And the woman that you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.
Greek: καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἣν εἶδες ἔστιν ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη ἡ ἔχουσα βασιλείαν ἐπὶ τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς.
English translation with Greek markers: And the woman (γυνη) that thou saw is that great (μεγάλη, mega, large) city (πολις, polis); which reigns (βασιλείαν has kingship) over the kings of the earth.
Some of the most compelling, fascinating and challenging prophecies in the Bible are the ones in Revelation; especially those depicting the woman, Babylon the Great. She is cleverly concealed in plain sight, camouflaged not because she is hidden, but because she is right there - smack dab in the midst of the tribulation, reigning over the kings of the earth in the last days. Like most women, she is simply misunderstood.
Interpretive speculation abounds as to the mystery of the woman, intriguing multitudes of Bible students for nearly two-thousand years. Many claim that the 2000-year mystery of the woman is already solved, and the Babylonian woman represents the Italian city of Rome or, the Catholic Church, that sits upon Vatican hill in Vatican City - also in Rome.
Others claim that the woman represents the United States or, one of her many cities such as Washington D.C. or New York City, the global hub of finance.
Others have claimed that the woman represents a 'mystery mother-child religious system' that allegedly came out of Babel and spread outwards into the world. Others suggest that the woman is the antichrist-tribulation city that will rise just prior to the tribulation period. This is viewed in light of prophecy as a middle eastern city located in the wilderness, a desert: Jerusalem, Mecca, Tyre, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or, a new Babylonian city that will rise in the end of days to fulfill a literal interpretation of prophecy.
Most believe that the woman with the Babylon name upon her forehead is simply a 'code name' for an undisclosed 'mystery' location other than what is documented in scripture so, she becomes 'Mystery Babylon.' And, before too long, we begin to loose sight of the convergence of the Revelation 13, 17 and 18 prophecies - the fulfillment of prophecies found in Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 - the antichrist-tribulation kingdom that will rise in the end of days - Daniel's fourth kingdom.
As of now, the woman is still wrapped in a cloak of mystery as the tribulation is yet future and, the mystery prevails.
Let's review some things that John documents in Chapter 17 by looking through the lens of verse 18: And the woman that you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.
