The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the 3mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and rwill ascend out of the bottomless pit and sgo to 4perdition. And those who tdwell on the earth uwill marvel, vwhose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and 5yet is.

9 w“Here is the mind which has wisdom: xThe seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must ycontinue a short time. 11 The zbeast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to 6perdition.

12 a“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 bThese will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will covercome them, dfor He is Lord of lords and King of kings; eand those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 Then he said to me, f“The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, gare peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you 7saw on the beast, hthese will hate the harlot, make her idesolate jand naked, eat her flesh and kburn her with fire. 17 lFor God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, muntil the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw nis that great city owhich reigns over the kings of the earth.”