Lectionary Thoughts: Revelation 16-17

The Great Harlot/Babylon is Jerusalem

The good news is that Jerusalem is the “Babylon” metaphorically referred to in Revelation 16-17. How do we know this, and why is this good news?

There are at least seven indications that the “Babylon” in Revelation 16-17 is indeed the historical city of Jerusalem.

1)    In Revelation 16:17, John describes the city under God’s fierce judgment as “divided into three parts.” We know from the writings of Josephus (a first century Jewish historian) that the city of Jerusalem was divided in to three warring factions that fought against one another even as the Roman army laid siege to the holy city.

2)    In Revelation 17:4, “Babylon” is described as a “woman arrayed in purple and scarlet color and decked with gold and precious stones.” First century Jews and Christians alike would have immediately recognized these colors, this precious metal and these gems as references to the garments worn by the priests who served in the Jewish Temple (see Exo. 39:2).

3)    In Revelation 17:5, the woman/Babylon is called “the mother of harlots.” In the Old Testament God referred to Israel’s idolatry as “harlotry.” Pagan nations were simply “idolatrous.” But Israel’s idolatry, because it was akin to marital unfaithfulness to Jehovah, was deemed as adulterous and an act of harlotry.

4)    In Revelation 17:6 the woman is portrayed as “drunken with the blood of the saints.” The persecution of Christians did indeed continue after the destruction of Jerusalem. But in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24, it began and continued for many years in Jerusalem proper.

5)    In Revelation 17:9 the woman/Babylon is pictured sitting on “seven mountains.” This indicates how, for a time, the rulers of Jerusalem (primarily the priests and Sadducees) colluded with the Romans (built on seven hills) to retain some ruling power, and certainly did so to murder Jesus.

6)    And then finally, in Revelation 17:15-16 John describes how Rome (the ten horns) hated the Jerusalem (the whore) and destroyed her with fire, which is precisely how Rome destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

7)    And, in order to achieve the “perfect” number, seven, I’ll add one more indication that Jerusalem is the woman/harlot/Babylon of Revelation 16-17: If you agree that the above exegesis is plausible, then it is quite easy to understand the hailstones weighing a talent raining down upon the holy city as the large rocks launched from the Roman catapults.

Now, why is the above “good news?” Because it means that the horrific destruction and suffering foretold by John in Revelation 16-17 is not on the horizon, but rather, as they say, “in the rearview mirror.” The great tribulation has already happened. And so, instead of cringing in fear of what is yet to come, we can read Revelation as the outpouring of God’s wrath for the murder of His son, and His faithfulness to His people during times of terrible persecution and covenant judgments. Good news indeed!

GH