What does Revelation 17:5 mean?

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:5

Explanation

Revelation 17:5 portrays a woman with a mysterious title on her forehead, referring to “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” This imagery is symbolic and rich in metaphor, used by the author of Revelation, traditionally identified as John the Apostle, to communicate a message about the corrupting influence of a particular entity or system. This verse is part of a larger vision that depicts a woman, often understood to represent false religion or a corrupt city/system, seated upon a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, suggestive of political power and authority. The name written on her forehead indicates not just a literal identification but suggests a deeper moral and spiritual corruption that this woman (or the entity she represents) embodies.

Historical Context

Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, was written in the context of Roman persecution of Christians. The apostle John is often believed to have written it towards the end of the first century AD. During this time, Christians were facing severe persecution, and the book is often viewed as a source of hope and perseverance for them. The image of “Babylon the Great” serves as a coded reference to Rome, which was known for its decadent lifestyle, paganism, and persecution of Christians, resembling the notorious behavior of historical Babylon.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret Revelation 17:5 variously:

• Preterist View: Sees the prophecy as being fulfilled in the first century with the fall of Jerusalem or the decline of the Roman Empire.
• Historicist View: Interprets this verse as a depiction of an apostate church or a corrupt religious system throughout history.
• Futurist View: Believes that this verse predicts future events and that “Babylon the Great” will be a literal or symbolic entity opposed to God in the end times.
• Idealist or Symbolic View: Understands the image of the woman as symbolizing universal principles of evil and corruption, rather than pinpointing specific historical events.

Practical Applications

The teachings in Revelation 17:5 can be applied in various ways, including:

• Encouraging vigilance against corrupting influences in society and religion.
• Urging believers to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ and avoid the seduction of moral compromise.
• Serving as a reminder of the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Cross-References

• Revelation 14:8: “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
• Revelation 18:2: “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
• Jeremiah 51:7: “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.”

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this passage include:

• Mystery (μυστήριον – mystērion): Refers to something that is hidden or secret, often with religious or esoteric connotations.
• Babylon (Βαβυλὼν – Babylōn): Though referencing the ancient city, here it symbolizes a place of exile and opposition to God.
• Harlots (πόρνης – pornēs): Can refer to literal prostitution, but often metaphorically used for infidelity or idolatry in a spiritual context.
• Abominations (βδελυγμάτων – bdelygmatōn): Something detestable or loathsome, especially in terms of religious impurity or idols.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient myths, entities like the Whore of Babylon have counterparts, such as Ishtar in Babylonian mythology, who represented both fertility and promiscuity. The use of symbolic female figures to represent cities, nations, or spiritual states is common across many cultures, signaling values, virtues, or, in this case, corruption and immorality.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not directly engage with the metaphorical and prophetic aspects of this verse. However, they may provide insights into the historical and cultural backgrounds of ancient texts, enhance understanding of symbolism through the study of anthropology and sociology, or offer psychological interpretation of the apocalyptic literature and its impact on human behavior and belief systems.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have interpreted Revelation 17:5 through different lenses:

• John Wesley: Wesley interprets “Babylon the Great” as representing papal Rome, reflecting a Protestant view common during his time.
• Matthew Henry: Henry sees this as a depiction of Rome’s idolatry and persecution, as well as a future fall of a corrupt church.
• Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers: This commentary suggests the woman represents the corrupt version of the Church, blending pagan rites with Christian practice.
• The Geneva Study Bible: Takes a historic Protestant approach, identifying the woman with the apostate Roman Church, while acknowledging the broader theme of general unfaithfulness to God.