Book of Revelation - Chapter 17 - Verse 4

Revelation 17:4 describes a vision where John sees a woman dressed extravagantly in purple and scarlet with jewelry and a golden cup filled with abominations and filthiness. In this verse, the woman symbolizes a powerful and influential entity, often interpreted as representing a corrupt and morally bankrupt system or institution. The colors of purple and scarlet symbolize wealth, luxury, and royalty, while the gold, precious stones, and pearls represent material wealth and extravagance. The golden cup filled with abominations and filthiness suggests that this entity appears glamorous on the outside but is filled with deceit, sin, and corruption. Overall, this verse serves as a warning about the dangers of being deceived by superficial appearances and the importance of discerning the true nature of things beyond what meets the eye.

When examining the theological interpretation of this verse from the Book of Revelation, it is important to understand the symbolism behind the description of the woman being arrayed in purple and scarlet colors, as well as being adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. These luxurious materials and colors signify wealth, power, and indulgence, which could be seen as representing worldly extravagance and materialism. The golden cup in her hand filled with abominations and filthiness symbolizes deception and corruption, suggesting that the woman is associated with sin and immorality. The imagery used in this verse is often interpreted as a representation of the seductive allure of sinful pleasures and the dangers of being lured into a lifestyle of decadence and spiritual decay. This serves as a warning to believers to remain faithful and not be swayed by the temptations of the world.