Commentaries:
<< Revelation 17:13 Revelation 17:15 >>
Revelation 17:1-15
These verses show the Woman, the harlot, sitting upon many waters, the Beast, and seven mountains (a mountain is a biblical symbol of a nation), and in verse 15 the waters of which the Beast consists are defined as peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. In such a context, sitting is the Bible's symbol of authority, having power over. It is as though she gives orders and is served.
This description conveys two characteristics: First, the scope of her influence is wide-ranging, over many nations. Second, the Beast consists of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. The Woman, however, is not described in that manner; she is depicted as one unit. Therefore, a distinct possibility is that God sees the Woman in this end-time prophecy as one powerful and influential people, as contrasted to the Beast, which consists of many diverse peoples who, at first, cannot combine and coordinate their strengths to counterbalance and perhaps overcome the more united Woman.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Beast and Babylon (Part Five): The Great HarlotRelated Topics: Babylon | Babylon as a World Power | Babylon the Great | Babylon, End-Time | Babylonish System | Beast of Revelation | Beast Power | Beast, Identity of | Beast, Relationship with Woman | Beast, The | Great Harlot | Great Whore | Israel as Great Whore | Israel as Harlot | Israel as Prostitute | Israel's Greatness | Woman as Symbol | Woman as Symbol of Israel | Woman as Symbol of Babylon | Woman of Revelation 17-18 | Woman Riding the BeastOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Revelation 17:14:
Daniel 7:7-8
Daniel 11:40-42
Matthew 25:1
1 Corinthians 9:19-22
<< Revelation 17:13 Revelation 17:15 >>
Join 135,000+ readers
A Verse and a Thought, Every Morning
The Berean delivers one scripture and a short, insightful commentary to your inbox each day — a starting point for reflection and study.