Revelation 17:1–18 introduces a vision of a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, symbolizing a significant figure in the apocalyptic narrative. Preterists interpret this passage within the context of first-century events, particularly focusing on the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. The key points of the preterist interpretation are:

  1. The Woman (Revelation 17:1-6):
    The woman, referred to as “Babylon the Great,” is understood to symbolize Jerusalem or, more specifically, the apostate religious system within Jerusalem. Preterists often associate the woman with Israel’s rejection of Christ and her subsequent partnership with Rome, especially under the leadership of the religious authorities who rejected Jesus and persecuted His followers.
    • The “fornication” described in the passage refers to spiritual adultery—Israel’s idolatry and turning away from God, aligning with the Roman Empire and its pagan practices.
  2. The Beast (Revelation 17:7-11):
    The beast on which the woman sits represents Rome, particularly the Roman Empire. Preterists interpret this as the empire under the rule of emperors such as Nero, who engaged in the persecution of Christians. The seven heads of the beast are understood as seven successive forms of Roman rule, and the ten horns represent ten Roman rulers or kingdoms that will contribute to the final judgment of the city (Jerusalem).
    • The “seven mountains” on which the woman sits is often interpreted as a reference to the seven hills of Rome, and the “kingdoms” or empires described can be linked to the various periods of Roman rule leading up to the fall of Jerusalem.
  3. The Judgement of the Woman and the Beast (Revelation 17:12-18):
    Preterists see the woman’s eventual judgment as symbolizing the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The ten kings (the ten horns) are viewed as representing local rulers or allies of Rome who eventually turn against Jerusalem, leading to its destruction.
    • The statement that “the beast will hate the woman and make her desolate” (Revelation 17:16) is understood as the Roman Empire turning on Jerusalem, leading to the siege and eventual fall of the city. The religious system in Jerusalem, embodied by the woman, is destroyed along with the city.
    • The kings and peoples who “give their power” to the beast are seen as those who were complicit in the political and religious system of apostate Israel.

Dispensational Response to Revelation 17:1–18

Dispensationalists, maintaining a futurist perspective on Revelation, interpret Revelation 17:1–18 as referring to events that will take place in the Tribulation period preceding the second coming of Christ. Their key points of interpretation include:

  1. The Woman (Revelation 17:1-6):
    Dispensationalists identify the woman as Mystery Babylon, which they interpret as a symbol of a future global religious system that will arise during the Tribulation. This system will be associated with false worship  nd will play a central role in the Antichrist’s reign.
    • The woman is often associated with a false religious system, and some dispensationalists point to a unified world religion under the Antichrist as a fulfillment of this prophecy. The woman’s association with “fornication” represents spiritual unfaithfulness to God through false religion.
  2. The Beast (Revelation 17:7-11):
    The beast is identified as the Antichrist, a future political leader who will rise to power during the Tribulation. The seven heads of the beast are seen as representing seven world empires, culminating in a revived Roman Empire that will dominate the world in the end times. The ten horns are interpreted as ten nations or kings who will support the Antichrist’s rise to power and ultimately turn against him.
    • The beast’s alliance with the woman (Babylon) initially will help the Antichrist consolidate power, but ultimately, as the passage indicates, the Antichrist will destroy the false religious system when it is no longer needed.
  3. The Judgment of the Woman and the Beast (Revelation 17:12-18):
    Dispensationalists interpret the destruction of the woman and the beast’s turning on her as the eventual fall of the false religious system of the Tribulation period. The ten kings (representing ten nations or leaders) will align themselves with the Antichrist for a time but will later rebel, contributing to the fall of Mystery Babylon.
    • The “desolation” of the woman refers to the overthrow of the religious system in the Tribulation, leading to the rise of the Antichrist’s complete control over the world. The city, Babylon, is often interpreted as a future literal city (possibly Rome or Jerusalem), which will play a central role in the Antichrist’s regime.

Key Differences Between Preterist and Dispensational Interpretations

AspectPreterist InterpretationDispensational Interpretation
The Woman (Babylon)Represents apostate Jerusalem and the religious system in Israel.Represents a future false religious system led by the Antichrist.
The BeastSymbolizes Rome (especially during the reign of Nero).Represents the Antichrist and his global political power.
Seven Heads of the BeastSymbolize seven periods of Roman rule leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem.Represent seven world empires, culminating in the revived Roman Empire.
The Ten Horns (Kings)Represent local Roman rulers or political allies of Rome.Represent ten kings/nations who will support the Antichrist in the Tribulation.
The Judgment of the WomanRefers to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Jewish religious system in A.D. 70.Refers to the fall of a future world religious system (Mystery Babylon) during the Tribulation.

Summary

The preterist interpretation of Revelation 17:1–18 understands the woman as symbolizing Jerusalem, the beast as representing the Roman Empire, and the judgment of both as fulfilling in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The passage reflects the apostate nature of Jerusalem’s religious system and its alignment with Rome, leading to the city’s eventual desolation.

In contrast, dispensationalists view Revelation 17 as pointing to future events during the Tribulation period, where a global religious system (Mystery Babylon) under the Antichrist will emerge and ultimately be destroyed by the Antichrist himself. The beast is interpreted as the Antichrist, and the ten kings as nations that support him, with a final judgment on the false religious system before Christ’s return.

These interpretations highlight the central difference between preterism and dispensationalism: preterism sees the events as historically fulfilled in the first century, while dispensationalism views them as prophetic, to be fulfilled in the future.

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Published by Dan Starcevich

Hi, I am Dan Starcevich. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. I live in Windsor Colorado, just north of Denver. Not only do I run TheoFaith but I also serve as a professor at Tyndale Theological Seminary and Bible Institute, and I serve as the academic dean and professor of applied faith at Agathon University. I wasn’t always a theologian. I was in the United States Army for almost 10 years, then spent 30 years in the Aerospace and Defense industry. Thanks to the support of my wife I was also able to get degrees from Hawaii Pacific University (B.S.), The University of Southern California (M.S.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Thm.), and Tyndale Theological Seminary (PhD. and D.min). My deep desire is the see people grow in the knowledge of the Lord through deep, enriching, satisfying engagement with Scripture.

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