will claim to be connected with Christ, but will in reality be as unfaithful as a harlot. Notice again, in this instance, the basic characteristic of apostasy—the breaking of a professed relationship. Notice, too, that she is called the “great” harlot (v. 1), which distinguishes her from all the other apostate systems that have preceded her. 2. She exercises great political power. John saw the woman sitting on a beast, and the beast is the man of sin (Rev. 13:1–10; 17:3). By granting her favors to