Reference

Revelation 17:3

Symbolic / Figurative LanguageThe Scarlet Beast (Revelation 17)The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13)
“So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
1

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

2

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Why This Verse Was Tagged

Symbolic / Figurative Language
Keyword Match
100% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

The Scarlet Beast (Revelation 17)
Keyword Match
100% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13)
Keyword Match
90% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Symbolic / Figurative Language

The very nature of the imagery described—a woman on a scarlet beast with multiple heads and horns, full of blasphemous names—is inherently fantastical and not meant to be taken literally, thus it unequivocally fits the definition of symbolic/figurative language in a prophetic context.

The Scarlet Beast (Revelation 17)

The verse describes a "scarlet coloured beast," but it does not explicitly state that this beast is the one referred to in the theme definition as "was, and is not, and yet is," nor does it explain the seven heads as mountains and kings, which are details provided in later verses.

The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13)

This verse describes a beast with seven heads and ten horns, but it does not explicitly mention the specific composite features (leopard body, bear feet, lion mouth) or the 42 months of authority that are central to the definition of "The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13)."

Symbolic / Figurative Language
Symbolic / Figurative Language

Cross-References

Revelation 13:1Thematic

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

Revelation 12:3Thematic

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.”

Revelation 1:10Thematic

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”

Revelation 13:1Thematic

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

Revelation 12:3Thematic

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.”

5 more cross-references available — Upgrade to Scholar

Thematic Connections

Symbolic / Figurative LanguageThe Scarlet Beast (Revelation 17)The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13)

Private Study Note