A proper identity of this set of rulers is important for understanding Revelation’s message. Revelation 17 begins in verse 1 by identifying the woman in this chapter as a “whore” (King James Version) or “harlot” (New King James Version) “with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication” (verse 2). Revelation 17:2 King James Version (KJV). 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 17 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. In Revelation 17, an immoral woman is depicted. “kings … have committed fornication”: The harlot will ally herself with the world’s political leaders. Revelation 18:9 Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at … Revelation 18:9-11 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, … Revelation 19:13-21 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: … Why use the term “whore” or “harlot”? Revelation 17 New International Version (NIV) Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast. Revelation 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” Revelation 17:2 "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." PMW 2019-101 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. In my last article I began a series aimed at analyzing the identity of the recurring “kings of the earth” in Revelation. So … The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury." The purpose of Revelation 17 is not to make a prediction concerning when the ten kings will arise. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”