Revelation 17: 6b-18

Next, the angel tells John that the waters (the Euphrates) on which the prostitute sits represents nations. Please note that the waters, the scarlet beast, and the seven mountains, on which the prostitute sits, are different facets of the same thing; namely, the secular and political world powers. These nations are the secular and political governing powers of the world that will support end-time Babylon, though it will be for a short time. The woman – end-time Babylon – represents paganism, Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism. That she rides atop the waters/beast/mountains portrays the uniting of church and state.

In the final stage of this vision, the picture suddenly changes. As said, the nations support of the woman/Babylon will last but a short time. The nations will turn against her. The context of Rev. 16 would provide a good reason for the drying up of their support. By that I mean that the nations probably will become disillusioned with Babylon’s inability to protect herself and the world from the falling plagues. Their disappointment and anger will lead to hating the prostitute and that will bring about her ruin.

From the angel’s further explanation, we come to understand that it is really God who destroys Babylon, even though the nations believe they are carrying out their own purposes. However, the reality is that they are unconsciously carrying out God’s judgment against Babylon. In other words, God is in control. This brings to mind 2 Thessalonians 2: 2: 10-12. “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”