Revelation 17 is a major chapter that the anti-Catholics refer to in their attacks on the Catholic Faith.
There are several groups out there that have developed their own systems of anti-Catholic rhetoric, but they all seem to come down to these basic scriptures in Revelation with the intent of giving a base for their own self existence.
No matter how far apart that these groups diversify in their own understanding, they still have this common agreement in attacking the Catholic Faith.
I recently took a look at the colors "purple and scarlet" because of the misrepresentation people use to attack the Catholic Faith. At this time, I want to continue with another point of scripture that is used to identify the Catholic Faith with the Whore of Babylon. Revelation 17:4 says in part, "She held in her hand a gold cup that was filled with the abominable and sordid deeds of her harlotry". Does this verse properly describe or point to the Catholic Faith?
Jeremiah 51:7 says, "Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of the Lord which made the whole earth drunk; the nations drank its wine, with this they have become mad". /div>You can see why the anti-Catholic wants to tie the Catholic Faith to ancient Babylonian Paganism?
But who is this people that Jeremiah was speaking about? Who are the people of the "golden cup"?
Exodus 25:29 states, "Of pure gold you shall make its plates and cups, as well as its pitchers and bowls for poring libations".
Was St. John aware of Jerusalem being identified with Babylon?
Revelation 11:8 He certainly identifies Jerusalem with "Sodom" and "Egypt" which were symbolic names concerning Jerusalem's harlotry and idolatry. The key is discovering who this "great city" is.
Revelation 16:19 states, "The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered great Babylon, to make her drain the cup of the fury of his wrath".
Revelation 17:18, "And the woman that you saw is the great city which has dominion over the kings of the earth."
At the time of St. John, he would have recognized the authority of God so it is clear that he would have recognized the importance of Jerusalem to the world.
Revelation 18:10, "they will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, "Alas! alas! thou great city, thou mighty city, Babylon! In one hour has thy judgment come." Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, bedecked with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! And cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, what city was like the great city?" And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out, Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! In one hour she has been laid waste. Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall be found no more".
The great city is Jerusalem. St. John is clearly recognizing Jerusalem as the "Whore of Babylon".
We see St. John identifying Jerusalem because Jesus was crucified outside the gates of the "great city". St. John also refers to the great city as "Babylon" that was destroyed in one hour.
The people of the "golden cup" were the Jews. With all this said, Rome was also identified with "Babylon", Rome would be identified with the "beast" whom the Whore of Babylon drank the cup of infirmity.
The following are footnotes coming from the New American Bible from Revelation 17:
Rev 17:1-19: The punishment of Babylon is now described as a past event and metaphorically, under the image of the great harlot who leads people astray into idolatry. (Editors note: Consider Revelation 13:11 and the false prophet who leads the world to the first beast (anti-Christ). He has two horns of a lamb which identifies him with Christ, yet he speaks like a dragon, clearly apostasy).
Rev 17:1-6 Babylon, the symbolic name of Rome, is graphically described as "the great harlot".
Rev12:2: Intercourse... harlotry: Rev 14:4 footnote says, Virgins: metaphorically, because they never indulged in any idolatrous practices, which are considered in the Old Testament to be adultery and fornication (Rev 2:14-15, 20-22, Rev 17:1-6, Ez 16:1-58, 23:1-49). The parallel passages (Rev 7:3, 22:4) indicates that the 144,000 whose foreheads are sealed represent all Christian people. The pagan kings subjected to Rome adopted the cult of the emperor.
Rev 17:3: Blasphemous names: divine titles assumed by the Roman emperors.
Rev 14:4: Reference to the great wealth and idolatrous cults of Rome. (Editors note: This is why the anti-Catholics want you to believe that the Catholic Church worships the Pope and statues. This is why they believe the Pope makes blasphemous statements against Christ).
Rev:17:8: Allusion to the belief that the dead Nero would return to power.
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