Revelation 17-18 the Whore of Babylon - who is it? The Catholic Church.

 Catholic St. Joseph New American Bible 1970 - Footnotes on Revelation 17:1-6 "Babylon, a symbolic name (v. 5) of Rome, is graphically described as the great harlot."  Revelation 17:9 Footnote - "Seven hills: of Rome."

Catholic Douay 1950 - Footnote on Revelation 17:11 - "The beast spoken of here seems to be the Roman Empire, as in chapter 13."

Catholic New Jerusalem Bible 1985 - Footnote on Revelation 16:10 "the seat of the beast"- "Rome, type of all gentile powers hostile to God."  Revelation 17:6 "the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" - Footnote - "Like Jerusalem, Rome is guilty of a double crime: idolatry (v.4) and murder. (v.6)".  Footnote on Revelation 17:9 "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters" - "Here it is Rome the idolatrous."  Revelation 17:9 "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." Footnote - "The seven heads are the seven hills of Rome."

The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible

Revelation 17:1 - And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven vials…"this is the seventh and last angel, concerned in the utter destruction of antichrist: and therefore proposes to John to show him the judgment of the great whore: and talked with me, saying unto me, come hither: he conversed with him in a friendly manner, see (Zechariah 1:9) and desires him to come nearer to him, and go along with him, adding, I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore; that noted and famous one, known before to John by the names of Jezabel and Babylon, who taught and caused many to commit fornication, (Revelation 2:20) (Revelation 14:8) and is no other than Rome Papal; for that a city or state is meant is clear from (Revelation 17:18) and it is usual for idolatrous or apostate cities to be called whores or harlots, see (Isaiah 1:21) (Ezekiel 23:2-4) (Nahum 3:4) and she is called a "great" one, because of the largeness of the Papal see; and because of the multitude of persons, the kings of the earth, and the inhabitants of it, with whom the Romish antichrist has committed spiritual fornication, or idolatry.”

Adam Clarke Commentary - Revelation 17

"Saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. "
No doubt can now be entertained that this woman is the Latin Church, for she sits upon the beast with seven heads and ten horns, which has been already proved to be the Latin empire, because this empire alone contains the number 666. See Clarke on Revelation 13:18. This is a representation of the Latin Church in her highest state of antichristian prosperity, for she SITS UPON the scarlet coloured beast, a striking emblem of her complete domination over the secular Latin empire. The state of the Latin Church from the commencement of the fourteenth century to the time of the Reformation may be considered that which corresponds to this prophetic description in the most literal and extensive sense of the words; for during this period she was at her highest pitch of worldly grandeur and temporal authority. The beast is full of names of blasphemy; and it is well known that the nations, in support of the Latin or Romish Church, have abounded in blasphemous appellations, and have not blushed to attribute to themselves and to their Church the most sacred titles, not only blaspheming by the improper use of sacred names, but even by applying to its bishop those names which alone belong to God; for God hath expressly declared that he will not give his glory to another, neither his praise to graven images.”

Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testaments

Revelation 17 - I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters ...
But was she not seated upon a beast? Yes, but both she and the beast rise from the teeming populations of the earth. Harlot ... "In Isa. 1:21, Jer. 2:20,31, etc., these terms are used to describe God's apostate people, those once joined to him in covenant relationship, but who had broken their marriage vow of faithfulness."  "In the Old Testament, this imagery is commonly used to denote religious apostasy."  "Is this harlot, then, Papal Rome? The answer is: Insofar as Papal Rome has wielded tyrannical power, turned persecutor, stood between the spirits of people and Christ, depraved the consciences of people, withheld the truth, sought aggrandizement and demonstrated the power of a political engine rather than that of a witness of Christ, she has inherited the features of Babylon."

Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament

Revelation 17 - Verse 2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. Spiritual adultery. The meaning is, that Papal Rome, unfaithful to God, and idolatrous and corrupt, had seduced the rulers of the earth, and led them into the same kind of unfaithfulness, idolatry, and corruption. Compare Jeremiah 3:8-9; 5:7; 13:27; 23:14; Ezekiel 16:32; 23:37; Hosea 2:2 Hosea 4:2. How true this is in history need not be stated. All the princes and kings of Europe in the dark ages and for many centuries were, and not a few of them are now, entirely under the influence of Papal Rome.

J.N. Darby on Revelation 17 -

  "The general character is the great active idolatress that has gained influence over the mass of the nations; next, that the kings of the earth have lived in guilty intimacy with her, seeking her favors, while those that dwell on the earth have lost their senses through her pernicious and inebriating influence. This is the general idea first given, a character plain enough to mark the Roman or Papal system."

There was a woman, a religious system, sitting on an imperial beast full of names of blasphemy, having the form which marked it Roman. The woman was gorgeously and imperially arrayed, had every human glory and ornament on her, and a rich cup of prostituting yet gross idolatries in her hand. "Abominations are simply idols; " filthiness of her fornication," all the horrible corruption that accompanies it. Her cup was full of them. She was in the desert; no springs of God were there. It was not, so to speak, God's land, no heavenly country. To spiritual understanding she bore on her forehead her character (yet one known only when spiritually known), of the great city of corruption, source of all seduction to men and of all idolatry in the earth: such was Popery.”

The Geneva Study Bible on Revelation 17 - “That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome.”

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary on the Whole Bible- Revelation 17 -

”It cannot be pagan Rome, but papal Rome, if a particular seat of error be meant, but I incline to think that the judgment (Re 18:2) and the spiritual fornication (Re 18:3), though finding their culmination in Rome, are not restricted to it, but comprise the whole apostate Church, Roman, Greek, and even Protestant, so far as it has been seduced from its "first love" (Re 2:4) to Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom, and given its affections to worldly pomps and idols.”


Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary -

Revelation 17 -”This beast, the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. 3. This beast had ten horns; which are said to be ten kings which have as yet received no kingdoms; as yet, that is, as some, shall not rise up till the Roman empire be broken in pieces; or, as others, shall not rise up till near the end of antichrist's reign, and so shall reign but as it were one hour with her, but shall for that time be very unanimous and very zealous in that interest, and entirely devoted to it, divesting themselves of their prerogatives and revenues (things so dear to princes), out of an unaccountable fondness for the papacy.”

People’s New Testament commentary on Revelation 17 -

“In the present chapter (17:16) it is stated that the ten horns, which become the strength of the beast, shall be turned upon the woman who is Mystery, Babylon, the Great. This implies a separation between the beast and the woman, between the secular power that had supported the Papacy and the Papacy itself.”


John Wesley’s Commentary on Revelation 17 -

“ From the time of Hildebrand, the blasphemous titles of the Pope have been abundantly multiplied. ... Mystery -This very word was inscribed on the front of the Pope's mitre, till some of the Reformers took public notice of it. Babylon the great - Benedict XIII., in his proclamation of the jubilee, A.D. 1725, explains this sufficiently. His words are, "To this holy city, famous for the memory of so many holy martyrs, run with religious alacrity. Hasten to the place which the Lord hath chose. Ascend to this new Jerusalem, whence the law of the Lord and the light of evangelical truth hath flowed forth into all nations, from the very first beginning of the church: the city most rightfully called 'The Palace,' placed for the pride of all ages, the city of the Lord, the Sion of the Holy One of Israel. This catholic and apostolical Roman church is the head of the world, the mother of all believers, the faithful interpreter of God and mistress of all churches." But God somewhat varies the style. The mother of harlots - The parent, ringleader, patroness, and nourisher of many daughters, that loosely copy after her. And abominations - Of every kind, spiritual and fleshly. Of the earth -In all lands. In this respect she is indeed catholic or universal. Verse 6. And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints -So that Rome may well be called, "The slaughter-house of the martyrs." She hath shed much Christian blood in every age; but at length she is even drunk with it, at the time to which this vision refers.”

Historicist interpreters, including Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox used the phrase "Whore of Babylon" to refer to the Roman Catholic Church.

The Whore of Babylon - Wikipedia article

Historicist interpreters commonly used the phrase "Whore of Babylon" to refer to the Roman Catholic Church. Reformation writers from Martin Luther (1483–1546) (who wrote On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church), John Calvin (1509–1564), and John Knox (1510–1572) (who wrote The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women) taught this association. The Roman Catholic Church denies the claim that it is being referred to by the Book of Revelation as the Whore of Babylon.

Identification of the Pope as the Antichrist was written into Protestant creeds such as the Westminster Confession of 1646. The identification of the Roman Catholic Church with the Whore of Babylon is kept in the Scofield Reference Bible (whose 1917 edition identified "ecclesiastical Babylon" with "apostate Christendom headed by the Papacy").


A New Antichrist for a Credulous Church

http://www.bibletopics.com/biblestudy/52.htm
 
"It is a fact of history that many well known Protestant leaders of past centuries have unhesitatingly denounced the Pope as the "Antichrist" and the Roman Catholic Church as the "Whore of Babylon". These include Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Huss, John Wycliffe, John Calvin, William Tyndale, John Knox, John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards. The publishers of some old German editions of the Bible, circulated in the 15th century, went so far as to include illustrations which showed the Pope amongst the devils of Apocalyptic Hell. Old records of the Anabaptist churches include countless other lesser known names which could be added to this list; names of men and women whose testimony could not be silenced by oppression, persecution or even martyrdom.

In this Ecumenical age, it has become most unpopular to speak about the Catholic Church in this way. It is even less acceptable to identify the present Pope, who is so popular with all men, as the one who currently sits in the chair of Antichrist.

The descendants of the persecuted church have closed their eyes and ears to the lessons of history.

This change in attitude, has its origin early in the 19th century, when a number of prominent teachers began to promote another interpretation of the prophecies about the Antichrist, which took the spotlight off the historical Catholic Church. Instead , the Antichrist was presented as a mysterious evil man of the future, who would appear just prior to the second coming of Jesus. This man would gain power over the whole world and force all men to worship him as God. This clever fabrication was joined with other teaching about a "pre-tribulation rapture", which would remove Christians from the Earth prior to a series of terrible events, called the "Great Tribulation", associated with the rule of the Antichrist.

This is called the "FUTURIST" school of interpretation of prophecy, and stands opposed to the traditional "HISTORICAL" school." (End of article) 

You can read a very modern presentation and exposition of why the Catholic church is the Whore of Babylon by reading this section of Dave Hunt's book "A Woman Rides the Beast" found here online -

http://www.chick.com/information/religions/catholicism/sevenhills.asp

Proof that Rome is Mystery Babylon

13 minute video by David Daniels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfaHzhmmUN0&feature=em-subs_digest

I highly recommend and encourage anyone interested in this most vital topic to do a Google search of 'Richard Bennett".  This brother in Christ, who was for years a Catholic priest, has tremendous teaching videos on various topics related to the doctrines of the Catholic church in contrast to the Bible. This man has a lot of Biblical truth to share with us and he has a deep love for the Catholic people. 

 Here is Richard Bennett's account of why he became a Catholic priest and how God dealt with him to bring him to faith in Christ alone as his Saviour -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxCcYcsxReY&feature=relmfu 

I also recommend this one about Evangelicals Embark to Papal Rome seen here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbCHXbwHs44&feature=relmfu 

See the Video by former Catholic Priest Richard Bennett called  "Uncovering the Pope and the Papacy". It is a 57 minute video and I found it to be very interesting coming from a man who was once so immersed in the Catholic church.  You can see it here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh-ZEajS640

TONS of information and many articles from The European Institute of Protestant Studies showing that the Pope is Antichrist

http://www.ianpaisley.org/antichrist.asp 

The supreme irony is that today in modern Christendom the majority of professing Christians are using and promoting the new Vatican Versions.

Undeniable Proof the ESV, NIV, NASB, NET etc. are  the new "Catholic" bibles

http://brandplucked.webs.com/realcatholicbibles.htm

“Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth..is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit...and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins” Revelation 17:2-5; 18:2-4

See also - "James White - the Protestant Pope of the New Vatican Versions"

http://brandplucked.webs.com/jameswhiteppopevv.htm

 If you are interested in learning more about what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, there is a complete Book online here from Chick Publications. You can purchase a hard copy if you wish, or simply read it online. There are links to specific topics. It is very interesting and informative.  You can see it here -

http://www.chick.com/reading/books/160/160cont.asp 

 The Pope Unifies all the world's Religions in a One World Religion - 

See the actual footage of Pope John Paul II and representatives of all religions, including witch doctors and shamans, in this 4 minute video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tF1Epj9nL8&feature=share 

A Summary Chart of the differences between Biblical Truth and Catholicism

by Richard Bennett

"Thy Word Is Truth"

John 17:17

 Documentary (53 minutes) - Who is the Antichrist?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SCcwb1iUZI0

And the supreme irony is that so many Christians today have abandoned the Reformation Bible text of the King James Bible and are now using and promoting the new Vatican Versions.

http://brandplucked.webs.com/realcatholicbibles.htm

Undeniable Proof the ESV, NIV, NASB, Holman Standard, NET etc. are  the new "Vatican Versions"

“Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth..is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird...and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 17:2-5; 18:2-4

http://christiannews.net/2016/01/09/pope-calls-for-collaboration-with-worlds-religions-those-who-meet-god-in-different-ways/

January 9, 2016 

‘Pope Francis’ Calls for Collaboration With World’s Religions, Those Who ‘Meet God in Different Ways’

ROME — In his first-ever video declaring his “prayer intentions,” the Roman Catholic leader Jorge Bergoglio, also known as Pope Francis, called for dialogue and collaboration among those of the various world religions on Tuesday, asserting that they are simply “seeking or meeting God in different ways.”

“Most of the planet’s inhabitants declare themselves believers,” he states in the production released on the Feast of Epiphany. “This should lead to dialogue among religions. We should not stop praying for it and collaborating with those who think differently.”

The video then features clips of those from different world religions declaring belief in their various deities.

“I have confidence in Buddha,” a female lama announces.

“I believe in God,” a rabbi affirms.

“I believe in Jesus Christ,” a priest states.

“I believe in Allah,” an Islamic leader declares.

Francis contends that all the religions of the world simply represent mankind’s diversity in seeking God. He says that despite the differing beliefs, everyone is a child of the same God.

“Many think differently, feel differently, seeking God or meeting God in different ways,” he states. “In this crowd, in this range of religions, there is only one certainty that we have for all: we are all children of God.”

The video then provides footage of the pontiff meeting with and embracing those of various religions, including Buddhists, Islamists and Orthodox Jews. It again cuts to representatives of the world’s religions, who now declare the same statement: “I believe in love.”

“I hope you will spread my prayer request this month: that sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce fruits of peace and justice,” Francis states. “I have confidence in your prayers.”

What  the Catholic Church teaches about the Muslims, from their own Catechism.

Catechism of the Catholic Church  “A sure norm for teaching the Faith” - Pope John Paul II

Paragraph 3. The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm?p=37-chap

Scroll down to Chapter 3 I believe in the Holy Spirit. Paragraph 3 The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. section IV The Church is Apostolic. Open,  then scroll to # 841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. 

841  The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

The Historic Doctrine of Antichrist. (11 minute video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcRfcHuxlTs&feature=youtu.be