Biblical Identification of.......
The Great Whore
                                                                                        By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                        May 23, 2018
     ".....Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
     With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Revelation 17:1.
Introduction
      I have been asked about the identity of this "great whore," prophesied to be allied with the anti-christ during the coming Tribulation period.  The inquirer wanted to know if this "great whore" can be Scripturally identified.  
     I answered the question in the affirmative.  Yes, the identity of this "great whore" can be known by those of God's people who are  willing to carefully study Christian history in the light of God's inspired Word.  
     Now our readers know the subject matter of this Bible study.  I pray that this study will be enlightening and a blessing to God's people, and  will also help keep lost seeking souls from being deceived.    
Be not Deceived
     This warning, worded in various ways, is repeated over and over again in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.   The Lord God does not want people, especially His people.  to be deceived, 2 Peter 3:9.  Folks, the world throughout human history, has always been full of deceivers, and it is even more so today, as we live in the end of the age.   Therefore, a real seeker of truth is going to have to realize, that just because some person, or group of persons, claims to be "Christian," does not mean that they are Christian, or a true servants of God.  If it bothers any reader to examine and compare the history, claims, doctrines, teachings, and practices of various so-called "Christian" denominations, with what is actually and literally stated and taught in the inspired Word of God, then I suggest you read no further, for you won't be happy with the Biblical and historical  truths I am about to point out in this study.
       On the other hand, if the reader really wants to know the truth about the identity of the "great whore," and her children, then just keep reading.......
 Her Power and Influence.....
      In 17:1, the inspired Word explicitly states that John was being shown "the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters."  
     This statement is filled with Biblical symbolism.....
     Right from the beginning of seeking her identity, let our readers understand that this "great whore" is a world religion.  Throughout the Bible, Old Testament and New, religions and churches are always spoken of, or symbolized, in the feminine gender.  Therefore this "great whore" is a religion with millions of followers.    
     The terms, "whore, whoredom, whoring, and whoremonger," are used over and over again in the Old Testament Scriptures in a symbolic sense when referring to those who have departed from following the Lord and His Word, and have gone after false gods or false teachings.  In other words, people who have apostasized from "the faith" set forth in God's Word.   So there most definitely is such a thing as spiritual whoredom.  When a person, a group of people, or a nation, leaves "the faith" clearly set forth in God's Word, and goes after false gods which stand in opposition to the truths set forth in God's Word, they are in defiance of God's Word, and are committing spiritual whoredom against the Lord God.    
     John was not simply shown a "whore," but rather "the great whore."  So this Scripture is referring to a very certain "whore," which was the leader of millions of people. This "great whore" then has to be a "religious" entity who, at one time, "professed" to be "Christian," yet turned away from the teachings and truths of God's Word to embrace idolatry, false gods, and the wicked practices and lifestyle of the unbelieving lost world, thereby committing spiritual whoredom against the Lord, having abandoned "the faith" which the Lord graciously gave to mankind.    
     There have been many individuals and a few nations and peoples who have departed from "the faith" set forth in God's Word through the centuries of human history, but usually on a small scale.   But here John is shown "the great whore which sitteth upon many waters." Now look at the inspired definition of the word, "waters," in Revelation 17:15, "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."   This "whore" is then an entity which has committed spiritual whoredom on a world wide scale.  
Confirmation
     That this conclusion is correct is confirmed in 17:2, as John is explicitly told that this "great whore" has "committed fornication" with "the kings of the earth," and that "the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication."  
     Notice that what is stated in this Scripture is speaking in the past tense.  Therefore, this "great whore" was committing spiritual whoredom  even when, or before, John received this prophetic vision.  How long before?  Long enough that the inhabitants of the earth had been made "drunk with the wine of her fornication."  
     If any of our readers have ever been "drunk," and are honest enough to admit it, when one is drunk, their brain is effected by the alcohol, and their power to intellectually reason is definitely impaired.   Is this why millions of people on the earth today cannot understand the way of salvation clearly and repeatedly set forth in God's Word?  Is this why, when the rapture of all true believers occurs, millions of people will be left behind on the earth to enter into the terrible Tribulation period?  Is this the result of "the great whore" committing spiritual fornication with "the kings of the earth,"  and making the inhabitants of the earth "drunk" with her wine?   Think about it!  
Riding on the Beast
     Then in 17:3 John is carried "into the wilderness," and sees "a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast."  Since John was being shown "the judgment of the great whore," in this chapter, then obviously this "woman" is the same "great whore" described in the first two verses of the chapter.  In this Scripture John sees her riding upon the back of the "beast."  This "beast" is the anti-christ, the same "beast" described in 13:1, who will become the ruler of the entire world during the Tribulation period,  Matthew 16:26; Revelation 13:7-8.   
     During the Tribulation, the whole world will be divided into ten kingdoms, exactly as planned by the Club of Rome in 1973, and prophesied centuries ago in Daniel 7:7-25.  And yet some people today refuse to believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that we believers have "a more sure [certain; reliable] word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts," 2 Peter 1:19.  
      Notice in this Scripture, that it is clearly stated that the "scarlet coloured beast" has [owns; possesses; rules over] "seven heads and ten horns," just as is also stated in 13:1 and 17:7.   
The Description of the Great Whore
     The description of the Great Whore is not the way she has appeared to mankind in the past, but rather the way John was shown her during the coming Tribulation period.  Keep this in mind as you study.  
Her Company
     At the time John was given his vision of this "great whore," she is seen sitting [riding] upon the back of "the beast," 17:3.  This prophetically indicates  that she will give her allegiance to "the beast" [anti-christ] during the coming Tribulation period, as a means of self preservation, and that he will  favor her with great power and authority in his kingdom.  Spiritually speaking, she will be the "mistress" of the anti-christ during the Tribulation period.    
Her Colors
      The actual description of this "great whore" begins in 17:4.  As John looks at the "whore," he sees that the "colour" of the clothing worn by her is "purple and scarlet."  Right here our readers would do well to ask themselves what world wide "religious" group favors and uses these
garments and colors in their pretext of worshipping Christ?    
Her Adornment & Wealth
     John also describes the "whore" as being "decked with gold and precious stones and pearls," 17:4.  The Greek word translated as "decked" in this Scripture is the word, "chrysoo."  This word literally means, "to be adorned with; to decorate one's self with; to the point of appearing to be gilded with gold."  See Thayer's Greek Lexicon, page 674, Strong's No. 5558.  So this "great whore" is extremely "rich" in material possessions, and does not hesitate to proudly flaunt her wealth.  Now what "religious" organization in the world today, has this kind of wealth?  
Her Cup
     In this same Scripture John also states that the "great whore" has a "golden cup in her hand," and that this cup is "full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication."  So this  "great whore" uses a "golden cup" in the practice of her "fornication" against the Lord.  This "cup" plays a great role in the practice of her "religion." She uses this "cup" to convince her followers that anything she teaches and approves is okay, whether it actually agrees with God's Word or not.  
Her Name
     Then John also sees the "name" of this woman, written "upon her forehead," 17:5.  Her name is "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."  Her name is quite revealing.  
      Her name alone tells us that she has descended from the ancient Babylonian religious system, and that the wicked religion of ancient Babylon is preserved in her "form of godliness," 2 Timothy 3:5.   She is also described as being  "the mother of harlots, and abomination of the earth." She is then the mother of the "mystical" or "mystery religions" today, which was once practiced in ancient Babylon, and also the mother of denominations which "profess" to be Christian, but in reality, do not teach or follow the Bible.. Whether some like it or not, such groups and religions,  are an "abomination" to God.  In other words, they "stink" in the sight and nostrils of the Lord God.  But notice that she is the present day "mother" of them; "the mother of harlots,"     In other words, these "mystery religions," being practiced today, should have died out with the destruction of ancient Babylon, but through her spiritual whoredom, they were reborn of this "great whore.  They  came out of her.   On the basis of her name, it is obvious that her children followed in her footsteps.  She is the "mother of harlots," and of various "abominations" being  practiced upon the earth today.      
     Another identifying "mark" of this "great whore" is that she is "drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus," 17:6. This word, "drunken," may not be expressing literal truth, but it certainly expresses spiritual truth.  This "whore" has a bloodlust, or craving for blood, especially the blood of those true believers who have opposed her, both in the past, in the present,  and in the future Tribulation period to come; "the saints.....and martyrs of Jesus."   There is no question, that she will be responsible for the martyrdom of those left behind on the earth at the rapture, who, during the coming Tribulation period will turn to Christ for salvation.  They will be martyred by her with the approval and support of the anti-christ.    
Her City              
      Then going forward, in 17:18, John was specifically told that the "whore" is "that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."   At the time John received his vision, the Roman Empire was ruling over much of the known world in Europe and Asia, and their government was located in the city of Rome, Italy.   So she is identified as a "city" in the Roman Empire, whose power and influence is so great that she dictates to "the kings of the earth" and they obey her commands, and will do so again during the Tribulation period.   Her  power and authority reaches out over all of mankind on the earth, 17:1; 17:15.  Whether some readers like it or not, this perfectly describes the city of Rome, Italy.   
Her Reign  
      Notice in 17:18, that the word, "reigneth" is in the present tense.  This means, that when John was shown this vision some 2,000 years ago, this "great whore" was reigning over the kings ruling the nations  at that time.  And since this vision of John is a prophecy, this also means that this same "city" will still reign over the kings of the earth during the coming Tribulation period.  Now what "city" on the earth is so old, that it already existed in the days when John received his vision, and still exists today?  Could this be just any city on the earth, other than Rome?   Think about it!   
A List for Our Readers  
      Now lets list the "marks" we have come across, to help us identify this "great whore."   She is described as.......
     [1]     Her authority and influence.....She is described as sitting "upon many waters," 17:1.  The "waters" are defined as "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," 17:15.  
     [2]   Her Future Position.....She was seen by John, sitting upon, and therefore riding upon, the back of "the beast," 17:3.  
     [3]    Her Colors.....She wears purple and scarlet clothing, 17:4.
     [4]    Her Wealth.....She is extremely wealthy, 17:4.  
     [5]    Her Cup.....She has a golden cup in her hand, 17:4.
     [6]   Her Name.....Her name is written on her forehead, and she is the mother of the "harlot" religions of mankind on the earth, 17:5.
     [7]   Her City.....She is described as being "a city" located on the earth.  In other words, her presence so dominates some certain city, that to think of that city is to think of her, 17:18.  
     [8]    Her Reign.....She was a city reigning over the kings of the earth at the very time John was given his vision, 17:18.           
     [9]  Her Drunkenness.....She was already drunk on the blood she had shed, as she persecuted and killed the Lord's saints, 17:6.  
         Tracing the Whore Through History
     It is clearly stated in the inspired Word, that ancient Babylon was founded by Nimrod, Genesis 10:10.  Nimrod was one of the wickedest men in human history [a type of the end-time anti-christ].  He hated God and everything that the Lord God stood for.  After the flood in the days of Noah, Nimrod built the city of "Babel," and three other cities "in the land of Shinar,"  which the inspired Word clearly states was "the beginning of his kingdom," Genesis 10:10.  Nimrod obviously intended to rule over the whole of mankind who had descended from the three sons of Noah after the flood. Genesis 11:1-2.  I highly suspect he was the instigator and leader in the building of the Tower of Babel, 11:1-9.  The name of the Tower implies that it was built in "Babel," the city which Nimrod built as "the beginning of his kingdom," 10:10.  
     The expression describing Nimrod in 10:9, "a mighty hunter before the Lord," literally means that Nimrod was a hunter of souls, placing himself as the person or object of worship "before," or in place of, the Lord God of Heaven.  
    The archives of Babylon, indicate that the "religious system" established by Nimrod in ancient Babylon had priests, convents,  confessionals, burning of candles and incense, ringing of bells, worshipping of images,  and etc.  Is it then just "coincidence" that these same things still play a major role in one of the world's great "religions" today?   Think about it!
The Spread of Nimrod's Religion  
     This "religion" started by wicked Nimrod after the flood, continued to exist right through the centuries, becoming more and more corrupt as the years and centuries passed.    This religion became so corrupt, that when the Babylonian Empire was overthrown by Cyrus the Mede, as recorded in Daniel 5,  King Cyrus issued an order to his soldiers that every "priest" of the Babylonian religion was to be executed without mercy.  Cyrus literally hated and despised the Babylonian religious system.  
     However, the Babylonian priests received warning that they were to be put to death, and some of them fled in the night.  Again, it is not just "coincidence" that history records that some of those Babylonian priests fled to the city of Pergamos,  in what is today known as Turkey.  In a short time, the Babylonian religion was re-established  in the city of Pergamos.  Why is this important?      
     The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in His vision given to John some 2,000 years ago, clearly stated that the city of Pergamos was, at that time, "where Satan's seat [thronos...throne] was located.  Read it for yourself in Revelation 2:12-17.  Pay careful attention to the Lord's accusation against the church at Pergamos.  The Lord's church in that city had been infiltrated by some who held the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes.  Both of these false doctrines can be traced right back to the Babylonian religious system.  Read Jude 3-4, and take heed!  
     Since the Lord Himself explicitly stated that the city of Pergamos was the location of the throne of Satan on the earth, then how and when did Satan's "throne" move from Pergamos to Rome, Italy, where it is located today?    I'm so glad you asked!  
Problems in the Lord's Churches
     During His personal ministry, the Lord called out and saved the disciples He chose to use in building His Church, Matthew 16:18.  But in Acts 1:7-9, the Lord spoke to those disciples a final time, and then ascended back to His Father in Heaven.  However, don't miss the truth that it is the Lord who is building His Church.  The Lord's Church was no built on Peter, or on any other of His disciples.  Christ Himself is the Great Rock on which His church was established, and it is still being built right to this present day, Ephesians 2:19-22.    
     On the Day of Pentecost in the year of the Lord's resurrection, just as the Lord had promised, His Church was baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:1-4.  And that day alone, 3000 souls were added to the Lord's Church, 2:41-47.  
     The Lord's Church prospered in numbers and spiritual growth, especially after the salvation of Saul of Tarsus, whom the Lord saved and ordained to be the "Apostle to the Gentiles", Acts 9.  
But There Were Infiltrators
    However, there were problems in the churches, and in the ranks of "professing" Christianity.....
     The First Clue.......What is called the First Church Council is recorded in Acts 15.  As our readers carefully study this chapter, notice that there was present at that "church council" "Pharisees which believed," 15:5.  It apparently was from these Pharisees that some went  out from Judea to the Gentile churches, telling the Gentiles that they must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved, 15:24; Galatians 1:7; 2:4.   Indeed, it is one thing to believe on the Lord Jesus.  It is another thing to give up those false teachings one has held as truth in the past,  before receiving Christ.  
       So there were some in the early church in Judea who were teaching the false doctrine that one had to be circumcised and keep the Law in order to be saved.  Remember that Christ Jesus Himself warned His disciples to "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," Matthew 16:6.  The Apostle Paul emphasized this truth even more as he warned the Corinthian church, ".....Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" 1 Corinthians 5:6.  
     So we can determine from this incident that there were some false teachers who infiltrated even the early churches.  
     The Second Clue.......This truth is verified a second time in 1 Corinthians 11, where the Apostle Paul was dealing with division in the Lord's churches.  As one reads this chapter, it is glaringly obvious that some in that church were not sound in doctrine and the faith, and were causing all kinds of problems in the church body.  The Apostle Paul, speaking by Divine Inspiration, then clearly stated, "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you," 11:19.  Read also Paul's statement in 2 Timothy 2:20-21.  
The Rise of False "Christianity"   
     Obviously then, there were also false teachers  among the Corinthian Church.  As the years passed, and the churches multiplied, it would be reasonable to expect more and more infiltration by those who were not true believers, but who were moved by their flesh and by Satan.
      At different points in early church history, these false teachers were exposed, and excluded from the fellowhip of the Lord's  true churches.  Read Paul's explicit command to the church for yourself in 1 Corinthians 5:6-11.  But when these false teachers were excluded from the Lord's true churches, what happened to them? Where did they go? This is a question worthy of careful consideration.
      The Third Clue.......I think we could find a partial answer to this question in 1 John 2:18-19, ".......They went out  from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."  This Scripture makes it very clear, that even before the New Testament was completed, there had been a split in the churches and in the ranks of Christianity.  
     This truth is further verified by Jude's admonition to God's people, given even before the New Testament was completed,
     "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  
     For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ," Jude 3-4.  
     According to this inspired passage, Jude clearly stated that the men he was speaking about had subtly crept into the Lord's churches.  In other words, at one time they had "joined" the Lord's church, "professing" and "pretending" to be Christian believers.  The true believers in the church were "unaware" of who these wicked unbelievers  really were, and for what purpose they had "joined" the church.     But in reality, these deceivers were not Christians at all.  Rather, they were "ungodly men."  And their purpose was to corrupt "the grace of God," turning God's grace into an excuse to engage in sexual lasciviousness.
     By the time Jude was inspired to write his epistle, this had become such a problem among the churches, that Jude wrote to "exhort" true believers to "earnestly contend for the faith" and bring these infiltrations of the Lord's churches to a halt.   And apparently the true believers and true pastors in the Lord's churches took this exhortation to heart and acted upon it, thereby preserving true churches of the Lord for God's people right down through the centuries of this present Dispensation of Grace.  Praise the Lord!   
The Birth of Denominations
     When true believers and true pastors in the Lord's churches obeyed Jude's charge to "earnestly contend for the faith,"  and "purged" the churches and the ranks of Christianity of these false Christians, what happened to those excluded?  In John's first epistle, he records the "split" that occurred in the churches and the ranks of Christianity, 1 John 1:18-19, "They went out from us....."  
     But dear readers, Satan and his followers don't give up easily.             So again, when these "anti-christ" people "went out" from the true churches, they didn't just fade away.  
     Rather, they organized their own "churches," [Sic!] and kept right on calling themselves "Christians," even though there was nothing about them suggestive of true Christianity.    Denominationalism had been born!  
Moving Satan's Throne
     All of this was happening during the time of the Roman Empire.  The Roman government was located in the city of Rome, Italy.  The Roman government was one of the persecutors of early Christianity, for Rome had their own chosen Roman "gods" for the Roman people to worship. They were in no way favorable to this "new" Christian movement.   But in spite of their bitter persecution of Christians, the Christian  movement continued to grow.  At the same time the "gods" of the Romans were losing favor with many of the people in the Roman Empire.  So finally the Roman government made the decision to embrace this growing Christian movement, rather than trying to destroy it.   
      Therefore, when the "split" occurred in the churches, the Roman government took advantage of it, by adopting "Christianity" [?] as the state religion of the Roman Empire.  This was formally done at the so-called Church Council at Nicaea in 313 A.D.  This council was called by the Roman government, urging every Christian church and pastor to come to the council, or to send  delegates.  
      Eusebius, in his history, tells us that most true churches and pastors refused to attend the council.  They wanted nothing to do with the Roman government controlling the churches.   But those churches and pastors which had  left true Christianity, as recorded in 1 John 1:19, flocked to the council.  At that council, the religious apparatus for a "state" church of Rome was set up, and the Roman government gave large grants of money to the churches and pastors who attended, making it possible for them  to build magnificient buildings [cathedrals] in the city of  Rome and elsewhere throughout the Roman Empire.  The so-called "Christians" who had attended the council, of course, jumped at the chance to obtain all of that money from the Roman Empire.  
     And this is how the "throne of Satan" on the earth, was moved from the city of Pergamos in Asia Minor to the city of Rome, Italy where it still remains today.  
Absolute Confirmation  
     The location of this "city" where the "great whore" resides is beyond question.  In 17:9 John was told that "the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth."  Dear readers, it is a fact of history that the city of Rome, Italy was built upon seven mountains, or hills.  Mankind has recognized this for centuries, for through many centuries of time, it has been  common for Rome to be described as "the city of seven hills."  
     Now since the inspired Word of God, and the facts of history,  make it quite clear, that this city is the location of "the throne of Satan," and the residence of "the great whore," then what false religious entity could this be speaking of?  
     Revelation 17:9 is quite explicit that "the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth."  Then in 12:3 it is explictly stated that "the great red dragon," clearly identified as "the Devil, and Satan," in 12:9, holds or has possession of this woman.  Again, in 13:1, it is just as clearly stated that "the beast" [anti-christ] holds or has possession of this woman.  Then in 17:3 the woman is seen sitting or riding upon "the beast" during the coming Tribulation period.  Then who does this woman obviously belong to, or give her allegiance to?  Well...??
    And what great "religion" has it's world headquarters in this seven hilled city, while spreading it's influence and false teachings all over the earth?  Well...??  
God's Marvelous Grace.....
     In spite of such wickedness, Almighty God loves all of mankind, and every reader of this study.  Read John 3:16-18 again, and remind yourself of the price God paid in order to save every soul who will place their faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
     Over the many years I have been in the Lord's ministry, I have met a number of people who were once members of this "great whore"  religion described by John.  For various reasons these people had lost confidence in this false religious system, and began searching for the truth about salvation, Luke 11:9.  And they found it!   Glory to God!
     They had finally come to a genuine saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through the true gospel set forth in God's Word.   Almost invaribly, every one of these people had severed all relationshp with "the great whore" religion, just as God's Word commands, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues," Revelation 18:4. Remember that John was being shown "the judgment" of the great whore.   Study Revelation 18.  
     I inserted this into this study to make it clear to our readers that our merciful and compassionate and loving God has, and will, save those who have once been deceived by this false religion, for Christ died for them, just like He died for all of mankind.   Just turn to and call upon the Lord Jesus in true repentance and faith, and YOU will be saved,  Matthew 11:28.        
     Father God loves  all of mankind, and is ready to deliver and save any truly repentant soul who will seek the Lord Jesus alone for forgiveness of sin and salvation, regardless of  what they have been in the past.
Faith in Christ alone, is God's only "way" of salvation, John 14:6; Acts 4:12.   Read 2 Peter 3:9.  
The Ten Horns
     In the prophetic Word, "horns" are identified as kings, nations or kingdoms, Daniel 7:24; Revelation 17:12.  During the coming Tribulation period [or perhaps sooner], the whole world will be divided into just ten nations or kingdoms, exactly as planned by the Club of Rome in 1973.  It is then highly significant, that these "ten horns" are seen in God's Word as also being controlled or empowered by the "great red dragon" [Satan] and "the beast" [anti-christ].  Again see Revelation 12:3, 13:1, and 17:3.  
     It is more than "coincidence" that there is a strong and growing movement today, to establish a one-world government.  Many in the U.N. think this is the only way the nations will ever stop fighting among themselves and have world peace.  Sic!  Most have never thought of seeking and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ, who is "The Prince of Peace," Isaiah 9:6.   
The Judgment of the Great Whore
     After the description of this "great whore," in Revelation 17:1-9, making it easy for serious Bible believers to identify her, John was finally told in 17:16-17 about the judgement that the Lord God has decreed to come upon this wicked religious whore.  What will be her judgment?  
     The very "ten kings" that she will have worked with and supported during the Tribulation period, "shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire," 17:16.  Read the details of this in chapter 18.  When the Tribulation period is over, there will be no city of Rome, Italy left on the earth to go into the Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be gone for ever.   
     There is a principle set forth in God's Word in Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  The history of mankind has revealed that this principle applies to individuals, families, churches, or whole  nations.  
     In the process of becoming a "great whore," this woman has persecuted and killed true believers, imprisoning them, torturing them, burning them at the stake, and feeding them to the lions in the Roman Coliseum.  Obtain a copy of Foxe's Book of Christian Martyrs, and read the documented evidence for yourself.  She has robbed the poor, taking advantage of their spiritual ignorance, deceived thousands, denying them the truth about the way of salvation, and therefore hastening their eternal damnation, and she has done it all while dressed in her purple and scarlet robes, pretending to be serving the Lord Jesus Christ, while in reality blaspheming His Holy Name.  And the worst is yet to come during the Tribulation period, as she rides "the beast" to even greater depths of depravity.
     Therefore our just and righteous Lord God will bring upon her exactly what she has sowed across the centuries, Revelation 17:16-17.
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     "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,"   
                                                                                                            Hebrews 10:31
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
      My personal contact information is as follows:
     POSTAL:  Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, MO 65401.
     EMAIL:        francismriley34@gmail.com
     PHONE:      573-202-6493  
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