Lecture Notes: Revelation and the Great Prostitute

Key Themes

• The Great Prostitute

  • Symbolizes a corrupted system that seduces and deceives the inhabitants of the earth.
  • Associated with kings of the earth who commit adultery; represents the union of political and religious systems.
  • Depicted as sitting on many waters, indicating control over diverse nations.

• Vision of Revelation 17

  • The Woman: Adorned in purple and scarlet, glittering with gold and jewels, holding a golden cup of abominations.
  • The Beast: Scarlet-colored, with seven heads and ten horns, covered with blasphemous names.
  • Mystery Babylon: Name on the woman's forehead, symbolizes the mother of prostitutes and earthly abominations.

Lucifer's Objectives

• Establish a one-world theocracy.
• Destroy the saints and gain global control.
• The great city, as the woman, rules over kings and rides the Beast, directing it contrary to the saints.

Parallels and Prophecies

• The great city is likened to Jerusalem from the Old Testament, envisioned as ruling over all earth.
• The prophecy describes a universal government, not bound by geographical limits.

Symbolism of the Woman and the Beast

• Gold Cup: Represents wealth and allure, yet filled with detestable contents.
• Scarlet Beast: Controlled by the red dragon (devil), symbolizes deceit and manipulation.
• Seven Heads and Kings: Religious systems with authority over adherents.
  • Examples: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Protestantism.

Seven Religious Systems

• Historical Context
  • Five systems have fallen by John's time: Atheism, Paganism, Judaism, Islam, Eastern Mysticism.
  • Christianity's rise and subsequent division into Catholicism and Protestantism.
  • Protestantism is noted for its relatively recent emergence in the 1500s.

Understanding the Beast

• Described as existing, not existing, and returning from the abyss.
• A parallel to the leopard-like beast from Revelation 13.

Conclusion

• The scarlet color of the Beast signifies the devil's influence and control.
• The narrative portrays a cautionary tale of allegiance and the ultimate destiny of those who follow the great prostitute.