What does Beast and the Harlot mean?

Avenged Sevenfold: Beast and the Harlot Meaning

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Album cover for Beast and the Harlot album cover

Song Released: 2006


Beast and the Harlot Lyrics

This shining city built of gold, a far cry from innocence,
There's more than meets the eye round here, look to the waters of the deep.
A city of evil.
There sat a seven-headed beast, ten horns raised from his head.
Symbolic woman sits on his...

  1. anonymous
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    Nov 11th 2007 !⃝

    I am personally an atheist (I didn't ever go to church when I was little, so I wasn't raised with God), so I assume that since many people claim these lyrics are linked to the bible, they are. I think it's a combination of the bible and everyday life; sort of a "beautiful things can be ugly on the inside," if you will. It mentions the beast, but the harlot is what is really causing the problems, though she may be pretty. Anyone can correct me, since I haven't known this song for very long and know nothing about the bible, but this is merely my personal opinion.

  2. anonymous
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    Oct 28th 2007 !⃝

    There was something on the Book of Revelation on the Science Channel earlier, and I made all of the connections to the Beast and the Harlot, I don't remember everything, but this is what I do.

    The whore of Babylon is the city of Rome.
    The seven heads of the beast is the 7 hills of Rome.




    There sat a seven-headed beast, ten horns raised from his head.

    The seven-headed beast is

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  3. anonymous
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    Oct 19th 2007 !⃝

    There is no question about the interpretation of this music. It is all found in Revelation and is a direct match with the lyrics. Many in this world are surrounded with evils they don't even know. I'll prove it. Anger and hatred will fill you while I talk about this music because Demons are behind this song. The group might not even have known what they were writing when they chose this song but Satan is in control of someones success when you give yourself to him. I have experienced this first hand. I am not here to judge anyone but just tell my story. All of the lyrics in this song are found in Revelation 17 and 18. Even the dwelling place of the demons and filthy birds.
    The woman in this song represents confusion in this world. As you read the words to the song you realize that.......the lyrics are calling you to join the kings of this earth (who will be destroyed), the only other option is to be servants (of God) up above (in heaven). All sin will be brought to an end one day. God calls everyone out of the sin of this world Reveltation 18:4 so you can avoid being destroyed. I would love to talk to anyone who wants to know more about Christ. He did not come here to judge the world but to save us. If you don't know the meaning of the lyrics to this song or are angry when discussing it. You should email me at willey84@hotmail.com

  4. anonymous
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    Oct 15th 2007 !⃝

    After doing some research, I think that the song is just depicting the history of the ancient city of Babylon.

  5. anonymous
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    Oct 11th 2007 !⃝

    This is my interpretation.... The Shining city built of gold, or Babylon, if you notice is actually present day Iraq. I'll get to that part in a minute.

    The harlot is basically a prostitute. She makes us drink "The Poisoned Wine", or tempts us to make us believe that it is okay to do all this crap that we do that is wrong. The Bible says that she has fooled our leaders or "kings". In the song, and the Bible, the Harlot is a "Cage for every unclean spirit." Meaning she is a magnet, if you will, that draws every sinner to her, and makes us sin to the point that there is no turning back.

    The Beast represents all the current governments.
    In the Bible, the Harlot rides this beast, however, this beast will turn on her when it does, all hell will break loose.I guess the beast may also represent babylon.

    Back to Iraq... At the end of the chorus of the song, it says, "fallen now is babylon the great." This war, is what I believe to be the final world war. If indeed baylon is Iraq, Iraq will fall, or losem the war, or whatever you want to call it. When this happens, it will bring about the end of the world. The devil which may also be depicted as the beast will then come into the world and use the harlot to make everyone sin so he can take them to hell with him. Then God will step in and take all of the Christians to heaven, away from all of it. God will destroy the harlot and people will mourn overit. All of those people will then be sent to hell.

    This song is about the end of the world. If you listen to the song, then go to the Bible, all of this is in there.
    A7X did this on purpose. Correct me if I'm wrong about any of this.

  6. AcesDoubled
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    Sep 5th 2007 !⃝

    Alright, when the Bible speaks of Babylon in revelations, the prediction could have simply been the "Babylon" of the time. The biggest city in the world. Then again, Babylon was also considered its own state, complete with guards and a rule over other states.

    The prediction was made about what the seer thought was Babylon, but now people are starting to think it's the States. Babylon was simply coined as a term for the place with overflowing sin.

    The harlot in the song and Revelations is Babylon, having sex with the beast, Satan (or sin). It's really not that hard. Also, believe it or not, Wikipedia isn't a fountain of accuracy.

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  7. anonymous
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    Jul 31st 2007 !⃝

    This entire song just perfectly explains revelation ch. 17 & 18.

  8. morgster84
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    Jun 28th 2007 !⃝

    This song seems to be about a couple who love each other deeply but are angry at each other. They also hope they can overcome these problems. "two vibrants hearts could change". The chorus refers to him not wanting to care about her "I wish I could be the one, the one who won't care at all" and "I know its hurting you but its killin me".

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  9. morgster84
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    Jun 28th 2007 !⃝

    Chapter Four is a song about Cain and Abel.
    The chorus refers to Cain threatening/going to kill Abel
    "I've come here to kill you, won't leave until you've died. Murder born of vengeance, I close my brother's eyes tonight". It also refers to Cain been unhappy with god for his love of Abel "You took his side, you took his gift, feel the power of a fallen man. Crestfallen Man"
    The last parts of the song contain god talking to Cain "Where has he gone, what have you done? What voice commands from high above this earth. From the soil his blood cries out to me. Murder. Liar. Vengeance. Deceit"
    And them Cain feeling dejected after been order to roam the earth "Far away in this land I must go, Out of the sight of the one, a punishment sent from his hands the hardship that no one should know, now go out of the sight of the one, away in this land you must go".

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  10. morgster84
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    Jun 28th 2007 !⃝

    This song comes from the book of revelations and in particular focuses on the Whore of Babylon.

  11. anonymous
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    May 21st 2007 !⃝

    Okay, we all know this song is from biblical places,etc.,etc.,etc., but the beast with 7 heads represents the SEVEN DEADLY SINS if you read the lyrics at the top of the page in the beginning it mentions one of them;"hatred" read it and you will understand.

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  12. anonymous
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    May 14th 2007 !⃝

    I agree with the end of the world thing, the actual song is about the Apocalypse; many quotes are taken directly from the Book of Revelation, particularly chapter seventeen, such as "Seven headed beast, ten horns raise from his head", "hatred strips her and leaves her naked", and other references.

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  13. Crittic47274
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    May 7th 2007 !⃝

    Ok dude whoever was makin fun of george bush sayin he was an evil leader, come on man, apparently your blind, everything he's doing is stopping the end of the world like this song refers to. He is a good christian man and there are many more people who have done a much worse job than he, like jimmy carter(worst president ever). Oh and the beast isn't the devil, its the son of the devil. The devil is the dragon dude. get it right next time.

    Zack

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  14. Crittic47274
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    May 7th 2007 !⃝

    OK this song is really easy to explain. It's about the scarlet harlot riding the scarlet beast. It's a chapter taken out of revelations and it is very much from the bible. Now it's only a metaphore for prostitution and sin, and it's not talking about Las Vegas, but I do see the similarities. It's actually talking about the ancient city of Babylon built on prostitution and crime. I hope this cleared up you guys who weren't sure's idea on the song. If you don't believe me just look in the bible, and if you want to look even further, do a wikipedia search.

    Zack

  15. anonymous
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    Apr 24th 2007 !⃝

    The guy on the first page nailed it pretty good but there is one part everyone is missing it says, "There's more than meets the eye round here look to the waters of the deep." The Bible speaks of a dragon "7 heads 10 horns" you know the drill. but it also speaks of a dragon in the ocean. The Leviathan I think that, that one line in the song speaks of this beast also in the book Revalations and in other books but I can't remember them off hand. But I think its just a line emphisizing another hint toward the end of times, that is spoken of in this song. But in any case a great song... I'm a drummer and I'm here to say those double bass rolls are insain




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