The term “Whore of Babylon” or “Mystery Babylon” is found in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. It refers to an evil entity that will appear on earth in the end times and persecute God’s people. There are different interpretations as to the identity and nature of the Whore of Babylon among Bible scholars.
The Whore of Babylon first appears in Revelation 17, where she is described as a woman sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. She is dressed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. She holds a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality (Revelation 17:1-5).
Revelation 17 states that written on her forehead was the name “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations” (Revelation 17:5). She is called the mother of prostitutes because she has led people into spiritual adultery and idolatry. The woman is said to be drunk with the blood of the saints, those who were killed because of their testimony for Jesus (Revelation 17:6).
The beast the woman sits on has seven heads and ten horns, which represent seven hills and ten kings. The woman is identified as “the great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18). There are some indications in these verses that the Whore of Babylon is associated with the city of Rome, situated on seven hills.
In Revelation 18, the Whore of Babylon is described again as a mighty city that has led all the nations astray with her sorcery and excessive luxury. She is judged and destroyed by God in a single day (Revelation 18:8). There is extensive lamentation by the kings and merchants of the earth over her destruction (Revelation 18:9-19).
So what are the main characteristics and identifiers of the Whore of Babylon from these passages?
- A wicked woman/city on 7 hills
- Clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and jewels
- Holding a golden cup full of abominations
- The mother of prostitutes and earthly abominations
- Drunk with the blood of God’s holy people
- Having great power and wealth that leads nations astray
- Committing spiritual adultery and idolatry against God
- Persecuting and killing God’s people
- Will be judged and destroyed by God
Identity of the Whore of Babylon
There are several main interpretations regarding the identity of the Whore of Babylon in Revelation:
1. The Roman Empire
Many Bible scholars believe the Whore of Babylon represents pagan Rome, the Roman Empire at the time Revelation was written. Rome was known for its luxury, corruption, and persecution of Christians at the time. As the center of the Empire, Rome exerted power and wealth that led other nations astray into idolatry, violence, and sin. Rome was the “great city” built on seven hills that ruled over the “kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:9,18). The colors of purple and scarlet, gold and jewels describe the extravagance of Roman nobility. Since the book of Revelation was written during the reign of the Roman Empire, this is a widely held view.
2. The Apostate Church
Some interpreters view the Whore of Babylon as a symbol for an apostate Christian church. Throughout the Bible, unfaithful Israel and Judah were compared to a harlot for their spiritual adultery. The Whore of Babylon is described as the mother of harlots, seducing the nations into idolatry and sexual immorality. This suggests that the Whore of Babylon could represent a religious system that has twisted Christianity into false religion. Some candidates put forth are the Roman Catholic Church or a more generalized apostate church system that has departed from the true teachings of the Bible.
3. Literal Prostitute City
Other interpreters take a more literal approach, believing the Whore of Babylon refers to an actual city that will arise in the future as a center of evil and persecution of God’s people. This city will likely be tied to the Antichrist and the beast system, using its power and wealth to deceive the whole world. While often associated with Jerusalem, Babylon is also seen as a possibility, being rebuilt as an end times city of sin and abomination. But the text also supports the symbolic view of Babylon representing worldly power and sin in general.
4. Demonically Influenced System
Some propose that the Whore of Babylon refers principally to a demonically controlled and influenced system of religion, economics, government and culture that contrasts with the kingdom of God. This worldwide system will deceive the nations into idolatry and persecute those who follow Jesus. The Whore of Babylon is thus not identified with any specific city, church or empire but represents the influence of demonic powers across human institutions and cultures.
5. Symbolic Representation
Many understand the Whore of Babylon as a symbolic representation of the seduction of power, wealth, and luxury in opposition to God. Throughout history, empires and nations have been tempted by power, materialism, violence, and sexual immorality. The Whore of Babylon is thus the personification of human civilization in organized rebellion against God and obedience to the beast. This perspective sees Babylon as a trans-historical reality that can manifest in various places and institutions rather than as one specific entity.
There are good arguments for each of these views. It seems that the Whore of Babylon encapsulates different elements and aspects of these interpretations. The textual clues connect her strongly to Rome. However, the Whore of Babylon likely represents wider realities than only ancient Rome. Even beyond apostate religion and commerce, the Whore of Babylon represents the corruption of human civilization under satanic influence leading to unchecked power, materialism, violence, and sexual immorality.
Relationship to the Beast
The Whore of Babylon is closely associated with the beast from the sea described in Revelation 13. She rides upon this beast with seven heads and ten horns, which represents political power under demonic control. She is also described as the “great city” where the blood of saints and martyrs was shed, connecting her to the persecution of God’s people historically (Revelation 17:18; 18:24).
The end times empire of the Antichrist will be directly connected to the Whore of Babylon as well. The ten kings who are aligned with the beast will “make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). They will also ultimately destroy the prostitute according to God’s purposes (Revelation 17:16).
So the Whore of Babylon works together with the Antichrist’s kingdom to deceive the world, persecute believers, and exalt itself in pride and luxury. But according to Revelation, God will judge and destroy both in His timing.
Judgment on the Whore of Babylon
The judgment of the Whore of Babylon is described powerfully in Revelation 18. A mighty angel announces her downfall which will come in a single day. She will experience plagues, mourning, famine, and utter destruction by fire (Revelation 18:8). Kings, merchants, and sea captains will stand far off and weep when they see the smoke of her burning (Revelation 18:9-18).
A heavenly multitude will rejoice over God’s judgment on the Whore of Babylon: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast” (Revelation 18:2). God will be glorified through her punishment for the blood of saints she has shed.
The complete destruction of the Whore of Babylon demonstrates God’s hatred of evil and sin. It brings to mind the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah or God’s dealing with the Canaanites. The Bible declares “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). God’s judgment on the Whore of Babylon shows that He will call all people and nations to account for pride, idolatry, violence, persecution, and sexual immorality.
Difficult Passage with Uncertain Meaning
There is much we do not understand about the symbolic language concerning the Whore of Babylon in Revelation. The striking imagery makes it a very difficult passage to interpret definitively. The extended descriptions of the woman’s garb, the meaning of the seven heads and ten horns, the exact relationships between the woman, the beasts, and the cities all contain challenging symbolism. This makes dogmatism about the meaning unwise.
At the same time, the main points are clear. The Whore of Babylon represents organized and institutionalized rebellion against God to persecute His people. God will judge this evil system justly. Followers of Jesus must be spiritually discerning to recognize and resist its seductions.
Lessons for Followers of Jesus
While many details about the Whore of Babylon remain unclear, this prophetic book provides important lessons for followers of Jesus:
- Avoid spiritual adultery through compromising with the world’s systems
- Beware the temptation and deception of wealth, luxury and power
- Be ready to face persecution for faithfulness to Jesus
- Maintain moral and spiritual purity from sexual immorality
- Trust fully in God’s sovereignty over evil world systems
- Wait patiently for God’s justice to make all things right
Jesus-followers should keep their spiritual eyes open to recognize all the varied manifestations of the Whore of Babylon’s seductions in their own life and culture. They must resist staunchly her lies and distortions while also reaching out in love to those still caught in her deadly web of idolatry and sin. Believers can rely fully on Jesus’ promises to be with His people amidst persecution and to return in glory to execute perfect justice. Despite present and future attacks, the church will be triumphant in Christ.
The Whore of Babylon remains a mysterious symbol and prophecy at the close of Scripture. But Revelation’s constant theme is the call to take courage, resist evil, and worship God no matter what raging chaos or persecution we may face. By clinging to Jesus, believers will prevail until He comes to fully vanquish His enemies and welcome His people into eternal joy in the new creation.
