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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
- 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!
- 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.
- For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
- 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.
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!
👉 Videos
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