Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Revelation

Revelation 
Day 
Day 117

"The mother of harlots"

Text: Revelation 17:5

IDENTIFICATION OF THE WOMAN

John was given a clearer picture of the identity of the woman. Her name was emblazoned on her forehead!

“And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.

I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and
with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her,
I marveled with great amazement.”
Revelation 17:5-6

1. It was “a Mystery”.

a) It was hidden.

b) It was now revealed.

2. The name of the woman.

a) Babylon the Great.

b) The woman was from the city of Babylon.

3. What Babylon represented:

a) Wickedness

b) Power

c) Deceit

d) Ruthlessness

e) Debauchery

f) Abomination

All of these things were associated with Babylon of old. Babylon represents the city of the Beast of the Sea.

4. The mother of harlots.

a) The woman will promote promiscuity/ immorality.

b) Harlotry in the Bible is often associated with false religion.

c) The woman will use religion to advance her cause.

5. The abominations of the earth.

a) The woman will reject any attempt to confine her wickedness.

b) She will promote all kinds of abomination.

c) She would even slay the saints and the martyrs of the Lord Jesus.

6. John’s response.

a) John marvelled when he first saw the woman.

b) He was filled with “great amazement”.