REVELATION 17
(Continued)
Revelation 17:3 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. [KJV]
John is describing being carried away by the angel into the wilderness. This is a spiritual wilderness; a spiritually desolate and isolated place. Here, John sees a woman;, this woman is the great prostitute described in Rev. 17:1-2. Various questions arise when attempting to identify the woman (the harlot/prostitute).
Who is this woman? What does this woman represent?
- Woman is used symbolically throughout the Scriptures to represent spiritual purity or spiritual defilement.
- Harlot/Prostitute is used symbolically throughout the Scriptures to represent spiritual adultery or idol worship.
This woman is depicted sitting upon a scarlet colored (red) beast. The woman is distinct from the beast, a separate agent. The woman is also acting in support of the beast, and in agreement with the beast. The woman, representing an evil religious system is coming along for the ride; enjoying the power and influence of the beast. The beast is benefiting from the alliance by reaping the pleasure of support and adoration from the woman.
The woman (harlot) was also described as sitting upon many waters. (Rev. 17:1) The angel later informs John that the waters are the multitudes of people from every nation and tongue. (Rev. 17:15) This points to worldwide rulership and influence over the masses.
This woman, representing an apostate religious system, is depicted as committing fornication (spiritual idolatry) with the kings of the earth. The inhabitants of the earth (the masses of people) were described as being intoxicated (spiritually blinded) with the wine of the adulterous relations between the great prostitute and the kings of the earth. (Rev. 17:1-2)
The angel also informed John later that the woman...."is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth". (Rev. 17:18) This leads to yet another quesion. Who or what is the great city? Some have proposed Rome, Jerusalem, or Babylon.
So, the woman represents a city who is unfaithful to God; an idolatrous city, who rules worldwide.
Rome ruled worldwide; and the Revived Roman Empire will rule worldwide during the end times. (Daniel 7:7-8, 19-28; Rev. 13:1-2) Babylon also ruled worldwide. Jerusalem has been called "an adulterous city" throughout the Old and New Testaments. Jerusalem has also been called the adulterous wife of God. (Hosea 1:2-8; 2:1-16; 4:1)
The scarlet colored (red) beast that the woman is sitting on sounds similar to the large red dragon, with the seven heads and ten horns of Revelation 12:3-9. This beast was identified as the great dragon, the ancient serpent, Satan, and the Devil.
This beast also sounds similar to the beast with the seven heads and ten horns of Revelation 13:1-9 and Daniel 7:7-8. This beast is the Anti-christ; who was incarnated and empowered by Satan (the dragon). [Rev.13:2]
The dragon (Satan), the beast (Anti-christ), and the false prophet (apostate religious leader) constitute a counterfit trinity (Revelation 13). The woman (harlot) who is sitting upon the red beast symbolizes spiritual defilement/unfaithfulness to God. The role that the woman is playing with the scarlet beast, sounds similar to the role of the false prophet.