Where did the whole concept of the teaching that the Catholic Church being the "Whore Of Babylon" begin?

Question

And why do some Protestants still believe this to be true in this day and age?

Answer 1

I've never heard this said. Anywhere, by anyone, at any time. Ever. It makes no sense. Anyone who might have said it is a loon. No protestant I know, or know of, "thinks" this. I know a bunch of 'em, too....

BTW, I think the "Book of Revelations" is best left to theologians. And they will do well to keep what THEY "think" to themseves. }:>

Answer 2

Many Biblical scholars (including Catholic ones) identify the "Whore of Babylon" from Revelations as the city of Rome or the Roman empire. The "seven mountains" in Rev 17:9, for instance, sound very much like the seven hills of Rome. At any rate, once this connection was made, it was only a short step to make the Whore of Babylon into the Roman Catholic Church and the anti-Christ into the pope. The Protestants, however, were not the first to do this; the name-calling apparently began in the 12th century or earlier. Of course, this didn't stop them from joining in once they came into existence. Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox all associated the Whore of Babylon with the Catholic Church. The idea was written into the 1599 edition of the Geneva Bible and later into the 1917 edition of the Scofield Reference Bible. Why do some Protestants still believe it to be true? I guess that prejudice and ignorance take a long time to dispel. As you can see, though, not all Protestants believe it, and hopefully that will get better over time.

Answer 3

The fact that the whore of Babylon is referred to as a mystery likely means that we cannot be completely certain as to her identity. The passage does give us some clues, however. Revelation 17:9 explains, “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.” In ancient times, the city of Rome was known as “the city on seven hills” because there are seven prominent hills that surround the city. So, whatever the whore of Babylon is, we can know that it is somehow connected with Rome. Revelation 17:15 tells us, “Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” The whore of Babylon will have great worldwide influence, over people and nations. Verses 10-14 describe a series of eight and then ten kings who affiliate with the beast. The whore of Babylon will at one time have control over these kings (Revelation 17:18), but at some point the kings will turn on her and destroy her (Revelation 17:16).

So, can the mystery of the whore of Babylon be solved? Yes, at least partially. The whore of Babylon is an evil world system, controlled by the antichrist, during the last days before Jesus’ return. It is somehow connected with Rome, perhaps either centered in Rome – or being a form of revived Roman Empire. The whore of Babylon also has religious connotations – spiritual adultery with the beast being the focus of an ungodly end times religious system, also centered in Rome.

Answer 4

from Protestants' opinion about what they read in the Book of Revelations.

because Protestants will always be willing to believe anything against Catholicism.

Answer 5

Perhaps, it most likely came from the "harlots" that she conceived and begot. That's just an educated stab in the dark.

Peace be with you.