Hi Jerry!
Here is something that might be worth considering as it relates to whether or not this "great city" has anything to do with the "churches".
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Did the Lord not “put away” His first “wife” (Jerusalem) for reasons of fornication?
So what is said about this "whore" this “woman”, this “great city” that might tell us who she is?
She rides on a beast that has seven heads (which are seven mountains and seven kings) and ten horns. The ten horns are particularly significant in that they are “kings having NOT received a kingdom YET”.
But having “one mind” they shall give their strength and power to the beast and for one hour they will be given power “as kings” WITH the beast. And why does it say that they do that?
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
But what happens? These ten horns make war with the Lamb and the Lamb OVERCOMES them (because he is the King of kings and Lord of lords… sound familiar?). And then the ten horns “shall HATE the whore” and make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
She has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. And in her is found the blood of the prophets and the saints.
For she has glorified herself “she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow.”
And God says “Come out of her, MY PEOPLE [remember the ten horns that make war with the Lamb and are OVERCOME by Him; ten kings who has not YET received a kingdom?], that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
In one hour she is made desolate for God hath avenged the holy apostles and prophets on her[/b]. And ‘the light of a candle shall shine no more at all” in her and “the voice of the BRIDEGROOM AND OF THE BRIDE shall be heard no more at all” in her.
And after she is made desolate and “the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride” are not longer heard in her:
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Seems he “put away” his first bride (for fornication) and He took ANOTHER??
And those that crawl into the bed the wife who has been “put away” shall commit adultery with her.
Wonder if that has anything to with “that woman Jezebel” ??
Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the CHURCHES shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Blessings,
Chrissie