Prophetically, it is best seen as a place to hide or a place of protection (Jeremiah 31:1-2, Revelation 12:14). Here, it is a place to hide to deceive (Isaiah 13:21, Revelation 18:2). Since the harlot is evil, we anticipate she misleads, or falsifies truth. Her real nature or actions are being masqueraded. Expositor Brighten rhetorically asked, “Does this harlot also station herself in the desert so that she can pretend that she is the true church and thus by her immoral deceptiveness wean people away from the church of Christ?”[2]

Amazing, just from this “wilderness” attribute alone, we assume God is going to convey insight into Satan’s end-time deception. The whole vision of Revelation 17 unfolds this allusion.

First Glimpse of the Harlot

“and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast,” (vs 3)

As John arrives in the wilderness he sees a woman on a beast. Since he had already been told that the visionary material would be about the harlot, he undoubtedly knew that this was the person. He said, “I saw a woman” (17:3) sit (seated) on a beast. In verse 1 she was seated on many waters.

A woman represents a church (Isaiah 54:5-6, Jeremiah 3:14, II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:31-33). A beast symbolizes a king or kingdom (Daniel 7:17, 25) – a secular/civil power. A harlot would allude to an unfaithful church practicing spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:28, 32). The position of “sitting on” suggests enthronement,[3] control or total influence[4] over the beast.

●      Woman (apostate church)

●      Ruling over the beast (secular power)

●      These suggest judicial control.

Immediately, we must think of an end-time church that has a close association with a civil power or government. There is no equal to that of the Holy See, which is made up of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. As of 2008, there were 174 countries with full diplomatic ties and ambassadors to the Holy See.[5] That is not to Vatican City but to the unit of both! The Holy See also is a Permanent Observer to the United Nations.

The significance of this is astounding. The Roman Church even redefines the ultimate meaning of the Holy See as the Pope (Bishop of Rome). He, therefore, is an institution, having a legal personality and is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church. Here is the official position of how these “entities” intermingle: “On 11 February 1929 the Holy See and Italy resolved the ‘Questione Romana’ following the cessation of the Papal States by signing the Lateran Treaty. By means of this Treaty, Vatican City State came into existence (see Appendix I). Article 12 of the Treaty notes that diplomatic relations with the Holy See are governed by the rules of International Law. Years later the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), convened for the purpose of codifying diplomatic law, went even further by formally recognizing the practice accepted by any receiving [a] State regarding the precedence of the representative of the Holy See within the Diplomatic Corps (Art. 16, §3).

“Vatican City is the physical or territorial base of the Holy See, almost a pedestal upon which is posed a much larger and unique independent and sovereign authority/rule: that of the Holy See. The State of Vatican City itself also possesses a personality under international law and, because of such, enters into international agreements. However, it is the Holy See which internationally represents Vatican City State. In fact, when the Holy See enters into agreements for Vatican City State, it uses the formula: ‘acting on behalf and in the interest of the State of Vatican City.’ In October 1957, in order to avoid uncertainty in its relations with the United Nations, it was affirmed that relations are established between the United Nations and the Holy See. And it is the Holy See which is represented by the Delegations accredited by the Secretariat of State to international organizations.

“In the Listing of Country Names, published annually by the United Nations, a note is added to the Holy See's entry, stating that – in United Nations documents – the term ‘Holy See’ is to be used except in texts concerning the International Telecommunications Union and the Universal Postal Union, where the term ‘Vatican City State’ is to be used. States, then, do not entertain diplomatic relations with Vatican City State, but with the Holy See.

“Basically, the term ‘Holy See’ refers to the supreme authority of the Church, that is, the Pope as Bishop of Rome and head of the college of Bishops. It is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church. As such, the Holy See is an institution which, under international law and in practice, has a legal personality that allows it to enter into treaties as the juridical equal of a State and to send and receive diplomatic representatives. As noted above, it is the ‘Holy See’ that is present at United Nations Headquarters in New York and at UN centers abroad, as well as at other international organizations such as the European Community, the Organization of American States, the African Unity, etc. At the time of this revised publication, the Holy See maintains full diplomatic relations with one-hundred seventy-four (174) countries out of the one-hundred ninety-two (192) member countries of the UN.”[6]

This means that at the United Nations, those 174 nations with diplomatic ties, have a legal bond to the pope and the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican City is the only place where they are headquartered. Prophetically – one can view the woman as typifying the central power of Babylon [she sits upon or controls the beast (Vatican City) (vs 3), waters (people of the world) (vs 15) and Rome (depicting location) (vs 9)].

Thus, the imagery of a beast with multiple heads would also represent the full “kingdom” with its sequential leaders. This is similar to the imagery of the sea beast of Revelation 13:1. They are the same.

Scarlet is the Color

Isaiah warns Judah of its waywardness in chapter 1. Then in merciful language he shares, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). That color represents the guilt of the sinner as there typified “with blood on his hands” (vs 15). In beautiful typology every sin crucifies Jesus; He bears the guilt of blood/death on His hands. Consequently, our stain can be washed away. Our record then will be “as white as snow” – clean hands and a pure heart.

For the whole beast to be scarlet is highly symbolic that it has “blood guiltiness” and is full of sin. Scarlet is also one of the colors of the woman’s garment (vs 4). Historically, the color of royalty was often scarlet. It represented luxury (II Samuel 1:24) and authority, and was one of the colors of the pomegranates on the hem of the priest’s robe (Exodus 28:33).

In the nineteenth century Albert Barnes noted: “It is remarkable that nothing would better represent the favourite colour at Rome than this, or the actual appearance of the pope, the cardinals, and the priests in their robes, on some great festival occasion. Those who are familiar with the descriptions given of Papal Rome by travellers, and those who have passed much time in Rome, will see at once the propriety of this description, on the supposition that it was intended to refer to the Papacy. I caused this inquiry to be made of an intelligent gentleman who had passed much time in Rome – without his knowing my design – what would strike a stranger on visiting Rome, or what would be likely particularly to arrest his attention as remarkable there; and he unhesitatingly replied, ‘the scarlet colour.’ This is the colour of the dress of the cardinals – their hats, and cloaks, and stockings being always of this colour. It is the colour of the carriages of the cardinals, the entire body of the carriage being scarlet, and the trappings of the horses the same. On occasion of public festivals and processions, scarlet is suspended from the windows of the houses along which processions pass. The inner colour of the cloak of the pope is scarlet; his carriage is scarlet; the carpet on which he treads is scarlet. A large part of the dress of the body-guard of the pope is scarlet; and no one can take up a picture of Rome without seeing that this colour is predominant. I looked through a volume of engravings representing the principal officers and public persons of Rome. There were few in which the scarlet colour was not found as constituting some part of their apparel; in not a few the scarlet colour prevailed almost entirely.”[7]

The beast is depicted as sinful, even murderous. The harlot is an evil ruler – all from the color of kokkinos and what is next attested to.

“Blasphemy” is His Name

“full of names of blasphemy,” (vs 3)

As “scarlet” represents sin on the beast, so the name of “blasphemy” epitomizes utter rebellion and dishonor of God. The word alone seems not to be enough to convey how horrible God sees this beast. John is inspired to tell us the beast was “full of names of blasphemy.” It is degradation at its height and reveals how low the Roman Church has sunk. It has become a supreme enemy of God.

Intriguingly, “The blasphemies are not so much directly spoken against God by the beast as they are implied by his self-deification.”[8] “The beast sets himself up as the ‘god of this world.’”[9] He conveys illicit behavior that mocks God’s ideals.

Physical Characteristics of the Beast

“having seven heads and ten horns.” (vs 3)

This creature has seven heads and ten horns, thought to be an allusion to a similar beast seen in Daniel 7. There, one of its horns “speaks great words against the Most High” (7:25). It is specifically identified with the “great red dragon” and sea beast, which had blasphemous names upon their heads (Revelation 12:3, 13:1).

Though that represents a distinct connection between them, a direct identity to the sea beast is invited. Why? It is the immediate preceding beast with seven heads and ten horns called therion – vicious.

Chapters 17 and 18 are interludes which review visionary material and messages recently presented. Thus:

1.     The sea beast receives its power from the dragon (13:2).

2.     It has names of blasphemy.

3.   The fourth beast of Daniel 7 appears to represent the same power. There, Daniel talks about when its dominion will come to its end (7:26).

4.   The sea beast is associated with death (Revelation 13:15) through the facilitation of the earth beast, just as the scarlet colored beast here in 17 is represented by its harlot rider drunk with the saints blood (17:6)!

We have a woman (church) and a beast (state) representing Satan’s wishes. The world is fascinated by its leadership, and gives it “worshipful”
allegiance.

The world’s most profound deception is unfolding. God is putting us right into its very center through John’s prophetic journalism! We are warned by being informed: “have nothing to do with these powers.”