Cities Defined As Women in the Bible

   The old testament is full of history. It documents the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms, empires and cities, Judges and prophets. There were good kings such as Josiah who did what was right in the sight of God, while others like Ahab, did evil. There were also good queens such as Esther who saved her people from the likes of Haman; and evil queens like Jezebel who filled the northern kingdom of Israel with witchcraft, idol worship, Phoenician gods and goddesses and pagan sacrifices. 

    We also have mention of numerous cities that are often given feminine pronouns that maximize specific characteristics focused on behavior and their relationship to God. Some cities had good qualities while others did not; and that set them up for judgement. 

   Sodom and Gomorrah were marked for judgement "Because the cry of of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous..." Genesis 18:20-22

   As we know, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because the inhabitants  were consumed with iniquity and haughty pride. When compared with the iniquity of Jerusalem, Sodom was called the sister with daughters in the book of Ezekiel. Chapter 16 is full of feminine verbiage describing cities. 

That Great City: Revelation 17:18

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. There is an air of mystery surrounding her identity that has intrigued multitudes of Bible students for nearly two-thousand years.  

   Interpretive speculation abounds as to the mystery of the woman and what or who this woman represents. Many claim the woman represents the Catholic Church, or Vatican City, located in Rome, Italy. Some have thought the woman represents the United States or one of its cities such as New York or America's harlot city, New Orleans where demon worship abounds. 

   Others claim the woman represents a 'mystery mother-child religion' that came out of Babel, or the final religious world system directed at the worship of the little horn, the antichrist. Then there are those who are more meticulous regarding scripture who suggest that the woman will be a middle eastern city located in a desert: Jerusalem, Mecca, Tyre, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or, a new Babylonian city that is yet future. 

   There are many people anxiously watching the preparation of the desert city of NEOM in Saudi Arabia. NOEM is derived from a combination of words, noe; Νέος, a word from the ancient Greek which means NEW, and the letter M; an abbreviation from an Arabic word: Mostaqbal which means Future - NEOM = New Future.

   As of now, the woman is still wrapped in a cloak of mystery as the tribulation has not yet begun and the Holy Spirit is still present.  

   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. 

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:3

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those words. Some of the English translations were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account, detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used gives us a clearer picture of what John was witnessing while in the spirit. 

   In verse 7 the angel tells John that he will tell him the mystery of the woman and the beast (kingdom) that carries her. The angel begins to give John a succession of events surrounding the beast that carries the woman upon his seven heads. It seems as though the angel completely skips telling John about the woman until we reach chapter 18. The angel begins with the beast in verse 8 but does not give John much more information concerning the city itself until the very last verse, Revelation 17:18. This final verse transitions chapter 17 into chapter 18. (chapter breaks were not added until the Geneva Bible was printed in 1557) Here, the angel tells John that the woman which he saw was that great (μεγας) city (πολις) which reigns over the kings of the earth. 

   In the Greek the words that he uses are μεγας, mega meaning great. When defined in the Greek μεγας means huge, enormous by volume, overtly large by physical size. 

πολις or, polis for city is defined in the Greek as a walled city, mother city, magistrate city of many that dominates well defined territory. 

   So now we know that the woman is a metaphor for a extremely large city. 

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:1

   And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great whore πόρνης that sits upon many waters. Revelation 17:1

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those Greek words. Some of the English translations (in my opinion) were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used gives us a clearer picture of what John was witnessing while in the spirit. 

   For example the Greek word translated into the English as great (megas) whore is  πόρνης which means commercially corrupt one, to export or sell a product or commodity immorally for profit or gain. This is generally defined or translated into English by its root πόρνη which is simply pornēs, prostitute or prostitution. This is where the term whore or harlot originated from, from the root of πόρνης. 

Debunking Alexander Hislop?

    Hislop did a fantastic job selling his bizarre hypothesis of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz and the Babylon mystery religion; as it continues to be the primary teaching in the church today to explain the prophecy of the 'harlot woman' of Revelation 17. This is the only chapter in the entirety of the Bible explained by an outside source. 

   The majority of parishioners aren't even aware that these tales are based upon mythology, mythical figures and fictional characters. Those who are aware, just don't care. It is taught in church and that is good enough for them. Afterall, who would question their favorite Bible teacher?  

  Surely Bible teachers had done their research on this, investing in a full analysis of Hislop's claims before teaching it as a historical and biblical narrative? One would think so,  but it is impossible to fully analyze the conjuncture of Hislop and still teach it as a historical or biblical narrative with a clear conscience. Many are being misled by these teachings. 

   The interpretation of Alexander Hislop is the most protected non-Biblical source in modern history. The truth in the Bible supports itself both historically and scripturally.  When you have doubts or questions, the Bible defends itself as scripture is interconnected and scripture defines scripture. Not so with Hislop. When you have doubts or questions as to the logic of reincarnation or mythical characters there are no discussions or debates. You become an outcast, verbally attacked as 'crazy', your comments hidden, blocked or deleted. It is something you cannot question or criticize. The insanity of it all just boggles my mind.  But, it is what it is. In the age of mass deception, logic and reason become the first victims. 

   Beginning sometime around  2012 or 13, something quite uncanny occurred. Someone taught the Hislop narrative of the mystery religion of Semiramis, and before long every bible teacher was teaching it. As a result, you can't listen to a sermon on Revelation 17 without it. Almost all use the same Hislop narrative that includes Nimrod, a fabled mother / wife Semiramis and a son named Tammuz. 

Daniels Fourth Beast from the Sea

   The interpretation of Daniel 7 can be a bit perplexing. I thought I would attempt a quick and hopefully simple breakdown of Daniels four beasts that rise from the sea. It will aid in the interpretation of the beast kingdom in Revelation 13 and 17 and perhaps offer some clarity concerning the rise of this kingdom in the latter days. 

    The writing below is based upon scripture as the Bible is interconnecting: scripture defines scripture. Daniels night vision interconnects with Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2. Nebuchadnezzar was intensely occupied with the future of  the mighty kingdom he had built. The Bible doesn't require outside sources to interpret scripture but, we often find that historical events fill in the gaps. When outside sources such as agenda riddled commentaries are added, scripture becomes twisted or confusing. For example: the beast like a leopard symbolizes a kingdom, it is not the secret leopard garments worn by Adam  and Eve that Noah gave to Nimrod. And no, Daniel didn't see the Roman Catholic church rise from the sea as the lion or as the fourth beast. 🙄 

   God doesn't want us confused, he wants us to understand what the prophets are documenting. We may have to search scripture for answers but, the answers are there. Fortunately for us, there was an angel close by to give us an explanation, adding  clarification to what Daniel was witnessing.

   Daniel 7:23,24 The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. Out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 
 

   Daniel chapter 7 documents a dream and a night vision where Daniel sees four beasts rise up from the sea. three of the beast symbolized a kingdom specifically recognized by their king. Each influenced Babylon in some way. Three kingdoms had kings or regent kings that occupied Babylonian territory by living within the confines of the Babylonian city. These kings were mighty warriors conquering most of the middle east. 

   The four beast that rise from the sea are kingdoms. Within prophetic implications, many prophecies, visions or dreams were given to various prophets cloaked in metaphorical significance; cities are depicted as woman, kingdoms as mountains and kings are mighty trees. In Daniels night vision, the beasts represent variations of four distinct kingdoms. 

   The kingdoms have the qualities that are similar to, or comparable with, those of the animal presented. The beasts are shown to Daniel as metaphors for kingdoms; just as the mystery woman in Revelation 17 is a visual of a city described metaphorically as a woman. 

Who Said the Bible Was Boring?

    In the bible you will find: Kings and kingdoms that rise and fall, beasts that rise from the sea and kings that rise from the earth. In the end of days, ten kings will rise from a beast kingdom to entrap the world under a banner of global unity. This happens just before an evil king rises up among them, unleashing global chaos and death.  

  There are queens that were good, queens that were evil and a queen who was thrown from her throne and left to wallow in self pity in the dust. There are also good kings and wicked kings that did evil in the sight of God. There were kingdoms filled with various seers, magicians, sorcerers and wizards performing necromancy and reading entrails, looking for signs. 

   You can read about strange creatures covered in eyes that dwell in heaven, good angels and fallen angels and angels who pretend to be good, but are really not. You will discover  vicious giants that walked the earth who became dark unclean spirits after a giant flood was sent to cleanse the earth. These unclean spirits prowl the earth searching for fleshy homes to inhabit. But, be careful, these are not spirits that you want hanging around your house. If you 'shoo' them away they will return with 7 others, more evil than the first for you to contend with. 

  You will find a woman named wickedness who was trapped in an ephah (basket) designed for commerce. She is secured inside with a lid made of lead so she doesn't escape when carried off to a land far away. Once her appointed time has come, she will have a temple built for her where she will be placed upon a pedestal to be worshiped, and a city will be built around her. Her city will be known for evil and bloodshed in the days when lawlessness will rule the earth. 

Mystery Woman of Revelation 17

Mystery Woman: 

    Who is this woman that has enchanted and mystified prophecy students for nearly 2,000 years and how did she receive such a seemingly influential position as a great harlot? She is joined in a mutual unity with the beast and his kingdom at the end of history, spreading her filth into the earth. She is even given royal treatment, sitting on the heads of the beast; the kingdoms of the world, and, her judgement is pending.  

   And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me saying unto me, come hither; I will show you the judgement of the great whore πόρνης (Greek: commercially corrupt one) that sits upon many waters. Revelation 17:1

So, who or what is this great whore; the commercially corrupt one? 

    To partially answer this question, we need to move the final verse in the Revelation prophecy to the forefront, it aides in the evaluation of the remaining text. This was the final clue the angel gave John; "I will tell you the mystery of the woman"... It is the ‘big’ picture that will define the harlot and the rest of the chapter with more clarity. We may not be able to identify her at this time in history but, there are many clues; so while she is being prepared, we may be able to recognize her for what she will be.  

    This interpretation is based upon scripture and the writings of the prophets which will omit the interpretation presented by Alexander Hislop taught within the church today.

    If you are not familiar with Alexander Hislop but have listened to modern Bible teachers interpret Revelation 17 as a harlot church, you are listening to, and learning the teachings of Alexander Hislop. Hislop's teaching is based upon fables, mythology, reincarnation and the various gods and goddesses that ruled the Mesopotamia, and later, the Greek and Roman cultures. These teachings are taught as actual historical and biblical narratives in the majority of churches today. These are the exact same teachings that scripture tells us to avoid. 

   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they will turn away their ears from the Truth and (truth) shall be turned into fables (myths). 2 Timothy 4:3,4 

    When Revelation 17 is taught using authentic historical context and scripture, it reveals something completely different. Modern day bible teachers are misleading the flock by teaching the Nimrod, Semiramis, Tammuz fables as historical and biblical doctrine.