Definition: And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 17:4. It's a really striking image, and it speaks to a serious warning about the state of the world. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a woman (often interpreted as representing the Church) who is being lavishly adorned with riches – purple, scarlet, gold, precious stones, and pearls – but her hands are full of something incredibly disturbing and sinful: “abominations and filthiness of her fornication.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour…” : This describes her appearance. She's being dressed up, making a very impressive display. Think of it like a regal, opulent look. “…and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls…” : This highlights how lavishly she is adorned. Gold and precious stones are symbols of wealth and power – things that often go hand-in-hand with sin. Pearls symbolize purity and innocence, but here, they’re being used to decorate a picture of something wicked. “having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” This is the crucial part. "Abominations" means things that are considered deeply wrong and forbidden by God. “Filthiness” refers to sexual impurity and wickedness – basically, it’s all about immoral behavior. She's holding a cup overflowing with these things! What does this mean ? This verse is a powerful warning about the spiritual state of the world. It suggests that: The Church is being corrupted: It’s not just about her appearance; it’s about her role as the embodiment of God's grace and righteousness. The fact she's surrounded by these things indicates a falling away from the true path. There’s a growing moral decay: It points to a time when people are becoming increasingly focused on worldly pleasures and sin, rather than on God. It's a sign of impending judgment: The imagery is designed to alert us to that future time when God will judge the world for its wickedness. Important Note: Different interpretations exist about what this verse means. Some believe it’s a symbolic representation of the Church itself, while others see it as a literal depiction of a specific event or period in history. --- Do you want to explore any of these aspects further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the symbolism behind the colors (purple, scarlet)? Discuss the context within Revelation and its significance?