I am reading a wonderful little book by Eugene Peterson on the book of Revelation called Reversed Thunder. In it, he has a discussion of the great whore from Revelation and holds that image in contrast with the Bride of Christ. Here is a selection:

“The Great Whore is presented in implict contrast to the Virgin Bride. After the judgment the Whore is complete, the contrast wil become explicit at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19). The Bride is as sexual a metaphor as the Whore, but it forms an absolute contrast. For the Whore, sex is in the service of commerce; with the Bride, sex is devoted to love. For the Whore, sex is calculation, for the Bride, sex is offering.

We are sexual beings deeply, thoroughly, and inescapably. In the experience of our sexuality we know another, and, indirectly, ourselves. It is also in our sexuality that we know, or don’t know, God. Whore-worship is a matter of moments and occasion. Bride-worship gathers every part of life into union. Whore-worship is practiced on the principle of attraction and pleasure; Bride-worship is for better and for worse, in sickness and health, till death do us part. Bride-worship is always at an immediate disadvantage in competition with Whore-worship, for Whore-worship is indulgent and lusty getting, while Bride-worship is sacrified and faithful giving. That is why Whore-worship is such a continuous threat to Bride-worship. (147)

Well, that is just a short selection of what he is doing in this specific chapter looking at chapters 16-18 of Revelation. Peterson fantastically grasps the images of Revelation and weaves them into a narrative about God’s people and their worship of the Lamb.