Revelation 17:3-6

There I saw a woman sitting on a red beast. These verses form a picture-symbol. The red beast is the sea-beast of Revelation 13:1. It is the governments of the world as the center or focus of the spirit of persecution. The woman sits on this beast - the two work together. But do not identify this woman with the woman of Revelation 12. The two are enemies!!! This picture-symbol paints a lurid picture of those, who like Judas, sell out the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. This "selling out" of the Lord and persecuting his people go hand-in-hand. We said Babylon symbolizes anti-christian seduction. The gold cup invites you to drink, and implies something of great value. But it is full of obscene and filthy things. Some things are evil in themselves, and other things which are good can be used in evil ways. The gold cup symbolizes everything as it is used to separate people from God. Compare note on Revelation 18:4.