The Second Angels' Message - Revelation 14:8
The Second Angel's Message
The Second Angel's Message in Scripture ~ 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 term “Babylon” is derived from “Babel,” and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion. In Revelation 17 Babylon is represented as a woman—a figure which is used in the Bible as the symbol of a church, a virtuous woman representing a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. ...
The woman (Babylon) of Revelation 17 is described as “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness:...and upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots.” Says the prophet: “I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Babylon is further declared to be “that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:4-6, 18. The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom is Rome. ...
Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots.” By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world. The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. (Revelation 14: 8) ~ The Great Controversy, Page 381-383
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Angels With A Powerful Message
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, “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.”
The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message. ~ Early Writings, Page 277
Ø Ø Ø As the everlasting gospel and the Sabbath truth are proclaimed around the world, so too will be the message concerning the fall of these apostate religious institutions.
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Think About This:
1. Babylon is further declared to be “that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth!” Revelation 17:4-6, 18. The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom, is Rome. And no other power could be so truly declared drunken with the blood of the saints” [Revelation 17:6] as that church which has so cruelly persecuted the followers of Christ. ~ The Great Controversy, Page 382
2. “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 14:6-8. How is this done? By forcing men to accept a spurious Sabbath. ~ Testimonies, Volume 8, Page 94
3. 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 the natural Immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God’s holy and sanctified day. 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!” [Revelation 18.3.] It is a wrath which is created by false doctrines, and when kings and presidents drink this wine of the wrath of her fornication, they are stirred with anger against those who will not come into harmony with the false and satanic heresies which exalt the false Sabbath, and lead men to trample underfoot God’s memorial. ~ Testimonies to Ministers, Page 61
4. In refusing the warning of the first angel, they rejected the means which Heaven had provided for their restoration. Here was the cause of that fearful condition of worldliness, backsliding, and spiritual death which existed in the churches in 1844. ~ The Great Controversy, Page 380
5. Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his announcement to “Every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people!” [Revelation 14:6.1 The warning of the third angel, which forms a part of the same threefold message, is to be no less widespread. It is represented in the prophecy as being proclaimed with a loud voice, by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; and it will command the attention of the world. ~ The Great Controversy, Page 450
6. Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles, none have been more free from human Imperfection and the wiles of Satan than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse of many years, all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform of truth, still feel the holy influence of that blessed work, and bear witness that it was of God. ~ The Great Controversy, Page 401
