How many angels are there in Revelation 14 -2? The Second Angel's Message, v. 8
When the Angels speaks
God’s Messages for His True Church
Prayer Thought:
As the churches refused to receive the first angel's message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from the favor of God. They trusted to their own strength, and by opposing the first message placed themselves where they could not see the light of the second angel's message. But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, "Babylon is fallen," and left the churches. {EW 237.2}
Near the close of the second angel's message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" {EW 238.1}
PURPOSE - To reveal what messages God had sent through His messengers appointed in time. The Second angel’s message.
INTRODUCTION:
This study will deal more closely on its apocalyptic fulfillment of prophecy which was revealed and has significant effect on the religious system of the world. It also depicts the progressive fall of Babylon and the culmination of its power in the last days.
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.
The understanding of BABYLON is progressing.
Rev. 17 - Babylon is mysterious
Genesis 11:4,9
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth:
Three Elements of Fall of Tower of Babel
1. Unity
2. THEY HONOR FOR THEMSELVES
3. CONFUSION
BABYLON BECAME WORLD POWER HEADED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR
Daniel 3:3, 6
3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (UNITY)
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
(ENFORCEMENT OF FALSE WORSHIP)
BABYLON ceased to exist
Isaiah 13:19-20
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
(538-1844) BABYLON represents PAPAL POWER
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Revelation 17:5-6 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
BABYLON IS NOT STRICTLY TO ROMAN CHURCH ALONE
The message of Revelation 14 announcing the fall of Babylon, must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the Judgment, it must be given in the last days, therefore it cannot refer to the Romish Church, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries.(GC 383)1888 EDITION
The existing confusion of conflicting creeds and sects is fitly represented by the term “Babylon,” which prophecy (Revelation 14:8; 18:2) applies to the world-loving churches of the last days. PP 124.1
The second angel's message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the Advent message; but that fall was not complete….… The work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination. {FLB 285.2}
THE BABYLON represents not only papacy but it includes more churches
The fallen denominational churches are Babylon. Babylon has been fostering poisonous doctrines, the wine of error. This wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as
1. the natural immortality of the soul,
2. the eternal torment of the wicked,
3. the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem,
4. and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God's holy and sanctified day. {TM 61.3}
What churches that are considered Babylon?
Natural immortality of the soul - CATHOLIC,BUDDHISM, TAOISM , ALL PAGAN RELIGIONS, ISLAM, etc..
The eternal torment of the wicked . CATHOLIC, BUDDISM, TAOISM, ALL PAGAN RELIGIONS, SOME PROTESTANT CHURCHES, ISLAM..etc
The denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem - IGLESIA NI KRISTO, JEHOVAHA’S WITNESSES, JEWISH RELIGION, ISLAM, etc
Sunday Keeping - ALMOST PROTESTANT CHURCHES AND CATHOLIC CHURCH
WHAT IS THE WINE?
HER FALSE DOCTRINES
WHAT IS FORNICATION?
Unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in allowing worldly things to occupy the soul is likened to violation of the marriage vow. Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:32. { HF 237.1 }
What are the messages to oppose the doctrines of BABYLON
A. STATE OF THE DEAD - this study is show that the SOUL will die and the dead people know nothing
B. THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST - this study shows that JESUS is creator and HE existed before he became a MAN. He is God forever
C. THE TRUTH ABOUT HELL — this study shows that all the wicked will not be punished with an unending punishment because it is contrary to the character of God.
D. THE TRUE SABBATH DAY — God was commanded to observe a specific day of worship
AND MANY MORE…
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.
These and kindred errors are presented to the world by the various churches, and thus the Scriptures are fulfilled that say, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” { 2TT 362.3}
Proverbs 31:4-5 Drinking the wine —can cause to forget the LAW
THE WORD “FALLEN” IS MENTIONED TWICE
The second angel's message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the Advent message; but that fall was not complete….… The work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination. {FLB 285.2}
This is the FIRST FALL
THE FIRST FALL WAS SINCE 1844 UNTIL NOW
WHEN WILL BE THE SECOND OR COMPLETE FALL OF BABYLON?
Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future. {FLB 285.3}
Unity - THIS IS THE SECOND FALL OR FINAL FALL OF BABYLON
Jeremiah 51:6-9 Flee out(coming out) of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense. 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. Babylon is suddenly fallen(FIRST FALL) and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven(FINAL FALL) and is lifted up even to the skies.
HOW WILL THEY UNITE?
When the churches of our land, uniting upon such points of faith as are held by them in common, shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then will Protestant America have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy. {4SP 277.2}
IN THE FUTURE, BABYLON WILL REPRESENT THE FALSE SYSTEM OF RELIGION WHEN THE CHURCHES UNITE WITH THE GOVERNMENT
Revelation 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. ITS EXISTENCE CAN BE TRACED UP FROM ABEL AND CAIN.. because Abel was first victim of this false system of religion or worship.
THIS MESSAGE IS ENTRUSTED TO US (SDAs)
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great,” which hath “made all nations drink the wine of her impure passion.” To spiritual Israel is given the message, “Come out of her, My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.” Verse 8; 18:4, RSV. As the captive exiles heeded the message, “Flee out of the midst of Babylon” (Jeremiah 51:6), so those who fear God are withdrawing from spiritual Babylon. Soon they are to stand as trophies of divine grace in the heavenly Canaan. { SS 368.4 }
Most of us SDAs are not ready
Revelation 3:15-17 - I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
The message to the Laodiceans is applicable to Seventh-day Adventists who have had great light and have not walked in the light…..{ 3T 252.1}
The professed followers of Christ are no longer a separate and peculiar people. The line of demarcation is indistinct. The people are subordinating themselves to the world, to its practices, its customs, its selfishness…. Daily the church is being converted to the world. {COL 315.3}
SDA IS NOT BABYLON
To claim that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is Babylon, is to make the same claim as does Satan, {TM 42.1}
Most of us, SDAs are not applying the first angel message.
THE MESSAGE OF JESUS HIMSELF SAYS THAT WE DONT KNOW THAT WE ARE wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)
WE ARE INDEED IN NEED OF REVIVAL AND REFORMATION .. FIRST IN OURSELVES AND THEN ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME
OUR CONDITION IS NOT HOPELESS
The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths {Mar 203.2}
GOD HAS FAITHFUL PEOPLE IN EVERY CHURCH
Exodus 16:23
But God still has a people in Babylon, and these faithful ones must be called out that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” The angel comes down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and announcing the sins of Babylon. The call is heard: “Come out of her, my people.” These announcements constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. { HF 367.5 }
MAJORITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE is found in Babylon
According to this scripture, many of God's people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. (GC 383)1888 EDITION
MAJORITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE will be lost
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. {GC88 608.1}
In concluding this narrative, I would say that we are living in a most solemn time. In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved. Many will get above the simplicity of the work. They will conform to the world, cherish idols, and become spiritually dead. The humble, self-sacrificing followers of Jesus will pass on to perfection, leaving behind the indifferent and lovers of the world. {1T 608.3}
BUT THE GOODNEWS IS….
Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon our world. — Counsels on Health, 375 (1897). – {LDE 255.2}
The second angel’s message was to go to Babylon [the churches] proclaiming her downfall, and calling the people to come out of her. This same message is to be proclaimed the second time. { RH September 12, 1893, par. 14 }
THIS SECOND PROCLAMATION IS DURING THE SECOND FALL OF BABYLON
AT THE SECOND FALL OF BABYLON— IT IS ALSO DURING THE SECOND PENTECOST
Revelation 18:1-2
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
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.
Why the LATTER RAIN IS POSTPONED?
The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. God cannot pour out His Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest; when a spirit prevails that, if put into words, would express that answer of Cain,-- "Am I my brother's keeper?"--R. & H., July 21, 1896. {CS 52.1}
A. SECOND ANGEL - Rev. 14:8 – SUMMARY
1. BABYLON - (before it was the tower of babel(false system),kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar(false system) and papacy(false system) but now it represents CHURCHES(it includes Roman Catholic church)WITH FALSE DOCTRINE.
-It(future) will represent a FALSE SYSTEM OF RELIGION or WORSHIP
2. IT IS THE FIRST AND FINAL DOWNFALL OF BABYLON(religious bodies)
A. FIRST FALL SINCE 1844 up to now
B. SECOND FALL OR FINAL FALL (future) - when the union of the churches(except faithful SDAs ) with the government(democratic or communist or any form of government) and capitalists (giant businesses)
3. The churches are fallen because they rejected the Bible truth
4. BABYLON IS MYSTERIOUS (Rev. 17:5)- The understanding of Babylon is progressive
5.They (Babylonian churches)teach these false doctrines to all nations — this is making the world drunk of their wine
6. IT IS MESSAGE OF SEPARATION FROM BABYLONIAN CHURCHES
B. SECOND ANGEL
7. EXPOSING THEIR FALSE DOCTRINES such as natural immortality of the soul (it includes spiritism, purgatory, praying and talking to the dead people or the so-called dead saints) the eternal torment of the wicked the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem
SUNDAY KEEPING
Other doctrines of Babylon- false speak in tongues, secret rapture, baptism of infants, salvation by works and evolution.
To God be the Glory!