17:1–19:10 Review · The end of the empire: The next three chapters (Revelation 17–19) are an expansion of the sixth and seventh bowl judgments against “Babylon,” which has stood for Rome throughout Revelation (14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21). The dissolution of Roman power, which was anticipated in 14:8 (“Fallen is Babylon the Great!”) and 16:19 (God “gave her [Babylon] the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath”), is elaborated on in 17:1–19:10, as Rome’s entire domination system of military might, economic exploitation, and religious idolatry crumbles under the justice of God.

17:1–18 · The Babylonian whore: In the first of two metaphors of Roman power (the other being “the great city”; 18:1–24), a great whore sits like a queen on the waters (18:7), riding a scarlet beast h…