We are told in chapter 17 of the Apocalypse that the great harlot sits on many waters (Revelation 17:1, 15). The angel defines many waters as “multitudes and nations and tongues” (Revelation 17:3, 9). This has been understood by many Biblical scholars as the human race (Revelation 5:9) as a whole serving the beast (Revelation 13:3, 8, 12, 16). Yet, the text speaks not of the beast, but of the great harlot who rides the beast. The great harlot sits upon many waters (multitudes, nations and tongues). So, if these serve anyone, they serve the harlot. Moreover, just as Revelation 5:9 points to a remnant from all nations serving the Lord, Revelation 17:3, 9 cannot be forced to say “multitudes, nations and tongues” mean the whole world serves the harlot. Rather, there are multitudes of people in many nations, who speak different tongues (languages) that serve the harlot. That is, a portion of the world, not the whole world, serve the harlot.
The text then says:
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16 KJV)
In the context of the beast having Jewish high priests as its heads, I defined the ten horns as ten Roman procurators who governed during the reigns of those specific high priests.[1] It is interesting to note that the Roman procurators hated the great harlot who rode the beast, even though these same men gave their power or authority to the beast, i.e. the Jewish state run by the high priests[2] (Revelation 17:12-13).
Notice that the text says: “shall eat her flesh” (Revelation 17:16), and this refers to the procurators’ desire to destroy the harlot (Jeremiah 4:30; cp. Psalm 27:2; Daniel 7:5). Notice how the prophet spoke against Jerusalem (Ezekiel 16:2-3). Referring to her as a harlot (Ezekiel 16:35) Ezekiel foretold the day would come when Jerusalem’s lovers would turn against her and destroy her and burn her with fire (Ezekiel 16:36-41; cp. Leviticus 21:9).
Despite their hatred for the woman, God had put it into the hearts of the ten procurators (i.e. the 10 horns of the beast) to give their power and authority over to the beast, which was governed by the Annas family of high priests. In doing so, they fulfill the will of the Lord (Revelation 17:17; cp. Daniel 4:17, 25, 34-35). Moreover, the angel told John that the great harlot was that great city that rules over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:18). According to the Apocalypse that great city refers to Babylon (Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 18:10, 16, 18-19, 21). Nevertheless, this is mystery or spiritual Babylon (Revelation 17:5). This great city is also spiritually referred to as Sodom and Egypt, and is unveiled as the place where Jesus was crucified (Revelation 11:8).[3]
There can be no mistake, therefore, that the great city of the Apocalypse could be none other than Jerusalem, the capital of the ancient and rebellious Jewish state! It was within the limits of Jerusalem’s suburbs that Jesus was crucified (Revelation 11:8) and only Jerusalem was ever spiritually described as Sodom (Isaiah 1:1, 10). Moreover, only Jerusalem was ever referred to as spiritual Egypt, i.e. “the house of bondage” (Exodus 13:3, 14; Galatians 4:24-25). Spiritual Babylon, the Great Harlot **is** Jerusalem!
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[1] See my previous study: The Ten Horns Have No Kingdom as Yet!
[2] After Rome removed Archelaus from ruling the Jews in 6 AD, “the government became an aristocracy, and the high priests were entrusted with a dominion over the nation.” (Antiquities 20.10.1)
[3] See my earlier study: When Was the Apocalypse Written?
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