What does Revelation 17:3 mean?

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. Revelation 17:3

Explanation

Revelation 17:3 describes a vision given to the Apostle John. In this vision, John is transported by an angel into a desert, where he sees a woman sitting on a beast that is vividly described as “scarlet coloured,” with “seven heads and ten horns,” and covered with names that are blasphemous. This imagery is rich with symbolic meaning. The woman is commonly interpreted as a representation of a false religious system or a city that leads many astray, often believed by scholars to be Babylon the Great, a symbol of world corruption and idolatry. The scarlet beast she rides represents a governmental power or empire that supports the woman and is characterized by blasphemy against God, as indicated by the names on it. The seven heads and ten horns suggest completeness of power and authority, with possible allusions to specific rulers or kingdoms.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by John around the end of the first century A.D., during a time of persecution for Christians under the Roman Empire. Early Christians might have seen the pagan practices and imperial cult of Rome as embodying the qualities of the beast and the woman described in Revelation. The seven heads and ten horns could symbolize the hills of Rome and the completeness of its rulers’ power, as well as future leaders who would continue in the spirit of opposition to God.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse and its surrounding passages are interpreted in various ways:

• Futurist view: This perspective sees Revelation as primarily prophetic of events that will occur at the end of history. The woman and the beast represent future entities that will persecute the faithful and blaspheme God.
• Historicist view: This interpretation suggests that the prophecy unfolds throughout the course of history. The symbols in the verse may be seen as references to historical churches or nations, particularly those seen as corrupt or persecuting believers.
• Preterist view: Preterists believe the majority of Revelation’s prophecies occurred in the past, specifically in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem and the persecution of early Christians by the Roman Empire.
• Idealist (or spiritual) view: This approach sees the book as symbolic of the ongoing struggle between good and evil, with the woman and beast representing any corrupt system throughout history that sets itself up against God’s authority.

Practical Applications

From a practical standpoint, believers can interpret the vision in Revelation 17:3 as a warning against aligning with corrupt systems and worldly powers that oppose God’s values. It serves as a reminder to maintain spiritual integrity and not be swayed by influences that demand compromise on one’s faith. It underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and upholding truth amidst a world that may be filled with deception and false teachings.

Cross-References

• Revelation 13:1 – “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
• Revelation 12:3 – “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.”
• Revelation 17:5 – “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
• Revelation 18:2 – “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”

Language Study

Key words from the original Greek text in Revelation 17:3 include:

• “Eremos” (wilderness/desert): symbolizes a barren, isolated place, which could represent the spiritual barrenness associated with the woman and the beast.
• “Kathēmai” (sit upon/sit down): denotes a position of authority or rest, suggesting that the woman has a certain measure of control or comfortability with the beast she sits on.
• “Kokkinos” (scarlet coloured): a strong red color which can symbolize wealth, power, and often sin or immorality in a biblical context.
• “Thērion” (beast): often used to describe dangerous animals or monsters, and in Revelation, it denotes a powerful and antagonistic empire or ruling authority.
• “Blasphēmia” (blasphemy/names of blasphemy): speech that derogates divine majesty, pointing to the beast’s opposition to God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The imagery of a woman and a beast can be found in various other ancient myths and religious texts, often symbolizing mystery, power, or divine judgment. For instance, in Mesopotamian myths, gods and goddesses may ride beasts or dragons to display their power. In Greco-Roman culture, deities like Dionysus would be depicted riding animals as symbols of their dominion. However, the specific combination of the woman, the beast, and the blasphemous names, with their respective roles, is distinctive to the apocalyptic literature found in the Book of Revelation.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse in Revelation 17:3 is primarily symbolic and theological, so it does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives or inquiries. The description of the beast with multiple heads and horns is not intended to represent a natural creature but is rather a use of apocalyptic imagery to convey spiritual truth. Scientific approaches to the text might focus on the psychological and sociological aspects of religious symbolism, but do not address the symbolic content in a literal, biological sense.

Commentaries

Commentators have varied interpretations of Revelation 17:3:

• Classic Dispensationalists: might see the woman and the beast as future literal entities that will arise during the end times, often associated with a revived Roman Empire.
• Reformed Theologians: may interpret the symbols as representative of apostate churches or corrupt religious systems throughout history, with the beast being emblematic of oppressive governments allied with such churches.
• Catholic Exegesis: traditionally sees the imagery as symbolic of evil powers and states as opposed to the Church, without necessarily pinpointing a specific historical fulfillment.
• Preterist Scholars: link the imagery to first-century Rome, interpreting the beast as a symbol of the Roman Empire and the woman as the city of Rome itself, or the corrupt religious practices associated with it.