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It seems odd that the seven hills should be equated with the well-known topography of Rome because Revelation [[17|bible.87.17.1]]+: indicates that the identification of the hills calls for special wisdom. Why should such a well-known geographical locale to John's first century audience require special theological and symbolic insight for proper identification?1
As we shall see in the next verse, the seven heads are seven kings. Here they are said to be seven mountains. The relationship between kings and mountains is well-established in Scripture--mountains represent the power of kingdoms and their individual kings (Jer. [[51:25|bible.24.51.25]]; Dan. [[2:35|bible.27.2.35]]; Zec. [[4:7|bible.38.4.7]]). These seven mountains, together with the eighth (Rev. [[17:11|bible.87.17.11]]+), will eventually be destroyed by the stone which is Christ, the Messianic King (Rev. [[20:4|bible.87.20.4]]+). His kingdom is destined to become "a great mountain" and fill the whole earth (Dan. [[2:35|bible.27.2.35]]).This symbolic understanding of the seven mountains seems buttressed by the fact that the harlot sits on or beside seven mountains (Rev. [[17:9|bible.87.17.9]]+) just as she sits on or beside the many waters (Rev. [[17:1|bible.87.17.1]]+). Since the waters are symbolic of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (Rev. [[17:15|bible.87.17.15]]+), consistency seems to dictate that the seven mountains are symbolic as well.2
See #4 - Seven Heads/Kings.on which the woman sitsThe reference to the seven mountains (Rev. [[17:9|bible.87.17.9]]+) which are seven heads (Rev. [[17:8|bible.87.17.8]]+) actually belong to the beast (Rev. [[17:3|bible.87.17.3]]+, [[7|bible.87.17.7]]+; [[13:1|bible.87.13.1]]+) and not the woman named Babylon. Thus, these seven heads or mountains really have nothing to do with the entity Babylon at all. It is possible to argue that the woman is still associated with the seven hills because she is sitting on them. However, it is better to see this as referring to the woman's control rather than her location. The other references to the woman sitting also refer to her control. Revelation [[17:1|bible.87.17.1]]+ portrays the woman sitting on many waters. Revelation [[17:15|bible.87.17.15]]+ explains that the waters represent peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. Thus, Revelation [[17:1|bible.87.17.1]]+, [[15|bible.87.17.15]]+ show the harlot's control over the entire world. Furthermore, Revelation [[17:3|bible.87.17.3]]+ depicts the woman as sitting on the beast, which again indicates control rather than location. Thus, if the harlot's sitting indicates control rather than location twice in Revelation [[17|bible.87.17.1]]+, then consistency would seem to dictate that the harlot sitting on the seven hills in Revelation [[17:9|bible.87.17.9]]+ would also indicate control rather than location.3
See Babylon is Rome?.Notes
1 Andy Woods, What is the Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18?.
2 Woods, What is the Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18?.
3 Woods, What is the Identity of Babylon In Revelation 17-18?.
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