GhatGPT, Interpretations Compared
Overview and Context
Revelation 17–19 portrays the judgment of Babylon, the fall of corrupt powers, and Christ’s triumph.
- Chapter 17 reveals the great harlot sitting upon the beast;
- Chapter 18 describes her destruction, and
- Chapter 19 celebrates divine justice with the marriage supper of the Lamb and the Rider on the white horse.
Revelation 17 — The Great Harlot and the Beast
• Early Church Fathers: Victorinus identifies Babylon as Rome, ‘that great city upon seven hills,’ symbolizing imperial idolatry and persecution. Partial (Victorinus): “The woman… signifies the city of Rome founded upon seven hills.” (Comm. on the Apocalypse, on Rev 17). Andrew of Caesarea interprets her more broadly as worldly arrogance; Oecumenius views Babylon as a recurring power opposed to God.
• Eastern Orthodox: Sees Babylon as the world system seducing through pride and luxury. Historically, Rome, spiritually, is every corrupt civilization. The harlot’s judgment reveals God’s justice. Liturgically, hymns contrast her downfall with the purity of the Bride of the Lamb.
• Evangelical Views: Futurists expect a future religious/economic Babylon; Historicists associate her with papal (Roman Catholic) or imperial Rome; Idealists see her as archetypal godless society; Partial‑Preterists tie her to first‑century Rome or Jerusalem.
Revelation 18 — The Fall of Babylon
• Early Church Fathers: Victorinus describes the lament of merchants as Rome’s fall. Partial (Victorinus): “The merchants bewail her… none buy their merchandise anymore.” (Comm. on the Apocalypse, on Rev 18). Andrew of Caesarea interprets this as the ruin of all worldly self‑indulgence, with ‘Come out of her, my people’ as a timeless call to holiness.
• Eastern Orthodox: Interprets Babylon’s fall as moral exposure and divine vindication. Her destruction prefigures the ultimate defeat of demonic deception. Hymnography in Holy Week echoes this reversal of worldly pride.
• Evangelical Views: Futurists foresee literal global collapse of Babylonian systems; Historicists—decline of corrupt institutions; Idealists—recurrent judgment of empires; Partial‑Preterists—downfall of Rome or Jerusalem.
Revelation 19 — Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Victory
• Early Church Fathers: Victorinus views the marriage supper as the consummation of the Church’s union with Christ. Partial (Victorinus): “Blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Comm. on the Apocalypse, on Rev 19). Andrew of Caesarea interprets the white horse rider as Christ the Logos triumphing over evil; Oecumenius notes that the rejoicing of the saints manifests divine justice being fulfilled.
• Eastern Orthodox: Sees the marriage supper as the eschatological fulfillment of the Eucharist—the mystical union of Christ and His Bride. The rider on the white horse symbolizes Christ’s final victory; the defeat of the beast and false prophet depicts the end of deception and tyranny.
• Evangelical Views: Futurists—marriage supper in heaven preceding Christ’s millennial reign; the Rider as Christ returning to defeat Antichrist. Historicists/Idealists—symbol of Christ’s ultimate triumph; Partial‑Preterists—symbolic of Christ’s vindication through the Gospel’s victory.
Comparative Summary
The Fathers viewed Babylon as Rome and as a symbol of worldly corruption; Orthodoxy extends this to every age’s idolatrous powers. Evangelical futurists view these chapters as future tribulation events, while idealists and preterists interpret them as cyclical or historical fulfillments. All traditions agree: Babylon’s fall reveals divine justice, and the marriage supper manifests the Lamb’s victorious union with His people.
Endnotes (Selected)
1. Victorinus of Pettau, Commentary on the Apocalypse (ANF translation), Rev 17–19.
2. Andrew of Caesarea, Commentary on the Apocalypse (tr. E. S. Constantinou, CUA Press, 2011).
3. Oecumenius, Commentary on the Apocalypse (6th c., CUA Press).
4. Orthodox Study Bible, commentary on Revelation 17–19; GOARCH eschatological explanations.
5. Evangelical sources: G. K. Beale; John F. Walvoord; Robert L. Thomas; Richard Bauckham.
Let us examine the views we have been considering more closely.
Historicist. The fall of Babylon is often seen as a metaphor for the fall of the Roman Catholic Church and the entire papal system, which is both political and religious. This is the final vindication of true Christianity, not seen in the whore’s religious system. The rider on the white horse represents Christ’s ongoing work, including His judgments, page 459 of Gregg’s book.
Preterist. Babylon is either Rome (Roman Empire) or Jerusalem. Previous chapters represent the fall of the Roman Empire. If Jerusalem is the city referred to as Babylon, then the visions depict the destruction of Jerusalem by AD 70.
Futurist. Babylon may represent the Roman Catholic Church or some other great apostate religious entity under the leadership of the antichrist in the end times. This great enemy of truth and righteousness will be destroyed by the end of the Tribulation Period. Jesus visibly returns to earth in Chapter 19, riding a white horse.
Idealist. Babylon represents the world’s way of doing things, which is contrary to God’s ways of doing things.
More detailed information follows regarding Chapters 17, 18, and 19. Also refer back to End Time-Part 4. In that article I addressed, among other subjects, the antichrist, man of sin, two beasts, and the two women, one of which is the whore of Babylon.
The Vision of the Harlot. Revelation 17:1-6
Historicist. This is a description of the Roman Catholic Church. She is not just a harlot but is the mother of harlots. The passage also stipulates that the whore has satiated herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. This is not the true church of Jesus Christ. The colors described therein are still the colors of the priests of Rome.
Much of what might be said will need to be unmentioned for now. This is just one of a great many subjects that might be mentioned. John Wesley said the following with respect to the inscription, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH;
“Benedict 13th, in his proclamation, AD 1725, explains this sufficiently. His words are, ‘This catholic and Apostolic Roman Church is the head of the world, the Mother of all believers, the Faithful Interpreter of God, and Mistress of all churches.’….. But God somewhat varies the style (i.e.. from Pope Benedict 13th, “the Mother of Harlots”- the parent, ringleader, patroness, and nourisher of many daughters, that closely copy after her.” Gregg’s book, page 466.
“H. Grattan Guinness states: “It has been calculated that the Popes of Rome have, directly or indirectly, slain on account of their faith, fifty millions of martyrs.” Page 468 of Gregg’s book.
John saw a woman drunk with the blood of the saints. Of all the religious possibilities, none of them can come close to the blood spilled by the Roman Catholic Church, with the possible exception of Islam. Early on, the Jews of Judaism spilled the blood of Christian saints, then the Roman Empire, but the little horn of the fourth beast has exceeded them all.
Historicist view of Revelation 17:7-11
The whore sits on a seven-headed beast, and that has been identified as the seven hills of the City of Rome. The beast is the Roman Empire. The beast was at first a pagan empire that persecuted the true church of God. Then the beast became a friend to the church under Constantine and stopped persecuting the church of Christ. After the rise of the Roman Catholic papacy, the beast again began to persecute the saints of God. Others take the seven heads as representing the seven forms of Roman government in its history. Five had already fallen. The sixth was present in John’s day, that of the Caesars—lots of disagreement about the seventh head.
Historicist view of Revelation 17:12-18
It is written that the ten horns are 10 kings who have not yet received their kingdom. They give the beast their power and authority. Babylon or Rome is the great city that reigns over kings. Pagan Rome, then papal Rome, has been the dominating power over the world for two thousand years, from 200 BC to AD 1800, according to one writer. The 10 Western kingdoms are those of 532 AD. Ultimately, these 10 will play a role in destroying the whore ‘with fire’, the Roman Catholic Church, as it wages war against the lamb of God.
“Calling the harlot, that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth (v. 18), would seem to identify the woman, beyond all question, as Rome. The particular identification of her with papal Rome seems supported by the fact that, of the twenty-one mentions of harlotry in the Bible, eighteen refer to the apostate people of God, either Israel or the church (Alford).” Gregg’s book, page 480.
Historicist view of Revelation Chapter 18: 1-3
Babylon has fallen in verse 2, but it still exists in verse 21. Babylon’s judgment is near, and that is the meaning, according to some. Others think this means that papal Rome has fallen or is reduced to a state of utter desolation.
Historicist view of Revelation Chapter 18: 4-8
“Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins…” is the voice from heaven. In view of the harlot’s impending judgment, Come out of her is God’s message. Many associate this with the Protestant Reformation and or the message to individuals to come out of her.
I must make mention of the time when I heard that very call to leave the Roman Catholic Church, the church of my birth. For many years, I associated that call to ‘come out of her’ with the Roman Catholic Church exclusively. Many years later, I associated that call with more than just the Roman Church. Most of what today is called Protestant or Baptist Christianity is apostate and given over to many false doctrines. I think I heard that call again to come out of her and be separate. Just last night, I listened to an old testimony of a pastor from a Baptist Church who felt that call about 20 years ago. He left organized religion to embark on a full walk with his Savior, Jesus Christ. I related to much of what he had to say.
Historicist view of Revelation Chapter 18: 9-24
The kings of the earth have committed fornication with the harlot and her city. They have lived lives of wanton pleasure and luxury. These will cry hard after what they have lost, as the harlot and the city’s commerce are destroyed.
“Much of the imagery in this section comes from passages in Ezekiel 27 and 28 referring to the fall of the city of Tyre. Papal Rome is likened to Tyre with respect to its pride, luxury, and economic strength.” Page 492 of Gregg’s book.
“In her was found the blood of the prophets and saints, and all who were slain (v. 24).” “That the church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no protestant that has complete knowledge of history…. These atrocities were not perpetrated in the brief paroxysms of a reign of terror, or by the hand of obscure sectaries, but were inflicted by a triumphant Church, with every circumstance of solemnity and deliberation.” A quote from Cachemaille in Gregg’s book, page 496.
It is easy to pass over this last quote without full understanding and appreciation for the importance of it. Everyone can excuse a wrong done in the heat of the moment and not repeated. But the Roman Catholic Church’s persecution of real Christians is the exact opposite of a wrong done in the heat of the moment. For this whore of Babylon murdered all these innocent souls over many centuries, and did it proclaiming this was pleasing to God. In great solemnity, pride and pomp did these little beasts do their masters’ work of deception and murder.
Scripture says this, “They shall put you out of the synagogue: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” John 16:2, KJV. This verse is exactly what the harlot thinks about killing believers in Jesus Christ. They have allowed the dragon to blind their eyes, hearts, and minds.
The historicist interpretation of Revelation Chapter 19:1-10
It is time for the marriage of the Lamb. The harlot has been slain, and God has avenged on her the blood of those she has slain. Some believe that this refers to the conversion of the Jews since the Hebrew word, Alleluia, is used. There are a variety of opinions about this section and the meaning of the marriage of the Lamb.
The historicist interpretation of Revelation Chapter 19:11-21
The rider on the white horse is called “faithful and true and in righteousness He judges and make war.” It could mean that Christ continues to judge His enemies at the battle of Armageddon or that the ongoing victories of His church are being addressed. In this section, we see the end of the beast and the false prophet.
We will now briefly consider the Preterist view.
Preterist view of Revelation 17. All of this takes place before AD 70. The woman is linked to the Roman Empire, not the Roman Catholic Church. Or it is the city of Jerusalem.
Others of this preterist view hold that Israel is the whore of Babylon. And the descriptions fit nicely with that idea. God divorced Israel for her many whoredoms. Jerusalem also sits on seven hills. The Jews were idolatrous just like Roman Empire and Babylon. Ancient Babylon still contained many Jews who never returned to Jerusalem but retained their idolatrous practices in their new land.
Jerusalem, the Jews, or Judaism is an option for the whore of Babylon. Author Ted Pike believes that it is the apostate Jews and their evil religion that is represented here. In the Old Testament, Israel was often likened to a whore, even to a whore who paid others instead of getting paid herself for her whoredoms. Israel was also likened to Egypt, Sodom, and Gomorrah.
Mr. Pike writes that Israel or some key Jewish figures have also been behind the creation of evil political systems, including communism, that have killed many tens of millions. A small number of godless and antichristian Jews have been and currently are in many important business, political, and communication organizations. Some operate in the shadows but control much of what the world does and what it is told, according to author Ted Pike.
Apparently, their Talmud and other Jewish writings, of men revered by them, are full of evil thinking and wicked ideas. Mr. Pike cites sources from rabbinic Judaism regarding respected teachers who approve of sex with 3-year-olds. There is much more that will make any honest Christian sick to their stomach. Mr. Pike and his wife produced two videos that are available on YouTube if you are interested.
Many evangelical Christians believe that God made an unconditional promise of the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. This presents a paradox, as the promise of land and God’s blessings was both unconditional and conditional. This is much like the love of God, which is both conditional and unconditional. The general benevolent love of God is that love which causes the rain to fall and the sun to shine on both the good and the bad. The love of God in the atonement is also unconditional. Jesus died for all humanity, not just for the Jews or any other groups. However, the salvific love of God is conditional. We must repent and believe before the benefits of the atonement are ours.
The Jews inherited the land from God, but keeping the inheritance was based on faithful obedience. If they refused to obey God, they would lose all the benefits and blessings of the promise. They lost the land multiple times. In 722 BC, the ten northern tribes of Israel were conquered by Assyria. Most never returned to the land and God did not promise to return them. In 605 BC, the King of Babylon came against the Southern Kingdom and enslaved many leading Jews. Then, in 586 BC, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and took most of the remaining Jews to Babylon for 70 years. That was God’s judgment, and He restored a remnant of them after that. The last time they lost that land was when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD. Obviously, God had conditions related to the promise of the land and His favor.
A long time ago, I came to believe that the pretribulation rapture was false. I also came to despise the idea that God will rapture to heaven carnal and unrepentant Christians. Throughout the ages, righteous Christians have been persecuted in the millions, and will God, at the end of the age, let carnal and sinful Christians escape persecution? I find the very idea disgusting and offensive. Yet the majority of Christians, I fear, believe this same thing.
Even though I have felt that way about the pretribulation rapture I was taught, I could not resist the idea that the rebirth of the nation of Israel was God’s doing. And that, without God’s blessings, this regathering could never happen. I viewed it as miraculous and still do. I am still inclined to believe that, even though I find it difficult to explain it all. Israel today hates Christ and hates Christians. Israel today uses the gullible evangelical Christians, many of whom think Israel can do no wrong.
Israel is just as apostate as Israel at the time of Christ and in the time of Assyria and Babylon. Could this regathering be the mercy of God, giving them another opportunity to get right with the God that a few of them still profess to know? Is their existence in the land of Israel just merely an example of God’s permissive will, or is there something more to it? I am convinced that God gave them no unconditional promise to the land or the covenant. God owes the Jews nothing but in His great mercy and love, could it be that God is giving them another chance?
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 17:1-6
The fall of Babylon is announced in Rev. 14:8. It is detailed further in Rev. 16:19. To tell the story more completely, chapters 17–19 are also needed.
Some preterists argue that the identity of the beast is Rome, specifically the Roman Empire, rather than the Roman Catholic Church, which did not exist at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. However, preterists disagree with the identification of the woman. Some say it is the imperial city of Rome. Others believe that Jerusalem is the harlot Babylon. See page 464 of Gregg’s book for a list of 13 reasons to think Jerusalem and not the city of Rome is being addressed. They seem pretty convincing. I recall Dr. Michael Brown mentioning a man who wrote a book about the 88 reasons Jesus would return in 1988. I think he updated that with another book titled 89 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1989. I am sure that many of those reasons seemed convincing as well. But here we are in 2023.
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 17:7-11
The beast is the Roman Empire. The seven heads could mean either Rome or Jerusalem. Or it might mean seven empires.
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 17:12-18
The 10 horns are also said to represent kings, but some believe this is merely symbolic, just as the seven heads are symbolic. Remember that all this takes place before and up to AD 70.
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 18:1-3.
Babylon, Rome, or Jerusalem has fallen. Is it the fall of Rome in 476? Or is it the fall of Jerusalem to Rome in AD 70?
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 18:4-8
‘Come out of her’ is thought to be a reference to Jerusalem just before AD 70. Believers were told to come out of her (Jerusalem) so that the Roman military machine would not harm them.
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 18:9-21
Most believe that this passage aligns well with either the idea that we are discussing Rome or Jerusalem. But was Jerusalem really a great commercial center like Rome? I do not think so.
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 19:1-10
The marriage of the Lamb has come. One interprets the marriage of the Lamb to mean that this is equivalent to the opening of the temple and the establishment of the new covenant. Not very convincing.
Preterist interpretation of Revelation 19:11-21
Not all preterists view the Book of Revelation as pointing solely to AD 70. Some see it also pointing to the second coming of Jesus Christ in the future. But that usually doesn’t apply to this particular passage. Many preterists recognize this passage as referring to the ongoing warfare associated with the proclamation of the gospel following the fall of Babylon.
The partial preterist position that Steve Gregg embraces may need to be considered separately.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation 17:1-6
The harlot is called Mystery, Babylon the Great, and this is a topic that is much debated. Many see this as an apostate religious system and or a political system headed in Rome and most likely the Roman Catholic Church. It will include other apostate churches that align with the mother harlot.
Charles Ryrie (I used the Ryrie NASB Study Bible for many years) said that it is “hard to escape the conclusion that the Roman Church is the harlot. But this is not the whole picture, for the apostate church is not merely the Roman Church.” Page 463 of Gregg’s book.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation Chapter 17:7-11.
Some understand the seven kings much like the Historicist does. These are seven forms of Roman government.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation Chapter 17: 12-18
These entities work closely with the beast. The reference to ‘waters’ on which the harlot sat is defined as ‘peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.’ Some argue that the Roman Church sits on many waters as its reach is around the world. She gets support from the whole world. Others see these references to waters as literal.
When the beast has no more use for the whore of Babylon, he will turn his royal dogs, the 10 horns, against her. They will kill her and lick up her blood and eat her as the dogs licked up the blood of Jezebel and ate her when she died. At least one futurist interprets Jezebel and the harlot as a reference to the Roman Catholic Church. The harlot is destroyed in the middle of the Tribulation Period.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation 18:1-3
Babylon has fallen. Because the idea of Babylon as fallen is repeated, that might suggest two successive stages. Ryrie thinks chapter 17 is about the religious and political aspects of Babylon, whereas chapter 18 is about the economic or commercial dimensions of Babylon. They take the fire mentioned literally.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation 18:9-21.
Fornicators to be judged while apostles and prophets will be vindicated and avenged. Some futurists actually believe that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt to its former glory and significance. Others disagree with that interpretation. The merchants of the earth will see their fortunes evaporate and will mourn. God’s people rejoice. Their earthly paradise is destroyed, and so is their life of wanton pleasure.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation 19:1-10
The marriage of the Lamb of God is come. Some believe that this is apostate Israel that is the bride. God divorced Israel, but now will remarry her. This is the day when Israel repents and acknowledges Jesus as the Christ. Others view this as the church of God, not just Israel. The timing of the marriage is immediately after the rapture of the bride, which is the church.
Futurist interpretation of Revelation 19:11-21
The rider on the white horse is Jesus Christ coming to establish His millennial kingdom on earth. His name is called the Word of God, which can only mean Jesus Christ. This is the only weapon used, the Word of God.
Idealist. The beast represents the military, economic, and political system of the Roman Empire, which was a pagan center of worship. The harlot is a picture of the Roman Empire, although at least one leader agrees with the Historicist view that it is the Roman Catholic Church.
Summary of these three chapters
The historicist and a few futurists see the Roman Catholic Church of the past and future in these three chapters as the whore of Babylon, including all apostate children of hers. These chapters celebrate the eventual downfall of the enemies of Jesus Christ and His saints who have been persecuted and killed for their testimony.
Futurists are not in agreement about Babylon, but agree that these chapters showcase the eventual downfall of the enemies of Christ and His glorious second coming.
The Idealists see these things as symbolizing the power of light over the power of darkness. Babylon represents the seductive power of a godless world system, much like ancient Rome. This power leads people astray and persecutes real saints of God. There appears to be little, if any, relationship between actual history and our future, given that history.
For the most part, the preterist sees all this being accomplished by 70 AD, and Babylon represents Jerusalem. Or they see Babylon representing the Roman Empire. These are the two basic options. This depends on whether the second half of Revelation has shifted from the fall of Jerusalem to the fall of the Roman Empire. Accordingly, the last 1,900 years are not part of God’s revelation. All the evil the Roman Catholic Church and her children have committed over many centuries is left out. Most of the actual church age history, since the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, is not prophesied about, while the destruction of Jerusalem and/or the Roman Empire is the subject of prophecy in Revelation. That seems very odd to me, but maybe it is all true; however, I am not yet convinced.
And if all that is prophetic in the Book of Revelation has already been fulfilled, is there any prophetic word about the end times yet to be fulfilled? Partial preterists believe there is. More on that later.
We will now turn our attention to chapters 20 through 22 of the Book of Revelation.
