Within chapters seventeen and eighteen are a difficult section of the book of Revelation for interpreters of the Bible. Generally, in chapter seventeen, Babylon is seen in its finality, climaxing in a one world religion that is forefront in the last half of the seven year tribulation period before Christ's Second Coming. In chapter eighteen Babylon is seen as a political power and great city and as the central seat of power for the one world empire that will dominate during this seven year period. Babylon is referred to at least 300 times in the Bible and is seen as a Satanic religious power that opposes the true worship of God. As we have seen and we will see, God will judge this false world religion. 

(Revelation 17:1-18)

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute who sits on many waters. 2 The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.” 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit to a desert. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and 10 horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile and with the impurities of her prostitution. 5 On her forehead a cryptic name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE VILE THINGS OF THE EARTH. 6 Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the 10 horns, that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again. 9 “Here is the mind with wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. 10 They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast that was and is not, is himself an eighth king, yet he belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. 12 The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” 15 He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16 The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until God’s words are accomplished. 18 And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth.” 

The evil woman or prostitute in this chapter symbolizes the religious system of Babylon. The beast can be see as a reference to the world government. The ten horns are ten kings that have not yet received a kingdom and the seven heads refer to the major rulers of a future Roman empire. The gaudy and flaunting clothing of the woman could be similar to ritualistic churches even today because they reveal a false religion that prostitutes the Truth.

Babylon is the symbol of apostasy and a blasphemous substitution of idol worship that is supposed to mimic the worship of God in Christ. The woman begin "drunk with the blood of the saints" is symbolic that this apostate church will not tolerate true Christians. They will even kill those who follow the true faith in Christ Jesus. 

This passage goes on to tell us that Satan gives power and is the power behind the beast. Remember, the ten horns are ten kings. They will unite their power to support the beast. By this time there will be one ecumenical world religious system. It will be so enticing that it will draw all nations and all languages to itself. But the beast and the kings will turn on this world religious system and destroy it. The beast will then assume the role of world dictator (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15).He will demand that everyone worship him or else be killed (Daniel 11:36-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 13:8; 15). Therefore, the one ecumenical world religious system will end. It will be replaced by the final world religion which is the worship of the Antichrist. This is all in God's sovereign plan to bring evil leaders into judgment. 

What does this mean for us as the Church today? My friends, we should avoid at any cost of ever merging the ways of the Church with the ways of the world. All people must choose. Are they going to join with the apostate church or are they going to join the bride of Christ? There is no middle ground. Remember the churches we saw in chapters two and three; Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis? They thought they could mesh Christianity with the surrounding culture. Where did that get them? It got them a reprimand from Jesus to repent!