Matthew Henry Commentary Revelation 17:1-6

"And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters; with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication. And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder." — Revelation 17:1-6 (ASV)

Rome clearly appears to be meant in this chapter. Pagan Rome subdued and ruled with military power, not by artifice and flatteries. She generally left the nations to their ancient customs and worship. But it is well known that by crafty and politic management, with all kinds of unrighteous deceit, papal Rome has obtained and kept her rule over kings and nations. Here were allurements of worldly honor and riches, pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds.

Prosperity, pomp, and splendor feed the pride and lusts of the human heart but are no security against Divine vengeance. The golden cup represents the allurements and delusions by which this mystical Babylon has obtained and kept her influence, and seduced others to join her abominations. She is named, from her infamous practices, a mother of harlots, training them up to idolatry and all sorts of wickedness.

She filled herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She intoxicated herself with it; it was so pleasant to her that she was never satisfied. We cannot help but wonder at the oceans of Christian blood shed by men called Christians; yet, when we consider these prophecies, these awful deeds testify to the truth of the gospel. And let all beware of a splendid, gainful, or fashionable religion.

Let us avoid the mysteries of iniquity and diligently study the great mystery of godliness, so that we may learn humility and gratitude from the example of Christ. The more we seek to resemble him, the less we will be liable to be deceived by Antichrist.