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The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

¹ Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls^(C1) came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute^(F1)(C2) who is seated on many^(F2) waters.^{(C3) 2} The kings of the earth^(C1) committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.”^{(C2) 3} Then he carried me away in the Spirit^(F1)(C1) to a wilderness.

I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered^(F2) with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.^{(C2) 4} The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls.^(C1) She had a golden cup in her hand filled with everything detestable^(C2) and with the impurities of her^(F1) prostitution. ⁵ On her forehead was written a name, a mystery:^(C1) Babylon the⁶ Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.^(C1) When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The Meaning of the Woman and of the Beast

⁷ Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the ten horns, that carries her. ⁸ The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss^(C1) and go to destruction.^(C2) Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world^(C3) will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come.^{(C4) 9} This calls for a mind that has wisdom.^(F1)(C1)

“The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: ¹⁰ Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. ¹² The ten horns you saw are ten kings^(C1) who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.^{(C2) 13} These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings.^(C1) Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”^(C2)

¹⁵ He also said to me, “The waters you saw,^(C1) where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.^{(C2) 16} The ten horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute.^(C1) They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire.^{(C2) 17} For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose^(C1) and to give their kingdom^(F1) to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.^{(C2) 18} And the woman you saw is the great city that has royal power over the kings of the earth.”