In this riveting episode, delve into the symbolism and prophecy behind Mystery Babylon the Great. As the wealthiest religious systems come into focus, discover how Revelation 17 unfolds the vivid imagery of a woman clothed in scarlet and adorned in luxury. David Hawking guides us through the narrative of deception, power, and the inevitable fall of a religious force that has captivated nations and influenced leaders throughout history.
00:00:00 Introduction to the Wealth of Religious Systems
It’s interesting, as you go down through the religious systems of the world, religion has often been known for its wealth. And in particular, one church has been known for its wealth. Currently, that church remains as the wealthiest church in the world. No one’s even close. The treasuries of that church alone… which are open to the public for tours, I’ve been there, are absolutely incredible. ¶¶
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A mystery clothed in purple and scarlet. She rides upon a scarlet beast, a woman of power, beauty, and blood. Her cup is golden, but what’s inside is filth. Her name, mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth. In Revelation 17, God reveals the final form of religion gone mad. A world united in deception, drunk on her lies, but her fall is certain. On this edition of Hope for Today, David Hawking unveils the great harlot and the judgment that awaits her. Stand firm. The truth is coming next on Hope for Today. Hope for Today Just before our study time today, I want to tell you about Meditations in the Psalms. This is our online daily devotional at davidhawking.org. Each day you’ll find encouragement, strength, insight, and hope from the book of Psalms, a treasure trove of praise, prayer, and promises from God’s Word. Again, that’s Meditations in the Psalms at davidhawking.org. Right there on the homepage, davidhawking.org. Let’s join David now for today’s study time. Again, David’s beginning a message, The Great Harlot, in our text, Revelation 17, 1-6.
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The Great Harlot. In verse 1, we have the announcement of her judgment. If you’ll look back, please, in chapter 16 and verse 19, we have a statement in the 7th plague the seventh bowl that the angel poured out we have this statement the great city was divided into three parts the cities of the nations fell and great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath go back to chapter 14 please chapter 14 verse 8 also announced this coming judgment there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Go to chapter 18. In verse 2, it has an angel crying out with a strong voice saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of devils, the hole of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations. Chapter 19, we hear a great praise gathering in heaven, all heaven singing the praises of our Lord. And in verse 2 it says, True and righteous are his judgments, for he hath judged the great whore, or harlot, who did corrupt the earth with their fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. It’s a very, very important issue that we have in Revelation. the mystery surrounding this Babylon the Great, this woman described as a great harlot sitting upon the beast with seven heads and ten horns. So the announcement of judgment is right there in verse 1. He talked with me and said, Come here, I’ll show thee the judgment. What we’re talking about is the woman being judged that sits upon many waters. Now, friends, I believe that chapter 17 and 18 are the same thing. That isolates me somewhat because there are many fine Bible teachers, including the ones that I studied under, who believe that chapter 17 is religious Babylon and chapter 18 is political Babylon. I do not believe that, and I will be telling you reasons why a little bit later. But I believe that these are descriptions of one thing, God’s judgment upon the great harlot. And I believe Babylon the Great is not political and religious. I believe it’s the same thing. Whatever this harlot means… That’s what it is in both chapter 17 and 18. So 18 should be looked at in the context of whatever 17 means. 18 is just giving further details about how this woman has corrupted all nations of the earth. All kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. And that also will affect naturally our viewpoint of what in the world it’s talking about. Now let’s take a look at the authority of the woman in the opening few verses. And I’d point out two things. One would be the position that she has. Verse 1 says she sits upon many waters. But she also sits on the scarlet-colored beast, according to verse 3. Now we haven’t yet broken down what the beast is with seven heads and ten horns, but we have already suggested a possibility. And that is that they represent world empires. If that’s so, then this woman has been affecting all world empires. We do know that the coming Antichrist, who will be the eighth world empire, comes out of the seventh, which is a confederation of ten divisions. A world empire with ten divisions. And out of that comes the Antichrist, who in and of himself becomes the eighth. But the position that she has is very interesting to me. She’s sitting upon many waters. Look at verse 15. He saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore or the harlot sitteth, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. A fourfold description of planet earth. We know that God is bringing out of all of these peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues a people for himself. But this woman has had such incredible influence and authority that she’s sitting on all of these nations. So if your view of this woman does not encompass all nations, all peoples, all languages, you have the wrong view. not only do I see her authority in the position that she has, but I see it in terms of the people that she influences. In verse 2, it says, “…with whom the kings…” “…of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” There’s often an emphasis upon the kings. What we have here is a woman who has affected all nations, the kings of the earth, all economic systems of the world. Everybody who’s been on planet earth has been affected by this woman. That is an incredible statement in trying to decide who it is. You have to stick with Bible details. And I always prefer to lay out the scenario. Let’s look at what the Bible says before we jump to conclusions because our evaluation may be a little bit short-sighted if we don’t have all the facts and details in front of us. Now, in addition to the announcement of judgment in verse 1 and the authority of the woman presented in the opening three verses, verse 4 tells us about the appearance of this woman. And really three things are mentioned. I want you to look at them carefully. Three things about the appearance of this woman called Mystery Babylon the Great. First, the apparel of the woman. We are told in verse 4, that she was arrayed in purple and scarlet color. Now, there’s a lot of things that we could say about that. One is it certainly pictures royalty. This woman is not an insignificant player in terms of history. The woman is very, very noble in character or wealthy in character or demonstrating royalty and majesty historically. I could not help in thinking of this woman, contrasting her with a godly woman. Turn to 1 Timothy chapter 2. It’s very interesting how women are used to picture religion in the Bible. For instance, the church is the bride of the Lord Jesus. Israel is the wife of Jehovah. We also have that woman Jezebel picturing the corruption of those who are involved in sinful actions. And we also have the woman clothed with the sun and the moon and the 12 stars in chapter 12 picturing Israel. And now we have a woman who’s described as the great prostitute, the great whore, the great harlot who has been affecting all nations of the world. So women are often used in the Bible to picture religion. And the apparel of this woman, this religious system, whatever it is, is certainly wealthy, to say the least. It has a picture of nobility and of majesty and glory. But when you look at the godly woman, what a contrast. 1 Timothy 2, 9. In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel. Quite a contrast with shamefacedness and sobriety. not with broided or braided hair or gold or pearls or costly array, but which becometh women professing godliness with good works. So back to Revelation. She’s the opposite of God’s standard of godliness in women. She is on display. There’s no doubt about it. She is arrayed with a lot of lavish colors and expensive material. Secondly, in addition to the apparel, look at the adornment of the woman. The adornment. It says in verse 4 that she’s decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. Once again, we just read the opposite. It’s interesting to me the words are even the opposite of the godly woman in 1 Timothy 2.9. Turn to 1 Peter 3. You have somewhat the same thing there. In 1 Peter 3.3, It’s almost as though the scriptures are showing you a direct contrast between the godly woman that God honors in the Bible and this harlot. They’re just totally the opposite. This woman is bedecked with gold, precious stones, and pearls, yet 1 Peter 3, 3 says of the godly woman whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of braiding the hair and of wearing of gold or putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart and that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price.” So the very adornment of the woman is in total contrast to everything God says about the godly woman. Look in chapter 18 of Revelation, verse 16. In chapter 18, verse 16, it reminds us of this fact again. It says, Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.” Now, right away, some of you are already thinking about the possibilities. We have somebody who has affected all nations of the world, who has quite a position of authority in the world and influence, and has a lot of wealth. And when one goes down this list, the possibilities are narrowing. The apparel, the adornment makes you wonder. Let’s go back to chapter 17. Look at the third thing in verse 4 about the appearance of the woman. Not only her apparel and her adornment with all these precious stones, pearls, and gold, but the abominations of this woman are brought to our attentions. It says, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. Wow, a golden cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. Turn to Jeremiah chapter 51. In Jeremiah 51, verse 6 to 8, we have this instruction. “‘Flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul.’ Be not cut off in her iniquity, for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance. He will render unto her a recompense. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand. Now, back at the time of Jeremiah, he’s talking about Babylon coming in to destroy Judah. Babylon is at its height and its power. And this woman is called Mystery Babylon the Great, mother of harlots and abominations. And the golden cup is full of abominations, God says. And here in Jeremiah 51.7, Babylon has been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand. Now watch this. That made all the earth drunk. The nations have drunk of her wine. Therefore the nations are mad. Babylon has suddenly fallen and destroyed. Howl or wail for her. Take balm for her pain. If so be she may be healed. I think it should be obvious to many of you reading this that these passages referring to ancient Babylon and its coming destruction, which happened under the Medo-Persian Empire, is also quoted in Revelation of this woman who’s described as Babylon the Great. So one of the first things that you must understand in interpreting Revelation 17 and 18 is that you cannot do so without connecting it with ancient Babylon. Whatever Babylon was, all the things that God said about it long ago are being quoted in Revelation 17 and 18 about this woman in the end time who has been sitting on all the nations of the world. So it’s a very, very critical argument concerning who is this woman. Go back to 1 Kings chapter 14 and look at verse 22. 1 Kings 14 verse 22. It says, Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed above all that their fathers had done. For they also built them high places and images and groves or idols on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were also sodomites in the land. People say, well, who are the sodomites? We’re talking about sexual perversion. It was always primarily homosexuals. And they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. Remember, this woman is seen with a golden cup. And remember, Babylon is a golden cup in the hand of the Lord. But it’s full. What’s inside of it, the wine in it, is the wine of her fornication. It’s full of abominations, full of sexual perversion and idolatry. 2 Kings, please, chapter 21. 2 Kings, chapter 21. And by the way, because of the sins of this man, God brought the judgment of Babylon upon Judah. Even though he repented at the end of his life, God still brought it. Verse 2 of 2 Kings 21. It says, he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Watch this. After the abominations… of the heathen or the nations whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. Throughout the Bible, you see the connection of abominations that have come into Israel and Judah as coming from nations that the Lord has cast out. And so the influence is coming outside and in, and they are adopting and adapting to it. Verse 9, they hearken not, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel. Her abominations are called seducing. It’s like, here, take a drink. And you take a drink, and you’re all of a sudden drunk, the Bible says, with her fornication, her sexual solicitation and seduction that leads you into all kinds of idolatry and sin. Turn to Ezekiel chapter 20. Look at verse 30. Remember Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian captivity. And it says, ye whoredom or harlotry after their, what, abominations. For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you pollute yourselves with all your idols even unto this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.
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That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David will be back in just a moment or so to close out our time in the Word. First, though, his son Matt’s here, and together we’re going to introduce this month’s featured Home Bible Study resource for you. And Matt, what do we have?
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Each month we air a special program featuring my dad’s answers from the Bible to questions we’ve received from listeners over the years. And at the root of many inquiries are basic but essential questions like, who am I? Where did I come from? What is the meaning of my life? Where am I going? Is there any hope for me?
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Yeah, Matt, in your dad’s book, Life’s Greatest Questions, we go to the Bible, the sure word of God. Amen. You can always trust God’s word.
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Yes.
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We go there for the answers to the perplexities of the human heart.
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Yes. You know, the psalmist asked, what is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him?
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Psalm 8, 4. Our Lord cares and the Bible doesn’t avoid the tough questions, does it, Matt? No. It answers them with a truth of God’s love, his plan of redemption, and his promise of eternal hope.
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You know, the Lord Jesus declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me, from John 14, 6. Wow, what a great truth that is. Amen. Amen.
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And if there’s any doubt about it, there it is. Yep. Friend, in Him, we find both the meaning of life and the assurance of everlasting life.
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And you don’t need to remain in darkness concerning life’s greatest questions. God has given us His truth, and in it we find hope, assurance, and peace through His Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yeah, John 8, 32.
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And you shall know the truth, Matt. And the truth shall make you free. Yeah, John 8, 32. Amen. Well, get your copy of Life’s Greatest Questions by David Hawking today for $10 from Hope for Today. Read, enjoy, and then share with a friend who also needs answers. When you purchase this or any resource, would you prayerfully consider adding a donation to help us continue the ministry work of Hope for Today? Or perhaps send a donation by itself. And please do pray for us whenever you hear or remember Hope for Today. Amen to that. Or you can get them on DVD and watch the series. That set is $50. You know, these resources, they really are a terrific way to help you get the most of our current study through the book of Revelation and to save and share it in the years ahead. To order any of these resources we’ve mentioned today, just visit davidhawking.org. That’s davidhocking.org. Or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. That’s in the U.S. 800-75-24253. And in Canada, call 888-75-BIBLE, 888-75-2425. 242-53. And if the Lord has used this ministry to bless you, we certainly pray that it has, well, would you consider sending a special gift to help us stay on the air and online with this broadcast and with the other resources that we offer through our website? Listen, your support makes it possible to reach people across the world with the teaching of God’s Word in places like Africa, Asia, the United States, Canada, South America, Asia, and beyond. You can write to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, B.C., V2S 8PU1. And our website again, to donate online, davidhawking.org. Let’s get back to David.
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Thanks for listening, folks. Boy, are we into some tremendous things about what’s coming. Revelation 17, it’s the great harlot in the opening six verses. That’s where we are. We’re just getting started. And by the way, this is the beginning of the judgments of seven angels who had seven bowls of wrath. And according to the Bible, John is being shown the great whore, a harlot, that sits on a seven-headed beast. This is amazing. And we’re told it’s going to be the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters. Verse 15 says, the waters… which you saw where the whore sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. Yes, whether we like it or not, the Bible predicts worldwide domination by a so-called religious system. Babylon the Great, mother of harlots, and… abominations of the earth folks listen to me the world is being prepared the wickedness is dominating moral lifestyles that were never accepted are now being pushed as the only way to live And we need the Lord’s help and His strength and His Word. It’s the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible.
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Well, thank you, David. And if you missed anything today, you can listen again or catch up on recent broadcasts posted for a limited time on our website, DavidHocking.org. That’s DavidHocking.org, where you’ll also find devotions, Bible study resources, and ways to support this ministry. Well, on our next broadcast, the woman rides the beast and the world marvels. Religion and politics merge into a single force of deception, drunk with power, blinded by pride. But God’s judgment is already in motion. In Revelation 17, David Hawking reveals how the great harlot will fall and why every believer must cling to the truth before it’s too late. That’s next time on Hope for Today. Hope for Today.
