Read & explore together
The Victory of the Lamb
This vision explains who wins in the conflict around the beast and the woman. It also interprets key symbols so readers can follow what the waters, horns and woman represent in these verses.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, the speaker explains parts of the vision to the seer. The passage moves from the Lamb’s victory, to the meaning of the waters, then to the beast and ten horns turning against the woman, and finally to the woman’s identity as a great city.
Revelation 17:14–18Main takeaway
This vision says that the Lamb overcomes opposing powers, and that God’s words are accomplished through what happens in the vision.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The Lamb overcomesThe passage begins with conflict: “These will war against the Lamb”. Yet the outcome is clear.
Explanation
The passage begins with conflict: “These will war against the Lamb”. Yet the outcome is clear. The Lamb overcomes because he is “Lord of lords and King of kings”. Those with him are described with three words: called, chosen and faithful. The verse focuses on the Lamb’s authority and the character of his companions.
02The waters are peoplesThe vision then explains one symbol directly. The waters where the prostitute sits are not literal waters in this explanation.
Explanation
The vision then explains one symbol directly. The waters where the prostitute sits are not literal waters in this explanation. They represent “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages”. This language shows breadth and variety, describing a wide human population connected with the image seen in the vision.
03The beast and horns turn on the womanNext, the ten horns and the beast hate the prostitute. The language is severe and belongs to apocalyptic judgement imagery: they make her desolate, strip her, consume her and burn her with fire.
Explanation
Next, the ten horns and the beast hate the prostitute. The language is severe and belongs to apocalyptic judgement imagery: they make her desolate, strip her, consume her and burn her with fire. The passage presents this as part of the vision’s message of destruction.
04God’s words are accomplishedVerse 17 gives a reason for this united action. God has put it in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God should be accomplished.
Explanation
Verse 17 gives a reason for this united action. God has put it in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God should be accomplished. The verse states both their shared action and its limit.
05The woman is a great cityThe final verse explains another symbol. The woman seen in the vision is “the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth”.
Explanation
The final verse explains another symbol. The woman seen in the vision is “the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth”. In this passage, the woman is identified as a city, not simply as an individual person. That explanation keeps the symbolic language tied to the text itself.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does verse 14 give for the Lamb’s victory, and how are those with him described?
Look closely at the titles given to the Lamb and the three words used for those with him.
02What does the passage say the waters represent?
Answer using the exact groups listed in the interpretation of the vision.
03According to verse 17, what does God put in their hearts to do, and how long does this last?
Notice the phrases about being of one mind, giving their kingdom to the beast, and the point when the words of God are accomplished.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 17:14–18
14These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
15He said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.
16The ten horns which you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute, will make her desolate, will strip her naked, will eat her flesh, and will burn her utterly with fire.
17For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.
18The woman whom you saw is the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”