Scarlet woman

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 and 18 (Day one)

Revelation 17 and 18 serve as a parenthesis.  In Chapter 16, we hear that the wrath of God is finished.  In Chapter 19, we see the long-anticipated return of Christ in glory.  Between these two events, God pauses to say again, “Babylon has fallen”.

John describes her as a woman dressed in scarlet and purple.  Rich.  Arrogant.  A harlot. Her name is Babylon.  Who is she?  Scholars have long debated the answer.

Some mark her as the apostate Roman Catholic church.  For long periods, history confirms,  she rode the beast of Roman power.  Corrupted by wealth and power,  she “drank” the blood of the martyrs.  Others see her as a future “church” rising up in support of the Anti-Christ.

The angel tells John the answer.  “The woman. . .is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”  (Revelation 17:18)  Those being persecuted needed this assurance. Someday, this powerful, wealthy, cruel city would be judged and destroyed.

Author: Don Guthrie

Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.

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