What is the meaning of Revelation 17:5? And on her forehead a mysterious name was written A forehead is front-and-center, impossible to miss, signaling open allegiance (Revelation 13:16–17; 14:1). Just as priests in Israel wore “Holy to the LORD” on their turbans (Exodus 28:36–38), this harlot wears a rival proclamation. The word “mysterious” tells us God must unveil its meaning (Ephesians 3:3–5); the Spirit now discloses that the sign marks her as the ultimate counterfeit—visible, proud, and destined for judgment (Revelation 17:7). Babylon the Great • Babylon first stood for human rebellion at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). • It later became the empire that carried Judah into exile (Jeremiah 50–51). • Prophets foresaw a final, climactic fall still future (Isaiah 13:19-22; Revelation 18:2). Taken literally, Babylon represents both a revived city and a worldwide system that unites politics, commerce, and false worship in the last days (Revelation 18:9-19). Her greatness is temporary, permitted only until God’s purposes are complete (Revelation 17:17). The mother of prostitutes Scripture labels idolatry “prostitution” because it trades covenant faithfulness for illicit alliances (Hosea 1–3; Ezekiel 16:15-26). Calling Babylon the “mother” shows she is: • Source: every false religion and apostate movement traces back to her. • Influencer: “the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her” (Revelation 17:2). • Teacher: she trains others to do the same (Matthew 24:11). Her offspring—religions that mix truth with error—may look different, yet all share her spiritual DNA: self-exalting worship that dethrones God. And of the abominations of the earth “Abominations” are acts God detests—idols, occult practices, sexual perversion, violence (Leviticus 18:24-30; Proverbs 6:16-19). Babylon gathers, normalizes, and exports them worldwide: • She “makes the earth drunk with the wine of her immorality” (Revelation 17:2). • She traffics in human souls (Revelation 18:13). • She inspires the ultimate “abomination of desolation” under Antichrist (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The phrase “of the earth” stresses global reach; nothing remains untouched by her corruption (1 John 5:19). summary Revelation 17:5 unveils the true identity of the end-time harlot: an openly defiant, age-old system centered in a literal, future Babylon. Marked on her forehead, her name exposes her as the proud fountainhead of every idolatrous movement and detestable practice spread across the globe. Though she appears great now—courting kings and shaping cultures—her destiny is destruction when the Lamb triumphs (Revelation 17:14; 18:21-24). |
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