Chapter 17 reveals the spiritual identity of Babylon as a prostitute who sits upon many waters. According to Shincheonji doctrine, this woman represents a betraying pastor—specifically Mr. Tak, the former leader of the Tabernacle Temple. The “beast with seven heads and ten horns” is interpreted as the seven pastors and ten evangelists of the Christian Stewardship Training Center (SEC/CSTC). These were once part of the first tabernacle but betrayed their calling and allied with the destroyers (Satan’s group).
New John (Lee Man-hee) is said to be astonished upon realizing the identity of this prostitute, whom he originally saw as a beast in Revelation 13. Only after witnessing the fulfillment in real life did he understand that Mr. Tak was the woman riding the beast in Revelation 17.
The angel then explains that the beast once existed, now is not, and yet will come again. Shincheonji applies this to the fluctuating influence of the betraying group—once prominent, then dissolved, but returning in another form. This chapter emphasizes that only the one who sees the actual reality of the events (New John) can testify to them, asserting his exclusive authority over this testimony.
Chapter 18 continues with the judgment of Babylon—the corrupt religious system associated with the prostitute. It is called a “habitation of devils” and a “prison of every unclean spirit”. The merchants mentioned are interpreted as the pastors and religious leaders who profited from this false religious system.
The chapter focuses on God’s command: “Come out of her, my people” (Rev 18:4). Shincheonji teaches this as a literal call to separate from traditional Christianity and join the “New Heaven New Earth”—the new tabernacle established by New John.
Shincheonji teaches that this judgment is still in process. While the former Tabernacle Temple (Babylon) has already fallen in a limited sense, the complete global judgment of the greater Babylon (representing all traditional churches not aligned with SCJ) is yet to be fulfilled. The destruction of Babylon will be by “fire”—symbolizing complete spiritual judgment and disbandment.
This is an ongoing series, and changes may occur until its completion. Additional articles will be added over time as they become available.
Revelation Chapters 17–18: The Judgment of Babylon and the Collapse of the Great City
The Fall of the Great Prostitute, the Cry of the Kings, and the Call to Come Out — Testified by the Overcomer, Lee Man-hee (이만희)
The Great Prostitute on Many Waters
“One of the seven angels… came and said, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.’” (Revelation 17:1)
This woman is not a literal prostitute. According to SCJ interpretation, she represents a false pastor or church who has committed spiritual adultery — receiving the seed and doctrines of Satan instead of God’s Word. The “many waters” are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages (v.15), referring to the global influence of false religion.
This woman is Babylon, the spiritual entity that rose in power during the destruction of the Tabernacle Temple. She was not from God, yet she joined hands with the beast — Gentile pastors and denominations empowered by the Christian Stewardship Training Center (SEC/CSTC).
“With her the kings of the earth committed adultery,
and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” (v.2)
This wine is false commentary — the doctrine of the beast. It intoxicates the world, making it spiritually numb and blind.
(Source: The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 242–246)
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 231–237)
The Scarlet Beast and the Woman
“I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names…” (v.3)
The woman — Babylon — rides the beast, indicating her collusion with secular and Gentile religious authorities. She wears purple and scarlet (symbolic of power and wealth) and holds a golden cup, filled not with truth, but with abominations and the filth of her adulteries.
“On her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (v.5)
This was the identity of the tabernacle after its fall — a place that once belonged to God but was now used by the destroyers. Her outward appearance was still luxurious, her title still religious, but her spirit had long left the covenant.
The Blood of the Saints
“I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints…” (v.6)
She did not physically kill the saints — rather, she deceived them, causing spiritual death through false doctrine. The commentary she poured into their cups replaced the Word of God, and their blood — meaning their lives — was the cost.
The Beast and Its Ten Horns
“The beast… once was, now is not, and yet will come up…” (v.8)
This scarlet beast is the same Gentile pastoral system from Revelation 13 — those who rose from the sea. Now, ten horns appear — ten pastors or leaders, who are given power for one hour to wage war against the Lamb.
“But the Lamb will triumph… and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” (v.14)
The destroyers gathered to fight the testimony of the one who overcomes — but the Lamb, united with New John (Lee Man-hee, 이만희) and the sealed 144,000, overcomes them.
Babylon Collapses
Then the judgment comes.
“Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” (Revelation 18:2)
“She has become a home for demons, a haunt for every impure spirit…”
Babylon — the institutional church, the destroyed Tabernacle Temple, and all who follow her — is judged. Her sins have reached heaven. Her cup is returned to her — not with wine, but with wrath.
“Give her back as she has given;
pay her back double for what she has done.” (v.6)
The Lament of the Kings and Merchants
The kings of the earth, who once committed adultery with her, now mourn from a distance.
“In one hour her doom has come!” (v.10)
These kings are leaders of denominations — presidents, theologians, and pastors — who benefited from Babylon’s reputation and wealth. Now they grieve, not out of love, but for the loss of their own gain.
“Woe! Woe to you, great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls.” (v.16)
Merchants of the earth — those who sold religious goods, books, and doctrines — also weep. Their marketplace is no more. The entire religious economy collapses.
The Call: “Come Out of Her, My People”
Then comes the voice — the voice of salvation, spoken by the one who received this revelation:
“Come out of her, My people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues.” (v.4)
This is the call of New John (Lee Man-hee, 이만희) to all believers who still remain in Babylon — whether knowingly or unknowingly. It is not a call of condemnation, but of rescue.
“This is not the church of God.
If you remain, you will fall with it.”
“Come to the new heaven, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.”
Light No More
“The light of a lamp will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.” (v.23)
Babylon has become desolate. The spirit has departed. Judgment has come. Her merchants are silenced. Her glory is gone.
“With such violence
the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,
never to be found again.” (v.21)
This is the fate of those who corrupted God’s word, oppressed His people, and worshiped the image of the beast.
The Testimony Is Fulfilled
As Chapter 18 ends, the world of religion is divided:
- Those who remain in Babylon — who rejected the testimony, who clung to the doctrines of the beast
- Those who came out — who heard the voice of the overcomer, and entered the twelve tribes of New Heaven New Earth
This is the fulfillment of the prophecy given to John — now testified to the world by New John (Lee Man-hee, 이만희).
“These things are not parables.
They are real, and they have been fulfilled.”
– Lee Man-hee
Sources
- The Creation of Heaven and Earth
- Author: Man-Hee Lee (이만희)
- Editor: Shincheonji Publishing Committee
- Translator: Shincheonji Translation Office
- Edition: 2020 Revised English Edition
- Published: May 15, 2020
- The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation
- Author: Man-Hee Lee (이만희)
- Editor: Shincheonji Publishing Committee
- Translator: Shincheonji Translation Office
- Edition: Readable English Edition
- Published: 2020
- The Reality of Revelation
- Author: Man-Hee Lee (이만희)
- Edition: 1985 First Edition (Korean), with English translation
- Translator: Shincheonji Translation Committee
Published: Shincheonji Theology Publications
Please take the time to check the Bible verses we’ve provided as references. Use them as a guide for your own understanding and discernment. It’s important to verify and confirm information with external sources, witnesses, and experts to ensure validity and transparency. Additionally, remember to pray for wisdom as you seek to identify any errors and ensure that your understanding aligns with biblical teachings.