Even in modern English, the word "whore" is not a nice concept, and its usage can be offensive. The same is true of any identification made of this symbol in Revelation--the truth is frequently unwelcome. A real-life whore may look very attractive outwardly. Depending on how she is dressed, she may not even appear to be a whore. The same is true of this woman in Revelation. Appearances may be deceiving.
So we must look carefully at the identifying marks, as given in the Word of God, for this woman. Let's start in Revelation 17:1, and work our way through, one piece of information at a time.
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and
talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the
judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
(Revelation 17:1, KJV)
What is represented by the "many waters"? What do "waters" represent? We are told their precise meaning.
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore
sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
(Revelation 17:15, KJV)
So whomever or whatever is represented by the whore, the whore is sitting on peoples, nations, multitudes, and languages/tongues. Is this a position of authority? Let's keep the possibility in mind.
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:5,
KJV)
Multiple terms are associated here to the whore: "mystery," "Babylon," and "mother of harlots and abominations of the earth" are all ominous.
A mystery, of course, is something difficult to understand, or that is not understood. "Babylon" represents confusion. And this whore is not alone in her work, as her daughters are whores, too. And who might they be? Evidently, they all have a part in the "abominations of the earth."
To God, any sin that defiles or defaces God's image in Man is considered abominable; or detestable. The unclean animals were to be considered abominable, and were not to be eaten (see Leviticus 11). For a man to sleep with a man as with a woman was an abomination (see Leviticus 18:22; 20:13). Even the silver or gold of a graven image (idol) was to be held in abomination (see Deuteronomy 7:25)--it was not to be brought into one's house (vs. 26). And then we find a specific prohibition relative to a whore.
Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into
the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are
abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deuteronomy 23:18, KJV)
Any money earned by prostitution or whoredom was abominable--God would not accept it. So this context of the "abomination" here linked to the whore gives a strong clue that the whore is tendering her "hire" to God. From this, we begin to look for some powerful entity, having authority, that is also making religious claims.
Among acts of a religious nature, making idols was considered an abomination.
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an
abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and
putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say,
Amen. (Deuteronomy 27:15, KJV)
What entity of a religious nature is well known for having many images? But let's continue . . . .
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate
the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her
flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16, KJV)
What do the horns represent? Daniel also saw the beast with ten horns, and other beasts having horns as well. In one of his vignettes, we see the following helpful definition for "horns."
The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and
Persia. (Daniel 8:20, KJV)
This clue is huge. If horns on beasts represent the kings of those kingdoms represented by the beasts themselves, then this beast with ten horns is a kingdom of ten kings. And the whore is seated on this beast, showing she has a position of authority over these kings. The fact that they are kings, and that they hate the whore, might imply that her power over them was usurped, and is an unwelcome power.
A few chapters earlier, in Revelation 13, the beast with seven heads and ten horns first made its debut in the book. Let's scroll back there and search for more clues.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of
the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten
crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1,
KJV)
What is blasphemy? Let's find the Bible's own definition.
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but
for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
(John 10:33, KJV)
What well known religious power on earth has, as a man, tried to make himself as God?
By now, actually, the picture should be coming into focus. Little more should need to be said. Other answers here have alluded to the truth already. But there are still a few details we have not resolved. Even Sir Isaac Newton was abreast of these details, as shown in the quote below.
Of the ten Kingdoms represented by the ten horns of the fourth Beast.
Now by the wars above described the Western Empire of the Romans,
about the time that Rome was besieged and taken by the Goths, became
broken into the following ten kingdoms.
- The kingdom of the Vandals and Alans in Spain and Africa.
- The kingdom of the Suevians in Spain.
- The kingdom of the Visigoths.
- The kingdom of the Alans in Gallia.
- The kingdom of the Burgundians.
- The kingdom of the Franks.
- The kingdom of the Britains.
- The kingdom of the Hunns.
- The kingdom of the Lombards.
- The kingdom of Ravenna.
Isaac Newtown. Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the
Apocalypse of St. John (London: 1733). [Also sourced HERE.]
These ten kingdoms were the result of the breakup of the kingdom of Rome. But a new power, that of the harlot or whore, replaced pagan Rome--a religious power, that continued to usurp power over the European nations for centuries to come. Pagan Rome had morphed into Papal Rome. This system and power, then, is the whore and mother of harlots addressed in Revelation.
Let's review the characteristics pointed out earlier:
The Whore
- sits on peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues
- is named "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth"
- abominations include offering the price of whoredom to God
- abominations include making graven images and bowing to them
- "Babylon" references confusion
- her daughters (apostate churches who retain many of her heretical doctrines) are also harlots
Conclusion
The true identity of this whore should be clear, but the reader will need to exercise discernment to reach the final conclusion. One final clue is found in Revelation 14, where the "wine of Babylon," representing the teachings or doctrines of this whore, is specifically addressed. Her doctrines are not supported on the Bible, but can only be upheld on the basis of tradition--of the authority of her own word. And bear in mind that she is the "mother of harlots." It is not merely the mother whore of whom we are warned, but also of her daughters, who have followed much of her false doctrine and who, in reality, are very much like her.