What does the religious system riding on the beast mean in Revelation 17?
The woman or whore riding the beast symbolizes a worldwide religious system that operates among peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. She rides the beast because she is subsidized by it, but later the ten horns and the Antichrist turn on her, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Les teaches that in Revelation 17 the waters where the whore sits are people, multitudes, nations, and tongues—meaning this is a worldwide religious system. In verse 7 this religious system is pictured as riding on the back of the beast, which means it is being subsidized by the beast. Then in verse 16 the language changes: the ten horns upon the beast hate the whore, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. Les explains this is symbolic language showing that the Antichrist will destroy this religion. He connects this to the end of the seven years, when the nations under the headship of the Antichrist and false prophet make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb overcomes them at His second coming, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called chosen and faithful. He then directs the listener to compare Scripture with Scripture, turning to Thessalonians.
And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.