Revelation 17:3; The Names of Blasphemy

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 names of blasphemy were on the seven heads in Revelation 13:1, but here they cover the beast’s whole body. Here is a secular power that blatantly and profusely profanes the name of the true God, but the ecclesiastical and religious authorities have no qualms about forging a close alliance with such a ruler and kingdom.

This shows the depth to which apostasy can sink (Walvoord). In its ultimate form the blasphemous names on the beast refer to the self-deification of the false Christ and his demands that his subjects worship him (Ladd).

As tentatively suggested at Revelation 13:1, the seven heads of the beast are seven consecutive world empires throughout history, and the ten horns on the last of the heads are ten kingdoms contemporaneous with the final false Christ (Revelation 17:12).

Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 

The relationship between the harlot and the beast has existed throughout human history, but will reach its ultimate closeness in the days just before Christ returns. She controls him, but she also is dependant on him as the friction between the two later in chapter 17 will show in v16.

Revelation 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.