1046. Verse 5. And upon her forehead a name written, Mystery, Babylon the great, signifies having in heart a love of dominion over the world and heaven, which the holy things of the Word, of the church, and of worship are made to serve as means. This is evident from the signification of "a name written upon the forehead," as being what she is as to love, for "name," signifies what a thing or a state is, and "forehead" signifies love. That "name" means what a thing or a state is may be seen n. 102, 148, 676, 695, 841, 892; and that "forehead" corresponds to the good of love, n. 427, 852. Also from the signification of "mystery," as being that which lies hidden in the heart and is not evident to the common people. That this is the love of dominion over the world and over heaven, which the holy things of the church are made to serve as means, and that the cupidity and government of that love is Babylon, has been fully shown in the introduction to this chapter (n. 1029). And as that love devastates the church of all truths and goods, that devastation is also meant by "Mystery, Babylon the great."

571. Quand l'homme en est venu au point de plonger les vrais de la foi dans ses cupidités désordonnées, il profane les vrais et se prive des Reliquice qui, bien qu'elles subsistent toujours, ne peuvent néanmoins se produire ; en effet, dès qu'elles se produisent, elles sont de nouveau profanées par ce qui est profané ; car les profanations de la Parole forment comme un calus qui fait obstacle et qui absorbe les biens et les vrais des Restes (Reliquice). Que l'homme se garde donc de la profanation de la Parole du Seigneur ; car, quoique celui qui est dans de faux principes ne croît pas que les choses qui y sont renfermées soient des vérités, néanmoins ce sont des vérités éternelles dans lesquelles réside la vie.