Tag: Revelation 17

How Satan Attacks the Church | The 3 D’s of Satan

How Satan Attacks the Church | The 3 D’s of Satan examines the methods Satan uses to undermine and ultimately destroy God’s church.

Why is the Christian church so divided? Why are there so many denominations teaching different doctrines? And what is really behind these divisions?

I recently completed a series of articles on The Mark of the Beast and The Woman That Rides the Beast, which together represent a global false church allied with civil powers. According to Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV, this alliance is empowered by the red dragon, identified as Satan.

Spiritual Warfare: The Great Controversy

This topic addresses spiritual warfare, also known as the Great Controversy, which is the ongoing conflict between God and Satan.

  1. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Scripture states, “we do not wrestle.” To wrestle is to struggle or fight. This spiritual battle manifests in the natural world; the conflicts we see on earth originate in the spiritual realm.

Satan’s Desire for Worship

In summary, Satan seeks worship and will do whatever he can to achieve this goal.

He even attempted to persuade God Himself to worship him, as shown in Matthew 4:8-9 NKJV.

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

  1. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

This passage demonstrates that Satan claims authority over the kingdoms and desires worship. He even tempted Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to worship him. Had Jesus yielded, it would have marked Satan’s ultimate victory.

Satan’s War Against God’s Church

Satan was unsuccessful in defeating Christ during His time on earth. As a result, he now targets what Christ left behind: the church, consisting of His followers and disciples.

Revelation 12:1-6 NKJV

  1. Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
  2. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
  3. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
  4. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.
  5. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
  6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

For context, Revelation 12 is considered a foundational chapter in the Book of Revelation. It describes the conflict between Christ and Satan, beginning in heaven and continuing on earth. The chapter introduces the main figures in this struggle, including God’s church in both the Old and New Testaments, Christ’s opposition, and the church in the wilderness facing attack.

The first six verses are significant enough for a separate discussion, but here is a brief summary. In prophecy, a woman represents a church. The woman in Revelation 17 symbolizes a false church, which is and will continue to be responsible for much evil in the world.

How Satan Attacks the Church | The 3 D's of Satan — image of the pure church

The woman in Revelation 12 represents Christ’s church—the pure church. In verse 4, the woman is “ready to give birth,” while the dragon waits to devour the child.

Verse 5 identifies the child as a “male child” who was “caught up to God and His throne,” referring to Jesus Christ.

Verse 6 shows God’s provision to preserve the church during perilous times.

Just to be clear on who the red dragon is, let’s look at verses 7-9 [Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV]

7 .And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

  1. but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

This confirms there was war in heaven between the angels and the dragon—Satan—who was cast to earth. The conflict in heaven has now shifted to earth.

Now, this war continues on earth, with Satan attacking both humanity and the church.

The Three D’s of Satan

With this background, the remainder of this presentation examines how Satan attacks the church, categorized into three areas:

Deceive

Divide

Destroy

These are the Three D’s of Satan, each addressed in Scripture with warnings.

  1. Deceive: Satan’s Strategy of Deception

The first is deceive.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word translated as deceived is planao (plan-ah’-o), meaning to cause someone to roam from safety, truth, or virtue.

KJV – go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.

Jesus issued strong warnings against deception, as seen in Matthew 24:4-5 NKJV.

  1. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
  2. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Jesus warned that many will be deceived by those influenced by the spirit of Satan.

The word deceive appears in Scripture 27 times in the New King James version. Here are additional examples:

Eph 5:6-7 KJV

  1. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
  2. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

This is another strong warning about deception.

Rev 20:7-8 NKJV

This passage addresses Satan’s deception directly:

  1. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
  2. and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

This prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.

Deception remains a persistent tool in Satan’s arsenal and a threat to the church.

  1. Divide: How Satan Divides the Church

The next D is divide. Division is central to Satan’s strategy.

Satan is his name, and divide is his game!

When deception is introduced among a group, it inevitably leads to division. Some will be deceived, while others will not, resulting in discord.

The Christian church today is highly divided.

According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, there are approximately 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide, each with differing doctrines and claims of correctness.

Scripture addresses division directly. Let’s start with one Jesus said in Mark 3:24-25 NKJV

  1. If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
  2. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Jesus said a house divided cannot stand. Given the current division in the church, significant challenges are inevitable.

Next, we’re going to look at a direct rebuke against division. 1Corinthians 3:1-7 NKJV

  1.  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
  2. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
  3. for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
  4. For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
  5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?
  6. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
  7. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Here, Paul addresses and rebukes the division within the church at Corinth. Members were aligning themselves with different leaders, and Scripture describes them as “carnal and behaving like mere men,” indicating a lack of spiritual growth.

To call a Christian carnal is a serious rebuke. To be carnal is to be worldly and out of favor with God (Romans 8:7). Carnality is spiritually damaging, and a future presentation will address this topic in detail.

They were carnal, following men instead of God. Verse 7 emphasizes that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything; God gives the increase.

Today, while we do not have Paul or Apollos, division persists among denominations such as Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh-day Adventist, to name a few. The question remains: which doctrine is correct?

Next, we look at a passage that expresses the ultimate goal.

Ephesian 4:11-16 NKJV

This passage discusses the distribution and purpose of spiritual gifts.

  1. And He (Christ) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
  2.  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
  3.  till we all come to the UNITY of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
  4.  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of DOCTRINE, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
  5.  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
  6. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The goal is unity of faith, so believers are not swayed by every new doctrine.

This unity is Christ’s desire for the church.

However, Satan’s plan opposes Christ’s, seeking to undermine the church. Jesus said in Luke 18:8, “… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” This sobering question highlights that few will remain faithful when Christ returns.

Satan continually works to divide the church, ultimately seeking its destruction. This brings us to the final D—destroy.

  1. Destroy: Satan’s Ultimate Objective

Satan’s ultimate goal is to destroy God’s church.

To achieve this, he has established a false religious system—spiritual Babylon—represented by the woman in Revelation 17.

But let’s look at what happens to this church. Revelation 18:1-2, 8 NKJV

  1. After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
  2. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!
  3. Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

This false church, present today, will become increasingly corrupt and will ultimately be destroyed by God. Those who persist in following its false doctrines and ignore God’s call to leave will share its fate. Satan seeks to claim as many souls as possible, which is why there is an urgent call to come out.

Let’s look at verses 4-5 NKJV:

  1. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.
  2. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

In summary, these divisions result from the influence of the false church. The question remains: which doctrine is correct?

Testing Doctrines Against the Word of God

We must be cautious of denomination-specific doctrines and remain vigilant, as Scripture encourages.

1 John 4:1 NKJV

  1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Scripture instructs us to “test the spirits.”

We test the spirits by the Word of God, as Scripture is the final authority. Caution is necessary, as truth is often mixed with error.

If a doctrine does not align with the Word of God, it is false.

Christians should always ask: What would Jesus do, and what does the Bible say? Honest answers to these questions will provide proper guidance.

Some claim the Bible is open to many interpretations. While this is true, only one interpretation is correct.

Only the Holy Spirit can guide us to the correct interpretation.

Let’s look at what Jesus said in John 16:13 NKJV

  1. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into ALL TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Guiding believers into truth is one of the Holy Spirit’s functions.

Conclusion: Following God’s Word

In summary, the Three D’s of Satan are deceive, divide, and destroy.

On a personal note, you may wonder about my denomination.

I identify simply as a Christian. I am non-denominational and strive to follow Christ and the Word of God as closely as possible.

In closing, it is important to attend churches that teach the truth according to the Bible, rather than denominational doctrines not supported by Scripture or personal opinions.

As for me and my house—I will follow the Word of God.

AMEN!

If you found this article helpful, I encourage you to explore related biblical teachings on The Christian Advocate and view the companion video on our YouTube channel. You may also subscribe for updates on future articles and presentations.

The next series of articles will address false doctrines that have infiltrated the church and examine them in light of the Word of God.

The next article will address the question: Is Hell Eternal? What Does the Bible Really Say? I invite you to join me in this exploration.

The Christian Advocate

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

A full video presentation is available for this topic

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What Happens to the Woman in Revelation 17?

What happens to the woman in Revelation 17? Scripture reveals a dramatic ending for this mysterious woman, whose ultimate fate illustrates God’s final judgment upon Babylon.

In my previous article, Who is the Woman in Revelation 17?, I explained what this woman represents, her relationship with earthly political powers, and why her identity matters to Christians today. If you haven’t read that article yet, click the link above for all the details.

But what happens to this woman? Does she live happily ever after, or does Scripture reveal a very different ending?

This article addresses the demise of this woman, the false church.

We begin by looking at the passage in Revelation 17:16-18 NKJV

  1. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
  2. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
  3. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

The harlot mentioned here is the same woman described earlier in the first article.

At the end of time, Jesus Christ will return to earth. He will bring righteousness and establish a perfect society and government focused on true worship and service to God. Before this happens, He must bring judgment upon the evil and ungodliness that have dominated the world, clearing the way for His righteous reign since righteousness cannot coexist with them. This also means that all false religions will be destroyed.

This passage discusses the destruction of religious Babylon, which represents false worship in the end times: a religion centered on worshiping the state and its leader, the antichrist. By law, people will be required to give their first loyalty to the state or face death. That means everyone will be subject to a worldwide system of religious and political authority; this is what is meant by religious Babylon.

Why Do the Ten Kings Turn Against Babylon?

Verse 16 mentions the beast’s ten horns. In biblical prophecy, horns symbolize strength, power, and authority. These horns belong to the scarlet beast described in Revelation 17 and discussed in the previous article. The scarlet beast represents the succession of political kingdoms and empires, from Babylon to the final worldwide coalition. Revelation 17:12 identifies the ten horns as ten kings, representing the political powers that unite with the beast at the end of time.

As God’s final judgments unfold, the kings of the earth realize that the religious system they supported cannot save them. They turn against the woman—the harlot, or apostate church. This occurs during the final judgments associated with the seventh plague described in Revelation 16:17–21.

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”

18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

This is the final plague. Notice the voice from the throne: “It is done.” This refers to the final destruction of the union of the wicked and satanic forces. Babylon is specifically mentioned in this judgment as “Great Babylon,” the great city represented by the woman in Revelation 17:5

When people realize that the woman’s false teachings—the wine of Babylon—have led them into rebellion against God and brought His judgments upon them, their allegiance to her will turn into hatred. The very people who once supported her will now turn against her.

Oh, the irony! The very political powers that supported her so vigorously will ultimately turn against her. Despite her worldwide influence, popularity, and power, religious Babylon will fall. This is why God’s call to come out of her is so urgent. More on that shortly.

The Destruction of Religious Babylon

In the seventh plague, Babylon receives the full measure of punishment for its sins. Although Babylon has committed many offenses, including persecuting and killing saints and prophets over the centuries, its final act of rebellion brings its sins to their culmination. This occurs when human legislation enforces laws that directly contradict God’s law.

Returning to our main text in Revelation 17, verse 16 tells us that she will be made desolate and naked, her flesh will be eaten, and she will be burned with fire. This dramatic language is symbolic, describing the destruction of the false church-state power at the end of time. She is left desolate and in ruins, having lost the support of the nations that once sustained her.

At the beginning of the chapter, the woman is adorned in luxurious clothing, as discussed in the first article. By verse 16, she is stripped of her splendor and left naked, symbolizing her complete exposure and humiliation.

The phrase about eating her flesh figuratively describes the violent nature of the powers that once supported her as they carry out her destruction. She is also burned figuratively, showing how those same powers destroy her. Ultimately, religious Babylon cannot survive the establishment of Christ’s righteous kingdom, for evil cannot coexist with righteousness.

Verse 17 reveals that God ultimately controls religious Babylon’s destruction. He will use the very political powers that once supported her to carry out His judgment. Even though it is they who turn against her, they will be fulfilling His word.

Notice how religious Babylon is identified in verse 18. The woman is described as the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth, representing a false religious system that influences political powers. Through this union of religion and state, people will be compelled to give their allegiance to its authority.

This is the future demise of the false church and its influence. But make no mistake: this false church and the antichrist exist today, hidden in plain sight. An urgent cry to come out of this false church will be heard. For those who take Scripture and biblical prophecy seriously, however, that warning is relevant today.

God’s Final Warning: Come Out of Babylon

Let’s read Revelation 18:1-5 NKJV:

  1. After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
  2. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!
  3. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

  1.  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
  2. Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

Okay, now we have the announcement of fallen Babylon—the false church that will become a dwelling place of demons, foul spirits, and everything unclean. And notice that it says “ALL THE NATIONS” have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. This is a worldwide organization.

What Happens to the Woman of Revelation 17?

Verse 4 contains an urgent cry: “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

Notice that this appeal does not come from the angel but from “another voice from heaven.” It is God’s final appeal to His people to come out of Babylon.

As I noted in the first article, God knows there are people in this false church, and in its branches, with good intentions, oblivious to the circumstances. Which is why he addresses them as “my people.”

Babylon’s numerous and grave sins over the centuries resulted in the deaths of countless believers during the dark ages. According to Revelation 16:6, she is responsible for the blood of saints and prophets. During the loud cry, it is announced in verse 5 that Babylon’s sins have reached heaven.

How do Babylon’s sins reach heaven? The first five verses of chapter 18 indicate that all nations have partaken of Babylon’s wine. Sins of this magnitude can’t help but reach heaven.

It is time to heed this warning from heaven today! After all, we may be long gone before this announcement; we do not know the timing. If we die following the false teachings of this church…guess what? We will share in its ultimate fate, even if we die before the plagues occur. As Scripture warns, “lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Because Scripture tells us this church is going down, and it will take everyone who remains a part of it down as well. As the Scripture reads: “burned with fire.”

Why We Must Be Vigilant Against False Teachings

Scripture says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Listen, what better way to devour God’s people than through the church? So, it matters where we go to church—where we worship—and what we are taught.

We must be “sober”—alert, and we must be “vigilant”—on guard.

Coming soon on this website, a series of articles will address the manifestations—the false doctrines— of this false church and its branches.

This segment of articles will address the practical ways Satan has attacked God’s church. It is no wonder God will cry out, “Come out of her.”

Coming up in the next article: The Three D’s of Satan.

I bet you didn’t know that Satan is three-dimensional, right? This introductory article will explain what I mean.

So, don’t miss the next article. Subscribe if you haven’t already so you’re notified when it’s published.

So, until then—be blessed!

Amen

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

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Who Is the Woman Riding the Beast in Revelation 17?

Introduction

Who Is the Woman Riding the Beast in Revelation 17? Do you know who the woman in Revelation 17 is? Her identity is directly relevant to us today. Keep reading!

In Revelation 14:8, the second angel of the three Angels’ messages declares, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city…” In a recent presentation, I likened Babylon to a prostitute. Yet Revelation 14:8 never actually mentions a prostitute. So where does that image come from?

It comes from Revelation chapter 17.

In this article, we will examine that passage, identify the woman of Revelation 17, and explain why she matters today.

John’s Vision: Revelation 17:1-6

Let’s start with the Apostle John’s vision in Revelation 17:1-6 NKJV.

1. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,

2. with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY,

BABYLON THE GREAT,

THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

  1. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

What Is a Harlot?

Verse 1 introduces the judgment of the great harlot.

To be clear, let’s define “harlot.”

According to Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionary, the Greek word translated “harlot” is

porne (por’-nay); a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:

KJV – harlot, whore.

“Strumpet” is an archaic, offensive word for a prostitute or a woman considered sexually promiscuous. Though seldom used in modern English, its meaning is the same: a prostitute.

This explains why I called Babylon a prostitute when discussing the second angel’s message.

These are two distinct visions given to the Apostle John. Revelation 14:8 describes her in fairly general terms, while Revelation 17 describes her in greater detail.

Two Women, Two Churches

Who is the Woman in Revelation 17?

As I have emphasized throughout my presentations on the Three Angels’ Messages and the Mark of the Beast, Revelation is deeply symbolic; each symbol carries meaning and must be interpreted correctly.

In prophecy, a woman symbolizes a church. Revelation uses this image twice to portray two very different churches.

Let’s see how Scripture describes the other woman in Revelation 12:1 NKJV

  1. Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.

– The woman in heaven

Notice that this woman appears in heaven, clothed with the sun. Malachi 4:2 calls Christ the Sun of Righteousness, and Jeremiah 23:6 identifies Him as our righteousness. So the sun that clothes her represents Christ. She shines with the sun’s brilliance, reflecting His glory and righteousness. The church has no glory of its own apart from Christ, and it is He who draws people to it. This woman represents the pure church.

The woman of Revelation 17, however, is her complete opposite. Called a harlot and seated on a scarlet beast, she represents an ungodly, impure church.

Let’s examine this contrast.

The Woman on the Scarlet Beast

Returning to Revelation 17:3, we find a detailed description of this woman. 

  1. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

In prophecy, beasts represent kingdoms. The scarlet beast is the kingdom on which the woman sits and by which she is supported. A woman riding a beast also pictures the union of church and state—religious power upheld by civil power. Like the beast of Revelation 13, this one has seven heads and ten horns. Scripture says it is “full of names of blasphemy.” Biblically, blasphemy means dishonoring God or claiming authority that belongs to Him alone—such as claiming divine authority, the power to forgive sins, or the right to change God’s law.

Purple, Scarlet, and Gold

Verse 4 continues the description:

  1. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.

Once again, the woman of Revelation 17 stands in stark contrast to the woman of Revelation 12. Let’s look more closely:

Here the harlot wears purple and scarlet and is adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, like a seductress. By contrast, the pure woman of Revelation 12 is clothed simply in the white brilliance of the sun, with no costly ornaments.

In the ancient world, purple and red garments carried special significance. Purple especially signified rank and royalty; Roman emperors wore imperial purple. Here, red, purple, and gold reflect the royal status the apostate church claims. In Jeremiah 4:30, Israel, having turned away from God, is likewise portrayed as a woman dressed in scarlet and gold.

The pure woman is clothed in white—the brightness of the sun, symbolizing Christ’s righteousness—and needs no adornment like the woman of Revelation 17. She belongs to God’s eternal Kingdom. The harlot, by contrast, allies herself with the kings of the earth and receives her power, throne, and authority from the dragon. Ruling an earthly kingdom, she strives to look regal. Lacking Christ’s righteousness, she compensates with royal colors and jewels.

The red of her clothing also links her to the great red dragon of Revelation 12:3 and the scarlet beast of Revelation 17:3. She allies herself with Satan and the beast’s power. Red symbolizes sin (Isaiah 1:18), and Satan, the harlot, and the beast all act sinfully—together forming a trifecta of sin.

The Golden Cup

What Happens to the Woman of Revelations 7

The harlot holds a golden cup filled with abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. This cup recalls Babylon’s golden cup in Jeremiah 51:7-9. Just as ancient Babylon intoxicated the nations, the woman of Revelation 17 spreads her corrupting influence through false teachings and spiritual unfaithfulness. Her actions ultimately bring God’s judgment upon her.

Jeremiah 51:7 says Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand. God used ancient Babylon to punish Israel’s unfaithfulness and to judge the wickedness of the surrounding nations.

The harlot’s cup is filled with wine containing abominations and filth. Just as ancient Babylon was portrayed as a golden cup that intoxicated the nations, the harlot of Revelation 17 holds a golden cup filled with the wine of her false teachings.

This cup, filled with the wine of Babylon, brings about her judgment and downfall. I will address the harlot’s demise in the next presentation.

If you saw the video on the second angel of the Three Angels’ Messages, you may recall this verse: “and there followed another Angel saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, the great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” That is Revelation 14:8.

Verse 4 ends with these words: “full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.”

The cup holds not only the wrath of her fornication but also abominations and filthiness. The wine represents the woman’s false teachings, which lead to impurity and immorality.

False doctrines are not merely mistaken ideas. The Greek word for abominations, bdelugma, refers to something detestable or idolatrous. These false teachings have led much of the Christian world into impurity and idolatry.

Sadly, the church has joined itself to the world in countless ways, in both thought and practice. This unlawful union amounts to spiritual fornication. As I noted in the presentation on the second angel, “Fornication is an illicit—or unlawful—union.”

The Name on Her Forehead

Verse 5 plainly identifies this corrupt woman. Let’s read it:

  1. And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY,

BABYLON THE GREAT,

THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

Notice that the harlot’s name appears in capital letters, making its meaning unmistakable, and it is written on her forehead. By contrast, the 144,000 faithful bear God’s seal and name on their foreheads, reflecting their holy character. The apostate church also bears a name on her forehead, but it reveals her unholiness and her abominations. Scripture portrays her as wicked and filthy—a truly disgraceful fallen church.

The first part of her name is MYSTERY. What she truly represents is hidden; her real character is not obvious at first glance. Outwardly she is impressive, clothed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. Yet behind that façade lies an apostate religious system opposed to God and His truth.

The second part of her name is BABYLON THE GREAT. Babylon’s history began with the Tower of Babel and developed under King Nebuchadnezzar. The harlot’s thinking is shaped by the spirit and ideas of ancient Babylon, whose false religion has influenced every false religion in the kingdoms that followed.

Harlots are considered filthy because they sell what should be sacred between husband and wife. Likewise, this apostate church openly forms political alliances with world leaders in the name of religion, corrupting what should be holy.

The next part of her name is MOTHER OF HARLOTS. She is both mother and harlot, and her daughters are harlots too. Together, the mother and her daughters commit fornication with the kings of the earth for a price (Revelation 18:3).

As we have seen, a woman represents a church. The harlot daughters are the apostate churches that have followed the example of their apostate mother church.

Why This Matters Today

This is why the woman in Revelation 17 matters today—and why it points to the problem we face now.

Many of us are sitting in these apostate churches, following false doctrines rather than the Word of God.

These include teachings such as “once saved, always saved”—the idea that we can sin, even backslide, and still be saved; that hell is not a place of everlasting punishment; that it doesn’t matter whom we love or marry (same or opposite sex); and false ideas about what happens when we die—and even about how we are saved! I will address these issues head-on very soon, based on the Word of God!

Over time, this harlot—the corrupt church of Babylon, ultimately empowered by Satan—has attacked God’s church, leaving it deeply divided and ineffective. She holds God’s church in her grip.

The Call to Come Out of Babylon

That is why a great call will go out to leave this corrupt church and her daughters.

Revelation 18:1-5 NKJV

  1. After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
  2. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!
  3. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
  4. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.
  5. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Babylon the Great will fall! If we do not come out of her, we will, in the words of Scripture, “share in her sins” and “receive of her plagues.” We will fall—along with the harlot.

Notice the words “my people.” God knows that many of us attend these churches with sincere intentions, unaware of what is happening around us. He will send an angel to warn us to act.

Listen: where we go to church matters! I’ll say more about that shortly.

The Abominations of the Earth

Moving on, the final part of the harlot’s name is AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Babylon’s abominations are numerous, and they are committed in the name of religion.

In short, the harlot’s name exposes the apostate church’s corrupt character at the end of time. All who receive the mark of the beast spiritually join a false church, which God regards as a harlot.

Drunk with the Blood of the Saints

Finally, verse 6 says:

  1. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

This verse reveals why the great harlot is judged. She has killed the saints and martyrs of Jesus and is pictured as drunk with their blood. She destroyed the faithful during the Dark Ages and will do so again at the end of time. As a persecuting power, she is responsible for so much innocent bloodshed that she is “drunk” with it.

Conclusion: Where We Worship Matters

As I said earlier, and as I close: where we go to church matters! Sadly, many people sit in these daughter churches, listening to and following the false doctrines I mentioned, among others. If we do the same, we are in bed with the woman—the harlot—of Revelation 17.

This false church is active today, quietly working behind the scenes and gaining power. We cannot wait for the angel’s loud cry. Now is the time to act. Jesus stands ready to help us.

Revelation 3:20-22 NKJV

  1. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
  2. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
  3. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

Jesus stands ready to lead us out of the false church and help us stand against it. We must follow Him, and HIS Word ONLY!

It’s never too late—until it is. So let’s not delay.

Let us come out of Babylon!

Amen!

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!

👉 Videos

Watch this video to learn what happens to the woman in Revelation 17.👇

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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