Bible Glide

Revelation 17

Revelation 17 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Revelation 17 gives John a vision of a woman on a scarlet beast and the angel's explanation of what it means. The chapter pictures corrupt power, spiritual unfaithfulness, and the opposition of the world against God's people, while also showing that the Lamb will prevail.

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What happens in Revelation 17?

An angel shows John the judgment of the great prostitute, pictured as a woman seated on a scarlet beast. She is dressed in luxury, yet her cup and her name reveal corruption, idolatry, and violence against the saints. The angel then explains the mystery of the woman and the beast, identifying seven heads, ten horns, and kings that support the beast for a time. The chapter ends with a sharp reversal: the beast turns on the woman, and the Lamb defeats every enemy as Lord of lords and King of kings.

This chapter comes after the bowl judgments in Revelation 16 and before the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18. It continues John's visions of end-time conflict by focusing on the power behind worldly corruption and persecution. The chapter helps prepare for the judgment scenes that follow.

Themes to notice

  • Corrupt powerThe woman and the beast picture a system marked by luxury, deception, and hostility toward God's people.
  • Earthly alliancesKings and nations are drawn into temporary support for the beast, but their unity is unstable and limited.
  • The Lamb's victoryEven when evil appears strong, Jesus Christ remains Lord of lords and will triumph with His faithful ones.

Questions for Revelation 17

  • What do the woman and the beast reveal about the pull of worldly power?
  • Why does the angel say wisdom is needed to understand this vision?
  • How does the chapter encourage believers who face pressure or opposition?

Read the full text of Revelation 17 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Revelation 17

The Woman on the Beast

1Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.2The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”3And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.4The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.5And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

The Mystery Explained

6I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.

7“Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.8The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.

9This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.10There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.11The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.12The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings, along with the beast.13These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

The Victory of the Lamb

14They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”15Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.16And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.18And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

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