What does Revelation 17:18 mean?

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:18

Explanation

The verse Revelation 17:18 speaks metaphorically of a woman, which represents “that great city,” that has dominion over the kings of the earth. In the context of the Book of Revelation, this woman is often interpreted as a symbol for Babylon the Great, a personification of evil and a city of great power and corruption. The verse speaks to the idea that this city holds significant influence, possibly in a political, economic, or religious sense, over the leaders of the world. The deeper meaning points towards the immense and corrupting influence that this “city” exercises over global affairs, leading many to sin and rebellion against God.

Historical Context

Revelation was written toward the end of the first century A.D., traditionally attributed to John the Apostle while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. The historical context of this time included the persecution of Christians under Roman rule. Many scholars see the great city as a coded reference to Rome, which was at the center of governance for the known world and often opposed to the fledgling Christian church. The imagery of a woman could refer to the Roman practice of deifying Rome as a goddess. The symbolism of the city reigning over kings reflects Rome’s dominance over the various client kingdoms and provinces under its control.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is significant to the eschatological narrative of the “end times” in Christian belief. The woman, as Babylon the Great, is often seen to symbolize the culmination of worldly opposition against God and His kingdom, thus representing the ultimate manifestation of sin and rebellion. Different theological viewpoints offer various interpretations:

• Preterism interprets the verse as describing events which were contemporary to or shortly after the time of writing, signifying ancient Rome.
• Futurism views it as a prophecy of events that will occur in the future, possibly an end-times power structure antithetical to Christian truth.
• Historicism sees this as a historical narrative unfolding through the ages, where the woman represents different anti-Christian powers.
• Idealism interprets this as a symbolic conflict between good and evil that repeats throughout history.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse can serve as a warning against complicity with corrupt systems of power that are in opposition to Christian values. It might encourage individuals and churches to maintain vigilance in their faith, to resist the lure of convenience, wealth, or influence that compromises their beliefs. In daily life, it suggests the importance of identifying and resisting the influences that corrupt spiritual and moral integrity.

Cross-References

Here are some related verses from the King James Version of the Bible:

• Revelation 14:8: “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
• Revelation 18:2: “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
• Revelation 17:5: “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

Language Study

The term “woman” in this verse (Greek: γυνή, gynē) can signify a wife or a female, but metaphorically it also represents a city or entity in prophecy. The phrase “great city” (Greek: πόλις μεγάλη, polis megalē) indicates not just a city of large size but also of significant political and economic power. The word “reigneth” (Greek: ἔχουσα βασιλείαν, echousa basileian) is derived from the root for “king” (Greek: βασιλεύς, basileus) and in this context means to have royal power or dominate.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The symbolism of a woman representing a city or a power structure is not unique to Christianity. For instance, in ancient Mesopotamia, the city of Babylon was often personified as a goddess. Similarly, in Roman culture, the goddess Roma represented the city of Rome itself. Religiously, the concept of a corrupting influence leading astray is common to many traditions, often personified as a figure of temptation or evil, like Tiamat in Babylonian mythology or Mara in Buddhism.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, this verse does not offer material for direct analysis, as it deals with symbolic language and spiritual concepts. However, the social dynamics it describes—the influence of a dominant power over subordinate states—can be studied through the lens of social sciences, such as political science, sociology, or history. Understanding the mechanisms of power and influence in ancient times can provide context to the symbolism used in the Book of Revelation.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and experts have offered interpretations of this verse:

• John Walvoord suggests that Babylon represents a future global religious system with political reach in the end times.
• Matthew Henry emphasizes the idea that Rome is denoted by this symbolic representation, with its grandeur and dominion influencing the world.
• Craig S. Keener views the imagery as John’s way of addressing first-century concerns with Rome’s oppression while maintaining spiritual relevance for future generations.
• G. K. Beale presents an idealist perspective, seeing Babylon as every form of ungodly power that rises up throughout history, drawing believers away from faithfulness to God.