Revelation 17:5

Forehead. The character reflected by the name “Babylon” is the woman’s considered choice. This may be implied by the fact that the name appears on her forehead. Compare on ch. 13:16.

Was a name written. Rather, “a name stands written,” that is, it had been written there in the past and remains there. The name reflects character.

Mystery. This word is descriptive of the title, not part of it; hence the appropriateness of the term “mystical Babylon” (see on ch. 1:20).

Babylon the great. Although, in one sense, mystical Babylon may be considered as representative of apostate religious systems throughout history, “Babylon the great” in the book of Revelation designates, in a special sense, the united apostate religions at the close of time (see on chs. 14:8; 16:13, 14; 18:24). In ch. 17:18 mystical Babylon is called “that great city” (cf. chs. 16:19; 18:18). Here, doubtless, Babylon is referred to as “great” in view of the fact that this chapter deals most particularly with Satan’s great final effort to secure the allegiance of the human race through religion. “Babylon the great” is the name by which Inspiration refers to the great threefold religious union of the papacy, apostate Protestantism, and spiritism (see on ch. 16:13, 18, 19; cf. on chs. 14:8; 18:2; Dan. 4:30; Zech. 10:2, 3; 11:3–9). The term “Babylon” refers to the organizations themselves and to their leaders, not so much to the members as such. The latter are referred to as “many waters” (Rev. 17:1, 15) and as the “inhabitants of the earth” (v. 2; cf. v. 8).

Mother of harlots. As already noted, “Babylon the great” includes apostate Protestantism at the time here envisioned. The daughters of this “mother” thus represent the various religious bodies that constitute apostate Protestantism.

Abominations. See on v. 4.