In this message we come to Revelation chapter seventeen, where we see a woman sitting on a scarlet beast v. It is important that we all have a clear understanding of what is revealed here. As the prostitute riding on a scarlet beast, this woman has power and authority. This beast, the same as that described in chapter thirteen, has seven heads and ten horns. All Bible students agree that the beast here refers to both the Roman Empire and to Antichrist, the last Caesar of the revived Roman Empire.
However, there has been debate concerning the identity of the woman, the prostitute. Who is this great prostitute sitting on many waters?
Before we answer this question, we need to say a word about the woman. According to verse 18, the woman is the great city, the city of Rome, which was built on seven mountains signified by the seven heads of the beast v.
Although the woman is Rome, the prostitute cannot also be Rome, because the beast will eventually hate the prostitute, make her desolate, and burn her with fire v. Antichrist, the last Caesar of the Roman Empire, will certainly not burn his own capital. Therefore, that which is burned by the beast must not be the city of Rome, but something else.
Now we must ask this question: According to the Bible and according to world history, who is the prostitute riding on the Roman Empire?
