What is the meaning of Revelation 17:15? Then the angel said to me • “Then the angel said to me” (Revelation 17:15a) shows the same angel from 17:1 personally clarifying the vision, just as angels often do in Scripture (Revelation 1:1; 17:7; Daniel 8:16). • The statement underscores that the explanation comes from a divine messenger, so it carries the full authority of heaven. • Because the angel interprets the symbolism, we can trust the meaning is precise and not left to speculation. The waters you saw • The phrase points back to 17:1, where the prostitute is pictured “sitting on many waters.” • In prophetic passages, large bodies of water can be literal (Genesis 1:10) but frequently symbolize masses of people in agitation or unrest (Isaiah 17:12; Jeremiah 51:13). • John is reminded that what he observed is not a new vision but an element already shown, keeping the scene cohesive and reinforcing that Scripture interprets Scripture. where the prostitute was seated • The “prostitute” (Revelation 17:1, 5) represents a corrupt, worldwide religious-political system opposed to God (cf. Revelation 18:2, 7). • Her “seated” position suggests influence, control, and apparent stability over the waters. Psalm 110:1 uses the imagery of sitting to denote authority; likewise, here the harlot exercises global sway. • This detail emphasizes that the waters are the very base of her power, not a distant backdrop. are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues • The angel’s plain words remove all ambiguity: “The waters … are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues” (Revelation 17:15b). • By grouping four terms, the Spirit highlights: – Peoples: distinct ethnic groups – Multitudes: vast numbers (cf. Revelation 7:9) – Nations: political entities (Psalm 2:1-2) – Tongues: linguistic diversity (Genesis 11:7; Revelation 5:9) • The harlot’s reach is therefore universal, spanning every demographic category on earth. • This matches earlier prophecy that earthly kings and merchants are entangled with her (Revelation 17:2; 18:3), confirming her pervasive influence. summary Revelation 17:15 gives God’s own interpretation of the vision: the “many waters” under the prostitute are the world’s populations in all their ethnic, political, and linguistic variety. An angel delivers this explanation so we may grasp that the future “Babylon” rules over real, literal people across the globe. The verse assures us that Scripture itself clarifies its symbols, revealing a coming worldwide system that wields authority over humanity until God brings it to judgment. |