You're Close. First of all, the second beast, who is later referred to as the false prophet, is revealed to be a person. For when Jesus returns to the earth to end the age, both the beast and the false prophet are captured and
the two of them are thrown
alive into the lake of fire. The underlined information would be indicative of two living individuals.
I personally believe, based on study, that the false prophet will be played by one of the future popes, who will use the beast to reestablish the RCC's power, as that pagan religious system stemming from the beliefs and rituals of ancient Babylon.
The reference to the beast coming up out of the sea is metaphorical, with the sea representing something else. For example, in John's vision, he saw the beast coming up out of the sea. But as an example, it could be figurative for the beast coming out of the sea of humanity.
Satan being released from the Abyss at the end of the thousand years, is to fulfill God's purposes, just as the entire book is to fulfill God's purposes. As stated in Revelation 20:1-3, Satan is locked up in the Abyss for a thousand years so that he cannot deceive the nations during that time. So, during that thousand years, the world will have had peace and no temptations or deceptions from Satan and the powers of darkness. Then after all of that time of peace, as soon as Satan is released, many of the people of the earth referred to as Gog and Magog, once again rebel against God.
The woman is referred to as the Harlot/prostitute, The woman who rides the beast and Mystery, Babylon the great.
Obviously the reference to her as being a woman and her being a prostitute, is symbolic. It is stated that the kings of the earth commit sexual immorality with her which figuratively means to be unfaithful to Christ, while
posing as His true follower. The meaning then is that the kings of the earth and the inhabitants are engaging with her in her pagan beliefs and rituals
In Revelation 17:18, the angel also tells John that the woman is that great city that rules over the kings of the earth. So now we know that the woman is a city and that the kings of the earth and the inhabitants are engaging in her pagan beliefs and rituals.
"The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits."
As stated in a previous post, Rome was literally built on and is famous for her seven hills/mountains
The reference to the seven hills on which the woman sits, is pointing to her pagan headquarters - Rome/Vatican.
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.
Purple and scarlet are the exact colors worn by the Roman bishops and cardinals:
View attachment 223368
She was glittering with gold
The woman who rides the beast is Roman Catholicism. Once that antichrist is revealed, the woman will ride him, i.e. utilize his power and authority to reestablish her religious authority and power over all inhabitants of the earth. According to RCC dogma, the pope is the ultimate authority over all people. Anyone who does not submit to him is a heretic and will be persecuted and will be punishable by torture and death. This was the status of the RCC when it was in its power. The popes controlled kings and their armies with the the threat of excommunication. It will be that way and worse when that antichrist is revealed.
