Revelation 17:18 — “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Explanation of the Verse
This verse wraps up the angel’s explanation of the mysterious woman who appears earlier in the chapter. We’ve seen her described as a prostitute, as someone dressed in riches, drunk with the blood of God’s people, and sitting on a beast and many waters. Now the angel makes her identity clear: she represents “the great city” that has influence over the kings of the earth.
This means the woman is not just a symbol of false religion or corruption; she represents a powerful city or system that influences governments and world leaders. Her power is not just spiritual—it’s political, economic, and cultural. She sits at the center of the world’s attention and direction, shaping what nations value and pursue.
Historical Context
To John’s original readers, there’s little doubt what “the great city” pointed to: Rome. Rome was the capital of the empire that ruled the known world. Its power reached across continents. It commanded armies, collected taxes, and demanded worship of its emperors. It influenced kings and controlled trade routes. It was wealthy, feared, and often openly hostile to the early Christians.
But this vision goes beyond Rome. “The great city” stands for any dominant system or culture that pulls people away from God and promotes pride, greed, immorality, and the persecution of those who follow Christ. It’s a symbol of worldly power when it’s used to oppose God and control others.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches us that the world’s most admired cities or systems can become deeply corrupt when they rise up against God. Influence, when it’s not surrendered to the Lord, can become dangerous. Just because something has global power doesn’t mean it is good or just in God’s eyes.
It also reminds us that there are spiritual forces behind political systems. The city isn’t just a physical location; it’s a center of spiritual rebellion. This is part of a recurring theme in the Bible: human pride and power, when left unchecked, often lead to opposition against God.
But it also teaches us that God sees it all. He’s not fooled by glamor, wealth, or control. What the world calls “great,” God often calls out for judgment.
Literary Analysis
The phrase “the great city” has appeared earlier in Revelation and carries a heavy tone. It’s not a compliment—it’s a label of judgment. Throughout Scripture, cities often symbolize not just geography but systems and values. Think of Babylon in the Old Testament—a powerful city that eventually fell under God’s judgment because of its pride and idolatry.
In Revelation, the city is a character. It’s personified as a woman who seduces and then is destroyed. The contrast is sharp: she appears powerful, but her end is certain. The literary point is that worldly glory fades, but God’s truth remains.
Cross-References
- Revelation 14:8 — “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,” a warning against the great city’s judgment.
- Revelation 18:10 — “Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon!”
- Isaiah 47:8 — Babylon boasts, “I am, and there is none besides me,” showing the arrogance of worldly power.
- Jeremiah 51:7-8 — Babylon made the nations drunk, but now she falls and is not healed.
- 1 John 2:15-17 — The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For us today, this verse is a call to wake up and stay alert. Not everything that looks powerful or popular is on God’s side. There are “great cities” in every generation—systems of culture, politics, money, or entertainment that influence leaders and shape nations but are rooted in pride, injustice, or spiritual deception.
As believers, we are called to live in the world but not be shaped by it. This means being wise, discerning, and faithful to Christ, even when the world pushes in another direction.
We’re also reminded that no city, government, or empire lasts forever. Only God’s kingdom is eternal.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is revealed in how He exposes false power. He doesn’t let His people be fooled by appearances. He shows what’s really behind the curtain—not to scare us, but to protect and prepare us.
God loves truth, and He wants His people to live in it. He doesn’t want us to place our trust in anything that will one day fall. His warnings are acts of mercy, calling us to build our lives on a foundation that will never be shaken.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus stands in total contrast to “the great city.” While the woman and the city seek to rule the earth through pride and pressure, Jesus reigns through humility, love, and truth. He is the rightful King—not of one city, but of all creation.
Where the great city draws people into sin and destruction, Jesus draws people into grace and life. And while the great city is doomed to fall, Jesus’ kingdom will never end (Luke 1:33). He invites us to leave behind the ways of the world and follow Him instead.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What might “the great city” look like in our world today?
- How can Christians recognize when worldly systems are leading people away from God?
- Why is it dangerous to admire or trust in worldly power without question?
- How does this verse challenge us to live differently as followers of Christ?
- What does it mean to live in the world but not be “of” the world?
- In what ways is Jesus a better King than any worldly ruler or system?
- How can we help others see through the illusions of false power and point them to the truth?