Revelation 17 Part 1 - The Woman Who Rides The Beast
Pastor Wes Denham
Continuing his verse-by-verse journey through Revelation, Pastor Wes Denham opens chapter 17 — one of the more mysterious sections of John’s apocalyptic vision. Set during the seven-year Tribulation, this passage introduces the great harlot seated on a scarlet beast, identified as “Mystery, Babylon the Great.” Pastor Wes frames the chapter around a contrast he has developed throughout the series: the Kingdom of God, entered through Christ alone, versus the kingdom of man — Babylon — which represents the religious and spiritual system of this fallen world.
Pastor Wes unpacks the symbolism carefully — the many waters as nations, the harlot as a counterfeit offering fake pleasure, and the golden cup as a perverse imitation of communion. He traces the seven kings to the great empires of history — Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome — pointing toward the eighth, the Antichrist. Drawing on 1 John 2, he links Babylon’s seductions to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life — the same three temptations Eve faced in Eden when she redefined what was good.
The application turns sharply toward the modern American church. Pastor Wes warns that Babylon’s spirit has permeated Christianity through ecumenical movements that blend the gospel with Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and other works-based systems — an insult to the finished work of the cross. He calls believers to be thinking Christians who refuse to compromise truth for false unity, reminding them that evil ultimately self-destructs while the love of Christ endures forever.
Pastor Wes Denham teaches through Revelation 17, where John sees the great harlot “Mystery, Babylon” riding the scarlet beast. Pastor Wes identifies Babylon as the false religious system of this world, offering counterfeit pleasure through the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. He warns against ecumenical compromise that blends the gospel with works-based religions, calling believers to stand firmly on the truth of Christ alone.