IVP New Testament Commentary Series – Babylon and Her Destiny (17:1—19:10)
Resources chevron-right IVP New Testament Commentary Series chevron-right Revelation chevron-right Babylon and Her Destiny (17:1—19:10)
Babylon and Her Destiny (17:1—19:10)

The three "great signs in heaven"—"a woman clothed with the sun" (12:1), "a great red dragon" (12:3) and "seven angels with seven plagues" (15:1)—are over. A new stage of the prophecy begins. Its start and its finish are clearly marked. To begin, one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls introduces a long and elaborate vision. At the end John falls down to worship the angel and is told not to because the angel is only a fellow servant (19:10). This pattern repeats itself in John's last vision (21:9—22:9). Both visions focus on a city personified as a woman, here an evil woman, Babylon "the great prostitute" (17:1; compare 14:8; 16:19), and there a good woman, Jerusalem the virgin bride.

Save on Bible Commentaries from IVP

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message of Zechariah: Your Kingdom Come
The Message of Zechariah: Your Kingdom Come
Retail: $21.99
Our Price: $13.64
Save: $8.35 (38%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message of Ecclesiastes: A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance
The Message of Ecclesiastes: A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance
Retail: $21.99
Our Price: $12.69
Save: $9.30 (42%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Revelation: The IVP NT Commentary [IVPNTC]
Revelation: The IVP NT Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $30.99
Our Price: $27.89
Save: $3.10 (10%)
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament,  Second Edition
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $41.78
Save: $13.21 (24%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Philippians:  A Commentary on the New Testament
Philippians: A Commentary on the New Testament
Retail: $26.99
Our Price: $23.24
Save: $3.75 (14%)
2 Corinthians: A Commentary on the New Testament
2 Corinthians: A Commentary on the New Testament
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $24.99
Save: $10.00 (29%)