📖 Biblical Definition
The Harlot Babylon is the symbolic figure of Revelation 17-18: the great prostitute Babylon, mother of harlots, drunk with the blood of the saints, riding the seven-headed scarlet beast. Babylon represents the corrupting world-system of pagan power and seductive culture in opposition to the Lamb's bride. Her fall (Rev 18) is celebrated by heaven and lamented by the kings and merchants of earth who have prospered through her.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Revelation 17-18.) Symbolic figure of the corrupting world-system in opposition to the Lamb's bride.
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Two contrasting women structure Revelation: the harlot Babylon (Rev 17-18) and the bride of the Lamb (Rev 19-22). Each rides a beast or comes from a city; each is dressed in particular garments; each has a particular destiny.
Identifications: literal Rome (preterist), the Roman Catholic Church (some Reformation historicists), apostate Christianity, all godless civilization, or a specific future city. The dominant reading: imperial-economic-religious complex hostile to God.
📖 Key Scripture
Revelation 17:5 — "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Revelation 17:6 — "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus."
Revelation 18:4 — "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
Jeremiah 51:7 — "Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often consumes the Harlot Babylon's wine without recognizing it; Revelation 18:4's ‘come out of her’ is a permanent command.
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Revelation 18:4 is a present-tense command, not just a future-tense announcement. The saints are commanded out of Babylon's sins now. The luxury, the entertainment industry, the financialized world-economy, the celebrity religion — each is a feature of Babylonian culture.
The household's discipline is discernment of when participation in legitimate culture has become drinking from Babylon's cup. The line is not always crisp; the discipline is daily; the warning is from heaven itself.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Bavel; Greek Babylôn; mythic-symbolic name in Revelation.
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Hebrew Bavel — Babylon, originally Babel of Genesis 11.
Note: Babylon-as-symbol of opposition to God runs from Genesis 11 (Babel) through Daniel (the historical empire) to Revelation (the eschatological system).
Usage
"Come out of her, my people."
"Two contrasting women structure Revelation: harlot and bride."
"Discernment of when legitimate culture has become Babylon's cup."