Revelation 17:3-7,9,12-17

Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert.
There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast
that was covered with blasphemous names
and had seven heads and ten horns.
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet,
and was glittering with gold,
precious stones and pearls.
She held a golden cup in her hand,
filled with abominable things
and the filth of her adulteries.
This title was written on her forehead:

                  MYSTERY
        BABYLON THE GREAT
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF
                THE EARTH

I saw that the woman was drunk
with the blood of the saints,
the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
Then the angel said to me:
"Why are you astonished?
I will explain to you the mystery of the woman
and of the beast she rides,
which has the seven heads and ten horns.
. . . This calls for a mind with wisdom."

"The ten horns you saw are ten hings
who have not yet received a kingdom,
but who for one hour will receive authority
as kings along with the beast.
They have one purpose
and will give their power and authority to the beast.
They will make war against the Lamb,
but the Lamb will overcome them
because He is Lord of Lords
and King of kings -
and with Him will be His called,
chosen and faithful followers."

The the angel said to me,
"The waters you saw,
where the prostitute sits,
are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute.
They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked;
they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
For God has put it into their hearts
to accomplish His purpose
by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule,
until God's words are fulfilled.

(Revelation 17:3-7,9,12-17) NIV