The Whore of Babylon is an intriguing character in the Book of Revelation. She is described as a woman riding on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, holding “a cup filled with the abominations and filthiness of her fornication“.
Colourful, vivid and descriptive, this story is Biblical symbolism at its best!
She paints a powerful and disturbing image as a symbol of evil and corruption, and her downfall is seen as a sign of the end times. Before we get to who the ‘Whore of Babylon” is, you need to understand the significance of Babylon.
What is the meaning of ‘Babylon’ in the Bible?
Babylon was a real city on the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq. The Euphrates River is relevant, because it will dry up and be the site of Armageddon.
Babylon was the largest city in the world, with a gigantic population of 200,000!
The Tower of Babel
Nimrod, who is described as some sort of king, ordered the Tower of Babel built in the center of the city of Babylon, that would reach to the heavens so that they would always be remembered.
Nimrod is described in Genesis as “a mighty hunter before the Lord” Genesis 10:9.
But then things go awry, and power goes to his head, as it does, (we keep seeing evidence of that!) and next thing Nimrod is demanding his subjects worship him.
This is also a story of disobedience. God specifically told Noah’s family to multiply and spread across the earth. But, in the story of Babylon, we are told that the people decided to stay together, and to build a tower that reaches the heavens “to make a name for ourselves.”
Babylon became a city of sin and debauchery. Babylonians were polytheistic and worshipped a collection of gods. The chief god of Babylon was Marduk, a real person who died in 560 BC.
God did not like Babylon, not one little bit! Read Jeremiah 51 about what the Lord thought of Babylon!
So, God scattered the people and languages, causing chaos and confusion, as a punishment for directly disobeying Him for their own pride. Babylon didn’t last long. It was defeated by Cyrus, the king of Peria in 539 BC, less than a hundred years after it was built.
This article on Nimrod is really intersting, with some fascinating facts and interesting angles.
Babylon as a metaphor
Babylon is described throughout the Bible as a mighty city. God used it often as judgement upon nations.
Babylon is used 280 times in the Bible, all the way from Genesis to Revelation. Its use in Revelation though is symbolic for evilness and false religious in general and Rome in particular.
After the church has been Raptured, the false religious system will continue on and become united under the one world system of Babylon, which will be headed up by the antichrist with, possibly, headquarters in Rome. Click here to read why Rome.
Who is the Whore of Babylon?
Many interpretations have been given but one thing is for sure: she is a powerful and seductive symbol that captures the imagination of many readers.
She is first mentioned in Revelation 17:1-5. In this passage, John is given a vision of a woman sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. The woman is dressed in purple and scarlet, and she is adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. She holds a golden cup in her hand, and “she is drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus”.
The woman is identified as “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” This name suggests that she is a symbol of false religion and of the antichrist.
Origins of the Whore of Babylon
She is introduced as “the great harlot who sits on many waters, 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.” Graphic!
The imagery used to describe the Whore of Babylon is drawn from a bunch of different sources, including ancient Babylonian and Roman mythology. In both cultures, women were often depicted as seductive and dangerous, capable of leading men astray and causing their downfall.
Possible Meanings of the Whore of Babylon
This character has been interpreted in numerous ways throughout history. Some have seen her as a symbol of religious apostasy, while others have viewed her as a personification of the Roman Empire or the city of Rome itself.
One popular interpretation is that the Whore of Babylon represents a false religious system that seduces people away from the true worship of God. This interpretation sees her as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and false teachings.
Another interpretation is that the character represents the corrupt and oppressive political systems of the world. This view sees her as a symbol of the abuse of power and the exploitation of the poor and marginalized.
Relevance of the Whore of Babylon Today
She may be a figure from ancient mythology, but her relevance today cannot be denied. In a world that is increasingly polarised and divided, she serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of false teachings, abuse of power, and the exploitation of the vulnerable.
I think the warning here is to be vigilant against those who would lead us astray and exploit our weaknesses. The Whore of Babylon may be a symbol from the distant past, but her message is as relevant today as it was when the Book of Revelation was first written.
