The whore of Babylon is either the merchants who profit from trading with Rome or Rome itself--the next chapter explicitly condemns merchants, the slave trade, and Rome (Rev 18). The whore of Babylon is called a "whore" because "the kings of the earth" fucked her (e.g., are literally 'in bed' with Rome's oppression), and then describes the bougiest items imaginable like gold, emeralds, rubies, etc (Rev 17).
There are two beasts, one from the sea and one from the land, but they probably represent Nero and/or the imperial cult. The beasts have dominion over all the earth--like the Roman Empire from the author's perspective. The beast shows contempt for the Christian God, like Nero did when he persecuted Roman Christians. It could also be Herod, but I think Nero makes more sense.
I remember this from Sunday school, the beast is the emperor himself (Nero at the time), and the mark of the beast is more about Roman coinage, which literally has the emperor's face on it, there's a whole thing about how people can only do commerce through the mark of the beast. Then the second beast is the imperial cult, who directs people to worship the first beast (ie the emperor), and uses the proliferation of the mark of the beast as evidence of his omnipotence.
Not positive about the whore of Babylon but I believe she's essentially the collaborators, like the people who sell themselves and their people out to Rome. Somewhat problematic but eh.
My old church was pretty rad in the grand scheme of things. Our youth leaders told us about modern Israel being founded via military occupation and ethnic cleansing, and they brought in a Palestinian activist as a guest speaker once.
that's amazing. i would love to be a part of something like that instead of "did you know that imperialism is good actually" which summarizes my church growing up
How do you interpret the Whore of Babylon and the Beast? They are my favourite parts.
The whore of Babylon is either the merchants who profit from trading with Rome or Rome itself--the next chapter explicitly condemns merchants, the slave trade, and Rome (Rev 18). The whore of Babylon is called a "whore" because "the kings of the earth" fucked her (e.g., are literally 'in bed' with Rome's oppression), and then describes the bougiest items imaginable like gold, emeralds, rubies, etc (Rev 17).
There are two beasts, one from the sea and one from the land, but they probably represent Nero and/or the imperial cult. The beasts have dominion over all the earth--like the Roman Empire from the author's perspective. The beast shows contempt for the Christian God, like Nero did when he persecuted Roman Christians. It could also be Herod, but I think Nero makes more sense.
I remember this from Sunday school, the beast is the emperor himself (Nero at the time), and the mark of the beast is more about Roman coinage, which literally has the emperor's face on it, there's a whole thing about how people can only do commerce through the mark of the beast. Then the second beast is the imperial cult, who directs people to worship the first beast (ie the emperor), and uses the proliferation of the mark of the beast as evidence of his omnipotence.
Not positive about the whore of Babylon but I believe she's essentially the collaborators, like the people who sell themselves and their people out to Rome. Somewhat problematic but eh.
your sunday school sounds like it rules, mine was shit like the EU is babylon and credit cards are the mark of the beast and shit
My old church was pretty rad in the grand scheme of things. Our youth leaders told us about modern Israel being founded via military occupation and ethnic cleansing, and they brought in a Palestinian activist as a guest speaker once.
that's amazing. i would love to be a part of something like that instead of "did you know that imperialism is good actually" which summarizes my church growing up