[§280] Rev 17:1-2: Overview of the Great Whore [False Religion]

This podcast explains the imagery and symbolism used by John in Revelation 17:1-2, which say: “AND there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon 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.” The seventh Vial Plague of the Third Woe at the Second Coming is the context and setting for these verses. Here, an angelic guide explains to John the final judgment or destruction of the Great Whore who represents false religion. She sits upon many waters because she has dominion over all the earth among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. The Great Whore is symbolically synonymous with one of the two horns on the Second Beast in Revelation 13. The other horn of power on the Second Beast is symbolically the same as the kings of the earth identified in Revelation 17:1-2. The Great Whore commits spiritual fornication with the kings of the earth who represent political and secular leaders in the modern era. These governmental leaders gain power as they yield to the influence of false religion. With that power, and using the moral compass of false religion, these leaders enact laws and take civic actions that morally degrade society and harden people's hearts against the true worship of God. Thus, they drink the wine of her fornication and become increasingly intoxicated in sin. The kings of the earth lead the modern world down the same path.