Pete has left a new comment on your post "Semantics":
A different string . . . I have heard some strongly state that the Catholic Church is synonomous with the Woman on the Beast in Rev' . . . 17 - any comments?
I thought it best to make this a new post.
Rev.17:18 says that the harlot is a city rather than a Church. The city appears to refer to Rome - the 7 hills on which it sits in v 9. The many waters of v 1 refers to the many peoples and nations who support the Roman city. The kings of the earth commit adultery with Rome by worshipping Roma the spirit of Rome.
ReplyDeleteThe beast is the Roman empire which carries Rome and though the Empire appeared to be mortally wounded recovers (v 8). The seven heads are the seven mountains on which the city of Rome sits and the ten heads refer to the kings of the Roman Empire. The kings of the Roman Empire will hate Rome and will come and fight against it (v 16).
This essentially predicts the civil war within the Roman Empire as the warriors out in the field fought for succession and the politicians in Rome planned their own succession.
Though this is the basic meaning in Revelation the application has been varied and colorful. I prefer to stay with the basic meaning.
Rev 18:21 predicts the final destruction of the city.
Thanks Mr. Lee.
ReplyDeleteI will read up on this some more.
Could the Vatican (city) be a part of this?
Well the Vatican city does not sit on seven hills. Only Rome does.
ReplyDeleteDue to the close connection between the Church and the Empire it is possible to interpret this as the Roman Catholic church. Unfortunately the symbolism does not hold for today and so I would not see it as the Roman Catholic Church.