Revelation 17:5 Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE EARTH. That every one, who observeth, may know the great whore, whom John saw in his vision; she hath her name written upon her forehead, Mystery Babylon the great, etc. By mystery, we are to understand the mystery of iniquity, \ in opposition unto the mystery of Godliness, in the doctrine, worship, and power thereof. Babylon the great that is, the great whore, the Roman Papal Church, and the mother of harlots all national churches, parish churches, cathedral churches, provincial churches, etc., who own, acknowledge, and subject themselves to the ecclesiastical headship of the Roman hierarchy, pope, and papal prelacy, episcopacy, or presbytery. And abominations of the earth that is, all the abominations in the world are nourished and cherished, by the indulgences, pardons, and dispensations of the Pope and Church of Rome.