What does the woman represent in Revelation 17:6?
The woman in Revelation 17:6 represents the religious system, as distinguished from the beast, which represents the political system. She is depicted as drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus, showing that this religious system persecutes true believers.
Les explains that in Revelation 17:6 the woman is the religious system, just as the beast represents the political system. The context shows this religious system is tied to pagan worship, which involved gross immorality; temples like Diana's were glorified houses of prostitution, and priests conscripted young women into prostitution in the name of religion. This woman is drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus, because religion of one sort or another has persecuted true believers. John marveled at her wealth, pomp, circumstance, and power, and the angel offered to reveal the mystery of the woman and the beast that carries her.
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
More Questions
Why did John marvel in wonder at the woman in Revelation 17?
John 'wondered with great admiration' at the woman because of her wealth, pomp, circumstance, and power.