 And G2532 they worshipped G4352 the dragon G1404 which G3739 gave G1325 power G1849 unto the beast: G2342 and G2532 they worshipped G4352 the beast, G2342 saying, G3004 Who G5101 is like G3664 unto the beast? G2342 who G5101 is able G1410 to make war G4170 with G3326 him? G846 And G2532 there was given G1325 unto him G846 a mouth G4750 speaking G2980 great things G3173 and G2532 blasphemies; G988 and G2532 power G1849 was given G1325 unto him G846 to continue G4160 forty G5062 and two G1417 months. G3376 And G2532 he opened G455 his G846 mouth G4750 in G1519 blasphemy G988 against G4314 God, G2316 to blaspheme G987 his G846 name, G3686 and G2532 his G846 tabernacle, G4633 and G2532 them that dwell G4637 in G1722 heaven. G3772 And G2532 it was given G1325 unto him G846 to make G4160 war G4171 with G3326 the saints, G40 and G2532 to overcome G3528 them: G846 and G2532 power G1849 was given G1325 him G846 over G1909 all G3956 kindreds, G5443 and G2532 tongues, G1100 and G2532 nations. G1484 And G2532 all G3956 that dwell G2730 upon G1909 the earth G1093 shall worship G4352 him, G846 whose G3739 names G3686 are G1125 not G3756 written G1125 in G1722 the book G976 of life G2222 of the Lamb G721 slain G4969 from G575 the foundation G2602 of the world. G2889 If any man G1536 have G2192 an ear, G3775 let him hear. G191 He that G1536 leadeth G4863 into captivity G161 shall go G5217 into G1519 captivity: G161 he that G1536 killeth G615 with G1722 the sword G3162 must G1163 be killed G615 with G1722 the sword. G3162 Here G5602 is G2076 the patience G5281 and G2532 the faith G4102 of the saints. G40 And G2532 I beheld G1492 another G243 beast G2342 coming up G305 out of G1537 the earth; G1093 and G2532 he had G2192 two G1417 horns G2768 like G3664 a lamb, G721 and G2532 he spake G2980 as G5613 a dragon. G1404 And G2532 he exerciseth G4160 all G3956 the power G1849 of the first G4413 beast G2342 before G1799 him, G846 and G2532 causeth G4160 the earth G1093 and G2532 them which dwell G2730 therein G1722 G846 to G2443 worship G4352 the first G4413 beast, G2342 whose G3739 G846 deadly G2288 wound G4127 was healed. G2323

Revelation 20:15 STRONG

And G2532 whosoever G1536 was G2147 not G3756 found G2147 written G1125 in G1722 the book G976 of life G2222 was cast G906 into G1519 the lake G3041 of fire. G4442

Revelation 20:12 STRONG

And G2532 I saw G1492 the dead, G3498 small G3398 and G2532 great, G3173 stand G2476 before G1799 God; G2316 and G2532 the books G975 were opened: G455 and G2532 another G243 book G975 was opened, G455 which G3739 is G2076 the book of life: G2222 and G2532 the dead G3498 were judged G2919 out of G1537 those things which were written G1125 in G1722 the books, G975 according to G2596 their G846 works. G2041

Revelation 20:10 STRONG

And G2532 the devil G1228 that deceived G4105 them G846 was cast G906 into G1519 the lake G3041 of fire G4442 and G2532 brimstone, G2303 where G3699 the beast G2342 and G2532 the false prophet G5578 are, and G2532 shall be tormented G928 day G2250 and G2532 night G3571 for G1519 ever G165 and ever. G165

Revelation 16:1-18 STRONG

And G2532 I heard G191 a great G3173 voice G5456 out of G1537 the temple G3485 saying G3004 to the seven G2033 angels, G32 Go your ways, G5217 and G2532 pour out G1632 the vials G5357 of the wrath G2372 of God G2316 upon G1519 the earth. G1093 And G2532 the first G4413 went, G565 and G2532 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 upon G1909 the earth; G1093 and G2532 there fell G1096 a noisome G2556 and G2532 grievous G4190 sore G1668 upon G1519 the men G444 which G3588 had G2192 the mark G5480 of the beast, G2342 and G2532 upon them which worshipped G4352 his G846 image. G1504 And G2532 the second G1208 angel G32 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 upon G1519 the sea; G2281 and G2532 it became G1096 as G5613 the blood G129 of a dead G3498 man: and G2532 every G3956 living G2198 soul G5590 died G599 in G1722 the sea. G2281 And G2532 the third G5154 angel G32 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 upon G1519 the rivers G4215 and G2532 G1519 fountains G4077 of waters; G5204 and G2532 they became G1096 blood. G129 And G2532 I heard G191 the angel G32 of the waters G5204 say, G3004 Thou art G1488 righteous, G1342 O Lord, G2962 which G3588 art, G5607 and G2532 wast, G2258 and G2532 shalt be, G3741 G3801 because G3754 thou hast judged G2919 thus. G5023 For G3754 they have shed G1632 the blood G129 of saints G40 and G2532 prophets, G4396 and G2532 thou hast given G1325 them G846 blood G129 to drink; G4095 for G1063 they are G1526 worthy. G514 And G2532 I heard G191 another G243 out of G1537 the altar G2379 say, G3004 Even so, G3483 Lord G2962 God G2316 Almighty, G3841 true G228 and G2532 righteous G1342 are thy G4675 judgments. G2920 And G2532 the fourth G5067 angel G32 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 upon G1909 the sun; G2246 and G2532 power was given G1325 unto him G846 to scorch G2739 men G444 with G1722 fire. G4442 And G2532 men G444 were scorched G2739 with great G3173 heat, G2738 and G2532 blasphemed G987 the name G3686 of God, G2316 which G3588 hath G2192 power G1849 over G1909 these G5025 plagues: G4127 and G2532 they repented G3340 not G3756 to give G1325 him G846 glory. G1391 And G2532 the fifth G3991 angel G32 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 upon G1909 the seat G2362 of the beast; G2342 and G2532 his G846 kingdom G932 was G1096 full of darkness; G4656 and G2532 they gnawed G3145 their G846 tongues G1100 for G1537 pain, G4192 And G2532 blasphemed G987 the God G2316 of heaven G3772 because of G1537 their G846 pains G4192 and G2532 G1537 their G846 sores, G1668 and G2532 repented G3340 not G3756 of G1537 their G846 deeds. G2041 And G2532 the sixth G1623 angel G32 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 upon G1909 the great G3173 river G4215 Euphrates; G2166 and G2532 the water G5204 thereof G846 was dried up, G3583 that G2443 the way G3598 of the kings G935 of G575 the east G395 G2246 might be prepared. G2090 And G2532 I saw G1492 three G5140 unclean G169 spirits G4151 like G3664 frogs G944 come out of G1537 the mouth G4750 of the dragon, G1404 and G2532 out of G1537 the mouth G4750 of the beast, G2342 and G2532 out of G1537 the mouth G4750 of the false prophet. G5578 For G1063 they are G1526 the spirits G4151 of devils, G1142 working G4160 miracles, G4592 which go forth G1607 G3739 G1607 unto G1909 the kings G935 of the earth G1093 and G2532 of the whole G3650 world, G3625 to gather G4863 them G846 to G1519 the battle G4171 of that G1565 great G3173 day G2250 of God G2316 Almighty. G3841 Behold, G2400 I come G2064 as G5613 a thief. G2812 Blessed G3107 is he that watcheth, G1127 and G2532 keepeth G5083 his G846 garments, G2440 lest G3363 he walk G4043 naked, G1131 and G2532 they see G991 his G846 shame. G808 And G2532 he gathered G4863 them G846 together G4863 into G1519 a place G5117 called G2564 in the Hebrew tongue G1447 Armageddon. G717 And G2532 the seventh G1442 angel G32 poured out G1632 his G846 vial G5357 into G1519 the air; G109 and G2532 there came G1831 a great G3173 voice G5456 out of G575 the temple G3485 of heaven, G3772 from G575 the throne, G2362 saying, G3004 It is done. G1096 And G2532 there were G1096 voices, G5456 and G2532 thunders, G1027 and G2532 lightnings; G796 and G2532 there was G1096 a great G3173 earthquake, G4578 such as G3634 was G1096 not G3756 since G3739 G575 men G444 were G1096 upon G1909 the earth, G1093 so mighty G5082 an earthquake, G4578 and so G3779 great. G3173

Revelation 14:8-20 STRONG

And G2532 there followed G190 another G243 angel, G32 saying, G3004 Babylon G897 is fallen, G4098 is fallen, G4098 that great G3173 city, G4172 because G3754 she made G4222 all G3956 nations G1484 drink G4222 of G1537 the wine G3631 of the wrath G2372 of her G846 fornication. G4202 And G2532 the third G5154 angel G32 followed G190 them, G846 saying G3004 with G1722 a loud G3173 voice, G5456 If any man G1536 worship G4352 the beast G2342 and G2532 his G846 image, G1504 and G2532 receive G2983 his mark G5480 in G1909 his G846 forehead, G3359 or G2228 in G1909 his G846 hand, G5495 The same G846 G2532 shall drink G4095 of G1537 the wine G3631 of the wrath G2372 of God, G2316 which G3588 is poured out G2767 without mixture G194 into G1722 the cup G4221 of his G846 indignation; G3709 and G2532 he shall be tormented G928 with G1722 fire G4442 and G2532 brimstone G2303 in the presence G1799 of the holy G40 angels, G32 and G2532 in the presence G1799 of the Lamb: G721 And G2532 the smoke G2586 of their G846 torment G929 ascendeth up G305 for G1519 ever G165 and ever: G165 and G2532 they have G2192 no G3756 rest G372 day G2250 nor G2532 night, G3571 who G3588 worship G4352 the beast G2342 and G2532 his G846 image, G1504 and G2532 whosoever G1536 receiveth G2983 the mark G5480 of his G846 name. G3686 Here G5602 is G2076 the patience G5281 of the saints: G40 here G5602 are they that keep G5083 the commandments G1785 of God, G2316 and G2532 the faith G4102 of Jesus. G2424 And G2532 I heard G191 a voice G5456 from G1537 heaven G3772 saying G3004 unto me, G3427 Write, G1125 Blessed G3107 are the dead G3498 which G3588 die G599 in G1722 the Lord G2962 from henceforth: G534 Yea, G3483 saith G3004 the Spirit, G4151 that G2443 they may rest G373 from G1537 their G846 labours; G2873 and G1161 their G846 works G2041 do follow G190 G3326 them. G846 And G2532 I looked, G1492 and G2532 behold G2400 a white G3022 cloud, G3507 and G2532 upon G1909 the cloud G3507 one sat G2521 like G3664 unto the Son G5207 of man, G444 having G2192 on G1909 his G846 head G2776 a golden G5552 crown, G4735 and G2532 in G1722 his G846 hand G5495 a sharp G3691 sickle. G1407 And G2532 another G243 angel G32 came G1831 out of G1537 the temple, G3485 crying G2896 with G1722 a loud G3173 voice G5456 to him that sat G2521 on G1909 the cloud, G3507 Thrust in G3992 thy G4675 sickle, G1407 and G2532 reap: G2325 for G3754 the time G5610 is come G2064 for thee G4671 to reap; G2325 for G3754 the harvest G2326 of the earth G1093 is ripe. G3583 And G2532 he that sat G2521 on G1909 the cloud G3507 thrust in G906 his G846 sickle G1407 on G1909 the earth; G1093 and G2532 the earth G1093 was reaped. G2325 And G2532 another G243 angel G32 came G1831 out of G1537 the temple G3485 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven, G3772 he G846 also G2532 having G2192 a sharp G3691 sickle. G1407 And G2532 another G243 angel G32 came G1831 out G1537 from the altar, G2379 which had G2192 power G1849 over G1909 fire; G4442 and G2532 cried G5455 with a loud G3173 cry G2906 to him that had G2192 the sharp G3691 sickle, G1407 saying, G3004 Thrust in G3992 thy G4675 sharp G3691 sickle, G1407 and G2532 gather G5166 the clusters G1009 of the vine G288 of the earth; G1093 for G3754 her G846 grapes G4718 are fully ripe. G187 And G2532 the angel G32 thrust in G906 his G846 sickle G1407 into G1519 the earth, G1093 and G2532 gathered G5166 the vine G288 of the earth, G1093 and G2532 cast G906 it into G1519 the great G3173 winepress G3025 of the wrath G2372 of God. G2316 And G2532 the winepress G3025 was trodden G3961 without G1854 the city, G4172 and G2532 blood G129 came G1831 out of G1537 the winepress, G3025 even unto G891 the horse G2462 bridles, G5469 by the space of G575 a thousand G5507 and six hundred G1812 furlongs. G4712

Daniel 7:7 STRONG

After H870 this H1836 I saw H1934 H2370 in the night H3916 visions, H2376 and behold H718 a fourth H7244 beast, H2423 dreadful H1763 and terrible, H574 and strong H8624 exceedingly; H3493 and it had great H7260 iron H6523 teeth: H8128 it devoured H399 and brake in pieces, H1855 and stamped H7512 the residue H7606 with the feet H7271 of it: and it H1932 was diverse H8133 from H4481 all H3606 the beasts H2423 that were before H6925 it; and it had ten H6236 horns. H7162

Revelation 9:1-2 STRONG

And G2532 the fifth G3991 angel G32 sounded, G4537 and G2532 I saw G1492 a star G792 fall G4098 from G1537 heaven G3772 unto G1519 the earth: G1093 and G2532 to him G846 was given G1325 the key G2807 of the bottomless G12 pit. G5421 And G2532 he opened G455 the bottomless G12 pit; G5421 and G2532 there arose G305 a smoke G2586 out of G1537 the pit, G5421 as G5613 the smoke G2586 of a great G3173 furnace; G2575 and G2532 the sun G2246 and G2532 the air G109 were darkened G4654 by reason of G1537 the smoke G2586 of the pit. G5421

1 Peter 1:20 STRONG

Who verily G3303 was foreordained G4267 before G4253 the foundation G2602 of the world, G2889 but G1161 was manifest G5319 in G1909 these last G2078 times G5550 for G1223 you, G5209

Titus 1:2 STRONG

In G1909 hope G1680 of eternal G166 life, G2222 which G3739 God, G2316 that cannot lie, G893 promised G1861 before G4253 the world G166 began; G5550

2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 STRONG

Let G1818 no G3361 man G5100 deceive G1818 you G5209 by G2596 any G3367 means: G5158 for G3754 that day shall not come, except G3362 there come G2064 a falling away G646 first, G4412 and G2532 that man G444 of sin G266 be revealed, G601 the son G5207 of perdition; G684 Who G3588 opposeth G480 and G2532 exalteth G5229 himself above G1909 all G3956 that is called G3004 God, G2316 or G2228 that is worshipped; G4574 so G5620 that he G846 as G5613 God G2316 sitteth G2523 in G1519 the temple G3485 of God, G2316 shewing G584 himself G1438 that G3754 he is G2076 God. G2316 Remember ye G3421 not, G3756 that, G3754 when I was G5607 yet G2089 with G4314 you, G5209 I told G3004 you G5213 these things? G5023 And G2532 now G3568 ye know G1492 what withholdeth G2722 that G1519 he G846 might be revealed G601 in G1722 his G1438 time. G2540 For G1063 the mystery G3466 of iniquity G458 doth G1754 already G2235 work: G1754 only G3440 he who now G737 letteth G2722 will let, until G2193 he be taken G1096 out of G1537 the way. G3319 And G2532 then G5119 shall G601 that Wicked G459 be revealed, G601 whom G3739 the Lord G2962 shall consume G355 with the spirit G4151 of his G846 mouth, G4750 and G2532 shall destroy G2673 with the brightness G2015 of his G846 coming: G3952

Ephesians 1:4 STRONG

According as G2531 he hath chosen G1586 us G2248 in G1722 him G846 before G4253 the foundation G2602 of the world, G2889 that we G2248 should be G1511 holy G40 and G2532 without blame G299 before G2714 him G846 in G1722 love: G26

Acts 15:18 STRONG

Known G1110 unto God G2316 are G2076 all G3956 his G846 works G2041 from G575 the beginning of the world. G165

John 17:24 STRONG

Father, G3962 I will G2309 that G2443 they also, G2548 whom G3739 thou hast given G1325 me, G3427 be G5600 with G3326 me G1700 where G3699 I G1473 am; G1510 that G2443 they may behold G2334 my G1699 glory, G1391 which G3739 thou hast given G1325 me: G3427 for G3754 thou lovedst G25 me G3165 before G4253 the foundation G2602 of the world. G2889

Daniel 11:45 STRONG

And he shall plant H5193 the tabernacles H168 of his palace H643 between the seas H3220 in the glorious H6643 holy H6944 mountain; H2022 yet he shall come H935 to his end, H7093 and none shall help H5826 him.

Daniel 7:26 STRONG

But the judgment H1780 shall sit, H3488 and they shall take away H5709 his dominion, H7985 to consume H8046 and to destroy H7 it unto H5705 the end. H5491

Daniel 7:11 STRONG

I beheld H1934 H2370 then H116 because H4481 of the voice H7032 of the great H7260 words H4406 which the horn H7162 spake: H4449 I beheld H1934 H2370 even till H5705 the beast H2423 was slain, H6992 and his body H1655 destroyed, H7 and given H3052 to the burning H3346 flame. H785

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Revelation 17

Commentary on Revelation 17 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 17

This chapter contains another representation of those things that had been revealed before concerning the wickedness and ruin of antichrist. This antichrist had been before represented as a beast, and is now described as a great whore. And here,

  • I. The apostle is invited to see this vile woman (v. 1, 2).
  • II. He tells us what an appearance she made (v. 3-6).
  • III. The mystery of it is explained to him (v. 7-12). And,
  • IV. Her ruin foretold (v. 13-18).

Rev 17:1-6

Here we have a new vision, not as to the matter of it, for that is contemporary with what came under the three last vials; but as to the manner of description, etc. Observe,

  • 1. The invitation given to the apostle to take a view of what was here to be represented: Come hither, and I will show thee the judgment of the great whore, etc., v. 1. This is a name of great infamy. A whore [in this passage] is one that is married, and has been false to her husband's bed, has forsaken the guide of her youth, and broken the covenant of God. She had been a prostitute to the kings of the earth, whom she had intoxicated with the wine of her fornication.
  • 2. The appearance she made: it was gay and gaudy, like such sort of creatures: She was arrayed in purple, and scarlet colour, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, v. 4. Here were all the allurements of worldly honour and riches, pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds.
  • 3. Her principal seat and residence-upon the beast that had seven heads and ten horns; that is to say, Rome, the city on seven hills, infamous for idolatry, tyranny, and blasphemy.
  • 4. Her name, which was written on her forehead. It was the custom of impudent harlots to hang out signs, with their names, that all might know what they were. Now in this observe,
    • (1.) She is named from her place of residence-Babylon the great. But, that we might not take it for the old Babylon literally so called, we are told there is a mystery in the name; it is some other great city resembling the old Babylon.
    • (2.) She is named from her infamous way and practice; not only a harlot, but a mother of harlots, breeding up harlots, and nursing and training them up to idolatry, and all sorts of lewdness and wickedness-the parent and nurse of all false religion and filthy conversation.
  • 5. Her diet: she satiated herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She drank their blood with such greediness that she intoxicated herself with it; it was so pleasant to her that she could not tell when she had had enough of it: she was satiated, but never satisfied.

Rev 17:7-13

Here we have the mystery of this vision explained. The apostle wonders at the sight of this woman: the angel undertakes to open this vision to him, it being the key of the former visions; and he tells the apostle what was meant by the beast on which the woman sat; but it is so explained as still to need further explanation.

  • 1. This beast was, and is not, and yet is; that is, it was a seat of idolatry and persecution; and is not, that is, not in the ancient form, which was pagan; and yet it is, it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It ascends out of the bottomless pit (idolatry and cruelty are the issue and product of hell), and it shall return thither and go into perdition.
  • 2. This beast has seven heads, which have a double signification.
    • (1.) Seven mountains-the seven hills on which Rome stands; and
    • (2.) Seven kings-seven sorts of government. Rome was governed by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemviri, dictators, emperors who were pagan, and emperors who were Christian. Five of these were extinct when this prophecy was written; one was then in being, that is, the pagan emperor; and the other, that is, the Christian emperor, was yet to come, v. 10. This beast, the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again.
  • 3. This beast had ten horns; which are said to be ten kings which have as yet received no kingdoms; as yet, that is, as some, shall not rise up till the Roman empire be broken in pieces; or, as others, shall not rise up till near the end of antichrist's reign, and so shall reign but as it were one hour with her, but shall for that time be very unanimous and very zealous in that interest, and entirely devoted to it, divesting themselves of their prerogatives and revenues (things so dear to princes), out of an unaccountable fondness for the papacy.

Rev 17:14-18

Here we have some account of the downfall of Babylon, to be more fully described in the following chapter.

  • I. Here is a war begun between the beast and his followers, and the Lamb and his followers. The beast and his army, to an eye of sense, appear much stronger than the Lamb and his army: one would think an army with a lamb at the head of them could not stand before the great red dragon. But,
  • II. Here is a victory gained by the Lamb: The Lamb shall overcome. Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet; he will be sure to meet with many enemies, and much opposition, but he will also be sure to gain the victory.
  • III. Here is the ground or reason of the victory assigned; and this is taken,
    • 1. From the character of the Lamb: He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He has, both by nature and by office, supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his check and control.
    • 2. From the character of his followers: They are called, and chosen, and faithful. They are called out by commission to this warfare; they are chosen and fitted for it, and they will be faithful in it. Such an army, under such a commander, will at length carry all the world before them.
  • IV. The victory is justly aggrandized.
    • 1. By the vast multitude who paid obedience and subjection to the beast and to the whore. She sat upon (that is, presided over) many waters; and these waters were so many multitudes of people, and nations, of all languages; yea, she reigned not only over kingdoms, but over the kings, and they were her tributaries and vassals, v. 15, 18.
    • 2. By the powerful influence which God hereby showed he had over the minds of great men. Their hearts were in his hand, and he turned them as he pleased; for,
      • (1.) It was of God, and to fulfil his will, that these kings agreed to give their kingdom unto the beast; they were judicially blinded and hardened to do so. And,
      • (2.) It was of God that afterwards their hearts were turned against the whore, to hate her, and to make her desolate and naked, and to eat her flesh, and burn her with fire; they shall at length see their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the papacy, and, out of a just resentment, shall not only fall off from Rome, but shall be made the instruments of God's providence in her destruction.