The whore of Babylon / mystery Babylon – Who or what is this?

from the old testament

• Although the whore of Babylon, or mystery Babylon, appears in the New Testament, Babylon is both a specific nation and represents something bigger than itself. Babylon was a dominant kingdom known for its military strength, wealth, and culture but also for its idolatry and oppression (Isaiah 13:19, Jeremiah 50:23).
• From the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) to Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance (Daniel 4:30-31), Babylon represents human defiance against God.

from the new testament

• Revelation 17:1 states, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters." Revelation 17:5 adds, "And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: 'Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.'"
• Revelation 17:3 describes this woman riding the scarlet beast, a reference to the Antichrist. This clearly indicates the woman operates during the seven-year tribulation period described in Revelation.
• Revelation 17:9-10 says, "This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while." These verses explain that the woman is "seated" on the seven heads that are seven mountains, likely meaning Rome, the city of seven hills. If this understanding is accurate, this woman in some way is connected with Rome in the tribulation period, probably as part of some kind of international alliance (referenced by the use of kings).
• Also often overlooked is Revelation 17:18, which states, "And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth." The woman represents a "great" or leading city that has power over national leaders. Again, this points to the woman being a city, likely associated with Rome, that will serve as "mystery Babylon" during the tribulation period.
• Other factors strengthening this view are that the Antichrist will arise from a revived Roman Empire (historically led by Rome) and that Rome has been referred to as Babylon since New Testament times (1 Peter 5:13). Some have claimed this woman represents the Roman Catholic Church, associating this group with the sinful practices of the woman in Revelation 17 and the "mystery" written on her forehead as representing the mystery of Catholicism. However, this interpretation is likely more specific than is warranted by the text that associates the woman with the city of Rome and as a place that leads the nations.

implications for today

In our world today, we see glimpses of the whore of Babylon. The world, in general, is full of idolatry, corruption, and opposition to God. Whether through media that glorifies sin, governments that suppress biblical truth, or religious movements that distort the gospel for power and profit, the spirit of Babylon is alive and deceiving many. Just as Babylon in Scripture led nations astray, we must guard our hearts against being entangled in worldly values that prioritize wealth, influence, and pleasure over faithfulness to Christ. This means being discerning about what we consume, where we place our trust, and how we engage with cultural trends that contradict God's Word. Rather than conforming to an ungodly system, we are called to be faithful to God and to stand firm in truth, recognizing that ultimate victory belongs to Christ when He returns to overthrow all false powers.