Who is The Great Whore of Revelation 17 & 18?
The verse that brings up our subject is Rev. 17:1-2 Living Bible) " I will show you what is going to happen to the Notorious Prostitute, who sits upon many waters of the world. The Kings of the world have had immoral relations with her, and the people of the Earth have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality."
In this verse it gives our subject a name, THE NOTORIOUS PROSTITUTE / THE GREAT WHORE. Is our narrator (Jesus through John) talking about a woman like the one in a brothel? No, he is talking about an entity, whether it be a belief or religious entity, a doctrine, a country, or a group of countries. Question? Is there some presidence that would suggest or confirm that the Lord, Jesus or the Lord God Almighty ever referred to a city, or country as a Prostitute?
Let's look at Isa. 1:21. "Jerusalem, once my faithful wife! And now a Prostitute! Running after other gods! Once "The City of Fair Play" but now a gang of Murderers!" So, as you can see, They (The Godhead) we're quite capable of referring to a city, or country as a Prostitute.
So which is it? Let's take a look at the next phrase, "sits upon the many waters of the world." (She not only sits upon the many peoples, races, and nations but she is many peoples, races, nations. Like a melting pot . hmmm?
Rev. 17:15 states; "the oceans, lakes, and rivers (many waters) that the woman is sitting on represent masses of people of every race and nation."
The woman, "who sits upon many waters of the world" is able to influence masses of people and nations! But, In order to influence people as well as nations/kings, She (The Notorious Prostitute), must be able to reach out physically to influence others; as well as to show them how great she is; as well as being able to deal with other cities/nations on their level. In order to do both, The Notorious Prostitute has to be a City/Nation and/or a Doctrine! In order to proceed without coming to a conclusion or an incorrect answer, let us assume that we are indeed discussing a city/country and/or a doctrine.
Let us continue, (Rev. 17:2) "The kings of the world have had immoral relations with her." In the King James version, "have committed fornication with her." Fornication means: sexual intercourse between a man and a woman, but it also means the act of being joined together for the mutual benefit of both parties. It is also considered an immoral practice.
Businesses are connected together through arrangements; politicians are connected together through policies of a common doctrine. Churches are connected together through a major head ministry which ties into one entity, Countries are connected together through mutually agreed upon policies, treaties, and/or arrangements.
Seeing as we are discussing a city/country and/or a doctrine we must assume that the Kings and/or Heads of State of almost every country on earth has some kind of dealings with the Notorious Prostitute!