Definition: And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 17:1. It's a pretty rich and symbolic passage, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in plain language: “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying ‘Come hither; I will show you the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters.’” Let's unpack each part: "There came one of the seven angels..." : This refers to a specific angel – likely associated with a significant message or revelation. It’s not just any angel; it's one who has been involved in dealing with something powerful and perhaps a judgment. "...which had the seven vials..." : Seven vials are a key symbol in Revelation. Vials were often used to contain things like poison, tears, or even the blood of animals. This suggests that this angel is delivering a message involving something harmful or severe. "...and talked with me..." : The angel is speaking directly to you . It's a direct communication, implying a serious and important conversation. "Saying ‘Come hither; I will show you the judgment of the great whore…’" : This is the core of the message. The angel is telling you about a person – “the great whore” – who is in a very destructive state. Let’s unpack that word: Whore: In this context, "whore" means a woman who has been unfaithful or has engaged in immoral behavior. It's a strong term signifying sin and betrayal. Great: This emphasizes the severity of the situation. It’s not just any whore; it’s a particularly wicked or powerful one. “Judgment” : This is crucial. The angel is revealing that there will be a righteous, devastating judgment brought about by this whore. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse sets the stage for a significant coming event in Revelation. The “great whore” represents a system of evil and corruption – perhaps a political power, an economic system, or even a spiritual force that is actively destroying people’s lives. The angel's message is about impending reckoning and the final judgment on this person and those associated with them. Important Note: Revelation 17 is often interpreted as a prophecy of the end times. It speaks to a time when evil will be unleashed, but it doesn’t focus on specific events. Instead, it's about the ongoing battle between good and evil, and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to other parts of Revelation? Discuss what "the great whore" represents within a broader theological framework?