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I was just reading about end times and somebody was stating that this verse suggest that there will be a one world religion, a false religion. Is this backed by any other scripture?

Revelation 17:1–18 (ESV)

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality,

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I don't see what that verse has to do with religion, unless the "one world religion" was a fertility cult with sacred prostitutes. – Mason Wheeler♦ Sep 1 '11 at 20:38
I sense your sarcasm (so I assume you're joking)... Some people think that the RC church is the "great prostitute" (not trying to offend any RC's-- I was one for many years!). in Ezekiel 23, Israel and Samaria are also compared to prostitutes; if this verse does refer to a one-world religion, it wouldn't be the first time that prostitution was used as an allegory for idolatry. – transistor1 Nov 14 '11 at 21:11

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There's a lot of discussion and debate about this especially due to the nature of the end-time prophecies, but one verse that does back a one world religion at least implicitly.

Rev 13:8

And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered

If everyone is worshiping the "beast" then in essence the religion is the same, whether it is actually one religion or not.

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You have to remember that Revelation is deeply symbolic. It may or may not be an actual religion, any more than "serving Mammon" needs to be an actual religion. – DJClayworth Sep 1 '11 at 20:32
True, but it appears to be the best direct evidence supporting the position of a one world religion. But I've edited my answer a bit to respect the symbolic nature of revelations. – Andrew Sep 1 '11 at 20:34
Agreed. Revelation is certainly the best evidence. – DJClayworth Sep 1 '11 at 20:59
I believe the "beast" refers to the devil. KJV of this verse: "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." – Kalamane Sep 2 '11 at 2:10
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This chapter was actually the focus of our message this past weekend. What I recall from the message was that the woman represents Babylon.

Revelation 17:5 NIV
5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

BABYLON THE GREAT

THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES

AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

I believe in this context, Babylon referred to large, conquering empires in the past, present (Rome), and future.

Revelation 17:15-16 NIV
15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Verse 16 says these empires will be brought down.

(If you're interested in the message, it's 08.28.11 in the archive)

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