Revelation 17:18

“And the woman which thou sawest, etc.] (<661703>Revelation 17:3) as there described, is that great city, often mentioned in this book; great Babylon, the city of Rome, (<661108>Revelation 11:8 14:8 16:19) which reigneth over the kings of the earth; which then reigned in John's time over the kings of the earth; and this clearly points out the city of Rome, for there was no other city then, but that, which reigned over the kings of the earth; that was then the metropolis of the Roman empire, to which the whole world was subject; and therefore it is called all the world, (<420201>Luke 2:1) and since, all the kings of the empire have been under the jurisdiction of Rome Papal. It was formerly…”

“reigneth--literally, "hath kingship over the kings." The harlot cannot be a mere city literally, but is called so in a spiritual sense (Rev 11:8). Also the beast cannot represent a spiritual power, but a world power. In this verse the harlot is presented before us ripe for judgment. The eighteenth chapter details that judgment. Next: Revelation Chapter 18”

“And the woman which thou sawest - Revelation 17:3. Is that great city - Represents that great city. Which reigneth over the kings of the earth - Rome would of course be understood by this language in the time of John, and all the circumstances, as we have seen, combined to show that Rome, in some form of its dominion, is intended. Even the name could hardly have designated it more clearly, and all expositors agree in supposing that Rome, either as pagan or as Christian, is referred to. The chapter shows that its power is limited; and that, although for purposes which he saw to be wise, God allows it to have a wide influence over the nations of the earth, yet, in his own appointed time, the…”

“the woman: Rev 16:19, Rev 18:2; Dan 2:40, Dan 2:41, Dan 7:23; Luk 2:1 which reigneth: The city which, at the time of the vision, "reigned over the kings of the earth," was undoubtedly Rome; and from its foundation, it has, in different ways, accomplished this object to the present time. Rev 12:4 Next: Revelation Chapter 18”