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The Great Harlot and
the Beast
(Revelation 17:1–18)
Introduction:
Revelation 17 reveals the judgment of the great harlot who
sits on many waters. Through first-century eyes, this
chapter unveils God’s message of comfort and victory to
Christians suffering under the Roman Empire, assuring them
that the persecuting power of Rome would fall by God’s
righteous hand.
The Call to Wear
First-Century Glasses
As we approach this text, we must view it as those early
Christians would have. These were men and women in western
Asia Minor—modern-day Turkey—who were suffering persecution
at the hands of the Roman Empire. Revelation was written to
strengthen them, not to confuse them. It was a letter of
comfort, reminding them that even as Rome raged in
wickedness, God still ruled. The repeated use of the number
seven—seven angels, seven trumpets, seven bowls—represents
the completeness of God’s actions. The seven bowls of wrath
symbolize His full and final judgment on that corrupt empire
which had so brutally oppressed His people.
The Great Harlot
Revealed
John sees a woman sitting on many waters. These waters
represent peoples, nations, and tongues—those under Rome’s
dominion. This harlot, adorned in luxury and holding a
golden cup filled with abominations, symbolizes the wealth,
idolatry, and immorality of the Roman Empire. The nations
had “committed fornication” with her—forming alliances with
Rome for power, wealth, and pleasure. They were drunk on her
corruption, intoxicated by worldly gain and the false
security she promised.
John is then carried
into the wilderness, where he sees the woman seated on a
scarlet beast full of blasphemous names, having seven heads
and ten horns. This beast represents the Roman imperial
system—the power that upheld the city of Rome. The scarlet
color and blasphemous names signify Rome’s pride and
defiance against God.
Babylon the Great
Written across her forehead are the words: “Mystery, Babylon
the Great, the Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of
the Earth.” Just as ancient Babylon had once opposed God’s
people, Rome now stood as the new Babylon—decadent, violent,
and idolatrous. She is described as “drunk with the blood of
the saints,” rejoicing in the persecution of God’s people.
This imagery captures Rome’s cruelty toward Christians who
refused to worship Caesar as lord.
The Beast and the
Seven Kings
The angel explains the mystery of the woman and the beast.
The seven heads are seven mountains—an unmistakable symbol
of Rome, the city built on seven hills. The seven heads also
represent seven kings or emperors. Five had fallen
(Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero), one existed
(Vespasian), and one was yet to come (Titus). The eighth,
described as “of the seven,” points to Domitian, who revived
the cruelty of Nero and intensified persecution against
Christians. Domitian embodied the beastly spirit of
Rome—arrogant, blasphemous, and destined for destruction.
The Ten Horns and
Their Rebellion
The ten horns symbolize vassal kings—nations under Rome’s
power that shared in her authority for a time. They later
turned against her, bringing about her downfall. God used
these very kingdoms to fulfill His purpose. The nations that
once benefited from Rome’s might became instruments of her
judgment. History confirms this, as internal corruption,
rebellion, and foreign invasions led to Rome’s collapse.
What seemed like the empire’s strength became its
ruin—because God decreed it.
The Victory of the
Lamb
In verse 14, the angel assures John that “the Lamb will
overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.”
The persecuted Christians needed this assurance. Rome’s
power was temporary; Christ’s reign was eternal. The
faithful—those called, chosen, and steadfast—would triumph
with Him. The true King was not Caesar but the risen Lamb.
The Fall of Rome
Foretold
Verse 18 identifies the woman clearly: “The woman whom you
saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the
earth.” There was only one such city in the first
century—Rome. The message could not be mistaken. Rome would
fall. Its wealth, immorality, and cruelty would be judged.
God would use the nations she oppressed to destroy her
completely. Revelation was written to assure Christians that
the empire persecuting them would not last.
Lessons for Us
Today
Though Revelation 17 primarily comforted first-century
believers, its message still speaks. It reminds us that God
is sovereign over all nations and empires. No power—no
matter how mighty—can stand against His will. Every corrupt
system that opposes righteousness will eventually fall. And
those who are called, chosen, and faithful will reign with
the Lamb forever.
The Great Harlot
and the Beast Sermon Outline:
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I. The Harlot
and the Waters (Revelation 17:1–2)
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II. The Woman
and the Scarlet Beast (Revelation 17:3–6)
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The beast
symbolizes the imperial Roman system.
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The woman
represents Rome, the capital of corruption.
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“Babylon the
Great” parallels ancient Babylon as God’s enemy.
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III. The Seven
Kings (Revelation 17:9–11)
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Seven heads =
seven hills (Rome) and seven emperors.
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Five fallen
(Augustus–Nero), one is (Vespasian), one yet to come
(Titus), the eighth (Domitian) is “of the seven.”
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IV. The Ten
Horns (Revelation 17:12–13)
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V. The Victory
of the Lamb (Revelation 17:14)
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Christ defeats
the beastly powers.
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The faithful
triumph with Him—called, chosen, and steadfast.
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VI. The Fall
of the Great City (Revelation 17:15–18)
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Rome, the great
harlot, destroyed by her own allies.
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God’s will
accomplished; the persecuted comforted.
Call to Action:
We must remain among the called, chosen, and faithful. The
Lamb still reigns over every power on earth. When we are
born again, living faithfully under His lordship, we share
in His victory. As Rome fell, so too will every nation that
exalts itself against God. Let us live in steadfast loyalty
to Christ, trusting His promise to reward His faithful
people.
Key Takeaways:
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God is sovereign
over all nations (Revelation 17:17).
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Evil powers rise
and fall, but Christ reigns forever (Revelation 17:14).
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The faithful are
called, chosen, and preserved (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation
17:14).
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History fulfills
God’s purposes—even through nations unaware of His will
(Daniel 4:17).
Scripture
Reference List:
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Revelation 17:1–18
– Judgment of the great harlot and fall of Rome.
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1 Peter 2:9 – God’s
people are a chosen generation.
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Daniel 4:17 – God
rules in the kingdoms of men.
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Revelation 17:14 –
The Lamb conquers all powers.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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