Revelation 17:4-6

Notice we have a sequence going on here with The Harlot in chapter 17:
Verse 1 is the announcement of her judgement (the Harlot).
Verse 2 is Her sins and her lovers.
Verse 3 is Her Dominion.
Verse 4 is Her clothing and her sins.
Verse 5 is Her name.
Verse 6 is Her Drunkenness

We have already covered verses 1-3 lets turn to verse 4:

4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.

Well here we have a description of the harlot.  She has purple and scarlet for her colors.  These are the colors of royalty.   These are the colors of someone who spends their live in luxury and plenty.  Her jewelry even speak of extravagance.  There is a golden cup which she is having her lovers drink from.  It says in this verse the cup is full of abomination and impurities of sexual immorality.  The woman has inticed her audience to do what she is wanting them to do.  Possibly by lies, peer pressure, false teacher, promises of wealth etc.  You know, the same tools the Devil utilizes today!  

5And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations."

Notice here we actually know she is a prostitute.  She is wearing the title on her forehead, there is a font let with her name on it.   The name is a mystery, in Greek the work mystery is mustērion the word is meaningful to only those who actually gave it to her.  Similar to a child calling a specific item their "bobble" .  Only the child and a few close friends and relatives know what it really is.

6And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Remember John is seeing all this and trying to relay it to....well to us for the future warning and knowledge.  So we have to look at it like John was seeing it.  Think of Nero and the persecution that came for that horrible leader.  They did not just simply persecute Christians but they ENJOYED it and the wickedness that went with it.  The people at that time were drunk with the blood lust.   Mutilation and slaughter everywhere, and people enjoying it!

Next verses gives an explanation.  However until then lets look at what the Dake's Bible says.  there is an interesting section concerning the Mystery Babylon.  The Dake's Bible offers 13 Proofs the Whore is a Religious System:

1.  It has been seen before where a playing a whore is symbolic to religious fornication and idolatry.  See Isa 23:17; 57, Jer 3:2-9 Hos 4:12-19 just to name a few.

2.  The implication that many nations will be caused to have sex with her could be a religious practice.

3.  There is no political power here.  She is not spoken with as "one of the kings" but does have influence over them.

4.  She is riding a beast, which is the 8th kingdom.  Since the beast is a kingdom, the woman cannot be a true woman, but a religion dominating it.  We mentioned it in the last blog.  Seems more plausible now?  Maybe, again, we will not know for sure until it happens.
5. Her outfit is one of royalty and wealth of the system.  (I find this a little weak but see where it is going)
6.  The golden cup is full of abominations and impurities.  Again, a religious system and not something like wine, something from idol worship.
7.  Number 7 is one I would like to spend a little more time on so, we will stop here for right now.