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Bible Commentaries
Verse 1
seven angels . . . vials. See Revelation 15:7 .
talked. App-121 .
unto me. The texts omit.
unto = to.
judgment. App-177 .
waters. See Revelation 17:15 .
Verse 2
earth. App-129 .
have. Omit.
the inhabiters, &c. The texts rend "they that inhabit the earth were made drunken", &c.
Verse 3
So = And.
Spirit. App-101 . See Revelation 1:10 .
the. No art., but this is often omitted after a preposition.
saw. App-133 .
a woman. i.e. "that great city" of Revelation 17:18 .
sit = sitting; as supported by that being described in verses: Revelation 17:8-11 .
upon. App-104 .
heads. These are the kings of Revelation 17:10 .
Verse 4
decked. Literally "gilded".
stones = stone.
golden cup. Compare Jeremiah 51:7 .
abominations. Greek. bdelugma, used in Septuagint of an idol (2 Kings 23:13 , &c.); in plural, of idolatry (Deuteronomy 18:9 , &c). Called "abominations" because of the uncleanness practiced in the worship.
and filthiness = and having the unclean things; as the texts.
Verse 5
MYSTERY. See App-193 and App-1 :20. The verse should be read, "And upon her forehead (she had) a name written, a secret symbol ( musterion ), BABYLON THE GREAT, the mother of the harlots and of the abominations of the earth". The name of the woman is therefore a secret sign or symbol of "that great city" which she personifies (Revelation 17:18 ).
HARLOTS = the harlots.
OF THE EARTH. Babylon is the fountain-head of all idolatry and systems of false worship. This is the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7 ) seen in all the great "religions" of the world. All alike substitute another god for the God of the Bible; a god made either with the hands or with the imagination, but equally made; a religion consisting of human merit and endeavor. The "Reunion of the Churches" of Christendom and the "League of Nations" are two of the most arresting signs of the times.
Verse 6
saints. See Acts 9:13 .
martyrs. See p. 1511.
Jesus. App-98 .
admiration = wonder. In this phrase is the Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .
Verse 7
marvel. As "wonder", verses: Revelation 17:6 , Revelation 17:8 .
Verse 8
was, &c. Implying a time between Revelation 12:0 and Revelation 13:0 .
shall = is about to.
perdition. See John 17:12 .
names. The texts read "name".
were not = hath not been.
book. &c. See Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:3 .
life. App-170 .
foundation, &c. See App-146 .
behold. App-133 .
that. The texts read "because it".
and yet is = and shall be present; as the texts.
Verse 9
And. Omit.
mind. Same as "understanding" in Revelation 13:18 .
wisdom. Compare App-132 .
The . . . sitteth. This belongs to Revelation 17:10 .
are. i.e. represent.
on. App-104 .
Verse 10
there. Greek. they.
are fallen = fell.
and. Omit.
one = the one is. i.e. at this stage of the vision.
and. Omit.
other. The seventh. App-124 .
not yet. Greek. oupo.
cometh = shall have come.
continue. See p. 1511 (abide).
Verse 11
he = he himself (emph.)
the = an.
is. Omit. This being is described as an eighth head, not king.
Verse 12
no . . . as yet. As "not yet" above.
power. App-172 .
one hour, i.e. at one and the same hour. Confusion results from substituting "kingdoms" for "kings" in the connection. The Holy Spirit says kings ; who and what they are will be known at the time of their association with the beast.
Verse 13
mind. App-177 .
shall give. The texts read "they give", i.e. of their own free will.
power. App-172 .1 and Rev 176:1 .
strength. App-172 .
Verse 14
overcome. As in Rev 2 and Revelation 3:0 . See App-197 .
Lord. App-98 .
lords. App-98 .
called. Greek. kletos. Only here in Rev. First occurance. Matthew 20:16 .
chosen. Greek. eklektos. Only here in Rev. See Matthew 20:16 (first occ).
faithful. See App-150 and App-175 .
Verse 16
upon. Greek. epi ; but the texts read "and".
shall = will.
her. i.e. the city. Compare Jeremiah 50:32 .
Verse 17
hath put = put. Literally "gave".
fulfil. Literally "do".
will. App-177 .
agree = carry out (literally "do") one purpose ( App-177 .)
kingdom. Singular. Compare Revelation 17:12 .
words. Greek. rhema, but the texts read App-121 .
fulfilled. Compare App-125 .
Verse 18
that = the.
reigneth. Literally having a kingdom, or sovereignty.
kings . . . earth. Those who are so called in Revelation 16:14 . See also Revelation 17:2 .
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Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Revelation 17". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://www.studylight.org/
the Week of Proper 8 / Ordinary 13