Revelation 17:5-6, 14

Greek Key Terms:

• G897 Βαβυλών (Babylōn) - "Babylon"
• G3173 μέγας (megas) - "great"
• G3384 μήτηρ (mētēr) - "mother"
• G4204 πόρνη (pornē) - "prostitute, harlot"
• G946 βδέλυγμα (bdelygma) - "abomination, detestable thing"
• G129 αἷμα (haima) - "blood"
• G3144 μάρτυς (martys) - "witness, martyr"
• G721 ἀρνίον (arnion) - "lamb"
• G2962 κύριος (kyrios) - "lord"

Context: Revelation 17 unveils "the great prostitute" seated on many waters (v. 1). She rides a scarlet beast and holds a golden cup "full of abominations" (v. 4). On her forehead is written a "mystery": "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (v. 5). She is "drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus" (v. 6). Yet verse 14 declares her doom: the beast and kings "will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings."

OT-to-OT Development:

• "Babylon the Great" synthesizes all OT anti-Babylon prophecy (Isaiah 13-14, 47; Jeremiah 50-51).
• The "mother of abominations" echoes Ezekiel 16's Jerusalem as prostitute—now Babylon embodies all harlotry.
• "Drunk with blood" recalls Babylon's violence against God's people throughout Scripture.
• The victory of the Lamb fulfills Daniel 7:27 (kingdom given to the saints).

Connections:

• TO OT: Genesis 10:10 (Nimrod founds Babylon), Isaiah 13-14, 47 (Babylon oracles), Jeremiah 50-51 (Babylon destroyed), Daniel 7 (beast kingdoms defeated)
• FROM REVELATION: Revelation 18 (Babylon's fall), Revelation 19:2 (vengeance accomplished)
• NT PARALLELS: 1 Peter 5:13 ("she who is in Babylon" - likely Rome), 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (man of lawlessness)

Christological Connection: Revelation 17 brings the Nimrod trajectory to its climax and resolution. (1) Babylon the Great: Nimrod founded Babylon (Gen 10:10); his legacy reaches ultimate expression in "BABYLON THE GREAT." All human empire in rebellion against God is comprehended in this figure. (2) Blood of Saints: "Drunk with the blood of the saints" (v. 6)—Babylon persecutes God's people as Nimrod's hunting spirit continues. Empire hunts; Christ shepherds. (3) The Lamb Triumphs: "The Lamb will triumph over them" (v. 14). The conquering Lamb is the anti-Nimrod. Where Nimrod was a "mighty hunter" (גִּבֹּר צַיִד), Christ conquers as a slain Lamb (Rev 5:6). His victory is through sacrifice, not conquest. (4) Lord of Lords, King of Kings: The title denied to every "Nimrod" belongs to Christ alone. No empire-builder can claim ultimate sovereignty; it belongs to the Lamb who died and lives.

Connection Method(s): Contrast, Redemptive-Historical Progression — The Lamb's triumph over Babylon the Great brings the Nimrod trajectory to eschatological climax, with the slain Lamb conquering through sacrifice (not violence), demonstrating that the Lord of Lords title belongs to Christ alone as redemptive history consummates.

Trajectory Table: 111 - Nimrod (The First Empire Builder)