^17:4 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.

The woman was dressed in PURPLE and SCARLET,

From optical science, purple is the combination of blue and red colors. Symbolically, blue is heaven(ly) and red is earth(ly). Thus we again see the earthly masquerading as religious (antiChrist at the head).

These two colors also represent wealth and prosperity and are associated with royalty (Judges 8:22-26-28; Proverbs 31:10-22-31; Ezekiel 27:12-16-24 (used for commerce along with emeralds, rubies, and artisan works); and Daniel 5:5-7-9).

Bright colors are used in advertising to attract your attention. Likewise the woman will attract those in power and ordinary persons alike using their earthly desires.

and was GLITTERING with gold, precious stones and pearls.

Contrast this adornment with how godly women are to be ADORNED (1 Timothy 2:9-15).

AntiChrist will use these items to honor a "god of fortresses" (Daniel 11:36-39). While much of the world today has abandoned the "gold standard", in the end times, the antiChrist will revive it as standard payment/honor. This implies that electronic or floating currencies will have failed, or that inflation after the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments will have forced a return to these items as the mediums of exchange.

She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

What a contrast to the Lord's cup of His blood! Also, at this time, those who drink of it are "guilty of the blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:17-27-34).

UNCLEANNESS and idolatry go together (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Abominations or detestable things irritate God and require purging (Ezekiel 20:27-39). Note: this woman, too, will disappear (Revelation 17:16-17).