Daughters of Babylon

On September 13, 1848, foreman Phineas Gage, while on a railroad job in Cavendish, Vermont, experienced a traumatic brain injury when an explosion accidentally propelled an iron rod through his head. He survived, yet due to the damage sustained to his frontal lobe, Gage’s personality changed drastically. Through his case, science has discovered much about the crucial role of the frontal lobe as the seat of reasoning, decision-making, even spirituality. Interestingly, the frontal lobe is situated directly behind the forehead.

In today’s verse, the harlot’s identity is revealed “on her forehead.” But much like her outfit, her title is also a type of counterfeit. Whereas the Jewish high priest wore a headdress engraved with the words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (Exodus 28:36), the harlot bears a different label: “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” The high priest worshiped the Lord; the harlot worshiped herself. As Lucifer secretly lusted in his heart, “I will ascend”; “I will exalt” (Isaiah 14:13); “I will be like the Most High” (v. 14).

This is interesting. We’ve deduced the harlot to be the papacy, but, as recent verses have been hinting, she also belongs to end-time mystical Babylon. Notice also that the harlot is not alone. This is not just Babylon but “BABYLON THE GREAT.” The harlot has given birth to many daughters, “harlots” and “abominations.” Fittingly, the Catholic Church is called “the Mother Church.” These other “harlots” are other churches that have imitated the papacy in rejecting God for false idols.

Interestingly, how many Protestant denominations have patterned themselves after the papacy’s counterfeits? How many of their members, for instance, attend church on Sunday, what we know to be the papacy’s mark of authority? These Protestant churches are the harlot’s daughters. Collectively, they represent apostate Protestantism.

As for “abominations,” it is simply another word for idolatry. The harlot, together with apostate Protestantism and all these other idolatrous, pagan religions, make up Babylon the Great. In fact, these three categories of false religions have already been identified as end-time mystical Babylon, the unholy union of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (Revelation 16:13, 14).

All-knowing God, thank You for revealing prophetic truth that I may not be deceived into the devil’s destruction.

For Further Study: Ezekiel 22:25–29; Jeremiah 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Key Bible Texts

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