1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls Rv 15:7; 16:1; 21:9 came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute Traditionally translated the great whore Rv 19:2 who sits on many Or by many waters. Jr 51:13; Rv 17:15

2The kings of the earth Ps 2:2; Ps 76:12; Is 24:21; Ezk 27:33; Rv 1:5; 6:15; 18:9; 19:19; 21:24 committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.” Is 23:16-17; Nah 3:4; Rv 14:8; 18:3

3So he carried me away in the Spirit Or in spirit Ezk 8:3; 11:24; Lk 4:1,14; Rv 1:10; 4:2; 21:10 to a desert. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered Lit was filled with blasphemous names and had seven heads and 10 horns. Rv 12:3,6; 13:1

4The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. Ezk 28:13; Rv 18:16 She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile Mt 24:15; Mk 13:14; Lk 16:15; Rv 21:27 and with the impurities of her Other mss read of earth’s prostitution.

5On her forehead a cryptic name Rv 14:1 was written:

7Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the 10 horns, that carries her.

8The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss Ps 140:10; Lk 8:31; Rm 10:7; Rv 9:1,11; 11:7; 20:1-3 and go to destruction. Mt 7:13; Jn 17:12; Rm 9:22; Php 3:19; 2Th 2:3; 2Pt 3:7; Rv 1:18; 2:8 Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world Ps 69:28; Is 4:3; Mt 25:34; Eph 1:4; Php 4:3; 1Pt 1:20; Rv 3:5; 13:8; 20:12,15; 21:27 will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again. Ps 48:5; Rv 13:3,12,14

9“Here is the mind with wisdom: Or This calls for the mind with wisdom Rv 13:18 The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated.

10They are also seven kings: Some editors or translators put They are also seven kings: in v. 9. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while.

11The beast that was and is not, is himself an eighth king, yet he belongs to the seven and is going to destruction.

12The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings Dn 7:24; Rv 13:1 who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. Rv 18:10,17,19

13These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

14These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Dt 10:17; Ps 136:2-3; Dn 2:47; 1Tm 6:15; Rv 1:5; 19:11-21 Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Rv 12:11; 13:8”

15He also said to me, “The waters you saw, Jr 51:13 where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. Is 17:12; Jr 51:58; Dn 5:19; Hab 2:8; Rv 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6

16The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. 2Sm 13:15-20; Ezk 23:22-35 They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. Lv 20:14; 21:9

17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose Gn 50:20 and to give their kingdom Or sovereignty to the beast until God’s words are accomplished. Jr 51:12; Rv 10:7

18And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire Or has sovereignty or rulership over the kings of the earth.”