Beast And The Harlot by Avenged Sevenfold

Album: City Of Evil (2005)

Charted: 44

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Songfacts®:

This song is generally about the Book of Revelations, which is the last book of The Bible, specifically Chapter 17 with the beast and the harlot/prostitute: "There sat a seven-headed beast, 10 horns raised from his head." In Revelations, it states that the beast had seven heads, each with blasphemous names.

Avenged Sevenfold don't have a religious agenda but they often draw from the Bible for storylines in their songs. Even their name comes from the Bible: "Whoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold."
This "Harlot" rides Babylon (the beast many heads and horns in the song lyrics) her and the beast represent the city dressed in gold and pearls (because the harlot's armor is gold and there are pearls around her neck). Revelation chapters 17 and 18 detail much about the three-fold Babylon of the End Times: Political, Economic and Religious Babylon. The events are mainly covered from an Earthly perspective. The Harlot riding the Beast represents Religious Babylon. She is portrayed as a "harlot" or a "prostitute" because she commits spiritual fornication with the kings or leaders of the world. This would be interpreted that she left her first Love - preaching the Reconciliation to God in Christ - pursuing instead pure monetary and political gain. Her primary purpose is to gain power over the Saints of God (and even non-believers) by any means possible.

She is clearly identified as a city 10 times in Revelation 14, 16, 17 and 18. Therefore, she is a CITY that:

1) Has a Christian religious heritage
2) Is waxed exceedingly rich
3) Has the blood of Saints and Martyrs on her hands
4) Has tremendous religious influence throughout the world
5) Is clothed in purple and scarlet
6) Is located near the Mediterranean Sea
7) Is full of abominations, primarily idols
8) Is heavily adorned with gold and jewels
9) Is primarily represented by a woman instead of Jesus Christ
10) Is carrying a golden chalice, significant to her identity
11) Influences world political leaders because of her religious power
12) Sits on seven mountains or hills
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Suggestion credit:
Luke - Rocklin, CA
Surprisingly for such an epic song and an epic theme, it was actually patched together. Lead singer M. Shadows revealed: "We wrote it in my garage. We actually never played as a band before we recorded it. It only existed on my computer." (Source Kerrang! magazine)

Comments: 38

CcHoly crap NOW I get the song. I’m watching an episode of Vikings where brother Athelstan quote the bible verse. I never understood that symbolism in the song until now.
BobIt's about East Coast United States, and the prophecy is coming true right now, there will be the greatest earthquake-pole shift since the beginning of time during the solar eclipse of April 22' or during the solar eclipse of October 22', the 4th seal was COVID-19, the 5th seal was People Babyling online in 2020, and the 6th Seal is next.. Prayers Up.
Jake B from MichiganA lot of these comments are nuts. Lol. You all DO realize that Leviathan was Biblically described as a sea serpent: "seven headed beast with 10 horns", right? The song is about Babylon and the Book of Revelations. Nothing more, nothing less.
Foster Smith from Georgia,uskirk perry you are very wrong ...this website is kinda wrong too but it did ok describing it it got the point across or atleast i thought until i seen your comment...this stuff is hard to understand if you havnt spent your whole life studying it lucky for you i have spent my whole life studying the bible... it is speaking of a city a city that sits on 7 hills the only freaking place this describes is THE VATICAN and you will know im right because God is going to destroy it in 1 hr ..the pope which is the false prophet is trying right now to merge with other religions and hes bringing satanic idols into the church to have them worshiped...the catholic church is responsible for so many deaths it has turned the bible into an evil religion..a woman sits atop the beast they all worship mary the bible says nothing about praying to her or giving her any honor at all. just look at the vatican its modeled after a snake and the pope speaks from the mouth of this beast. shes a dwelling place for demons ..if your a catholic you better run open your freaking eyes and actually read the bible not have it read to you by pedophile preists. seek jesus christ not mary if you are catholic and say you dont worship mary if your told to do 10 hail marys what does that mean? just know mary cannot pardon you from any sins so stop praying to her stop giving her and the angels the honor that belongs to jesus christ he is the only one who can intervene for your soul hes the only intermediary NOT Mary you can lie to yourself but seek the truth seek it even tho it may hurt you and change you your following after a lie it cant be spelled out any clearer but you all continue to live in sin NO SIN WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. ino this hurts for catholics to hear but you have to do your research read your bibles.the truth is in there
Kirk Perry from PhilippinesSimple! Harlot is religion and beast is the nations governments. Soon the kings will exterminate all religion. Then the mark of the end. ( The beast once worship the harlot, they were one, harlot riding in it. But in the end the beast devoured her ) correct me if I'm wrong.
Joseph from ColoradoIf the Virgin Mary as Catholics call her isn't worshipped then why is there the Rosary and a prayer to her, not only her but a lot of other dead people. The Whore that rides the dragon represents all of false religions spreading the anti-christ spirit of the trinity and any other non biblical teaching.
Ryan from Farmington, NmBeauty and the Beast was derived from the book of revelations so you are partly right there. Catholics respect Mary. We do not worship her and she is definitely not the Harlot. This is also where the band's name for the album comes. The "City of Evil" is Babylon. That is what this song is about
Drew from Philadelphia, PaI think this song is AWESOME!!! but Jeff in philly, your comment makes me mad because Catholics DONT WORSHIP MARY! We have great respect for her, but i have to correct you.
Mike from Miami, FlIs it just me or isn't this about the Antichrist because the line "There sat a 7-headed beast, ten horns raised from his heads."
Makes me think about the Antichrist
Ryan from Anahola, HiThis song is on Guitar Hero 2, where it is one of the hardest songs to beat. It appeared again in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits.
Jeff from Philadelphia, PaDefinitely about catholicism..the biblical facts that Luke from Ca provided that is..it all adds up to the Pope and Vatican city..the woman is the virgin Mary (which catholics worship)idols(see all the statues that are in that city?)..The POPE is the center of all this...(talk about religious power).
Sam from Birmingham, United Kingdom"there sat a seven headed beast ten horns raised from his head" the seven heads are the seven sins and the ten horns are the to commandments
Adam from Summerville, PaActually, I agree with The book of revelations being described in the 7 headed monster but I believe the ten horns comes from the book of Daniel in the Hebrew Bible
Devin from Fort Wayne, InI thought this song talked about the Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast" since Bel (The Harlot) was the only one who would talk to the beast. I never really paid attention to the lyrics
Tina from Santa Ana, CaLyrics werent much to me on this song, just loved the guitar part and the drum part mostly. :] Although on my rp character I used this song as reference. Lol.
Yomomma from Wannahonkalugey, BotswanaI never liked this song, but i really got into afterlife, that one is AWESOME!!!!
Ivy from North Pole, Akok i know i am going to shound stupid but i cannot figure out if they are being blastfumous or if they aint? But this song is very good
Joel from Newhall, CaoH Rome and your Apostate Christianity may the lord have mercy on you for what you have done.The song kicked butt
Jane from Phillidalphia, PaPsalms 4 & 34:4-7 (verse 4 was what you told me to look up but 34 4-7 is a reply to Davids cry for help. God will never abandon you. Even when he doesn't answer you at the moment it's becasue you need to have faith. Maybe the reason when he doesn't answer you sometimes is becasue of your sins and disobedient to him.)

Proverbs 15 (I have almost the whole chapter hightlighted, it has some great things to say about being wise and how to to obey God. Take sometime and think about what the verses mean.)

I just finished 2 Chronicles in 2 Chronicles 34 13-33. It is the story of Josiah, a king in Israel. I think its importaant for you becasue Josiah finds the God's Law for the 1st time in God's Temple and he tore his clothes in dispear becasue he realized how wrong of a lifestyle his county Israel (actually the land of Judah) was living. It aplies to everyone even me and you if we don't know what God's Word is and what his insrtuctions for our life are then how do we know how to live. But if we spend time in Gods Word even 15 min. a day draws us closer to him. And prayer to praying is just like "hanging out with GOD". He just wants you to talk to him. When you don't pray to God its like you walk past your best friend or sit down with him and don't talk to him, how do you think this makes GOD feel?

Last verse, is one of my favorites 1 John 2 15-17. It's a really cool verse because it's true how we live for the World and not God. There's alot more to talk about with this verse but I'm getting tired of typing
Kodos from Muswellbrook, Australia($)this film clip is really weird.....but its a mad song...btw hav any of u herd th new songs?scream, almost easy n da uthas?($)
Tom from Chicago, Illuke u have way too much time on your hands..
Georgi from London, Englanddude, this song is indeed too kewl!
Dan from Las Vegas, NvSounds like Las Vegas to me. First time I ever heard The Beast and the Harlot I knew what they meant.
Ryan from Cranston, RiThe city sounds like it could be Constantinople aka Istanbul
Ozzy from Fresno, Cathis is a real awesome song. am i the only one who thinks the beginning sounds like destiny music?
Ben from Perry, FlHarlot = Rome. Revelation not "Revelations" as it was called earlier, was written to 1st century believers using things they knew about. Rome is the harlot not the vatican persay.
Jimi from Marshamellow, Vadiregard that last komment
Jimi from Marshamellow, VaA7X for life y does everyone have to use explikt langue on this site?
Mutharocker from Marshall, VaI love this song,it is the best song ever written.Anybody who doesnt like this song is messed up.
Jimi from Marshamellow, Vathis song is f***** awsome
Tam from Chaddesley Corbett, Englandso, with all these attributes of this city, i assume we're talking about the Vatican? right? no ones said it yet, but i gess it must b wat vry1ns thinking. seems to fit, ryt?
Samantha from Corby, Englandi love this song its amazing ! and the video is very clever and cool ! xo
Mitch from Ames, IaLove the music video. Guitar solo is amazing
Angel from Agusta, GaFavorite A7X song ( except for unholy confessions)
Luke from Rocklin, CaThis song IS kick ass!!! Anyway I hope this site adds what the song lyrics mean. Took me ages to figure it out lol.

Revelation chapter 17 and 18 detail much about the three-fold Babylon of the End Times: Political, Economic and Religious Babylon. The events are mainly covered from an Earthly perspective. The Harlot riding the Beast represents Religious Babylon. She is portrayed as a "harlot" or a "prostitute" because she commits spiritual fornication with the kings or leaders of the world. This would be interpreted that she left her First Love, i.e., preaching the Reconciliation to God in Christ, pursuing instead pure monetary and political gain. Her primary purpose is to gain power over the Saints of God (and even non-believers) by any means possible.

She is clearly identified as a "CITY" (not a nation or country) ten (10) times in Revelation 14, 16, 17 and 18. Her location, as a CITY, is obvious to anyone who understands history. Therefore she is a CITY that:
1) has a Christian religious heritage,
2) is waxed exceedingly rich,
3) has the blood of Saints and Martyrs on her hands,
4) has tremendous religious influence throughout the world,
5) is clothed in purple and scarlet,
6) is located near the Mediterranean Sea,
7) is full of abominations, primarily idols,
8) is heavily adorned with gold and jewels,
9) is primarily represented by a woman instead of Jesus Christ,
10) is carrying a golden chalice, significant to her identity,
11) influences world political leaders because of her religious power,
12) sits on seven mountains or hills.

That pretty much means the Harlot was a prostitute who did it with the kings like in the lyrics and the "Great Babylon" was the beast she rode which had horns on its 7 heads. The harlot is the city dressed in gold and pearls because her armor was gold and wote pearls around her neck.
Luke Hlawaty, Rocklin, California
Joey from Gallipolis, Okvery erie and somehow they put into a religious theme
Darlene from Calgary, Canadathis song is wicked. i love it. the video is cool too.
Steven from Viking, CanadaI LOVE this song. It kicks ass!

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