1. The great prostitute (1-6)

The woman is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth (18). 'Babylon' was a code name for Rome, with her pantheon of gods (5). Rome sat on seven hills (9); She was sitting on many nations (many waters--15), so she was wealthy; she had drunk the blood of so many martyrs. This great prostitute represents not only Rome, but all evil world systems that control people and nations and perpetrate injustice.

2. The scarlet beast (7-18)

The scarlet beast is the devil. He also appears in chapter 12. He is very tenacious--he died and was resurrected. He has seven heads, so he is very smart. He has ten horns, so he is very powerful. The worldly powers who crush and oppress people and oppose the work of God are allied with the devil, and the woman rides him. He will make war against the Lamb, Jesus. Jesus and those who follow him will overcome, for he is King of kings. The destruction of the beast is assured.

Application: Lord, help me to be a faithful follower of the Lamb.
One Word: The Lamb will overcome