Revelation 17:3 Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The angel carried him away not in the body, but in the spirit; that is, John was in a trance, as Peter was, \ and Paul. \ Into a wilderness; that is, a place of retiredness, fit for contemplation, meditation, and revelation, etc. And I saw a woman, the great whore. \ The whore of Rome. \ Sit upon a scarlet coloured beast By this beast, we are to understand the Roman papal emperor with seven heads and ten horns Revelation 13:1-2. The kings in that empire who give their power, strength, and kingdom, to the beast of the eighth head with two horns like a Lamb. \ A scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy So described, because mystery Babylon the great hath, doth, and will shed the blood of the prophets, saints, martyrs, and witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ. \ By the names of blasphemy we may understand those blasphemous words, reproachful speaking and sinful mockings, which the scoffers in these latter days utter and speak against religious persons, religion, the true worship, and worshippers of God, against God himself, Jesus Christ, and his church. \