### The Scarlet Beast of Revelation 17: A Theological and Symbolic Exploration
#### **Page 1: Introduction and Context**
The Scarlet Beast of Revelation 17 is a vivid and mysterious figure within the apocalyptic narrative of the New Testament. The Book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John, is a complex tapestry of symbolic visions, prophesies, and divine revelations. Its primary theme centers on the final battle between good and evil, the triumph of Christ, and the ultimate judgment of the wicked. Revelation 17 presents a particularly striking image in verses 3–18, wherein a *Scarlet Beast* plays a pivotal role in the unfolding drama.
In this passage, John’s vision reveals a woman, symbolizing a corrupt power (often associated with Babylon), sitting upon a "scarlet beast full of blasphemous names" (Revelation 17:3). This beast has seven heads and ten horns, and is described as both powerful and terrifying. As with much of Revelation, the imagery is rich in biblical symbolism, with elements drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, Greco-Roman culture, and early Christian eschatology.
The Scarlet Beast represents more than just a literal creature—it embodies a multi-layered symbol with theological, historical, and prophetic meanings. The figure of the Scarlet Beast is often linked to a corrupt political power, the embodiment of evil, or the kingdom of the Antichrist. But as with much of Revelation, its exact meaning has been the subject of intense scholarly debate over the centuries.
#### **Page 2: The Beast’s Description: Symbolism and Meaning**
The Scarlet Beast in Revelation 17 is described with several key features: it is scarlet in color, full of blasphemous names, has seven heads, ten horns, and is ridden by a woman dressed in purple and scarlet, representing a powerful, seductive force. To understand the significance of these descriptions, we must look at their symbolic meanings within the broader biblical narrative.
1. **Scarlet Color**: In biblical symbolism, scarlet is often associated with sin, impurity, and destruction. For instance, in the Old Testament, scarlet threads were used in ritual purification (e.g., Leviticus 14:4), but it also represented the stain of sin (Isaiah 1:18). The scarlet of the beast, then, is a visual metaphor for the evil that it embodies—something that is outwardly attractive but spiritually corrupt.
2. **Blasphemous Names**: The beast is described as "full of blasphemous names" (Revelation 17:3), suggesting that it embodies evil in its fullest sense. Blasphemy in the Bible refers to speech or action that defies God’s sovereignty and holiness. The names inscribed on the beast’s body could be interpreted as representing the profane and sacrilegious ideologies or leaders that have opposed God's truth throughout history.
3. **Seven Heads**: The seven heads of the beast are significant in their own right. Throughout the Bible, the number seven often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection (e.g., the seven days of creation). However, when associated with the beast, it suggests a counterfeit or corrupted completeness—seven is no longer the symbol of divine fullness but of the complete depravity of human systems in rebellion against God. Some scholars interpret the seven heads as referring to seven historical powers or empires that have oppressed God's people, particularly those of the ancient world (e.g., Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome).
4. **Ten Horns**: The ten horns are another crucial symbol. In apocalyptic literature, horns often represent power and authority, as seen in Daniel's vision of the four beasts (Daniel 7). The ten horns may symbolize ten kings or rulers, who, in the eschatological sense, will rise in alliance with the forces of evil during the end times. The number ten is often linked to the idea of completeness or fullness of power, albeit in a distorted, evil form in the case of the beast.
#### **Page 3: The Woman Riding the Beast**
One of the most striking aspects of Revelation 17 is the image of the woman riding the Scarlet Beast. This woman, referred to as "the great prostitute" or "Babylon the Great," is depicted as a figure of seduction, power, and corruption. She holds a golden cup filled with "abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality" (Revelation 17:4). This powerful symbol has generated much interpretation over the centuries.
The *woman* represents the corrupt systems of worldliness, idolatry, and false religion that lead people astray. Her golden cup, full of abominations, signifies the intoxicating allure of sin—tempting people to worship false gods and engage in moral corruption. The connection between the woman and the beast suggests that these corrupt systems are not only linked to the beast but are empowered and supported by it. Together, they represent the unholy union of political, religious, and social forces that oppose God's kingdom.
The identity of the woman has been debated throughout Christian history. Some have identified her with the city of Rome, seen as a symbol of imperial power and idolatry during the time of John’s writing. Others have linked her with various manifestations of evil empires or systems throughout history, or even with the broader concept of the "world" as an entity that tempts believers to forsake God for material gain, idolatry, and immorality.
#### **Page 4: The Mystery of the Scarlet Beast**
The angel who interprets the vision for John in Revelation 17:7-18 provides further insight into the mystery of the Scarlet Beast. The angel tells John, "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction" (Revelation 17:8). This passage is one of the most enigmatic in the book and requires a deeper exploration of its meaning.
The phrase "was, and is not, and is about to rise" suggests a cyclical or resurrecting nature to the power of the beast. Many scholars interpret this as a reference to historical powers that seemed to rise, fall, and then resurface in different forms. For example, the Roman Empire, which John likely had in mind, had experienced periods of both strength and decline. However, the phrase may also point to the final culmination of this evil power in the eschaton, the end times, when the forces of evil will briefly appear to triumph, only to be destroyed by Christ.
The "bottomless pit" (often synonymous with the "abyss") is another term that denotes the realm of evil and chaos. The beast’s rise from the abyss signals the return of an even more malevolent force in the world—one that will be allowed to wreak havoc for a short time before its ultimate destruction.
The "ten horns" of the beast are said to represent ten kings, who will briefly unite under the banner of the beast and "make war on the Lamb" (Revelation 17:14). However, the ultimate defeat of the beast is assured, as the Lamb (Jesus Christ) will conquer them. This final victory of Christ is central to the message of Revelation, which affirms that while evil may appear to have power in the world, it is Christ who holds ultimate sovereignty.
#### **Page 5: The Beast and Its Relationship with Babylon**
One of the key interpretations of the Scarlet Beast in Revelation 17 revolves around its connection to the ancient city of *Babylon*. The city of Babylon, both a historical empire and a symbol of rebellion against God, plays a significant role in Revelation’s narrative of judgment. The woman riding the beast is explicitly identified as "Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth" (Revelation 17:5).
Babylon, in this context, symbolizes the worldly system of power, luxury, and idolatry that leads people astray. It represents the height of human pride and the arrogance of those who seek to build kingdoms without God. The beast, then, serves as the enforcer of this system—giving it strength, support, and a vehicle for its influence over the earth.
The fall of Babylon is prophesied in Revelation 18, where the city is described as being destroyed in a single hour, signifying both the swift and total nature of God’s judgment upon it. Babylon’s destruction is portrayed as a great lamentation for those who had profited from its immorality and idolatry. Yet, for the saints, it is a cause for rejoicing, for with the fall of Babylon comes the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
#### **Page 6: The Theological Implications and Final Victory**
The Scarlet Beast, in its various manifestations, serves as a powerful symbol of evil and rebellion throughout history. But as with all of Revelation’s symbols, its ultimate purpose is to point to the final victory of Christ over all the forces of darkness.
The Scarlet Beast and the woman who rides it represent the powers and systems that oppose God, whether they are political, religious, or cultural. Yet, Revelation 17 also teaches that these forces, no matter how formidable they may appear, are ultimately under God’s control. They are allowed to exist for a time, to fulfill God’s purposes in the world, but they will be destroyed in the end.
For the early Christian community, the vision of the Scarlet Beast would have served as both a warning and an encouragement. It was a warning against the seductive power of empire, idolatry, and immorality. But