Revelation Chapter 17

VERSES 1 AND 2 “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

ONE OF THE SEVEN ANGELS: Believed to be Brother Russell during his ministry.

WHO HAD THE SEVEN BOWLS: This phrase is added for purposes of identification. By knowing who ONE of these angels is, we know who ALL of them are. Thus Chapter 17 helps interpret Chapters 15 and 16.

CAME AND SPOKE WITH ME: The John Class at the end of the age has the honor of having as its constant companion to the end of the harvest (in person and/or through his writings) a voice which has the answers. We yet rely upon this voice in our daily walk, and as this angel REMAINS with John all the way to Chapter 22, so Brother Russell’s ministry will remain as a friendly sustenance to us to the end.

Abraham Lincoln once said that man’s greatest achievement was the written word. By it we can learn from the dead, communicate with the distant, and leave messages for the yet unborn. And even so the Pastor likewise through his writings continues to guide and teach us even from beyond the Vail.

COME HERE: To GET the benefit of his angel’s instruction, we must GO TO HIM (as the Lord’s chosen vessel or channel to deliver to the household “meat in due season” Matt 24:45). It cannot be over-stressed that this Chapter CANNOT be understood WITHOUT acknowledging the place of this angel in the plan.

I SHALL SHOW YOU: He did. Of all the messengers to the Church, only Brother Russell gave a clear detailed exposition of the identity, and fall of Babylon.

THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT HARLOT: This is the first time (Chapter 17) that the apostate church is called by this name although earlier references cite her “immoralities” (KJV = fornication.) The implication is here very strong that the REASON she is being judged is BECAUSE of her faithlessness — her fornication.

WHO SITS ON MANY WATERS: This phrase helps in several ways. We realize from it that she controls many peoples, who, given a choice, would prefer NOT to be under her dominion. It also shows (by comparison to Verse 3) that the peoples constitute the BODY of the beast which she controls. This becomes an imperative ingredient later in the chapter. (N.A.N.O.R. Pages 131, 132)

Another view:

“In Verse 1 the angel invites John to “come hither,” suggesting the individual has to bestir and arouse himself from lethargy. The Lord is not going to drop into one’s lap a clear understanding of certain prophecies if the interest is only superficial. The angel further states, “I will show unto thee the judgment [Greek: krima] of the great whore that sits upon many waters.” This ordinary Greek word, rendered “judgment” in this setting, is particularly fraught with meaning. The system of jurisprudence might be summarized as:

(A) The detailed charges of criminality,

(B) The judicial process or trial leading to a decision (Greek: krisis period),

(C) The pronouncement of a decision (of guilt or innocence), and

(D) The execution of the sentence (in this instance, death).

To which of these categories does the word “judgment” apply?

Answer: All of them, but especially to the last.

At the very outset, particular attention is given to the judgment of the “great whore that sits upon many waters.” In end-time prophecy it is she who is of singular interest to the Lord’s people.

Who is she?

The true Church is pictured as a virgin espoused to her Lord. Since this woman is a harlot, she represents the false Church. The “many waters” upon which the whore sits are given a definition by the Holy Spirit in Verse 15; namely, “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” This woman is an international church. She openly admits to being the Roman Catholic (i.e., THE universal) Church.” (“The Keys of Revelation”, Pages 437, 438)

Continued with next post.