Revelation 17:1, 3; Upon Many Waters
Revelation 17:1-2 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: … 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
The harlot’s position as one “who sitteth upon many waters” raises the question of how she can sit “upon many waters” and upon the scarlet beast (Revelation 17:3) at the same time. In his vision, John saw the woman sitting beside the waters can means “on the shore of” (cf. John 21:1) (Beckwith) and upon the beast. In other words, he saw the woman sitting in both positions.
The “many waters” represent “peoples and multitudes and nations, and tongues,” according to Revelation 17:15.
Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
These groups represent the world’s population over whom she controls. V3 will picture her control over the beast who rules these people, a control that is of a limited duration, however (cf. Revelation 17:16-17).
Revelation 17:16-17 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. 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.
The “many waters” interestingly corresponds to Babylon’s situation on the Euphrates with its panels, irrigation trenches, dikes, and marshes surrounding the city and contributing to its protection and wealth. Jeremiah addressed Babylon as “thou that dwellest upon many waters” (Jeremiah 51:13).
Jeremiah 51:13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
This geographical feature of the city doubtless came to John’s mind as the angel spoke and provides a good metaphor for the city’s preeminent position in world affairs, but his first meaning must be one clarified in v15.
Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 283-284]