This podcast explains the imagery and symbolism used by John in Revelation 17:4-5 to describe the history of the Great Whore of false religion who sits on many waters with worldwide dominion in the latter days. In Revelation 17:3, John’s angelic guide physically transported John “in the spirit into the wilderness.” The wilderness was a desolate place representing the habitation of the Great Whore, who is both barren and desolate as the wilderness in which she dwells.

In Revelation 17:3, John “saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” The scarlet coloured beast is the ancient Roman empire, which is also a symbolic synonym for the First Beast in Revelation 13:1. This connection is evidenced by the seven heads and 10 horns present on both beasts, as well as the names o ...