Among the events that John saw that must shortly come to pass(Rev. 1:1) was the fall of the Great City where our Lord was crucified (11:8, 13). The city was a spiritual Sodom. Because she had greater opportunities, she was worse than Sodom (Gen. 18:16-19:29, Jude 7; 2 Pt. 2:6-10; Luke 17:28-32). When Jesus came into the world by way of the virgin birth, it was as if God was personally coming to confront his estranged wife. In response, she conspired with her lovers to kill Him – Acts 4:24-28; Ps. 2:1-12. The men of Israel were responsible for His murder (Acts 2:22-23). But, she had helped her Gentile lovers – Rome.
Her judgment is predicted in Rev. 17:1-6. The mother city of the Jews is in contrast to the New Jerusalem, the holy celestial city of Christians (Gal. 4:25,26, cf. 4:21-31; Heb. 12:18-22; 13:10-14).
Despite her gifts from her compassionate husband, she is unfaithful with her neighbors. God promises to forgive her and establish an everlasting covenant with her (Ezek. 16:60-62). But, before they are free to enter this covenant, the first marriage had to be terminated. This happened at the death of Christ (Rom. 7:1-6). Jerusalem’s husband was murdered. Death left the Jews free to enter a new marriage. but, for the first time, this husband is raised from the dead to take vengeance, executing His perfect justice and righteousness. Here’s a case of the death of both parties to the marriage. No marriage was ever more dead and terminated than this one. It was, truly, nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14).
The widow was clothed in Purple and Scarlet (instead of black as a token of mourning). She refused to acknowledge her mournful condition because she said in her heart, “I am a queen, and am no widow, and shall in no wise see mourning” (Rev. 18:7b). The mother of harlots is a queen city that reigns over the kings of the earth and she will wear nothing but colors of royalty. Because she was married to Jehovah of Host, her majesty excelled Babylon. Her husband was the Great King who held dominion over all the kings of the earth (cf. Dan. 2:37, 4:34-35).